《She Outshines Them All》 She Outshines 1 She Outshines 1 She outshines 15 She outshines 15Chapter 1 Late at night in a dimly lit bar, a wealthy young man d in designer threads slid a document across the table to Athena Donovan Im engaged to the Kennedys daughter. Youre not their flesh and blood, so I need you to sign off on ending our engagement, he stated matter-of-factly. But hey, we could still mess around, right? he added, his voice dripping with nonchnce. Athena, dressed in a light blue linen dress, sat opposite him. Her long ck hair fell over her shoulders, her skin porcin- smooth, and her eyes gleamed with a quiet fire. As she watched him unt his riches, she couldnt help but think, Is this guy for real? He pushed another document her way along with a key card and car keys. This is for a property transfer. Live in the apartment for five years, and its yours. Oh, and that brand-new Maserati downstairs? Its yours too if you sign these. Athena chuckled softly and then did the math. Five years as his side piece for a 600-grand apartment and a sports car worth 400 grand? Thats barely 200 grand a year-less than 20 thousand dors a month. And he expects gratitude for his generosity? Her gaze unnerved him. He grabbed a wine ss, sipping a 2,000-dor mouthful of wine, before continuing. Look, I get it, youre a proud woman. Signing this might sting a bit. But lets be real-your folks are broke. Five brothers, all cramped in some tiny house in the old quarter, he pressed. Trust me, you wouldntst a day in their shoes. Take the t and the car. Youre gonna need them. Athena shot him a brief, scornful smirk, then leaned in to swiftly sign the documents. Lucas Harpers grandiose promises, made during their courtship, now seemedughable and vile, especially after his rush to call off their engagement upon learning she wasnt a true Kennedy. Sickened by his charade, Athena was ready to bolt after just a short while. Caught by her smile, Lucas leaned in, his face alight with desperation. Athena, I really give a damn about you. I can set you up for life if you just stick with me, he said, his voice thick with passion as he licked his dry lips. If you wanna have kids, I can look after them too. But they wont carry the Harper name, he added, clearly lost in his delusions. Athena finished signing, tucked a copy into her bag, and stood. Mr. Harper, thanks for calling off the engagement. Goodbye, she said, turning to leave. Lucas froze, then snapped back to reality as she started to walk away. Athena, you better learn your damn ce! he yelled rushing over and grabbing her arm. Im the heir to the richest family in Kitmore City, not to mention handsome, generous, and a top grad from an elite foreign school. Ive had women throwing themselves at me since I was a kid, Lucas boasted arrogantly. You should be grateful Im even considering keeping you, you gold- digging impostor! If you walk out now, youll regret it! Athena struggled briefly, then swiftly broke free. She flipped him off and spat at him before striding away. Lucas clenched his fists; trembling with rage. Stop her! he bellowed. Lucas had been pursuing Athena for three years but had never even held her hand. I cant just let her slip away, he thought desperately. I need to spend one night with her, get it on tape, and show Im still the 1/3 Chapter 1 69% most eligible bachelor in Kitmore City His entourage, keen to impress, quickly blocked Athenas way, sinirking. Athena, Mr. Harper has bent over backward for you. How can you be so cold and just leave? one sneered. If youre ditching him, at least throw the guy a bone. Show some damn appreciation for all hes done, another piped up. Athena kept her cool, then nced over their shoulders with a smirk. Matthew, you made it! Hearing the name. Lucas and his cronies turned in shock. Rumors had been flying that Matthew Graham, heir to the Graham family, had sneaked into Kitmore City. Every big shot in town, including their families, was scrambling for an intro. But when they spun around, there was no sign of Matthew-just the usual crowd. The elusive Matthew seemed nowhere in sight Lucas whipped back around to Athena. Wheres Matthew Graham? Are you lying he started, but trailed off as he realized Athena had used their distraction to slip away. Go! Downstairs, now! Weve got to catch her! he ordered his group. They muscled through the crowd and sprinted to the elevator, hitting the buildings lobby in seconds, only modest ck car pulling away. to see Athenas Athena, you cant run from me! Lucas screamed, chasing after her. He was left coughing in a cloud of dust as her car tore down the street. Furious, he wiped his face and red at the fading taillights. After her! he roared between coughs before jumping into his Maserati to give chase. 1 Half an hourter, Lucas was still desperatelybing the streets for Athena. Meanwhile, Athena had already arrived back at the Kennedy family vi. After parking her car, she made a call. cklist the Harper family immediately, she instructed coldly -No invitations to any Vission Group events, no sales of Vission Group products, and bar them from entering any Vission Group properties. With that, she ended the call and calmly walked through the vis front door. When Athena finally arrived, it was twelve minutes past midnight. Despite the Kennedys reputation for living a healthy, disciplined lifestyle, the grand crystal chandelier was still casting a bright light across the living room. As she stepped inside, she spotted Isaac Kennedy lounging on therge leather sofa, dressed in silk pajamas. His eyes were closed, seemingly at rest, and a stack of documentsy on the coffee table in front of him. It was clear hed been waiting for her. The moment he heard the door, he opened his eyes and asked with a concerned look, Athena Donovan, why are you back sote? Did somethingProperty ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. happen? Athena, wearing a polite smile, pretended not to notice his formal tone. Nothing too serious. I just signed the breakup agreement with Lucas. Its official-were done. Isaac rarely called her by her full name, which made Athena wonder if he was subtly reminding her of her ce in the family. At her words, Isaac visibly rxed, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth before he quickly composed himself again. Are you upset with us for not stepping in to save your engagement? No, Athena replied sincerely, shaking her head slightly. I never had feelings for Lucas. If you hadnt forced me into this engagement a month ago, I wouldnt have even considered him Chapter 1 69% Back then, her grandmother, had been critically ill, requiring a nearly impossible surgery. Since Athena was still a minor, she couldnt legally sign the consent forms. The Kennedys had taken advantage of the situation, using their signature as leverage. to force her into the engagement. Athena couldve arranged the surgery secretly, but she hadnt seen the point in going through all the trouble. She knew she could end things with Lutas anytime, so she went along with the engagement without a fuss. Isaac looked ufortable as he addressed the matter. After clearing his throat awkwardly, he said, Im d you dont hold it against us. Please, have a seat. Theres something we need to discuss, he added, motioning to the chair next to him. She Outshines 2 She Outshines 2 Chapter 2 Athena sat gracefully on the edge of the sofa, her posture upright and poised, hands neatly folded in herp. Isaac said slowly, Youll be meeting your biological parents tomorrow. Ive arranged for a driver to take you there, and ther are gifts prepared for them. Its been years since youve seen your family, so make sure to spend time with them, get settled. Dont worry about anythin here Athena nodded, understanding. Thank you. Isaac gestured to the property transfer agreement lying on the coffee table. This house is a farewell gift from your mother and me. Its not brand new, but its been kept up well and fully furnished. I hope itll be suitable for you. Athena had already nced over the agreement. The house was her childhood home, a small, worn-down apartment barely fit for living. The Kennedys had held onto it, hoping for a payout from demolition or as a ce for elderly rtives. Now, they were offering it to her as a symbolic gesture since neither of those ns had panned out. She smiled politely. Thank you, Dad. But please keep the house for now. Ill let you know if I need it. A flicker of displeasure crossed Isaacs face, and his tone cooled. Fine. If you ever change your mind, just call Elias, Hell handle everything right away. Athena nodded again to show she understood. After a brief pause, Isaac continued, Tomorrows gonna be busy. Ive asked Mia to pack your things. Get some rest tonight, and leave early tomorrow so you dont keep your parents waiting Athena wasnt sure if her biological parents were as eager as the Kennedys to see her go, but she could tell Isaac and his wife certainly were Standing up, she said politely, Thank you, Dad. Ill go get some rest. Her gentle demeanor andpliance seemed to please Isaac, He sighed, feigning regret. Athena,Owned by N?velDrama.Org. youre a good girl. If my long-lost son didnt already have a girlfriend, I wouldve loved to see you as my daughter-inw. Athena fought back the urge to thank him for sparing her from that fate. Remembering that Isaac hadnt been entirely unkind over the years, she offered a simple goodnight and made her way upstairs. Isaac watched her go, a mixture of guilt and reluctance in his gaze. He was surprised by how obedient she remained, even as she was about to leave. He hoped to wrap up this matter quickly so his real children could finally move in. With that thought, he put the papers away, turned off the lights, and leaded upstairs., In the master bedroom, Regina Kennedy paced nervously in her luxurious silk robe. When Isaac walked in, she immediately asked, So, what did Athena say? She didnt make a fuss, Isaac replied, brushing it off. She turned down the house, said shed ask for it if she ever needed it. Regina was taken aback. That old house might be a bit rundown, but its still worth something. I think she just thinks its beneath her. How greedy! Isaac frowned. I dont think Athenas like that. 1/2 Chapter 2 :69% Regina shot him a sharp look. Were living in a vi worth over 60 million dors. You think shes gonna settle for a house. thats barely worth 200 grand? She then raised her hand, showing off her diamond ring. Do you know where I found this Vission diamond ring? No. Isaac said with a sigh of relief. But thank God you found it. That wouldve been a hell of a loss. Mia found it stuffed in Athenas clothes while packing, Regina said coldly. We always kept this ring locked up in our room. And guess who took it? Athena. That ungrateful little thief I bet shes just waiting for an excuse to squeeze more out of us in the future, Regina continued with a hard edge in her voice. We need to protect whats ours-for our own kids. We cant give her another damn thing. # She Outshines 3 She Outshines 3 Chapter 3 Isaac shook his head, disappointment clear in his eyes. Was all that obedient, considerate behavior just a damn act? Absolutely. Regina scoffed, her expression twisted with disdain. The affection she once had for the girl she called her daughter had long since vanished. She added, When Zoe was here two days ago, she couldnt stop admiring this diamond ring. I was nning to give it to her once she and Andrew got engaged. Who wouldve guessed Ather would swipe it right from under our noses! Maybe you didnt know, but Zoe and Athena went to school together-from.elementary all the way to high school. Zoe told me Athena was popr with the boys, and they used to shower her with expensive gifts. She never hesitated to ept them Lets not dig into this. Isaac cut her off, unwilling to tarnish the memory of the girl they had once cherished. Shes leaving soon. We raised her; we should just let it go, Isaac said, trying to push past the bitterness. Tm warning you, Regina said sternly. Dont give her a damn cent. Poor people are like bottomless pits. The moment they get a taste of easy money, theyll keeping back for more. We cant let that happen. Isaac nodded. Dont worry. Ill keep it cordial, but she wont see a dime from me As the couple schemed to keep Athena away, she stood in her almost empty room, staring at her packed luggage, nearlyughing. Five suitcases were stacked by the door-two filled with clothes, one with shoes, another with bags, and thest one with skincare products and jewelry, none of it worth more than five figures. All the really expensive stuff was gone, but she didnt She grabbed a few clothes and her tablet, packing them into a smaller bag. Scribbling a note, she read it aloud to herself, Tm gone. Dont worry, and dont miss mel She ced the note on her desk and quietly slipped out of the room. Athena left behind everything the Kennedy family had ever given her. As she made her way through the dark, empty living room, she ced her keys and house card on the cab by the door. Without a second nce, she stepped outside and headed toward her modest ck car-the one she bought with her own money, not a penny from the Kennedys. Once inside the car, Athena pulled out her phone and dialed a number. When the call connected, she said, As of now, cancel all contracts with the Kennedy Group. There was a moment of stunned silence before the phone erupted with excited cheers. Finally! Youre done being their doormat! Athena chuckled softly. Im sorry for the trouble I caused. But starting today, Im officially out of that family. Theyre no longer our problem. Laughter rang out on the other end of the line. Everyones here Come celebrate with us! The sound ofughter and cheers poured through the phone, flooding Athenas ears. The noise grew louder. Hell yeah! Congrats on making the right call and cutting ties with the Kennedy Group! First thing tomorrow, Ill contact them and terminate all their partnerships with Vission Group Even if theye begging, were not backing down, they added, their excitement clear, Athena grimaced at the noise, rubbing her temples. Tm driving, Lets talkter, she said, putting the car in gear, 1/2 Chapter 3 She had no idea that, across the street from the vi, an SUV was parked under the trees, lying in wait like a predator, silently watching her every move. It was Matthew. Moments after she drove off, Matthew in the SUV issued a curt order. Follow that car. Keep out of sight. Yes, sir, his secretary Louis Connor replied, smoothly tailing Athenas car from a safe distance, confident she wouldnt notice. 68% After a while, curiosity got the better of Louis. He nced into the rearview mirror and asked, Mr. Graham, you came back home and flew all the way to Kitmore City. I remember your goal is to meet Isaac in person and check out how he snagged Vission Groups exclusive West End distribution rights, But as soon as that girl showed up, you switched your focus to her. Are you interested in her? Inwardly, he mused, If Mr. Graham ever showed interest in a woman-hell, whether shes eighteen or thirty-eight-Id be so damn grateful. Id probably sing hallelujahs. Matthew stayed silent, arms crossed, eyes closed,pletely unfazed by the question.. But Louis, persistent as ever, couldnt let it go. She used to be the Kennedy familys golden girl. Now, shes changed her name to Athena Donovan. Two weeks ago, she took the SAT;st week she found out she wasnt Isaacs biological daughter, and today, shes supposed to meet her real family. From what Ive heard, shes well-behaved, educated, and pretty low-key. Other than being drop- dead gorgeous and a top student, theres nothing else that stands out. So, why the sudden interest? Matthew remained silent, only fueling Louiss curiosity. He said, I dont mean to be nosy, but the Kennedy Groups exclusive distribution deal with Vission Group is about to expire. If we dont lock it down now, well have to wait another three years. And we cant dy Lucys treatment any longer. We need to find Dr. Annie through the Kennedys. Finally, Matthew spoke, his voice cold. Youve been with me for years, and you still dont see what makes her different? -Louis blinked in surprise, taking a moment to realize Matthew was talking about Athena. He reyed her actions in his mind, trying to figure out what might make her stand out. Despite his best efforts, he couldnt pinpoint anything and had to admit defeat Besides her looks, I dont see anything special. Please, enlighten me, Louis said, a hint of curiosity creeping into his voice. Owned by N?velDrama.Org. She Outshines 4 She Outshines 4 Chapter 4 Matthew spoke with quiet authority. I caught a glimpse inside her car. Everythings top-of-the-line, and she might even have Skywrought-a rare material Ive been hunting down for years. Louiss eyes widened with disbelief. It would be remarkable if Athena genuinely possessed such a valuable resource and used it in an ordinary car. Matthew continued. Shes also done a serious upgrade to the engine and tires. Her cars performance could easily match that of a luxury sports car Louis knew all too well how sharp Matthew was when it came to cars. He was amazed. Incredible! Its crazy to see someone so young and so damn talented Matthew nodded. The industrys still scratching their heads over how Isaac Kennedy locked down that deal with Vission Group. Athena might be the missing piece to this whole puzzle. And then theres this strange connection between the Kennedy family and Dr. Annie. From what Ive heard, Isaacs mom is really fond of Athena. That girl could have some valuable intel on how to get to Dr. Annie. Louis caught on quickly. Tll arrange to dig into Athena, Before long, they arrived at an upscale residentialplex and watched as Athena drove inside. Although they couldve followed her in, Louis chose to stay back, curious about what he was seeing. Louis said, Athenas biological parents are dirt poor, and Isaac Kennedy is known to be a tight- fisted bastard. Theres no way the Kennedy family gave her much. Yet shes living in a luxury estate where apartments cost 40 grand a square foot and driving a beast of a car. Shes definitely not hurting for cash. Matthew, still cool and detached, instructed, Well keep a close watch on her tonight and pick up the trail tomorrow. Louis was more intrigued by Athena than ever and answered with newfound energy, Got it, Mr. Graham. They then settled in for the night in their SUV. Athena had noticed the unfamiliar car tailing her but chose to ignore it. She had nothing to hide since she was heading to her private apartment, not her secretb. Besides, Athena was confident no one could touch her, no matter what they found. After arriving at her ce, she freshened up, switched her phone to silent, and fell asleep almost immediately. The next morning, Athena woke up to find two missed calls and several text messages from the same unknown number. The tone of the messages was polite and respectful. One read: [Hello, Athena. This is Wesley and ire Donovan. We tried calling earlier, but your phone seemed to be off: We thought you might still be resting, so were sending this message instead.] Another message followed: [We live quite far from you, and our ce can be a little tricky to find. Would you like us to pick you up?] Athena scrolled down to thest message: [Heres our address. But wed be happy to pick you up if youd prefer.] Athenas expression softened as she felt the warmth in their words. She replied: [Thank you. Ill come on my own and should be there around noon.] A quick reply came through: (Alright. Were making lunch now. Let us know if you have any preferences or dietary restrictions.] 1/3 68% Chapter 4 ? Though not used to such warmth and typically avoiding small talk, Athena couldnt help but picture a sweet elderly couple bustling around the kitchen as she read the messages. Surprisingly, she responded with a smiley emoji: [Im not picky. Whatever you make will be great!] After a brief pause, the reply came back, this time with two smiley emojis: [Perfect! Were excited to have you over.] Athena chuckled, imagining them taking their time to craft that message. She set down her phone and headed for the shower. Original from N?velDrama.Org. About thirty minutester, after getting ready, Athena grabbed her phone and bag and left her apartment. On her way out, she picked up a coffee and a sandwich from a nearby cafe before starting the long drive to the Donovans ce, far from the new part of town where she lived. As she followed the GPSs route, her phone buzzed with an important call It was Cora Ford on the other end. I havent found everything yet, but Ive uncovered most of it, Cora said. Go ahead, Im listening Athena replied, nodding- Knowing Athena preferred straight talk, Cora dove right in. Ten days ago, someone anonymously sent a letter to Isaac Kennedy and his wife. The letter imed that the twins they had eighteen years ago are still alive and that youre not their biological daughter. It included photos of the twins and a paternity test. After reading it, the Kennedys secretly took a blood sample from you for another test, which confirmed youre not their daughter. Athenas mind shed back tost week when Regina had insisted on trimming her nails. Regina had identally cut her and then cleaned the wound with a cotton swab before leaving. Athena had found it odd at the time-Regina was never that concerned before. So thats how they got my blood, Athena thought. When Athena didnt respond, Cora continued. After confirming the truth, the Kennedys received another letter with -information and contact details for the twins. They reached out to them and also hired a private investigator to find your biological parents. Thats when they told you everything and hurried to set things up for your departure. Athena kept herposure as she drove, maintaining a steady speed. So, whoever sent those letters must be someone close to me and the Kennedys. Exactly, Cora replied. But theyve been extremely careful. I havent been able to trace them yet. Take your time. If theyre that close, theyll slip up eventually, Athena said, her tone casual. Got it, Cora said. I also found out that eighteen years ago, the Donovans were doing well financially. Your birth mother and Isaacs wife both gave birth at St. Mary Hospital. Your mother was expecting twins too. Athena gasped. So. I might have a twin brother or sister? She Outshines 5 She Outshines 5 Chapter 5 Thats right, Cora confirmed. But after all this time, the medical staff I tracked down couldnt remember if the other baby was a boy or a girl. If you want real answers, youll have to ask your birth parents. Athena acknowledged this with a thoughtful hum, emotions churning in her chest. Cora added. Both the Donovan and Kennedy twins were born on the same day. A fire broke out in the hospital early that morning. The staff only managed to save two babies, saying one belonged to the Donovans and the other to the Kennedys. But the truth is, both babies were from the Donovan family, and you were handed over to the Kennedys as their surviving daughter. Athena frowned, suspicion creeping into her voice. That sounds shady. Theres a good chance there was arson and child theft involved Its possible. Cora agreed over the phone. The hospital directors wife had suffered a traumatic loss two months before the fire when she gave birth to twins who didnt make it. That loss broke her mentally. After the fire, the director paid off both the Donovan and Kennedy families before moving abroad with his wife. Interestingly, while they were overseas, they had twins again, who came back to the countryst year, Ive confirmed that those twins are actually Isaac and Regina Kennedys biological children. Athenas expression cleared as the pieces fell into ce. So, the director and his wife used the fire as cover to steal the Kennedys twins and then passed me off as the surviving daughter, Cora added, I questioned the hospital director and his wife privately. He swore on his faith that he didnt start the fire. He imed that in the chaos, he impulsively took the Kennedy twins and told his wife their babies hadnt died. Her mental state improved because of it, and shes fully recovered now? After a pau pause, Cora asked, Do you want more details about the Kennedy twins? Original from N?velDrama.Org. Athena shook her head. Do they have anything to do with me? No, not directly, Cora answered. Then I dont care, Athena said firmly. My priority is finding out who sent those letters and the real story behind the fire. Got it, Cora said. Ill keep digging until we get to the bottom of this. Thanks, Athena said softly. By the way, any updates on my mentor? Even the slightest clue would help. Six years ago, Athenas mentor had handed her the reins of Vission Group, guiding her step by step. In just two years, the mentor transferred control of the medicalbs, physics research centers, and an astronomical observatory to her before disappearing from Kitmore City without a trace. Despite her mentors brilliance, Athena couldnt shake the worry that gnawed at her. After a brief silence, Cora replied, Nothing new yet, but Im not giving up. Athena sighed softly, murmured her thanks, and ended the call. She then pressed the brakes, letting her thoughts wander as she sat in her car. Considering her birth parents had been financially stable back den and received arge payout, Athena couldnt help but wander how theyd ended up in such poverty. Maybe Ill figure it out when I get to the Donovans, she mused. 1/3 Chapter 5 68% Shaking off the thoughts, Athena nced out the window, realizing she was just five or six minutes from her destination. But the road ahead was blocked, causing a massive traffic jam, with police cars scattered across the scene. Athena checked her watch-almost noon. At this rate, she might not make it in time. After a moments hesitation, Athena got out of the car and walked up to a nearby pedestrian bridge to get a better look at the situation. About 660 feet ahead, she could make out severalrge banners with bold letters and hear the crowds loud chanting. One banner screamed. Regret buying an apartment in Bard Garden? Youll regret it for the rest of your life! Another boldly dered, Three years overdue! Families left homeless, kids without schools! Blood, sweat, and tears for mortgage payments and still no home! Please help those who poured their life savings into a house they cant even enter! It turned out that homeowners from a nearby development were gathered at the entrance, staging a large protest. Athena watched them with a quiet sigh, feeling genuine sympathy for their struggle. Without a word, she returned to her car and navigated into a strall alley to avoid the traffic. The detour would take longer, but it was better than being stuck. After weaving through the back streets, she finally arrived at Viento Court. Viento Court used to be an apartment for employees. It was an old ce, but still clean and quiet, with lots of open space. The area mostly housed older residents now, with few young people around. After all, a young or wealthy person wouldnt want to live in a neighborhood that shouldve been demolished years ago. Themunity had a few residential buildings, none taller than six stories. The exterior walls were worn, paint peeling, and the building numbers had faded. Athena parked at the entrance and asked the security guard for directions. Soon enough, she found Building No. 6, where couple in their fifties stood waiting outside. The man was dressed in a ck suit and polished leather shoes, while the woman wore a blue dress and high heels. Their clothes were a bit outdated, but they were spotless and well-kept, radiating a kind of old-world dignity. The woman kept ncing at her phone, clearly waiting for a message. Meanwhile, the man was on his tiptoes, shading his eyes with his hand as he scanned the area. They were obviously expecting someone. Athena recognized them immediately-Wesley and ire Donovan. Just a few days ago, she had met them at the hospital when they all had a paternity test done. After their blood was drawn, Wesley had taken a phone call, and he and ire had rushed-off, so they hadnt had much of a chance to talk. Although Athena recognized them, she still didnt know much about them. When the couple spotted her, their faces lit up with a mix of joy and nervousness. They hurried over, stopping a few steps away, their hands trembling as they reached out to take hers but then pulled back. Wesley stammered, Athena is it okay if we call you that? Athena smiled warmly, Of course. ire nervously rubbed her hands together. Athena, weve been so happy ever since we found you! This is the best thing 2/3 Chapter 5 thats happened to us in years. Its just that our family doesnt have much. Were so sorry. 68%, Athena saw the sincerity in their faces and smiled gently. Its okay. Ive had a good life so far, and that wont change. Your dont need to give me anything or feel bad about it, she reassured them. After a brief pause, she added, If theres something we want bu dont have, lets work together to get it. Her heartfelt words deeply moved Wesley and ire, and their eyes welled with tears. If they hadnt been worried about overwhelming their daughter at their first real meeting, they might have broken down right then and there. Wesley quicklyposed himself andughed, The foods ready. Lets head upstairs and talk over lunch, shall we? Athena nodded. Sure. Just as they started to walk, a womans high-pitched voice rang out behind them, Athena, wait! Athena instinctively turned towards the voice, only to be met with the rapid clicks of cameras as a man and a woman frantically snapped photos with their phones. She Outshines 6 She Outshines 6 Chapter 6 68% 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 didnt 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, weve known each other for years. Now that youve finally found your birth parents. I just had toe to congratte you in person. Athenas smile was faint, unreadable. She knew the gossip about her not being the Kennedy familys 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 Athenas 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, youre Athenas friends! Weve prepared lunch. Why dont youe up and join us? Dad, Im not close with them, Athena interrupted, her smile unchanged. Theyve just been bugging me, so dont feel like you have to entertain them. Wesleys smile faded, and he turned to Zoe and the others with a cold re. If Athena doesnt want to see you, then Id appreciate it if you left. Athena added calmly, Dad, Mom, please head upstairs first. Ill take care of this and join you soon. Wesleys face grew serious. No, you and your mother should go home first. Ill 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 youve been tossed out and reduced to living here like some stray. We came as your friends, bearing gifts, and you say were not close? Athena didnt flinch as she had seen and heard worse before. But Wesley and ire turned pale at Zoes 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 youve never seen fruit like this before. These are imported blueberries, Athenas favorite. They go for over 60 dors a pound. We got them just for her. Since she doesnt want us upstairs, you can take the basket. After all, she wont be able to afford luxuries like this anymore. Zoes original n had been to film Athenas new home and post it online, but after seeing the run- down apartment building, she found it so repulsive she didnt even want to step inside. Wesley and ires faces flushed with anger, ready to explode. 1/2 Chapter 6 e68% Before they could react, Lucas chimed in with a nasty grin. Athena, we had something special once, didnt we? Last night was unforgettable. Didnt 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 hed driven around in his sports car for hours, desperately searching for Athena. It wasnt until near dawn that he found out from the Kennedy familys maid that shede 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. Lucass words were far more vicious than Zoes taunts, and by now, a small crowd of elderly residents and children had gathered, whispering and pointing at Athena. Isnt that Wesleys daughter? The one who was kidnapped as a kid? Shes so beautiful, but how could someone so young get mixed up with a man like that? Its just not right, one resident muttered. Another chimed in, I heard a wealthy family adopted her. She must be used to living in luxury. Hows she ever going to adjust to the modest life of the Donovans? Their remarks were like needles piercing Wesley and ires 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 wont 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 couldnt 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 wasnt bluffing. He realized he needed to respect Athenas wishes., Taking ires hand, he whispered, Lets go upstairs and watch from there. If she needs us, well 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 Im living here now, Im still smarter, more beautiful, and more elegant than you. No matter how hard you try, youll never measure up to me. Her words cut Zoe deep, right where it hurt most. Original from N?velDrama.Org. She Outshines 7 She Outshines 7 Chapter 7 K 68% Zoes face turned bright red, her voice sharp with frustration. Athena, no matter how hard you try to act tough, you cant change the fact that youre not the rich girl you used to be! she snapped. See this handsome guy next to me? Thats Andrew, the real heir to the Kennedy family and my boyfriend! Zoe added, her tone smug and dripping with satisfaction. Jealous? Angry? Wishing you could take everything away from me? she taunted, her wordsced with venom. Andrew stood with his chin slightly lifted, looking at Athena with a mix of arrogance and curiosity. Hed heard all about her from his family and from Zoe, and none of it had been ttering But now, seeing her in person, he couldnt help but notice how beautiful andposed she was. Athena had this effortless grace that made her stand out, even among the most morous celebrities. It annoyed him, though, that she didnt seem to care. She hadnt even spared him a nce since they arrived. Athena, unfazed, focused on Zoe. Rx. I couldnt care less about this piece of trash youve picked up. Andrews eyes red with anger at Athenas remark. Athena Donovan, what the hell do you mean by that? he shot back. Are you really that clueless? Athena replied **y, pulling a bottle of pepper spray from her bag. You and Zoe are a match. made in heaven. Before anyone could react, Athena aimed the spray directly at Zoes face and pressed the nozzle, unleashing a fierce stinging mist Zoe screamed in agony, clutching her face as she stumbled backward. My eyes! Theyre burning! I cant see! she cried out, her voice trembling with pain. While Zoe staggered, Athena swiftly turned and sprayed Lucas as well. He barely had time to react before his eyes started burning, and his nose became clogged. He gasped for air, struggling to breathe. -Andrew rushed over, shouting, Athena, what the f***k did you do to Zoe? But before he could finish, Athena swung the spray can his way and fired again. Even though he was farther off, the mist reached him, and he was instantly overwhelmed by the burning sensation. Just like the others, Andrew was caught off guard. His eyes, nose, and mouth felt like they were on fire, and he doubled over, clutching his face and screaming in pain. Calmly, Athena stowed the pepper spray back in her bag and picked up the phones Zoe and Lucas had dropped. She tossed them into a nearby abandoned fountain filled with years of stagnant, foul-smelling water. Even if they were waterproof, the phones were done for. F**k, Athena! Andrew managed to shout through the pain, his vision still blurry. The Kennedy family took you in, raised you for years, and this is how you repay us? You have no f***g manners? Athenas response was icy and cutting. Do you even listen to yourself? Spying on people, spreading lies-thats what you call manners? Her gaze grew sharper, her voice slicing through the air. Youve got to be kidding me. Ive never even held Lucass hand, let alone anything else. Maybe you should get him some help before his delusions turn into something dangerous. She raised her voice deliberately, ensuring everyone in the neighborhood could hear and that Lucass les would not tarnish the Donovan family. 68% Chapter 7 The elderly onlookers began murmuring among themselves. That young man is handsome, but how could he be so wicked to spread such lies about a young girl? one elderly woman remarked. Look at the girl! Shes dressed modestly and carries herself so innocently. She doesnt seem like the type to do such things. another onlooker added.. Compared to her, the other girls outfit is much tighter, and shes showing off her thighs and waist. Isnt she trying to attract attention? someone whispered, pointing subtly at Zoe. Zoe was seething with rage, wanting tosh out at the old folks for their outdated and narrow- minded views. But with her eyes burning and swollen shut, she couldnt even see, let alone retaliate. Infuriated by the crowds criticism of his girlfriend, Andrew shouted, Athena, youre such a disgrace! Its no wonder my parents and everyone at home look down on you, saying youre incultured, unsophisticated, and greedy Before he could finish, a sudden ssh of water hit him, drenching him from head to toe. The crowd erupted inughter as he looked up furiously, only to see Athenas parents standing on the balcony- one holding an empty bucket, the other ready with another. Not wanting to involve her family further, Athena quickly warned the trio. The spray is toxic, so you should see a doctor immediately. If you dy, you could suffer serious consequences like vision loss or even blindness. Andrews face drained of color at her words. Zoe! Lucast Athena threw your phones into that fountain. Get them yourself! Im going to get my eyes checked! he shouted before sprinting toward his vehicle. Athena calmly walked around, crushing the scattered blueberries underfoot, before heading into the building and mming the door shut behind her. As the Donovans retreated and the troublemakers were subdued, the elderly crowd began to disperse, chatting among themselves as they left. Across the street, two men watched from the shadows of a tree, having witnessed the entire confrontation. Louis marveled, That spray is something else. Its almost as strong as tear gas, I wonder where you can buy something like that. Mr. Graham, Miss Donovan might be staying home for a while. Should we continue observing? he asked. Matthew paused briefly before responding, Ill wait in the car. You stay here and keep an eye on things. His directive left his secretary momentarily speechless. Meanwhile, back at Building No. 6, Athena reached the top floor and saw her parents waiting at the door. The enticing aroma of food filled the air. Athena,e in and join us for dinner, Wesley called out, gesturing for her to enter. After the earlier ordeal, Wesley felt a newfound bond with his daughter, the tension from their previous interactions melting away. He no longer felt the nervousness that once clouded their ftionship. Athena responded with a soft smile as she stepped into the house, but then she suddenly stopped in her tracks, surprise flickering across her face. 2/2Original from N?velDrama.Org. She Outshines 8 She Outshines 8 Chapter 8 As Athena pulled up to the apartment building, she could already sense that Wesley and ire werent well-off. But she hadnt expected just how cramped their home would be. At the entrance, she took in the modest two-bedroom apartment. Theyout was straightforward- kitchen and bathroom on one side, bedrooms on the other, with a tiny balcony in between. The living room was simple, functional even. Big cabs and storage units filled most of the space, with shelves lining the walls, all crammed with different odds and ends. A long sofa and a table were pushed against one wall, while a dining table with three chairs sat in the center, cluttered withi dishes. The room was so tight, just moving around seemed like a challenge. Athena slipped into a pair of house slippers and stepped inside, noticing toys scattered across the sofa-clearly a childs. Are these my brothers kids toys? she wondered. Her eyes were drawn to a family photo hanging above the TV. Eleven people, she counted. In the photo, Wesley and ire stood with an elderly couple, five young men, a young woman, and a little girl. Wesley noticed where she was looking and proudly pointed out the figures. Those are your grandparents, the five young men are your brothers, and the young woman and little girl are your sisters, Athenas confusion deepened. Sisters? she thought. Does he men my twin? But as she looked closer, it was clear the young woman looked nothing like her-definitely not a twin. A new question began forming in her mind. Where is my twin sister? Why isnt she in the family photo! Sensing her confusion. Wesley quickly exined for fear that Athena might think the family doesnt wee her. Athena, let me exin He nced around the small living room, visibly uneasy. Everyone was so excited when they heard you wereing home. -They all wanted to see you right away, but the house is just well, too small. They thought it might be too cramped for you if everyone came at once. So, they figured itd be better if you had a chance to settle in first, you know. get used to things. But there was more to it, something left unsaid. The real concern was that Athena, raised in luxury, might not handle their modest home so well. ire nervously fidgeted with her hands, her eyes glued to Athena. She couldnt help but marvel at Athenas beauty. Innocent, like an angel, and here she was, brought back to this old, cramped apartment. Will she be disappointed with our home? Will she even want to visit us again? ires thoughts raced. Sensing ires anxiety. Athena gave her a warm smile. Its fine, really. Ill have dinner with you and Dad tonight, and Ill catch up with everyone elseter. She could see the effort Wesley and ire had put into preparing for her visit. The house was spotless-no dust anywhere. Even the balcony railing and the tight corners under the table were clean. The kitchen was grease-free, and the bathroom was fresh and tidy. Athena appreciated the sincerity behind their efforts and felt moved by their warmth. 020 Relief washed over Wesley and ire as they experienced Athenas kindness. One had reddened eyes, while the others eyes 1/8 Chapter 8 58% were misty with unshed tears. Whether or or not Athena fully epted this family, they felt content knowing she was kind and thoughtful. They were grateful and asked for nothing more. Athena, you must be tired from your journey, ire said, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand and awkwardly pulling out a chair. Please, sit down. Ill get you some soup. Thank you, Mom. Athena said, cing her bag on the sofa and sitting at the dining table. Athena noticed that the dining table was a new folding table. It wasrge enough to amodate the family but designed to be folded and stored away when not in use, freeing up space in the small living room. As ire served the dishes, Wesley said, Athena, let me tell you more about our family. Your grandparents live in the countryside, Theyre almost eighty and not in the best health. Your eldest brother moved in with them to care for them. When we did the paternity test with youst week, it abru as your brother who called to tell me that Grandpa might not make it. Thats why your mom and I had to leave so abruptly. Im really sorry When they rushed off after the paternity test, Wesley and ire had felt guilty for leaving so suddenly, especially when Athena, likely their biological daughter, deserved more of their time. Now, they finally had the chance to exin. Athena asked with concern, Is Grandpa alright? Wesleys heart warmed at her question. Thanks to quick medical attention, your grandfather pulled through. Athena smiled gently. My brother must be a good person if hes so devoted to Grandpa and Grandma. She meant it sincerely. Having been raised by her grandmother in the Kennedy family, Athena felt an immediate connection to her eldest brother, even though they hadnt met. Wesleys face lit up with joy. Your eldest brother is indeed a good person, and so is everyone in this family-including you. -ire smiled, When they heard you wereing home for dinner today, they sent us radishes and other vegetables from their farm early this morning so that you could enjoy them. To keep them fresh, they sent them right after harvesting. Theyre really delicious! ire beamed with pride. Athena took a sip of the c***y radish soup, and her eyes lit up with delight. Its amazing! PleaseOwned by N?velDrama.Org. send my thanks to them! she said, her voice full of warmth. Despite having sampled the finest cuisines, Athena savored the simple, home-cooked dishes in front of her. Each bite was a revtion, and she couldnt help but praise the meal. As Athena eagerly drank the soup, her usual refined table manners gave way to an unrestrained enjoyment of the food, as if she couldnt get enough of theforting vors. Wesley and ire exchanged nces, their faces softening as the tension dissolved. The joy in their eyes shone bright, filling the room with warmth. Wesley added, Your grandparents said they muste to the city to see you once they feel better. Even on their deathbeds, they want to see their precious granddaughter onest time. Wed, Oct 9 She Outshines 9 She Outshines 9 Chapter 9 ײ68% After polishing off two bowls of rich, cr****my radish soup. Athena put down her spoon and said earnestly, Mom, Dad, I know some top-notch doctors. Once you decide on a time, let me know, and Ill arrange for a car to pick them up. Ill also have my friend whos a doctor take a look at them. And dont worry about the costs. The hospital allows us to defer payments over five or ten years. Wesley and ire exchanged nces, both surprised and overjoyed. Thank you so much, Athena. Youre truly a blessing to our family. Wesley said, his voice full of gratitude.. Athena beamed, her heart warming at the sight of her parents happiness. She returned to her meal, savoring the deep satisfaction of being able to help them. Overjoyed by Athenas obvious enjoyment, ire kept piling more food onto her te. Here, have some more, she urged, her eyes twinkling with motherly pride. Not wanting to be outdone, Wesley grabbed the serving spoon and ced an empty te in front of Athena. Try these, too! I made the chicken pot pies, shrimp, and macaroni and cheese, he said enthusiastically. Athena happily ate everything that was offered, feeling like a contented cat as she relished each bite. The dishes were exceptionally fresh, and the fish she tried had such a rich vor it reminded her of farm-to-table cooking. Not to be outshined in the kitchen, ire chimed in, Athena, I made the baked fish, seafood chowder, casserole, and sd. So, tell me, whos the better cook, your dad or me? While most people might offer a polite response. Athena, being straightforward as always, thought for a moment before replying. Td give Dads cooking a perfect score. Wesley chuckled and shot ire a yful wink, ire, momentarily deted, pouted a little as if her cooking skills had been foundcking. But then Athena grinned and added, And Moms cooking? That gets an extra twenty bonus points. ires face instantly lit up, her pride and joy making her look years younger as she smiled broadly. Then eat more! ire insisted, eagerly spooning more food onto Athenas te. As long as you want, Ill cook for you every day. And if theres something I dont know how to make, Ill learn. Tm not exaggerating-Im a damn good cook! Your dad practically begged me to marry him because I could whip up a killer pasta sd and crab cakes. Wesley, pretending to be stern, shot back, Now, dont go lying to the kid, Youre the one who fell for me and started cooking for me every day to win me over, Athena couldnt help but smile at their lighthearted banter, filling the room with warmth. Wesley and ire watched her with growing affection, finding her utterly adorable-like a little hamster with her puffed cheeks, sparkly eyes, and constant munching. Every bite she took made them want to dote on her even more. After finishing her meal, Athena set down her fork and spoon with a contented grin. Ill take a break and eat moreter, she said, rubbing her belly in satisfaction. Wesley and ire were delighted to hear that. ire quickly brought her a ss of lemonade. Athena, I made this myself-my secret recipe. Everyone says it good enough to be sold in a restaurant, she said proudly. 1/3 68% +5 Chapter 9 Wesley smiled, adding. Try it while I tell you more about your other brothers and sisters As Athena sipped the lemonade. Wesley continued, Brandon, your second brother, is studying abroad. Hes been covering all his expenses with schrships and part-time jobs. We havent sent him a cent, but he still manages to send us a little. money each month. Wesleys expression flickered between pride and guilt as he went on, He really wanted to visit you, but hes been saving up for a ne ticket. He wouldnt even let us help with the cost-he insisted on paying for the trip himself Athena smiled warmly. Please let him know Ill be in Kitmore City for a while, so he cane back whenever its convenient. No rush. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Wesleys face softened with relief. Athena, youre so thoughtful. Ill pass on your message, and Im sure itll mean the world. to him. ire then said, Your third elder brother, Harry, is in the military But before she could continue, Wesleys phone suddenly rang, interrupting the conversation. Distracted but did not want to miss anything important, so Wesley answered the call and put it on speakerphone. Hello? The voice on the other end was frantic, barely audible over the background noise. Hello, are you Arthur Donovans father? Arthur got into a fight with a security guard and was taken to the police station. Theyre talking about charging him with assaul ww What? Wesleys face drained of color as he shot up from his seat, quickly moving to the kitchen to avoid rming Athena Where is he now? Is he hurt? he asked, his voice lowered but strained. ires smile faded, and the spoon and fork slipped from her hands and ttered to the floor. The tension in the room thickened as Wesley closed the kitchen door behind him, the warmth from moments before quickly reced by a heavy sense of worry. The living room plunged into a tense silence, and ires eyes darted around the room as if searching for something. -Noticing her distress, Athena quickly picked up ires phone from the sofa and handed it to her. ires hands trembled as she took the phone and tried to dial a number. She pressed the phone to her ear, but the line was busy. Her face grew paler with each failed attempt, her anxiety mounting. Athena nced at the screen and noticed the name Arthur, realizing that ire was trying to reach her brother. ire also noticed that ires phone was a newer model, far more advanced than Wesleys. It was clear that the Donovan family was looking out for her. With every unanswered call, ires eyes filled with tears. Why isnt he picking up? Even if hes been arrested, they cant just take his phone! He should be able to call home! How else can be reach us? He hasnt done anything that bad! Her voice shook, heavy with worry. Still unsure of the full story, Athena remained silent, quietly observing and trying to piece it all together. After what felt like forever. Wesley finally came out of the kitchen, his face tense. ire jumped up, her voice trembling. Wesley, hows Arthur? When will he be home? Dont worry, its just a misunderstanding. Arthur is gonna be line, Wesley said, cing his hands gently on her shoulders to calm her. His voice was steady, but the worry in his eyes was hard to miss. 2/3 3/3 Chapter 9 68%1 He then turned to Athens with an apologetic look. Athena. Im sorry you had to deal with this on your first visit. Arthur has run into some trouble and got arrested. Im heading to the station to sort things out. If its okay with you, youre wee to stay longer or even spend the night. I can ask your mom to keep youpany. But if youd rather head home, Ill arrange a car for you. After hearing him out, Athena spoke up. Dad, Im part of this family now, too. Can you tell me what really happened to Arthur? She Outshines 10 She Outshines 10 Chapter 10 Wesley and ire exchanged uneasy nces, torn between shielding their recently reunited daughter from their problems and worrying that keeping secrets would only make her feel more like an outsider. After a tense moment, Wesley made up his mind. Athena, we dont want to hide anything from you about the situation our family is in. Five years ago, we managed to scrape together enough money to buy a duplex in Bard Garden, a new residentialplex not far from here. We had dreams of moving the whole family in and bringing your grandparents to live with us. The house was supposed to be ready three years ago, ording to the contract. But Wesley sighed, the frustration and helplessness weighing on his face. He continued, Just when the project was nearingpletion, the owner of Bard Property fled overseas with a massive sum of money. Suppliers, renovationpanies, and construction crews all started showing up, demanding payment But thepany went bankrupt, leaving nothing to pay them with. So, the entire development was put on hold. Thepleted units cant be handed over, and construction on the unfinished ones has stopped. Even though the homeowners won theirwsuits, Bard Property has to settle its debts with the suppliers and builders before anything can move forward. So, we and all the other homeowners are stuck, waiting for them to clear those debts. Athena remembered the protest thed seen earlier outside Bard Carden. It hit her-Arthur was probably there, organizing and leading the whole thing. The police are trying to track down the owner of Bard Property ire added, wiping her eyes. But since hes overseas, itsplicated, and the situation just drags on and on. *Our mortgage payments are about 4,000 dors a month, Wesley continued. The money our kids saved has been going straight into those payments, but the idea of ever moving into that house feels more hopeless by the day. Wesley gave a wry smile. And whats even more frustrating is that since Bard Property is a private company, the government cant step in to cover the costs. Even if the police find the owner, we still wont get our house unless he somehow manages to settle all the debts. ire, her voice trembling with emotion, chimed in. Arthur organized that protest to try and speed things up so that when you came back to us, youd have a proper home. We never thought things would turn out like this. So, please dont me him for noting to see you today or for any of this mess, ire pleaded, tears streaming down her face. As a tear fell onto Athenas hand, she felt a deep tug at her heart. She nodded gently, her voice calm but resolute. Mom, Dad, dont worry. I have a feeling Arthur will be home soon, and the house situation will get sorted out quickly. Seeing the quiet determination in their daughter, Wesley and ire forced a smile, even though their worries remained. Wesley sighed. Youre right. Were good people, and good things wille our way Athena didnt borate but spoke with firm conviction. Mom, Dad, I usually have a good sense about these things. Trust me, Arthur will be okay. Wesley and ire exchanged another nce. They knew Athen was trying to reassure them, but something about the certainty in her voice actually eased their anxieties a little. Okay? Wesley said, patting Athenas shoulder gently. We trust you. He hesitated for a moment before adding, I need to get ready before I go see your brother. You 1/3 Wed, Oct Chapter 10 Athena stood up, her tone unwavering. You focus on bringing Arthur home. Since theres nothing I can do to help right now, Ill head back for the time being. She paused, then added. But once Arthurs back. Ille visit again. Relieved that she still nned to visit, Wesley hesitated, then cautiously asked, Athena, where are you staying now? If youre okay with it, wed love for you to move in with us. ire, distressed by the thought of her daughter being kicked out of the Kennedy family and left with nothing, quickly added, The house might be small, but there are usually only four or five of us here. We can definitely make room for you. Wesley nodded in agreement. And if the cramped space makes you ufortable, I can rent a nearby room. You can choose the location and size, Before Athena could respond, ire, still worried, asked cautiously, Athena, do you have any money right now? Were not rich, but we can certainly support you, Athena smiled warmly and replied, Thank you for worrying about me. Id be happy to move back in with you. But Ill be working over the summer and will need to stay in thepany dormitory so I wont be moving back right away. And please dont worry about my living expenses. Thepany provides meals and amodation; and the sry is good enough for me. Ill let you know if I ever need money for tuition when school starts. ires concern was immediate. Youre so young and already working? What kind of job is it? Is it tough? Does your boss treat you well? And is it safe? To ire, Athena was still just eighteen-delicate and angelic, raised infort. The thought of Athena going out to work, especially with so little life experience, made her anxious. Shed much prefer Athena helping out at their food cart in the evenings, even if it meant just sitting there ying on her phone. Athenas smile stayed gentle as she reassured ire. Its nothing to worry about. Were a group of students working with experts on some scientific research. Everyones deeply involved in academia, and theyre all well-respected professionals. Theres no danger. She wasnt lying about the job, but she left out some details on purpose. ire sighed in relief but still hesitated before asking, What kind of scientific research? Athena smiled mysteriously. Thats ssified. I cant share the details. Original from N?velDrama.Org. ire was about to press further when Wesley stepped in, calm and reassuring. Athena, youre a smart girl. If you say its confidential, we believe you. Noticing the food left on the table, Wesley smoothly changed the subject. Theres still plenty of food. Want to take some home? Wesley gave ire a meaningful look, silently reminding her not to push too hard. They had talked about this earlier and agreed that the best way to make Athena feelfortable was to listen to her, respect her choices, and not interfere too much Remembering their agreement, ire swallowed her remaining worries and decided not to dig any deeper. Alright, thank you for the meal! Athena said, grateful for their efforts. I cant eat all of this on my own, but Id love to take some tuna casserole, mac and cheese, roast beef sliders, and Moms special lemonade! Of course! Well pack it up right away Wesley responded, clearly pleased. A few minutester, Athena headed downstairs with bags of food in hand. Once outside, she pulled out her phone and made a call. 2/3 3/3 68% Chapter 10 She began, Ryan, my family bought an apartment in Bard Garden, but the handovers been dyed for three years. My brother just got arrested at a protest after shing with security. I need you to be hiswyer and handle this. Also, I want you to investigate Bard Property immediately. I need detailed information on their operations, finances, and staffing. My goal is to get our apartment back as soon as possible. Athen dered firmly. And keep this quiet. My family can know Im involved. She Outshines 12 She Outshines 12 Chapter 12 Isaac, trembling with fury, felt his vision blur as he struggled to breathe. Regina clung to his arm, fears threatening to spill. Honey, maybe we should go and beg Vission Group. Ill go with you. an We have to convince them to give us back our management rights, no matter what-even if it means making only a fraction of what we used to She knew that nearly ny percent of the Kennedy familys wealth came from their partnership with Vission Group. Losing that partnership meant losing their status and financial security, a thought Regina couldnt bear. Isaac clenched his jaw and finally nodded. Fine. Well go together. If they refuse. Ill end it right there in front of them, Isaac said, abruptly getting to his feet. He pointed at his assistant, Micah Barnes. Youreing with us. And if we dont get those rights back, youre out. Micah, a 25-year-old distant rtive, hadnt made it into any decent universities and ended up at some shady diploma mill abroad Since graduating, he had been working for Isaac, fully aware that his limited skills made him dependent on the Kennedy Group. If they sank, hed go down with them. Micah scrambled to gather his tablet and belongings. Yes, Mr. Khnedy, he said, rushing after Isaac and Regina. Just as they reached the door, they ran into Zoe and Andrew. Isaac waved them off, saying, Make yourselves at home. Ive got urgent business to handle, but Ill be back soon. After a few steps, he paused and turned back to Zoe with a reassuring smile. Zoe, let your parents know theres been a small misunderstanding with Vission Group, but well have it sorted out soon. Nothing to worry about. Zoe forced a smile. Of course, Mr. Kennedy. In Kitmore City, wealthy families often arranged marriages to secure their social positions. Owned by N?velDrama.Org. The Kennedys had started out middle-ss but had risen fast in the past decade, bing the second wealthiest family after the Harpers-and they were poised to overtake them. If the Kennedys lost their main source of ie, it was unclear if the Murray and Harper families would still be interested in a marriage alliance. From that angle, Zoe was just as anxious about the Kennedys chances of winning back Vission Group. Once Isaac and Regina left, Zoe and Andrew moved into the living room, exchanging uneasy nces as they reflected on the humiliation theyd faced earlier and the Kennedys impending crisis. After a moment, Andrew pulled out his phone. Ive made a lot of connections since I got back. Ill see if anyone can help us get in touch with Vission Group. Zoe smiled sweetly. Youre a rising star. Im sure plenty of people would love to do you a favor. Though Andrew was still an up-anding actor, he carried himself with the confidence of an A- lister. He shed her a c**y smile at her words and stepped out into the garden to make his calls. Watching him go, Zoe muttered, If only your brains were as sharp as your looks, but Zoe sighed, her frustration mounting as thoughts of Athena crept into her mind. Vission Croup wont even notice you. People willugh at how clueless you are if you try to reach out cant even bring myself to tell you that 68% Chapter 12 Every time I run into Athena, everything goes wrong! I almost Had a car ident on the way here, and now the Kennedys are in crisis. Shes a jinx! Everyone who crosses her path suffers! If Im going down, shesing with mel Zoes eyes gleamed with malice as she pulled out her phone and sent an anonymous email to a private investigator she had hired before. The reply came quickly: [Ill have photos and videos of the Donovan family within three days.] Zoe deleted the emails, a wicked smile spreading across her face Back in school, everyone praised Athena as the inost beautiful and intelligent girl. She had no shortage of admirers, but once pictures and videos of the Donovans poverty started circting. Zoe was confident no affluent family would still consider her a suitable match. Of course, some might y around with her. But marry her? Their families would never allow it, Zoe thought, smirking. When news broke that Vission Group had severed ties with the Kennedy Group, Matthew Graham was the first to be informed. Mr. Graham, should we reach out to Vission now? Louis asked Matthew remained calm. No need to rush. First, find out why Vission made this move. Everyones scrambling to contact Vission Group Arent you worried we might miss our chance! Louis pressed. Matthew crossed his arms, his gaze steady. Vission Group is notorious for being unpredictable. They work with those who catch their eye and discard those who dont. The key to securing their partnership is understanding and catering to their interests. Louis nodded. Understood. Ill investigate the reasons behind their break with the Kennedy Group. Matthew turned his attention to the window. In the meantime, go to Harmony Hospital. In the VIP ward at Harmony Hospital, Athena sat by her grandmothers bed, meticulously reviewing the medical reports from the past few days. Her grandmother remained unconscious, asionally waking but only briefly and mumbling incoherently. Athena had instructed the caregiver to alert her whenever her grandmother showed signs of waking. However, these brief moments of consciousness were so fleeting that her grandmother was usually asleep again when Athena arrived. Considering this, Athena contemted moving into the hospital for a while. She was lost in thought when the attending physician Jack Kingston entered. Miss Donovan, Jack greeted her politely. Mr. Matthew Graham would like to see you. Athena blinked in surprise. Matthew Graham? The renowned Matthew Graham? she asked, her mind immediately picturing the prominent figure. Jack nodded. Yes, thats right. Athena wasnt flustered or excited about meeting such a prominent figure. Instead, she was puzzled. Why does he want to see me? Jack exined. He learned that Dr. Annie personally led the team that performed surgery on your grandmother a month ago. Hes hoping you can help him reach out to Dr. Annie for treatment for a family member 2/3 3/3 Chapter 12 681 Athena had dealt with simr requests recently and immediately shook her head. Dr. Annie mentioned she wouldnt be taking on new patients for a year. You know this, Dr. Kingston, so Im afraid I cant help him. Jack nodded in understanding. I did exin that to him, but hes still hoping youll give him ten minutes of your time. If you still decide not to help after those ten minutes, he promises not to trouble you again. Jack hesitated before adding earnestly, Mr. Graham has donated over 20 million dors to Harmony Hospital, saving the lives of countless children and elderly patients. Hes been a tremendous benefactor. If its not too much trouble, Miss Donovan, I hope you can spare him those ten minutes. She Outshines 13 She Outshines 13 Chapter 13 Athena was moved by the thought of saving hundreds of children and elderly patients. She couldnt ignore an act like that. Closing the medical report, she asked, Where is he now? Two minutester, Athena found herself in the first-floor reception room, facing none other than the legendary Matthew. She couldnt help but think, Is that really him? Hes even more striking in person. And he looks so damn young! Athena noted that he seemed only three or four years older than her, yet there was something about him-an air of authority, a blend of maturity and calmness that made him seem older than his years. But seriously, why the hell is he wearing a bucket hat indoors in the middle of summer? she thought, amused by his odd choice. Meanwhile, Matthew was sizing her up, too, his gaze steady and appraising. Up close. Athena was even more stunning. Her delicate features were paired with wless, glowing skin. Herrge eyes. framed by longshes, were bright and expressive, giving her a feline-like grace. A smooth forehead, a perfectly sculpted nose, and fell, rosy lipspleted her striking appearance. Every detail of her beauty was wless, and Matthew finally understood why Louis had always sung her praises. Louis wasnt exaggerating Their eyes locked in an intense stare, neither of them blinking, like two deer caught in headlights, The moment seemed to drag on until Louis quietly appeared with two sses of water, clearing his throat just loud enough to snap them out of it. Matthews voice was calm and polite, but with an edge that hinted he wasnt someone youd want to mess with. Nice to meet you Miss Donovan. Please, have a seat, he said. Athena blinked and mumbled, Thank you, before sitting across from him at the conference table. Matthew mirrored her, taking his seat with the sameposed demeanor. Louis set a ss of water in front of each of them before retreating to the corner, standing there likeOriginal from N?velDrama.Org. some sort of silent bodyguard. Matthews eyes were fixed on Athenas, calm and sharp. Miss Donovan, Matthew began, his tone measured and deliberate. I understand that Dr. Annie mentioned you should contact her if your grandmother had any post-surgery concerns. Id like to ask if you could contact her on my behalf and see if shed be willing to treat my sister. Matthew recalled the hospital staff mentioning that Annie had personally reached out to perform stirgery on Athenas grandmother. Though the reasons were unclear, he suspected Athenas connection with Amie might help. Athena raised an eyebrow. Dont you have Dr. Annies contact info? Why not reach out yourself? Matthew stayed calm. Ive sent countless emails, but she hasnt responded. Athena shook her head slightly. Dr. Annie is very particr. Shes made it clear she wont take on any new patients for year. Even if I ask, I doubt shell agree Ive heard, Mashew replied, maintaining hisposure. But Dr. Annie agrees to treat my sister, Ill give her thetest model of the Miracle 3.0-hasnt even hit the market yet-as a token of my appreciation. 1/2 2/2 Chapter 13 Athenas interest was piquedat the mention of the Miracle 3.0. 968%, Noticing her shift in expression, Matthew continued. The Mirade 3.0 isnt just earthquake-proof, collision-proof, drop- proof, and smash-proof. Now its waterproof, too. It can switch between an SUV and a sedan, and theres only one of them in the world right now. Athenas eyes widened, and she gasped softly. A car like that would dramatically improve anyones chances in an emergency. Shed always wanted a Miracle car, but with only 100 produced each year, they were nearly impossible to get. The reservation process was a nightmare, demanding so much personal information that she wasnt willing to share. Matthews subtle smile widened as he observed her reaction. Miss Donovan, Matthew pressed on. If you could help me get in touch with Dr. Annie, Id be incredibly grateful. Even if she says no. Ill owe you one. But if she agrees, Id be in your debt in a big way. Trust me, your help wont go unnoticed. What Matthew didnt mention was that anyone who crossed him would quickly regret it. As Athena mulled over his request, she looked up, wondering if it was worth having Matthew owe her a favor. With his powerful connections and impressive skills, a future partnership could definitely her options. Matthew gave Louis a subtle nod. work in her favor. As she weighed Louis stepped forward with a respectful nod. Miss Donovan, Ive got Ms. Lucy Grahams medical records ready. Would you like them in hard copy or digital? Athena was stunned. The name hit her like a wave of recognition. The Lucy Graham? The business genius? she thought in surprise. Athena had admired Lucy for years and had followed her incredible rise to sess. If she ever had a role model, Lucy was it. But Lucy had disappeared from the public eye years ago. Athena had no idea she was sick, let alone that she was Matthews sister. She Outshines 14 She Outshines 14 Chapter 14 After a brief moment of thought, Athena decided. Written documents would be best. Louis immediately pulled a carefully sealed packet from his briefcase and ced it respectfully in front of Athena. Thank VOL. Miss Donovan, for helping out Mr. and Ms. Graham. With a hint of concern, Louis added, I apologize if this is an inconvenience, but Ms. Grahams situation is extremely sensitive. If word gets out, it could have serious repercussions for Mr. Graham and the Graham Group. Please make sure the records. are destroyed after youre done with them You dont need to worry about that, Athena replied seriously. Only Dr. Annie will see these medical files. Matthew nced at his watch. Alright, our ten minutes are up. Thanks again, Miss Donovan. Until we meet next. He stood up and offered his hand to Athena. As she rose to her feet, she couldnt help but notice how perfect his hand was- a wlessbination of proportion and grace, almost like a work of art. It took Athena a few seconds to snap out of it before she extended her own hand to meet his When their hands touched, she felt a subtle spark, a faint jolt of electricity that tingled up her right arm. How many milliamps could that be? Athena wondered, amused despite the situation. One? Two? Maybe three? Meanwhile, Louis, standing off to the side, was struggling to contain his shock. He adjusted his sses, eyes wide with disbelief. Mr. Graham initiated a handshake with her. And itsted more than a second? Everyone who knew Matthew knew how much he hated physical contact. Even when a handshake was expected, his greetings were always brief-neversting more than a second. But today, it seemed, he had made an exception for Athena. Louis mentally counted the seconds. One, two, three, four Mr. Graham held on for four seconds before letting go, he thought, stunned. -As Matthew released Athenas hand, he gave her a small nod before turning to leave. As he passed, she caught a whiff of a subtle, refreshing scent that she found oddly attractive. Outside the hospital, Matthew slipped on his mask and nced down at his hand. Adjusting his sses, Louis cautiously asked, Mr. Graham, are you nning on not washing your hands today? Matthew shot him a cold look. What the hell are you trying to say? A mischievous glint reflected off Louiss sses. Your hand still carries Miss Donovans warmth and scent. If youre not feeling well, go see a doctor, Matthew replied coolly, shoving his hand into his pocket as he walked away. Back in the VIP ward, Athena pulled out Lucys medical records, carefully going through each detail The records revealed that five years ago, Lucy had been in a catastrophic car ident. Her head had been struck first and then crushed under the vehicle. Although emergency surgery saved her life, the severe skull fractures caused irreparable damage to her brain, leaving her in a prolongeda. The ident also left her face badly disfigured. Over thest five years, Lucy had undergone more than twenty surgeries to partially restore her appearance and improve the condition of her skull fractures. 1/2 K 68% Chapter 14 However, several bone fragments remained lodged in her brain issue. One fragment, in particr, was dangerously close to the transverse sinus, where even the slightest movement could cause fatal bleeding. The surgery required to remove these fragments was extremelyplex and risky, and no doctor had been willing to take it on However, dying the procedure increased the risk of her falling into a vegetative state-or worse, brain death. Athena assessed Lucys critical condition by ncing over the medical records. Even Dr. Annie would admit this surgery is a tough one, Athena thought, torn between getting involved or staying out of it. Deep in thought, she pulled out her phone and started searching for news about Lucys car ident. Since Matthew mentioned the incident was being kept under wraps, it wasnt a shock that no detailed information was avable online. However, she dide across some scattered articles about a major fallout between Lucy and the Graham Groups board of directors five years ago. The board had issued a public ultimatum: if Lucy didnt step down from all her roles, theyd offload the majority of their shares to her rivals within the Graham family, As the boards deadline loomed, Lucy vanished without a trace, leaving behind only a few documents. These papers revealed that she had agreed to most of the boards demands, keeping only her director position and transferring 12% of her shares to Matthew, while holding on to just 3% for herself. After that, she disappeared from the public eye, and Matthew assumed the role of CEO of the Graham Group. In the years that followed, rumors swirled that Lucy had died, but no evidence ever surfaced. As Athena sifted through the reports, her mind raced. Lucy must have seen the dangering and made sure her brother was set up for sess. Athena reasoned internally. She also noticed that Matthew hadunched the Miracle brand around the same time. Could his sisters ident have fueled his obsession with creating it? she wondered The twisted mess of wealthy families Athena sighed, putting her phone down. At least Lucy was a loyal sister, and Matthew seems to have been just as dedicated to her. Ive gotta admit, thats something I respect, she thought. But should I take on Lucys surgery? After a moment of hesitation, she snapped a photo of Lucys medical records and sent it to a group chatbeled Dr. Annie, with the message: [Ive got a high-stakes patient here, and the reward is a Miracle 3.0. Whos in?]Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Athena was, in fact, the elusive Annie. But Annie wasnt just her-it was an alias for her entire medical team. She Outshines 15 She Outshines 15 Chapter 15 Arthur stumbled out of the police station that evening, his mind in a haze. The warm glow of the setting sun made everything around him feel strangely unreal. Is it really over? No detention, no lines? he muttered to himself, struggling to wrap his head around how quickly everything had been resolved. Earlier, a security guard had shoved a pregnant woman, prompting Arthur to step in and ultimately break the guards arm. The property management and the guard had been hell-bent on demanding heftypensation and ensuring Arthur stayed out of their business in the future. But as soon as Ryan showed up. Arthur was released almost immediately. Even the guard hed injured had apologized, assuring Arthur they wouldnt press charges. Hey, Arthur! What the hell are you standing around for? Get in the car! a voice snapped, jolting Arthur from his thoughts. He turned to see a in-looking man, an e-cigarette dangling from his lips, who looked as if he couldnt care less about anything. The guy was probably in his thirties, but despite his sharp gaze and impressive way with words when dealing with the cops, he didnt fit the image of a high-poweredwyer that Arthur had imagined. Mr. Marshall, thanks a lot for your help, Arthur said gratefully. Things couldve gone really bad if it werent for you. Once is enough. No need to keep saying it, Ryan replied, opening the passenger door of his car. Ill drive you home. Your parents must be worried sick Arthur scratched his head, feeling a bit awkward. Youve already done so much for me today. I dont want to trouble you anymore. I can get home by myself. Ryan rolled his eyes, knocking on the roof of the car with irritation. Whats your problem? I helped you out of a major mess, and now youre refusing a simple ride home? Thats just rude, man -Arthur hesitated, unsure if he was wrong for trying to be considerate. But with Ryan putting it like that, refusing would seem ungrateful. So, with a muttered thanks, he slid into the passenger seat. Though the car seemed a bit old, Arthur was surprised by howfortable it was, feeling as luxurious as any high-end vehicle hed ever been in. As they sped down the road, Arthur was even more impressed. The ride was incredibly smooth, with no bumps, weird smells, or annoying noise.. Mr. Marshall, this car is something else. How much did it cost? If I ever get the chance, Id like to get one too, Arthur asked, still marveling at the car. Ryan nced at him, his tone dripping with sarcasm. This cars custom-made. No amount of moneys gonna get you one. Arthur blinked, caught off guard by the response. Realizing he shouldnt pry any further, he simply nodded. But curiosity got the better of him, and after a moment of silence, he asked, Mr. Marshall, why are you helping me? Not only had Ryan gotten him out of a huge mess, but hed also given Arthur his number, telling him to reach out if he ever found himself in a simr situation. Yet Arthur couldnt shake the feeling that Ryans kindness was too good to be true. Stop overthinking it! Ryan snapped, his tone firm. If you need a reason, just figure I cant stand bullies and have to step in when I see one. 1/3 Chapter 15 68% Startled by the sharp response. Arthur quickly offered a sheepish grin. Youre right. I guess Im just not used to meeting people as righteous as you. Ryan shot him another meaningful look. Youll be meeting more people like me soon enough. Arthur chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head. Thanks for the encouragement. Taking advantage of Ryans focus on the road, Arthur discreetly pulled out his phone and searched for information about him. What he found left him speechless. Ryan was one of the topwyers in Kitmore City, known for his connections on both sides of thew. He didnt take on cases. based on a clients background or how much they could pay but on whether he found them worthy of his time. Arthur was shocked to discover that Ryan was also known as The Devils Fear. No wonder those arrogant property managers had practically been shaking in their boots when he showed up. The more Arthur learned about Ryan, the more confused he became. He couldnt help but wonder if there was more to Ryans help than just a sense of justice. Just as Arthur was about to ask more questions, the car suddenly stopped. Were here, Ryan said, snapping Arthur out of his thoughts. Arthur nced out the window and realized theyd arrived at Viento Court. Oh, right. Thanks again! Arthursaid quickly as he got out of the car. He turned to Ryan, wanting to extend an invitation. Its dinner time. Why dont youe over! My moms a great cook Before Athena could finish, the car had already sped away. Arthur stood there, baffled. Mr. Marshall really does seem like someone who helps without expecting anything in return. What a remarkable guy, he muttered to himself Feeling grateful, Arthur hurried toward Block 6. Wesley and ire were already waiting at the entrance, and they rushed forward as soon as they saw him. -Wiping away tears, ire clutched Arthurs arm, anxiously checking him over for injuries. Meanwhile, Wesley patted Arthur on the shoulder and asked how everything had turned out. As the family reunited, a shadowy figurey t in the shadows of a derelict building across from Block 6. Through a grimy window, he quietly aimed his long-focus camera at them, capturing their every move without making a sound 8 23 23* After Wesley and his family went upstairs, the man quietly made his way to the top floor of the abandoned building. He slipped into a shabby room that overlooked the Donovan familys apartment. Despite the grime, mold, and bugs crawling around, he kept his camera trained on their home, waiting for the right moment. The Donovan family was gathered around the dinner table, and their conversation was lively as they talked about Athenas progress. Arthurs face lit up as he listened to the updates about Athena. We should rent Mr. Wells ce next door. After some renovations, Athena, Maria, and Josie could move in there. Itd be way better for them Their current apartment had only two bedrooms, which meant cramming everyone into bunk beds and making do with separate sleeping arrangements for different genders. Sometimes, two people had to share a bed, and any extra guests ended up on the sofa or a folding bed. They couldnt let Athena keep living in such cramped conditions. Wesley mulled over Arthurs suggestion, then nodded. Alright. Talk to Leon tomorrow about renting his ce and fixing it up. 2/3 Chapter 15 Most of themunitys residents had moved away, leaving many buildings abandoned. 68% Only seven or eight were still fit to live in. The house across from theirs, where Leon Wells and his family had once lived, had been empty for years and was a bit rundown. Marias eyes sparkled at the thought of having her own room. For a girl her age, it was like a dream come true. Josies face lit up with excitement. She grinned and said, Yay! I want a new room too! ire smiled and patted Josies head. Of course, my sweet Josie will have a new room. The familys conversation was warm and happy, reflecting the simple joys of their everyday life. Meanwhile, Athena had finished reviewing Lucys medical records in the VIP ward. As her stomach growled, she put the records back in her bag, grabbed a food container from the sofi,and popped it into the microwave. But when she opened thest box, her eyes went wide with surprise. Inside was a stack of cash, easily over two thousand dors Did Mom and Dad secretly slip this in? Athena wondered, a wave of warmth washing over her. While this amount might have been pocket change for her in the past, it was a significant sum for the Donovans. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Athena epted their thoughtful gesture, carefully tucking the money into her bag. Just then, she noticed a message on her phone, It was from Ryan, containing the info he had gathered on Bard Property. Perfect timing. Athena thought, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. 3/3 She Outshines 16 She Outshines 16 Chapter 16 Late into the night, Bard Property was still a hive of activity as the management team grappled with thepanys spiraling. debt. Things looked bleak until, out of nowhere, they each received a call from Vission Group. At first, they couldnt believe their After all, Vission Group was the countrys most mysterious and prestigious private enterprise, rolling in wealth. They kept a low profile, so much so that even the biggest yers in the industry struggled to get a foot in the door. It seemed utterly absurd that Vission Group would take any interest in Hard Garden, a run-of-the- mill residential project. The managers were convinced it was a prank. If youre really from Vission Group, Ill eat my hat! one of them snapped into the phone. Keep this nonsense up, and well call the cops another barked But when the caller switched to a video chat and showed they were actually at Vission Groups headquarters, the executives nearly fell over in shock. One of them stammered out, If you help us pay off this projects debt, well do whatever you say! The moment the call ended, they sprang into action, scrambling to round up every employee and gather all the relevant documents. They worked like mad through the night, not stopping until everything was ready. Not long after, Harry Freeman, Vission Groups representative in Kitmore City, showed up at Bard Property with his team. He announced that Vission Group had decided to invest 100 million dors into thepany, making them the majority shareholder. They were going to restructure the board, clear thepanys debts, and bring in new leadership. Bard Propertys management was hopeful that thepany could be fully absorbed into Vission Group, bing part of the powerhouse. But Harry quickly put an end to that fantasy. Lets be clear, Harry said, his voice calm but firm. Were here to assess each one of you. Those who meet our standards will stay. Those who dont will bepensated and shown the door He added, If you dont ept our terms by 8 am. tomorrow, well walk away. No second chances. Faced with the overwhelming might of Vission Group and Harrys unwavering stance, Bard Propertys team had no choice but to cave. One of the board members finally worked up the nerve to ask, But why is Vission Group interested in saving this residential project? Harrys response was cool and measured. My boss values peace and harmony. When she saw homeowners protesting in the blistering heat, desperate and out of options, she couldnt stand by and do nothing. She decided to step in His words left the entire room speechless. After a moment, both sides came to an agreement. At the crack of dawn, they gathered their documents and headed out to finalize the necessary procedures. Later that afternoon, Wesley was preparing food cart ingredients with ire and their kids when his phone rang. He quickly wiped his hands on a clean towel before answering. Hello? As the person on the other end spoke, Wesley shot to his feet, eyes wide with shock. Are you serious? This isnt some kind of joke, is it? We cant handle a prank like this! After a brief pause, he continued, Okay, got it. Ill start gathering the documents right away. Well be there in two days for the handover 1/3 Chapter 16 68% Hearing the word Handover, ire echoed in disbelief, her words halting everyone in their tracks as they turned to look at Wesley. Thank you so much! Wesley said into the phone, his voice cracking as tears welled up. This news is a godsend. Thank you! Even after the call ended. Wesley couldnt stop the tears from streaming down his face. Dad, whats going on? What do you mean by handover? Arthur asked, handing him a towel. Although it seemed like good news, Arthur couldnt shake the confusion. Even if they arrested Bard Propertys owner and recovered the funds, how could the handover happen this fast? Arthur wondered. As thoughts raced through his mind, Wesley wiped his tears and turned to the family. Bard Property just told me were officially getting the keys to our new home in two days. We need to start gathering all the documents. They also mentioned that if were missing any documents or encounter any difficulties, theyll assist us as needed. Is this for real ires voice shook with disbelief. This is happening too fast. Could someone be pretending to be Bard Property to mess with us? Its no joke Wesley smiled through his tears. Bard Property said theyd be announcing it on TV and in the today. Theyre also sending an official notice to all the buyers. newspapers They called just to confirm our contact info and make sure they could reach us. So. its real? ires disbelief melted into overwhelming emotion as she jumped up and hugged her husband, crying uncontrobly. Three long years of waiting, and its finally here. I thought wed be waiting until our kids were married with kids of their own, ire sobbed, her voice breaking with each word. Arthurs eyes welled up too. He wanted to hug his parents but felt a bit awkward. Instead, he bent down and scooped up Josie. Josie, were moving into a big house soon. Are you excited? he asked, ruffling her hair. Josies big, bright eyes sparkled as she nodded vigorously. Yes, I am! Arthur kissed Josies cheek and said, Tll take you shopping for new clothes tomorrow. In two days, well all go together to get the keys to our new home. Then, as if struck by a thought, Arthur eximed, pulling out his phone, I need to tell everyone else so they can share the good news. Josie, how about you tell our siblings the good news after I dial their number? he suggested. Original from N?velDrama.Org. Josies innocent voice rang out confidently, Okay! The good news came so fast that it felt like a whirlwind, leaving Arthur in disbelief Just yesterday, he had been lighting for their rights at Bard Garden, and today, they received the property handover notice. Yesterday also marked the return of Kate, who had been missing for eighteen years, and in the afternoon, a famouswyer had helped him out of a tough spot. Could my luck really be this good? Is this all a dream? Arthur wondered, pinching his thigh hard. The sharp pain assured him it was all real and felt terrific. After sharing the good news with the rest of the family, Wesley quickly decided. We wont open the food cart stall tonight. 2/3 Chapter 16 Lets call Maria and go out for a celebratory dinner. Arthur, theres no need to rent Leons ce anymore. Instead, focus on nning how well renovate the new house. The four cheerfully tidied up and headed out for a celebratory dinner. But shortly after they left, a shadowy figure crept up to their hole. The person deftly picked the lock, slipped inside, and turned on the lights, carefully photographing and recording every detail of the ce. 0 She Outshines 18 She Outshines 18 Chapter 18 Harry held a lot of sway and pretty much ran the show for Vission Groups operations in the West End. If he wanted to cut ties with the Kennedy Group, he could do it with a snap of his fingers Isaacs eyes went wide in shock as he listened to Regina. Athena wouldnt really be that heartless, would she? We raised her for 18 years and never treated her badly. Does she really need to take it this far? Regina scoffed. Were both women-I know exactly what shes up to. Remember how she took off that night without a word? She didnt even take her belongings or the farewell gifts we offered. Shes obviously holding a grudge. If she gets the chance, shell definitely try to screw us over Andrew jumped in. If Athenas behind this, everything makes sense. He spected without a second thought, She knew we wouldnt let her stay, so she mustve cozied up to Harry in secret. After she left that night, she probably ran straight to him, and now hes messing with our contract with Vission Group-to get back at us Despite her satisfaction with their own theories. Zoe pretended to defend Athena, ying the concerned card. But Athenas only 18. She couldnt possibly be that calcting- Zoc. youre too d***n naive! Regina cut her off. I dont believe in coincidences. This whole Vission Group mess has her fingerprints all over it! I regret every single thing we did for her in the past 18 years, Finally Micah, whod been silently observing the drama, couldnt hold back any longer. Mr. Kennedy, we finally got a chance to speak with Mr. Freeman Shouldnt you go talk to him? If he leaves, who knows when youll get another shot? Micah didnt give a d**n about the Kennedy familys squabbles. His only concern was keeping his cushy setup secure by salvaging the Vission Group contract Micahs words snapped the family back to reality, reminding Isaac why they were standing outside Vission Groups office in the first ce. go see Mr. Freeman, Isaac decided. After a brief pause, Regina added, Iming too. I need to see what the hells really going on between that ungrateful brat and Mr. Freeman. Curious about Athenas connection with Harry, Andrew and Zoe decided to tag along. The buildings security was tight, but the guards, who recognized the Kennedys from their frequent visits to Vission Group, let them in after a quick check-in. The group made their way to the second floor and stood outside Vission Groups office, pressing the doorbell. Inside, Athena was reviewing the contract between Vission and Hard Property, discussing uing reforms and restructuring with Harry. Normally, she wouldnt bother with these details, but since it involved her familys future at Bard Garden, she felt the need to handle it personally. When the doorbell rang, they saw it was the Kennedys and chose to ignore it. Isaac kept pressing the doorbell outside, growing more anxious with each unanswered ring. Maybe the doorbells broken? Maybe they cant hear it inside, he guessed Broken? B***it! KRegina fumed That ungrateful little b***h knows were here and is making us wait on purpose. 0% 67% Chapter 18 Isaac hushed her. If theyre inside, stop cursing. Its not gonna help if they hear you. Like I give a damn! Regina snapped. We raised Athena for 18 years. Everyone knows what weve done for her! If she doesnt show us some respect, Ill make sure the whole city knows just how ungrateful she is Isaac quickly intervened, Lets not go that far While they squabbled outside, Athena closed the files and turned to Harry. My dad used to hold a high position in a state- owned enterprise. Ill talk to him tomorrow and see if he can take on a role at Hard Property Harry whistled softly. A man who raised a daughter like you must be something special. Ill save the best spots for him. Athena stood up. Those pests outside arent leaving. Lets sneak but the back. Alright. Harry agreed, yfully ruffling her hair. Its been a while since we had a meal together.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. How about dinner? Athena shook her head. Tve got other things to deal with tonight I cant be out and about. Harry sighed, pretending to pout. Im family too, you know. You cant just ditch me now that youve got someone new Athenaughed. Youre almost 30. Stop pouting. They slipped out through the back of the building. Instead of heading to his Ferrari, Harry gged down a personally escorted Athena to her neighborhood, only leaving after watching her safely enter. axi and Meanwhile, the Kennedy family stood foolishly outside the office. They waited until their bodies ached and darkness fell. When a patrolling security guard finally noticed them, they realized the office had been closed for hours. Exhausted and starving, Isaac and Regina were nearly in tears, wondering why they always ended up being the ones to sufler. 2/2 She Outshines 19 She Outshines 19 Chapter 19 At 11:00 AM, Athena texted Wesley: Hey Dad, Im free today and nning to drop by Vlento Court around noon. Does that work for you?] Wesley replied almost instantly with a bunch of big smiley emojis: [Of course it works! Youre always wee here! Ill have your mom pick up some extra groceries. Is there anything special you want to eat? Athena thought for a moment before responding: [Its pretty hot today, so Id love something light and homey.] The drive to Vlento Court would take about an hour, which she figured was just enough time to keep her mom from going too crazy in the kitchen. After a brief pause, Wesley messaged back: [Sounds great! Your mom suggested making some light and tasty dishes. If theres anything you dont like, we can always throw together something else.] Athena replied: [Thanks, Dad! On my way now!] Meanwhile, the Donovan household was buzzing with excitement-and a touch of panic. Arthur was pacing back and forth, running his hands through his hair. Oh shit, Athenasing! What the hell do I do? Maria, Josie, do I look okay today? he asked, ncing at his sisters. Is my hair decent? Do I have any stubble? Maria was too busy to give him much attention. She dashed into her room, pulling out a few nicer outfits and holding them up to herself. Arthur, Josie, which one of these looks better on me? Arthur grinned, trying to reassure her. Youd look great in anything! Maria rolled her eyes. Youre no help She then turned to Josie with a sweet smile. Josie, which outfit do you think looks best on me? Josie, clutching her Hello Kitty doll, pointed excitedly at the pink dress. The pink one! Maria chuckled. Of course, little girls love pink, no matter who is wearing it, she thought. But with her darkerplexion, pink wasnt the most ttering choice. How could I gently decline without hurting Josies feelings? After a moment of thought; Maria smiled and said, The pink one is really pretty! Ill save it for Christmas. Today, I think Ill go with this lovely orange dress instead. Josie raised her little hand eagerly. I want to wear a new dress too! Mariaughed, Alright, lets get you changed. Taking Josies hand, she led her into the room. Arthur sniffed his shirt and muttered to himself, I was out running errands this morning and got all sweaty. I need a shower. ire, busy in the kitchen, poked her head out. Make sure to clean up your rooms! If Athena wants to see them, itd be embarrassing if theyre a mess. Thest time Athena visited, the family had hurriedly stashed away clutter in the bedrooms, closing the doors to hide the chaos from her. But with the prospect of a new house on the horizon, they felt less pressure about her seeing the current state of their home. Maria dashed out of her room, clothes in hand, eximing, Arthurs cleaning up the room. Im jumping in the shower real quick! 1/3 20:57 Wed, Oct Chapter 19 Even though she didnt really smell, Maria felt the need to freshen up. After all, Athena was stunningly beautiful, and she wanted to make sure she looked and smelled her best around her ire, overhearing themotion, added, I smell like cooking oil from the kitchen. You go first; Ill freshen up afterward. At exactly noon, Athena arrived at Block 6 of Viento Court. As she stepped into the building, she was greeted by Wesley and four others. They were all dressed to impress, with three of them wearing brand-new outfits, adding a touch of formality to the asion. When Arthur saw Athena for the first time, his heart nearly jumped out of his chest. His eyes sparkled with admiration, and a warm flush crept across his cheeks. He nervously scratched theProperty ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. back of his head, one hand half-raised in a hesitant wave, unsure if he should speak first. Marias cheeks were burning crimson as she gripped the hem of her shirt, caught between wanting to greet Athena and fearing she might trip over her words. The tension in the dir was thick, and sweat began to bead on her forehead as she tried to pull herself together. Josie, timid as ever, hid behind Maria, clutching her Hello Kitty doll with one hand while gripping Marias shirt with the other. She peeked out from behind Maria, her wide eyes filled with curiosity as she secretly studied Athena. Athenas gare swept over Arthur and Maria before settling on the shy little girl. She shed Josie a warm, inviting smile. causing her to blush furiously and quickly bury her face against Marias side. Athena, let me introduce you, Wesley said, giving Arthur a gentle pat on the shoulder. This is your fourth brother, Arthur. Hes 22 and helps your mom and me with the barbecue stand. Hes a sharp kid and works hard, even though he can be a bit of a handful sometimes. Arthurs face flushed even more at the introduction. He stammered slightly, Athena, youre youre amazing in every way. I promise Ill be a good brother to you. If I mess up, just tell me, and Ill do my best to fix it. Athena responded with a soft smile, her eyes warm and bright. Thank you, Arthur. That means a lot. Hearing her say his name made Arthurs heart leap. A goofy grin spread across his face, and he felt like he could float away with joy. Wesley continued, And this is your sixth sister, Maria. Shes 20. You can call her whatever you like. No need to stand on ceremony between sisters. Maria, seeing Athena up close for the first time, waspletely awestruck. Athenas beauty, even more radiant than she had imagined from afar, was almost otherworldly. She seemed to glow, like some kind of celestial being, and it made it hard for Maria to hold her gaze. Overwhelmed with nerves, Marias eyes darted to the side as she stammered, H-hi, Athena. Im.. Im Maria, Feeling the need to say something more, Maria quickly added, Athena, youre so beautiful-the most beautiful girl Ive ever seen. Youre like like a fairy! Im not even exaggerating Athena, noticing Marias nervousness and slight insecurity, responded with a gentle smile Hello, Maria. Nice to meet you. She had thought the sixth daughter of the Donovan family might be her twin sister, but now, seeing Maria in person, that was clearly not the case. So where is my twin? Athena wondered. The question of her real twins whereabouts gnawed at her, but she hesitated to ask. Her rtionship with the Donovans was too new, too fragile for such personal questions. Athenas smile was so captivating that it left Maria feeling slightly dizzy. In her mildly intoxicated state, she marveled at 273 20:5. Wed, Chapter 19 Athenas seemingly wless presence. How could one person embody so much perfection? she thought. From her stunning beauty to her graceful poise, from her porcin skin to her enviable figure and impable style- Athena was the very definition of elegance. Her smile, in particr, was utterly mesmerizing. 67% Her voice was just as enchanting-a gentle, pure melody that made Maria feel like shed stumbled upon a cool mountain spring on a scorching summer day. It was refreshing, soothing to the soul. Lost in her thoughts, Maria barely noticed Josie peeking out from behind her. Her eyes, a mix of curiosity and shyness, were locked on Athena. Snapping back to reality. Maria gently patted Josies head. Josie, didnt you say you were excited to meet Athena? Come on, say hello Josie nced at Athena, mumbled a barely audible Hi, Sister, and quickly ducked back into hiding. Maria couldnt help but chuckle. Is our little one feeling shy again? Dont worry, Josie. Athena is awesome. You dont need to be shy around her. Josie responded by burying her face against Marias waist, murmuring a soft Mm without looking up. COMMENT 0 Wed, Oct 9 She Outshines 20 She Outshines 20 Chapter 20 ire said, a smile in her voice, Josie is super lively once she warms up to someone, but shes shy around new people. But she really likes you-shes been excited about meeting her seventh sister for the past two days. Just wait, it wont be long before shes glued to you. Athena nodded, then took a few steps forward and crouched down in front of Josic, smiling gently. Josie, you know what? My little ck cat whispered something special to me before I left the house today. It told me that the youngest person I met today would be my lucky charm. And guess what? Youre the youngest person Ive met so far. That makes you my lucky star, Josie. Josies curiosity was piqued. She peeked out from behind Maria, her big eyes blinking in surprise. Did your little ck cat really say Im your lucky star? Absolutely. My cat never lies, Athena said seriously. Next time, Ill bring it with me to meet you. How does that sound? Noticing that Josie was holding a Hello Kitty toy, Athena guessed she liked cats. By ttering Josie, Athena hoped to make her feel morefortable. Okay! Josie eximed, fully stepping out from behind Maria, her eyes lighting up with excitement. I want to tell my stories to the little cat! Whats its name? L Athena pretended to think for a moment. Its still really young, so I havent named it yet. How about you give it a name when you meet? Oh, great! Josie beamed, her dimples deepening as she shook her Hello Kitty. Athena, you have to bring the little cat next time. I want to name it Deal. Lets pinky swear on it, Athena said, extending her pinky finger toward Josie. Josie let go of Marias leg and h**ed her pinky with Athenas. -Alright, now no one can break it. Athena chuckled. Josie, Im hungry. I really want to eat some of Moms cooking, but I cant remember which floor our apartment is on. Can you take me home for dinner? Sure thing! Josie said, hopping out from behind Maria and grabbing Athenas hand. Lets go eat to together, Sister! Athena smiled warmly as they started walking. Josie, you know, were almost the same age. You can call me Athena, and we can be good friends. Josie didnt even pause to consider the age difference. The idea of being friends with such a beautiful princess made her eyes. sparkle with joy. Okay, from now on, were good friends, Athenal She added, Maria told me were friends too, and good friends can call each other by their first names. Fora child like Josie, the concept of friend was much easier to understand than sister. The others looked on, quietly impressed. In just a few minutes, Athena had managed to get the shy and timid Josie to hold her hand willingly. They all marveled at Athenas remarkable emotional intelligence. They exchanged nces and smiled appreciatively, following Athena and Josie at a leisurely pace. Josie walked slowly, her body swaying slightly as she struggled to keep her bnce. Thats when Athena noticed Josies right leg had a slight limp. It wasnt severe, but it was definitely noticeable. No wonder Josie, despite being so adorable, is so shy. Her leg must have affected her a lot, Athena thought. She made a mental note to find a time to get Josies leg checked out to see if it could be treated. 1/3 Chapter 20 As they climbed the stairs, Athena continued chatting with Josie Josie, how old are you? Are yo Im four and a half, Josie replied. I go to New Petal Kindergarten, in the middle ss. Do you like it there? Athena asked. in kindergarten? Yeah, I like it. Its fun. Josie said, swinging her Hello Kitty toy. The teachers are really nice to all theProperty ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. kids, and my ssmates like to y with me. Athena then asked, Is New Petal Kindergarten far from home? Its pretty far, Josie said. Maria takes me on her electric scooter Athena nodded. I love eating, sleeping, and reading books. What do you like to do, Josie? I love singing and listening to stories the most, Josie answered. Athena smiled warmly, Can you sing a song for me, Josie! Josie hesitated, then looked up shyly, hiding her face behind her Hello Kitty toy. O-okay. Im happy now, and when Im. happy, I want to sing Athena pped her hands lightly. What song will you sing for me? Still hiding behind her Hello Kitty. Josie sang softly, Mary had a littlemb, littlemb, littlemb Athena was amazed. Even though the song was simple, Joises valce was angelic. Her pitch was perfect, and her rhythm was spot on-way beyond what one would expect from a child her age. She thought Joise had real musical talent. Before Josie could finish singing, they reached the top floor. Because of the buildingsyout, their apartment door was right next to the stairwell. Josie let go of Athenas hand, sprinted to the door, and stood on her tiptoes to press her fingerprint against the electronic lock. Athena, were home! She pushed the door open and practically bounced inside, Moms cooking smells amazing. Im the happiest when I get to eat Moms food! Athena smiled as she stepped into the apartment. With six people eating together, it was going to be a bit of a squeeze, but the closeness only seemed to bring the family closer together. As they all took their seats, everyone but Josie scrambled to serve Athena soup and dishes. Athena nced around the table. Lunch was mostly appetizers and veggie dishes: Cobb sd, bruschetta, baked potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, and cheesy meatballs. The mains She Outshines 21 She Outshines 21 Chapter 21 67% Before Wesley could respond, ire proudly spoke up. Your father graduated from Kitmore City University with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was highly sought after and was assigned to work in a government office right after he graduated. Because he performed so well, he was promoted to a leadership position at the Kitmore City Machinery nt within three years and eventually became the Deputy Director. If it werent for At this point, she suddenly fell silent, a look of sorrow crossing her face. The others also put down their utensils, an air of mncholy and helplessness filling the room as they recalled the past. Seeing this, Wesley quickly smiled and said, When the machinery nt went under, I decided to quit and start my own business with ire. We set up a stall, and we actually made more money than I did back at the nt as Deputy Director Athena nodded slightly. Dad, do you still want to work for apany? Back in her fathers youth, getting into college was notoriouslypetitive, and a bachelors degree then was equivalent to a graduate degree now. Her father had studied Civil Engineering too, which was directly rted to the real estate industry. Hearing her question. Wesley was taken aback. He instinctively put down his wine ss and gazed out the window, seemingly lost in distant memories. Athena didnt rush him. She simply sipped her lemonade slowly. After a moment, Wesley returned his gaze and smiled wistfully, his face showing signs of age. Im already fifty-two. Ive been running the stall for over a decade. Working for apany seems too far-fetched at this point. He shook his head and sighed. Those passionate years are gone Athena replied, If I can find opportunities, why cant you? Wesley was stunned again. He looked down at his ss, then shook his head self-deprecatingly. Even if there were opportunities, I dont want to go through the hassle. Besides, the ie from the stall is pretty good and stable, Working for apany might not be as profitable. He nced at Athena cautiously and asked softly, Athena, does Dad running a stall inconvenience you? Why would it be inconvenient? Athena blinked, not understanding why he would ask something that. A few secondster, she noticed the anxious, guilty, and slightly embarrassed look on her fathers face and realized what he meant. Could her father think that she was ashamed of his job? She quickly exined, Im working with some experts on experiments, and they consult for various companies. They mentioned that thesepanies are in desperate need of experienced, trustworthy managers and asked if we knew anyone suitable. I thought of you, Dad. Youre a person of great character and have experience in arge state- owned enterprise, so I wanted to ask. Wesley let out a sigh of relief and smiled. If it were a few years ago, I might have considered it, but at my age, its not worth the trouble. Athena smiled too and raised her lemonade. Dad, Mom, you both work so hard. I toast to you. Wesley raised his wine ss, and ire raised her lemonade, clinking sses with Athena. After downing her lemonade, ire suddenly remembered something. Athena, your SAT results should be out soon, right? She quickly added, No matter how you did, the whole family supports you. The SAT was indeed a big deal. Everyone at the table looked at Athena, wanting to ask but not daring to, 1/3 ?? ? 67% Chapter 21 Athena smiled. If things go ording to n, I should get a perfect score. The whole table was stunned. What reaction was appropriate for this? Of course, they didnt doubt Athenas abilities, but getting a perfect score on the SAT seemed unlikely. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. After all, she had to take so many subjects and answer so many questions. It was almost impossible not to make a single mistake. p, p, p! Arthur was the first to apud, his smile genuine. Athena is both smart and hardworking. A perfect score is well-deserved. Congrattions in advance, Athena. He firmly believed that a good brother would believe whatever has sister says and support whatever she does, without overthinking it. Athena smiled slightly. Thank you, Arthur, Wesley also cheered, raising his ss. Lets toast to Athenas sess in the SATT Cheers! With that, the meal was essentially over. Athena had her own matters to attend to, so she stood up to leave. Josie insisted on apanying her to themunity gates, so Arthur scooped her up Alright, lets go together to see Athena off. Seeing this, Maria quickly followed. Ille too, Wesley and ire watched them with a hint of envy, wishing they could also go see their daughter off. However, knowing how low-key Athena was, they didnt want to make a big deal out of it, especially since she didnt even let them pick her up when she first came home. Go ahead, Wesley said generously, waving his hand. You can even have some fun outside if you want. After the four children left, Wesley walked into the kitchen. ire, you tidy up the table, and Ill prepare the skewers for tonight Tomorrow they would be getting the keys to their new house, and he wanted to enjoy one more night of excitement and -happiness before the big day. But he knew he had to work hard to earn the money for the new houses renovation. A 1800-square-feet duplex would cost a lot to furnish and decorate, easily running into 20 thousand dors, ire agreed, Alright, lets set up the stall early tonight and make as much as we can. At themunity gates, Josie clung to Athenas sleeve, her eyes welling with emotion. Athena, when will youe home again? I want to see you and the little ck cat Athena gently patted her head. Tll be back tomorrow to get the keys to the new house, and Ill bring the little ck cat with me. Well see each other then. Josie smiled, quickly pecked Athena on the cheek, then hid her face behind her Hello Kitty toy, giggling shyly. See you tomorrow, Athena. See you tomorrow, Athena replied, waving as she got into her car and drove away. She drove slowly, ncing in the rearview mirror. In the mirror, she saw Josie and the others standing there, their figures growing smaller and smaller until they disappeared from view. Only then did she turn her attention back to the road, letting out a soft sigh. It was only her second visit, yet why did she already feel this pang of separation? The sound of an iMessage notification interrupted her thoughts. She waited until she reached a red light before stopping to check the message. Dr. Annies team had replied. The message wrote: [Weve discussed it. This surgery is very challenging, and we have a very slim chance of sess, but we Chapter 21 need enough time to observe the patient and develop a detailed surgical n.] [Even for the sake of Miracle 3.0, we think we should give it a try] [Whats your opinion, boss?] Athena replied: II have great respect for this patient. Ive decided to go ahead with the surgery.] 67%1 [Ill message Matthew shortly to let him know that Dr. Annie is willing to take on his sisters case and have him coordinate directly with Fanny.] The group chat responded: [We can send two people over the day after tomorrow to start the preliminary work. The rest will join once they finish their urgent tasks.j She Outshines 22 She Outshines 22 Chapter 22 Athena replied with an OK emoji along with the message: [Im also very busy recently and cant come over for now. Please keep me updated on the progress.] As the leader of Dr. Annies team, she would certainly have to perform such a high-difficulty surgery herself. After agreeing, she messaged Louis: [Dr. Annie has responded and is willing to treat Ms. Graham. Heres the contact for Dr. Annies assistant, Fanny. Add her, and shell exin Dr. Annies arrangements and requirements in detail-] Louis quickly sent back touched and crying emojis: [Thank you so much, Miss Donovan. Youve been an enormous help to Mr. Graham and Ms. Graham. Well always remember this kindness and repay it in the future.] He almost said that his boss would be willing to offer himself in marriage as thanks, but at thest moment, he managed to control his mischievous fingers. His enthusiasm was so great that Athena felt obliged to send a smiley face in response: [Its no trouble at all, dont mention it.] Louis sent back: [When would o you be avable? Mr. Graham would like to treat treat you to dinner as a token of appreciation] Athena responded shortly after: [No need, I have to study now. Bye.] Louis subsequently sent two more messages expressing gratitude, greetings, and offers Fifts, but received no reply, At a loss, he turned to his boss, who had been watching the phone screen beside him, and said, Mr. Graham, Ive done my best. Its up to you now, Contact Fanny immediately and fulfill all her requests. Matthew gave him a cold nce. Get ahold of Isaac tonight while youre at it. I have something to ask him. By the time Louis had finalized all the arrangements with Fanny night had fallen. At this hour, Isaac, impably dressed in a tailored suit, was hosting his biological daughter, Gia, who had just returned from abroad, at an upscale restaurant. He and his wife were very pleased with Gia. Gia was petite, with delicate features and chestnut- colored curls styled like a doll. Her graceful demeanor and polished speech made it clear she was raised in a world of privilege, a true asset to the Kennedy family, Regina couldnt stop praising her daughter. Sweetheart, youre absolutely stunning, like a real-life Barbie princess. No other youngdy in Kitmore City canpare to you. Both of them gleamed, Your mom and dad are so proud of you Cia smiled sweetly, her voice soft and slightly ented. Thank you for thepliment, Mom. Gia, your dad and I have been thinking Isaac said with a smile. Since youve just returned, take a couple of days to rest and get familiar with Kitmore City, Once were ready, well host a grand wee party for you and your brother, inviting all our friends and the citys elite to announce that you are our biological children. He should have arranged the wee party immediately, but the Kennedy family had just been abandoned by Vission Group and was under scrutiny. Many were taking pleasure in their misfortune. Holding the party now might make them aughingstock, so he decided to wait until he could win back Vission Group before hosting the event. 1/3 Chapter 22 Gia wasnt in a hurry to showcase her beauty and talent to Kitmore Citys high society. She responded thoughtfully, Til follow whatever you and Dad decide. Just then, Isaacs phone rang. Seeing it was an unknown number, he hung up and poured his daughter a drink. Gia, are you getting used to the food herepared to back home? If not, Ill hire a private chef just for you Before he could finish, his assistant, Mical, rushed in. Mr. Kennedy, I received a call from someone iming to be Cant you see Im busy? Isaac said, annoyed. What could be more important than having dinner with Gia? Havent you learned to prioritize after all this time? Micah hesitated for a moment. Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Grahams secretary called. Mr. Graham wants to meet you. Isaac was impatient. Which Mr. Graham? Matthew Graham, from the Graham Group Matthew Graham? Isaac eximed, his hand shaking as he spilled wine on the table as well as onto his and Gias clothes. But he didnt care about that. Trembling, he asked, Is it really Matthew Graham from the Graham Group? Are you sure? Micah replied. I asked why I should believe them, and they said if Im smart, Id know how to judge. They also said Mr. Graham would only wait until 9 PM, then hung up and sent an address. Isaac set the wine bottle down and stood up. Whats his number? And the address Connecting with Matthew Graham was a dream for many in the business world, and Isaac was no exception. Especially now, with the Kennedy family in dire straits, they desperately needed financial backing. However, as one of the wealthiest people in Kitmore City, Isaac had to be cautious about meeting strangers to avoid scams. or kidnappings. Micah showed him the caller ID, and the number looked familiar Isaac checked his phone and realized the unknown number that had called him matched the one that called Micah. So, when Isaac didnt answer, they called Micah instead. The address sent to Micah was for a high-end club owned by the Graham family in Kitmore City, essible only to members who were either wealthy or influential. Given this, it seemed likely the caller was legitimate. Isaac was so excited that his face turned red, and his voice trembled. Everyone, Im off to meet Mr. Graham. Please continue eating without me. With that, he hurriedly rushed out. In his excitement, he nearly tripped over a chair leg but managed to grab the back of the chair just in time, avoiding an embarrassing fall Dad, Iming too! Gia eximed, rising quickly and struggling to contain her own excitement. Mr. Graham is incredibly sharp. I might be able to help you Two years ago, when she was just sixteen, she had seen Mr. Graham at an auction overseas and had been captivated by him Ever since. At that time, her status and circumstances felt worlds apart from his, and Mr. Graham was known for being indifferent to women. She had no opportunity to approach him and had to regard that fleeting encounter as nothing more than a teenage fantasy. Now that she was so close to Mr. Graham, she could hardly contain her enthusiasm.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. She Outshines 23 She Outshines 23 Chapter 23 You want toe too? Isaac was taken aback. Is that really appropriate? Mr. Graham was a distinguished figure, and this meeting is likely about business. Bringing his newly eighteen-year-old daughter along seemed out of ce. Why not? Gia said as she walked over and yfully linked her arm with his Dad, I promise I wont be a distraction. She paused, lifting her chin with a proud glint in her eyes. Let me tell you, Im an up-anding designer under the moniker Yaen. I just won first prize in the International Diamond Jewelry Design Competition! Im currently setting up my own studio and nning tounch my jewelry brand. Many investors are eager to coborate with me. The Graham Group is heavily involved in diamond mining, so I believe Mr. Graham and I will have plenty to discuss. Now, with her prestigious background and rising status in the jewelry design world, she felt she was finally worthy of standing beside Mr. Graham. Oh my gosh, youre Yaen? Regina eximed, standing up with her hands on her cheeks, as if she were a fan meeting her idol. Sweetheart, I adore your work. Youre a genius! Im so proud of you, and I want to tell all of Kitmore City about your achievements! Regina was a jewelry enthusiast, always up-to-date with thetest releases from various brands. Justst month, she had admired Yaens Dream series and had been thinking about buying a set. Little did she know, Yaen was her own daughter! She was so overjoyed she could hardly contain herself. Gia smiled modestly. Its nothing, really. Im just starting out and have a long way to go. Isaac was stunned, taking a moment before patting his daughters shoulder, Gia, youre truly amazing! Why didnt you tell me something so important sooner! If I had known, I would have announced it to the world! Know that your mom and I fully support your dreams Micah, Isaacs assistant, kept ncing at his watch and finally couldnt hold back. Mr. Kennedy, its twenty minutes to nine. If you want to meet Mr. Graham, we need to leave now. Isaac snapped back to reality. Oh, right. Gia, youreing with me. Im going too, Andrew said confidently as he stood up. The TV series I starred in premiered two days ago, and its doing exceptionally well. Industry insiders predict it will be a huge hit. Several brands have already contacted my agent about advertising and endorsement deals. Once I meet Mr. Graham, I can prioritize doing ads and endorsements for the Graham Groups products. Andrew continued. The Graham Group was one of the top global conglomerates, capable of influencing national and even global economies. If he could establish a connection with the heir of the Graham Group, the possibilities for his future would be limitless. Zoe, who had apanied him, couldnt help but suppress a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth. She wanted to tell him that, since he had just returned to the country, he might not be aware that the Graham Group has never coborated with neers for advertising to avoid potential risks that could harm their brand. However, she chose not to say it outright and instead gently advised, Andrew, Mr. Graham is a very private person. He specifically asked to meet your uncle. It should be enough for him to take Gia along. Bringing too many people might upset him She paused briefly. Im sure your uncle and Gia will be able to secure a coboration with Mr. Graham. You can wait until 1/3 C Chapter 23 your show finishes airing and your poprity peaks before meeting him. Andrew considered this and agreed it made sense. He had just started gaining recognition, and it would be more advantageous to meet Mr. Graham once he was at the height of his fame. So he sat back down. Alright, Ill go next time. Regina smiled. Isaac, you should take Gia and introduce her properly to Mr. Graham As a woman, she could easily read her daughters intentions. And she thought it was a good idea! Her daughter was so outstanding that she deserved a man like Mr. Graham, As for Lucas and the Harper family, they were nothingpared to the Graham Group. Isaac, eager to meet Mr. Graham, didnt want to dy. Okay, lets go now. With just a minute to spare before nine oclock, father and daughter arrived, slightly out of breath, at the private suite on the top floor of the club. Each suite on this floor had its own elevator, ensuring privacy. Anyone who could afford a suite here was certainly well-off. At this point, Isaac was confident that the person who had invited him was indeed Mr. Graham, or at least someone who wouldnt be a threat to his safety. Louis Connor, Mr. Grahams secretary, was already waiting at the suites entrance. Seeing Isaac, he nced at his watch and said calmly, Mr. Graham is inside. You may enter. With that, he opened the door just wide enough for one person to pass through. Isaac peeked inside. The room was dimly lit, with soft music ying, making it hard to discern the interior. He hesitated for a moment and introduced, Mr. Connor, this is my daughter, Gia She has some business shed like to discuss with Mr. Graham. Could she join us? No, Louis replied impassively. Mr. Graham specifically asked to meet you alone. He wont see anyone else. Isaac asked, Could you at least mention it to Mr. Graham? -Louis cut him off. You can either go in alone or leave immediately. Isaac felt a bit humiliated but didnt dare protest. He apologized to Gia, Gia, Ill go in first. Please wait here. Gia bit her lip, struggling to maintain herposure. The door was open, so Mr. Graham could likely hear their conversation, yet he remained silent, indicating he didnt want to see her. Why wouldnt he want to meet her? She was beautiful, just eighteen, and under the soft hallway light, she must look like a newly blossomed rose, captivating and radiant. How could he not be intrigued? Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. She longed to rush into the suite and let Mr. Graham see just how enchanting she was up close. But she held back, restraining herself, and whispered to her father, Go ahead. Introduce me if theres a chance. Isaac nodded and entered the suite. The door closed behind him. Mr. Graham? he called cautiously, moving forward slowly. Im Isaac Kennedy. Have a seat, came a cool, maic voice from the shadows ahead. The suite was enormous, easily over a hundred square meters at first nce. Isaac followed the sound of the voice, taking several steps forward, but still couldnt see where Mr. Craham was seated. He called out softly again, Mr. Graham? Suddenly, a soft meow echoed, and two green lights appeared in the darkness to his right. Startled, Isaac stepped back, nearly losing his bnce. 2/3 Chapter 23 Thankfully, it was just eat withrge, bright green eyes. At the same moment he saw the green-eyed cat, he finally spotted the man sitting on the sofa. She Outshines 24 She Outshines 24 Chapter 24 The dim light obscured Matthews face, revealing only the sharp yet elegant lines of his silhouette. Isaac could see him reclining on the sofa, his long legs stretched out, idly petting the green-eyed cat in hisp. He exuded an aura of bothziness and aloofness. Sic Matthew said, his gaze fixed on Isaac, his voice calm andmanding Under Matthews scrutinizing gaze, Isaac felt like amb being watched by a well-fed leopard-safe for the moment, but aware that the leopard could pounce at any time. Instinctively, Isaac wiped his forehead, though there was no swe. Thank you, Mr. Graham He sat down on the sofa opposite Matthew. A spotlight above illuminated Isaac, not too brightly, but enough for Matthew to see him clearly. Matthew spoke again. I have a few questions for you. If you answer truthfully and in detail, without hiding anything. I might grant you a reasonable request Isaac was taken aback. Wasnt Mr. Graham supposed to discuss a coboration with him? Despite his thoughts, he cautiously replied. Go ahead Matthews eyes were sharp enough to pierce the darkness. Six years ago, did Vission Group approach the Kennedy family for a partnership, or was it the other way around The Kennedy family imed that Vission Group had approached them, but Matthew had his doubts. Isaac hesitated, My wife and I tried to reach out to Vission Groups manager to express our interest in a partnership. We didnt have high hopes, but after talking with Harry Freeman, he agreed to give us the exclusive agency rights. What did you discuss? Mathew asked. Just some ordinary questions, nothing special Matthews tone turned cold. Be specific. The more information you provide, the more Ill reward you Isaac obediently answered, Well Six years ago, the Kennedy family was merely moderately wealthy, far from their current status. During the meeting with Harry, Isaac was extremely nervous, feeling as if each question was like a major exam question that could determine his future. Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Matthew listened intently, though he was disappointed. The meeting seemed perfunctory, with Harry lecturing like a professor, not even ncing at Isaac, who took notes like a struggling student. Matthew smirked, cutting to the chase. Did you ever ask Vission Group why they really chose you? Although the Kennedy family profited greatly from representing Vission Groups products, it was widely acknowledged that they hadnt performed well. A more capable agent could have increased the profits several times over. There had to be an undisclosed reason for Vission Groups choice. The rooms temperature wasfortable, yet Isaac still felt a bit warm, wiping cold sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. I asked Harry about it, and he jokingly said I was lucky, like I had saved the world in a past life. Harrys response did seem like a joke. Matthew, however, wasnt amused. What do you think? Under the dim spotlight, Isaacs well-maintained face looked pitable, like a student called out by a teacher, unable to answer. I-I honestly dont understand, he stammered. I thought it was because of my good character. 1/2 Chapter 21 Matthew gave a mocking smile. Why did Vission Group suddenly terminate their contract with the Kennedy family this Isaac remained silent, unwilling to answer, at least not truthfully Matthew said casually, That plot ofnd in the east looks promising. Im considering buying it. Isaacs expression changed drastically. Til tell you. The Kennedy Group had already signed a letter of intent to purchase thend and pair a deposit. Normally, anyone trying to outbid them would have to pay a heftypensation to the Kennedy Group. But for the Graham Group, money was never an issue. Having lost Vission Group, Isaac couldnt afford to lose thisnd too, He hoped to use it to turn things around. So, he covered his eyes with his hand, embarrassed, and confessed, Harry said hed had enough of the Kennedy family. He said we were ipetent and didnt deserve the exclusive rights. They wanted to drop us for a while, but we were just lucky In truth, the F Freeman brothers words were harsher, but Isaac chose not to repeat them all. Matthew continued petting the green-eyed cat in hisp and, after a few seconds, asked, What do you really think? Be honest, or youll get nothing. Isaac felt paralyzed under Matthews gaze, unable to think of a tactful way to respond. He had no choice but to speak Yesterday, when I went to see Harry, I saw my former foster daughter getting along well with him. I suspect she used her charm to persuade Harry to take revenge on the Kennedy family He thought he might have heard a faint scoff from Mr. Graham in the darkness, though he couldnt tell if it was directed at him, Athena, or Harry, In the dim light, Matthew asked with a probing tone, Did you do something to wrong your foster daughter? -Isaac nearly jumped out of his seat. No! Absolutely not! My wife and I treated Athena very well and never mistreated her. If theres any me to be had, it would be on her side. Matthew seemed amused. How do you n to win back Vission Group? A truly vexing question Isaac had enjoyed smooth sailing for so many years that he hadnt had to think critically in a long time. After pondering for a while, he finally said, I thought about approaching my foster daughter to see if she could help persuade Harry. Im willing to ept any conditions to make that happen. 2/2 O She Outshines 26 She Outshines 26 Chapter 26 @K 67%E That night had started with a clear sky and a bright moon. But by the early hours, strong winds had picked up, and a torrential downpour began, continuing intermittently until dawn. Athena opened her window, finding the morning breeze refreshingly cool-perfect for going out After leisurely finishing her breakfast, she received a message from ire: [Athena, there will likely be many homeowners picking up their keys at Bard Garden today. Since were closer, well head over to get in line. Take your time getting here.] She smiled and replied: [Okay.] Then she went into her studio, retrieved a prepared gift from a drawer, ced it in her bag, and left. An hourter, she arrived at Bard Garden. The entrance was bustling with people, filled with laughter, music, and the sound of drums, as if a grand celebration were underway. Today, four buildings were being handed over, with five to six hundred units in total. Many owners had brought their families, and several media outlets were there to cover the event, making it lively and festive. However, Bard Property had organized everything well, with dedicated staff at each building entrance to ensure order and minimize wait times for the owners. Athena quickly found her family The Donovans were dressed in new clothes, looking as cheerful as if they were celebrating a holiday. They hadpleted the registration process and were ready to go upstairs with the weing staff to receive their unit, with Athena joining them. In the elevator, the staff member enthusiastically exined the future ns for themunity, leaving the Donovans full of anticipation, as if they could already see their happy life ahead. However, when the staff member opened the door and led them into the entryway, everyone stopped smiling. The interior was filled with puddles of water. Water was still dripping steadily from the ceiling. What happened? The The Donovans were stunned. How did our home end up like this? The staff member was also shocked and stammered. We inspected every unit beforehand to ensure there were no issues before notifying the owners. I dont know how this unit ended up like this She took out her phone. Il report this to the maintenance department right away and have them send someone to take a look. Rest assured, if theres a quality issue with the house, well take responsibility for the repairs. The Donovans exchanged nces, their faces filled with disappointment, How long would it take for the property management to fix the house? They had already waited three years, and their high hopes had been dashed, leaving them feeling disheartened. Fortunately, the property management was efficient. The maintenance team quickly arrived on-site, inspecting and documenting the damage. Before long, they had a preliminary conclusion: It seems theres a crack in the roof, causing the leak in your unit. ire couldnt help but ask, What about the other units? Are they leaking too? The maintenance team replied, So far, it seems only your unit has a leak: The Donovans could only manage a wry smile. It seemed their lock was unfortunate, encountering: such a rare issue. The maintenance team was apologetic. Well report your situation to thepany immediately and develop a repair n 67% Chapter 26 We aim to start repairs within a day or two. Rest assured, well fix it thoroughly and ensure there are no lingering issues. The weing staff member added sincerely, As soon as the repairs areplete, well notify you right away. With such a positive attitude, what more could the Donovans say: Wesley politely replied, Thank you for your efforts. Well head back for now. He touched the cold, rough concrete wall with a sense of reluctance before leaving The family frequently looked back, as if bidding farewell to a beloved home. At the entrance of themunity, seeing his familys low spirits Wesley waved his hand cheerfully. Its just a few more days wait. Weve already waited three years; whats a few more days? Lets go grab a bite. Dads treating Athena smiled as well. Even though there are issues with the house, Bard Property is taking it seriously. Theyll inspect it thoroughly, which means theyre helping us eliminate potential problems. In that sense, its not all bad. Hearing thisfort, the others felt a bit better and began to smile again. Josic, although eager for the new house, didnt feel more at home in an empty, cold concrete space than small house. So, she wasnt too concerned about the leak. What she cared about more was Athenas promise to her. their current Once the mood lifted, she tugged on Athenas sleeve and asked, Athena, wheres your little ck cat? If Athena didnt bring the little ck cat, Josie would be disappointed. Athena patted her head and smiled gently. The little ck cat is here, ying hide and seek with you. Ill introduce you after dinner. Yay! Josie beamed, shaking her Hello Kitty toy. Lets go eat, so can meet the little ck cat afterward. They walked to a nearby restaurant, booked a private room, and ordered several dishes, Josie eagerly sat next to Athena, -absentmindedly eating while her big eyes kept scanning Athena, searching for the little ck cat. Athena chuckled to herself, pretending not to notice Josies curiosity. Once everyone had eaten and the empty tes were cleared, Athena took a small box from her bag and said with a smile, Josie, your little ck cat friend is here. Everyone turned to look at her. The box must contain a toy, right? Josie, however, looked worried. Isnt the little ck cat cramped in such a small box? Wont it have trouble breathing? Not at all, Athena reassured her with a smile. It knows magic and can hide anywhere without worry. Magic? Josies eyes lit up. What kind of magic does it know? Athena opened the box, revealing a small green-eyed ck cat inside. Everyone marveled at how lifelike the toy cat appeared. Except for its strall size, it looked almost real. Just as they thought this, Athena gently touched the linle ck cat, and it blinked, letting out an adorable meow. Meow, meow, hello, Jose, Can I be your friend? 2/3Original from N?velDrama.Org. She Outshines 27 She Outshines 27 Chapter 27 The sound was so adorable that everyone was momentarily stunned. Had toy technology really advanced to the point where they could greet you so realistically? Josie was especially delighted. She leaned closer to the little ck cat and asked, Hello, kitty! Why do you want to be friends. with me? Im a litle different, and some kids dont like to y with me. The ck cats bright green eyes glowed softly. But Josie, youre so cute, always smiling and kind. Youre a good kid, and I only want to be friends with good kids. Josie beamed, her eyes sparkling with joy. Whats your name, little kitty? The ck cat replied, How about you give me a name, Jodie? Okay, okay! Josie eximed, spreading her fingers wide. I thought of five namesst night. You can pick one. She counted them off on her fingers: Barbie, Marshmallow, Dolly, Big Apple, and Cotton. As soon as the finished, the ck cat chimed in. I like the name Marshmallow. I like Marshmallow too! Josie giggled. Can I pet you? Of course, the ck cat replied. Josie reached out a finger and gently poked Marshmallows cheek,ughing. Your face is so soft, just like a marshmallow! Everyone watched in amazement, agreeing that this little ck cat was truly something special. Maria nudged Athena with her elbow and whispered, Athena, this ck cat toy is incredible! It can talk to kids and even choose its own name. Thats amazing! It really is impressive, Athena smiled, not mentioning that it was actually thetest childrens smart watch developed by Vission Group. This watch was fireproof, waterproof, shockproof, and resistant to cuts. It was easy to clean and featured a graphene battery that could draw energy from sr power and the wearers movements, requiring no charging for ten years. Equipped with a tiny but powerful chip, it had a vast knowledge storage system, satellite positioning, facial and environmental recognition, and could engage in everyday conversations. Its most advanced feature was the ability to monitor the wearers physical condition through temperature, pulse, and sweat, providing timely alerts and even having a defense mechanism. It was a top-tier Al device, costing over a million dors and not yet avable on the market. Josic, please ce your finger over one of my eyes to form a pact, Marshmallow said, its eyes shimmering. Once we make the part, well be best friends forever. Making a pact with a cat to be lifelong friends? It felt like something out of a fairy tale! Josie eagerly extended her finger and gently pressed it against Marshmallows left eye. Marshmallows eyes glowed, disying digital information. The left eye showed the time: June 28, 11:21:28. The right eye disyed. Wednesday, Temperature 26C. You can ask Marshmallow for the time anytime, it said cheerfully. E Chapter 27 9.67% Wow, Marshmallow, youre amazing! Josie eximed, her eyes wide with admiration. Youre the coolest little ck cat in the world Marshmallows voice brimmed with pride. Josie, weve made our friendship pact, and now were best friends. Marshmallow knows everything from elementary to college-level knowledge. If you ever have questions or face difficulties, just ask Marshmallow. Josie blinked her big eyes. Do you know the poem Quiet Night Thoughts? Of course. Marshmallow replied, reciting. Before my bed, the moonlight glows, like frost upon the ground Athena smiled as she took Marshmallow out and fastened it around Josies left wrist. Marshmallows tail served as a strap, wrapping securely around Josies wrist, making it look like a mini ck cat curled around her arm. Josie was thrilled, eagerly asking Marshmallow all sorts of questions, While Josie and Marshmallow were happily chatting, Wesley turned to Athena and asked, Athena, where did you get this ck cat watch? Ive never seen such a high-tech toy. Marshmallow seemed to hear him and responded yfully, Marshmallow is not a toy. Im a magical ck cat with human- like intelligence. Wesley quickly apologized, Sorry, my mistake! I didnt realize. Please forgive me, Marshmallow. Marshmallows whiskers twitched. Marshmallow is forgiving and will pardon those who admit their mistakes. Everyone was speechless. This ck cat watch was truly remarkable. Athena smiled. Its a high-tech product from ourb. Marshmallow is the first prototype, and its a gift for Josie to try out. Everyone gave a thumbs-up upon hearing this. Athena continued, Dad, Mom, Arthur, and Maria, I also have gifts for you. The four of them were pleasantly surprised. Wesley waved his hand dismissively. Hey, were family. Theres no need for such formalities. ire shook her head. Athena, I appreciate your thoughtfulness but youre still young. Dont spend too much on us. Arthur said excitedly. Athena, no matter what you give me, Ill cherish it like a treasure. Maria rubbed her nose, a bit embarrassed. I didnt get you anything. I feel so bad Athena smiled and took out two bottles of pills from her bag. Dad, these are health supplements for you. Take one a day to help with sleep, digestion, blood pressure, weight loss, and even turning gray hair back to ck. They have no side effects, Mom, the purple bottle is for you. Take one a day to improve sleep, enhance beauty, bnce blood flow, regte hormones, and promote hair growth. Athena added. These supplements are produced by ourb and are given to researchers as a perk. Youll see results in less than a month. Ourbs professor takes one daily, and at over sixty, he looks like hes in his forties she continued. Of course, she didnt mention that each supplement pill was worth over $2,000, and the benefits went beyond what she described.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. She Outshines 28 She Outshines 28 Chapter 28 Wesley and ire were both surprised and delighted as they picked up their bottles of supplements and carefully read the instructions. Athena, yourb is amazing. It seems like they can develop anything. Wesley remarked. Athena smiled. Yes, Im really lucky to be part of such a cutting edge research team. Tll bring you samples of any new products ourbs develops for you to try. Athena, Athena, Arthur said, yfully pressing his fists to his clun and pretending to look pitiful. What about my gift? What did you get for me? Athena reached into her bag and pulled out a box, opening it to reveal its contents. Arthur, this is a prototype of the new super smartphone ourb just developed. It has satellite positioning and an automatic rm system. Its waterproof, fireproof, shockproof, and theft-proof. You can read the manual for more details Everyones eyes widened at the sight of the phone. It looked incredibly sleek and high-end. Good thing it was just a prototype; otherwise, it would cost a fortune. Thank you, Athena. Arthur said happily, taking the box and examining the phone, quickly navigating through its interface. The phone was preloaded with all the essential apps, ready to use. He opened the settings to check the phones. specifications. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. The memory, the storage, the high-definition camera-is this for real? This phones memory and storage are bigger tha three regrputersbined, and the HD camera is like a mini DSLR. he cried. Tve never heard of such an advanced phone on the market Athena chuckled. Thats why its a prototype from theb, not yet avable for sale. Its for you to try out. Read the manual carefully: I wont exin further. Arthur was at the age where having a good phone was essential, especially since he was good- looking. This phones features and specifications were far beyond simple, and it would cost a seven-figure sum on the market. But she didnt mention that to avoid overwhelming the family. Maria watched with envy. Josie and Arthurs gifts were so practical and suited them perfectly. What would Athena give her? She wasnt as capable as Arthur or as adorable as Josie. Would Albena like her? As she worried, Athena took out a cloth bag from her purse and retrieved a folded leather item. Everyone quickly set aside their gifts to see what Athena had brought this time. Athena unfolded the leather item. It was a shoulder bag for women The bag was a versatile light brown, with a simple design and a slightlyrger size. The front was adorned with two intertwined silver metal sps, an S and an H The bags style wasnt trendy, but it was very appealing. At first nce, it seemed nice. On the second look, it was really beautiful. By the third nce, it was hard to look away, and people began to praise it: The design of this bag is stunning, with exquisite craftsmanship. Every detail is perfect, and the overall look is so harmonious. Its like a work of art. 1/2 Chapter 25 967%, Everyone present found the bag increasingly attractive, as if they were admiring a piece of art. With each passing second, Marias eyes widened with admiration. After a while, she finally spoke, incredulous, Is this a Yonder bag? Yonder? Arthur looked puzzled. Whats a Yonder? Yonder is a womens fashion brand under Vission Group, Maria exined excitedly. Their products include bags, clothes, shoes, and jewelry, but they never advertise, so most people dont know about them. But in the industry, Yonder is known for having the best quality,bining artistry and practicality, with designs that are uniquely stylish and beautiful. Ive always loved Yonders designs and dreamed of owning one of their bags, but theyre incrediblyOwned by N?velDrama.Org. expensive, usually in the seven-figure range Maria said, suddenly biting her lip and ncing at Athena, unsure whether to continue. Given the price of Yonder products, it seemed unlikely that the bag Athena gave her could be genuine, no matter how high- quality it appeared. Of course, she didnt mean to sound ungrateful- she just realized she might have misspoken. Athena understood what Maria was thinking and smiled. Yonder coborates with ourb, which provides them with the special synthetic leather used in this bag. I designed this bag myself, with Miss Yonders permission and approval. You could consider it an unofficial Yonder product. Athena winked. Marias eyes sparkled with excitement. You know Miss Yonder? Athena nodded with a smile. Yes, I do. Oh my gosh, Athena, youre so lucky! Maria hugged the bag, her cheeks flushed with excitement. Miss Yonder is my number one idol! My biggest dream is to be a designer like her and create unique, timeless jewelry. Realizing she might have gotten carried away, Marja sheepishly rubbed her nose. But Im just an ordinary girl. How could I ever be a master like Miss Yonder? Im just dreaming. Dont take it seriously. Arthur, puzzled, asked, Maria, who is Miss Yonder? Why do you admire her so much? Marias eyes lit up with admiration as she exined enthusiastically, Miss Yonder is the founder and top designer of the Yonder brand. She doesnt design many pieces, but each one is unique, with a distinctive style and aesthetic, often called the most wearable works of art. Because her designs are so rare and in high demand, theyre usually acquired through auctions, with starting prices in the millions. Maria continued. Some of her pieces are even held in top museums. Hearing this, ire expressed her admiration. Listening to you, I want a piece by Miss Yonder too! When our family prospers. Ill buy each of you a Miss Yonder creation so we can all experience the allure of luxury. Athena simply smiled, saying nothing. Yonder is more than just a luxury brand; its essentially high- tech everyday wear. Thats impressive, Arthur said, amazed. Is Miss Yonder a man or a woman? How old is she? Is she a designer from our country? She Outshines 29 She Outshines 29 Chapter 29 ,56%, When Maria spoke about Miss Yonder, her admiration was palpable. Miss Yonder is incredibly mysterious. All we know is that she burst onto the scene five or six years ago as a young woman from our country. Beyond that, not much is known. She first showcased her designs for bags and dresses on social media. A popr actress spotted them and immediately sent an assistant to contact her, requesting custom bags, gowns, and shoes. Maria continued. Later, that actress wore an ensemble made up entirely of Miss Yonders work to a film awards ceremony, creating a sensation andunching Miss Yonder into the spotlight. She finally added. Many celebrities rushed to have her design for them, but at the height of her fame, she wiped her social media clean and disappeared. Now, anyone wanting to contact her has to go through intermediaries. Arthur was intrigued. In this age of information overload, how does she manage to stay so hidden? Exactly. Maria said, lifting her chin with pride. Over the years, many have tried to find her, but she never makes public appearances. Even when she does appear, she uses makeup to disguise her true identity. And her makeup skills are extraordinary; shes even called a makeup master from another dimension: she gushed. Arthur felt as if he were listening to a fairy tale. Can one person really aplish so many incredible things? Could Miss Yonder be a moniker for several different people? Athena quietly enjoyed her snack, a gentle smile on her lips, choosing to remain silent. Maria chuckled softly. No, shes definitely just one person. Two years ago, an influencer pretended to be Miss Yonder and showcased designs simr to hers, fooling a lot of people. As a result, Vission Group sued the influencer, iming that Miss Yonder was both a partner and the founder of their Yonder brand, backed by a formal agreement. Even then, Miss Yonder didnt show up to court; herwyer handled everything. Since then, no one has questioned her existence or dared to impersonate her. she expanded. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. ire, listening intently, chimed in. Maria, havent you been studying jewelry design online? Do you want to be a jewelry designer someday? Athena turned her attention to Maria. Feeling nervous, Maria waved her hands dismissively. I wouldnt dare dream of that. But then, blushing, she admitted, I do love jewelry design, but I dont think Im very talented. Growing up in a small town, I havent seen much of the world. How could I ever be a designer? Athena noted that detail but didnt press further. Instead, she smiled warmly. Have you created any designs of your own? If you have, Id love to see them. I can even show them to Miss Yonder and get her feedback. Really? Youd show Miss Yonder my work? Maria asked, surprised and excited. Wouldnt that bother her? What if my designs arent good enough? s not that serious, Athena reassured her. I promise you, Miss Yonder values everyones creativity and would never mock someones efforts That would be amazing, Maria sighed with relief, her nerves mingling with excitement. Next time you visit, Ill show you my designs Athena nodded enthusiastically. Its a deal then Wesley checked the time and said to Maria, That bag is gorgeous. You should try it on! Athena reminded her, Maria, dont forget to read the manual first and set up your fingerprint or password 1/2 00 Chapter 29 3 66% That was the brilliance of a Yonder bag. Each one is equipped with an electronic chip that stores the owners facial recognition, fingerprint, and password. Even if someone steals the bag, they cant open it. Plus, the bag is waterproof, fireproof, and cut-resistant-essentially a portable safe. ? Of course, the bag has other features, but Athena left those for Maria to discover. As a devoted fan of Miss Yonder, Maria was well aware of these features. She stood up with joy, slung the bag over her shoulder, and admired her reflection in the mirror. Everyone agreed. The bag looks fantastic, and it suits Maria perfectly Josie pped her hands and eximed. Maria looks amazing with that bag, dont you agree, Marshmallow? Marshmallows eyes sparkled. This bag is incredibly artistic and beautiful, and it suits Maria perfectly. Maria was so overwhelmed with happiness that tears filled her eyes. Thank you, Athena, for this wonderful gift. I love it so much, but I dont have anything as nice to give you in return.. Your happiness with my gift is the best return, Athena said, patting her shoulder. Giving gifts is about thoughtfulness, not obligation. You shouldnt feel pressured to give me something expensive in return; that would change the spirit of giving. Hearing this, everyone regarded Athena with newfound respect Arthur gave Athena a thumbs-up. Athena, thats such a generous perspective. I was worried about how to match your gift, but now I feel no pressure Athena smiled graciously. Its just a small gift; theres no need to overthink it. Just then, her phone on the table buzzed with a new message. She didnt pay much attention and casually opened the message The SAT Test results were out, and students could now check them on the official website. She nced away, not in any hurry to see her scores. But Josie, sitting nearby, noticed the text and eximed in her sweet voice, Athena, Athena! The message says your exam results are out! How did you do? -Everyone at the table, who had been happily examining their gitis, suddenly set them down and turned their eager eyes toward Athena. Athena remained silent, a hint of hesitation in her expression. Without waiting for anyone to urge her, she picked up her phone. Alright, Ill check now. The group stood up and crowded around her, all eyes focused on her screen. Athena smoothly navigated the official website and entered her personal information. A flurry of question marks seemed to materialize over everyones heads. ires eyes widened with concern. Why isnt there a score? Could it be that the results arent avable yet? Surely nothing went wrong, right? C She Outshines 30 She Outshines 30 Chapter 30 Meanwhile, Zoe was also checking her exam results, and her family was overjoyed. Oh my gosh, top twenty in the entire province? Zoe, thats increilible! Her mother held Zoes face and gave her two big kisses. We have to announce this great news in the papers and throw a grand celebration to let the whole city know how amazing our daughter is! Zoe felt proud but spoke modestly, Its just around 1500 points on the exam. It doesnt mean much. College is full of talented people, and Ill need to work even harder. Although the top 20 scores in the West End were temporarily hidden and not yet essible, she had used a little technical know-how to sneak into the exam results system and see her score. To avoid trouble, she didnt check Athenas score and exited as soon as she saw her own. 1530 points. 20 more than she anticipated! She was confident that this score would secure her the top spot in the province, and that there was no way Athena could her this time. surpass When the top 20 scores were finally revealed, she would be able to hold her head high and erase past humiliations, while Athena would be left in the dust, bing the schoolsughingstock. Our Zoe is so humble, her father said with a proud smile. The West End is a major province for SATS. Scoring in the top 20 means you can choose any top university and major in the country. And with a score around 1500, you might even be the top science student. Were looking forward to more good news from Zoe With that, he waved his hand and instructed the butler, Notify all our friends and family about this news. Lets schedule the celebration for July 1st at 5 PM in the main hall of the Vission Resort. Exam scores were typically hidden for three days, so Zoes results would be avable by the afternoon of July 1st. Zoes eyes lit up with an idea. Mom, Dad, Id like to invite all my teachers and ssmates to the celebration to thank them for their support over the past three years. Especially Athena-she had to attend the celebration. Zoe nned to present Athena with a special gift in front of everyone. Athena, youre in for a big surprise Zoe mused to herself. Her lips curled into a sly smile, like a cunning fox. While the Murray family was busy calling and messaging friends and family to share Zoes sess, Athena and her family had wrapped up their celebration and were driving back to their neighborhood. On the way, ire gently touched the car seat and asked quietly, Athena, is this car yours, or did your foster parents from the Kennedy family give it to you? If it was a gift from the Kennedy family, the Donovans felt they should return it to avoid owing them too much. Athena smiled. I bought this car with my schrship money. I participated in various competitions throughout high school and used the prize money to get it. I didnt take anything from the Kennedys. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but they also realized how self-sufficient Athena had be, almost as if she didnt need them anymore ire said sincerely. Athena, youre so impressive. It feels like your dad and I cant do much for you anymore 1/3 D Chapter 30 66 Tim sessful because of my good genes from the Donovan family, Athena replied with a smile. Tm eighteen now, old enough to be independent. Having a loving home from you all more than enough. Her words made everyone smile, lifting the mood. By then, they had arrived at Vlento Court, and Athena drove into the neighborhood, parking the car near Block 6. Arthur was the first to get out and ran to open the car doors for everyone else. After getting out, Wesley asked with concem. Athena, are you sure you dont want toe up for a bit? Your mom made some ratatouille and chopped up some carrot sticks for you since she knows you like them. Athena replied, I take them next time. I have a task at theb and need to get back to the office. Wesley said, Then wait here for a few minutes. Ill have your brother bring down the ratatouille. Theyre perfect for summer. Okay, Ill go get them now-Arthur happilyplied- Arthur was about to run upstairs when they suddenly heard an angry womans voice behind them: Athena, get out of the car! We need to talk to you! The voice was so harsh that the Donovans turned around, startled. Josie, frightened, hid behind Maria, peeking out nervously. Arthur and the other kids didnt recognize the neers, but Wesley and ire did-they had seen them at the paternity Test Isaac Kennedy and his wife? What were they doing here? Judging by their demeanor, it didnt look like they came in peace. they wondered Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, Wesley said, taking a deep breath and stepping forward to shield his family. We just got back from dinner. What brings you here to see Athena? Athena remained calm in the drivers seat, not rushing to get out or speak. She was curious to see what drama Regina and her family were nning this time. Regina, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement, approached with an air of indignation. Without waiting for her husband to speak, she pointed a finger at Athena, her voice rising with anger. Do you have any idea what your precious daughter has been up to? Do you realize the trouble shes caused for our family? Andrew, wearing a mask and hands casually tucked into his pockets, leaned against the car with a smug expression. Like father, like daughter, I suppose. Athenas already learned how to cozy up to wealthy men and use them to get back at the family that raised her for eighteen years. Its trulyOriginal from N?velDrama.Org. astonishing! Their usations hung in the air, sharp and venomous. Unfortunately, it was dinnertime, and neighbors were returning home, drawn to themotion outside Block 6. A small crowd began to gather, some clutching their dinner tes, intrigued by the unfolding drama. Youre lying! ire eximed, her voice trembling with fury. She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. We know our daughter. Athena is kind and responsible. She would never do what youre using her off Arthur stepped forward, his expression darkening as he cracked his knuckles. Did youe here just to nder Athena? If dont apologize, you wont be leaving this neighborhood. you nder? Regina scoffed, dismissing his warning with a wave of her hand. She opened her designer handbag and pulled out a stack of photos, tossing them at the Donovans with a flourish. Look at these. Is this what an 18-year-old girl should be doing? 2/3 Chapter 30 Athena, having exited the car, picked up a few of the photos and nced at them. bbx They depicted her getting out of Harrys car two days prior, his hand holding hers as they walked into a studio. The images showed them looking close, but there was nothing inappropriate about their behavior. The Donovans and the onlookers caught sight of the photos too. While the Donovans didnt see anything wrong, the crowd had plenty to say Wow, a Ferrari! The Donovan girl is impressive, snagging a rich guy at just 18. Shes set for life, onemented. They look good together, but dating at 18 isnt exactly ideal, another interjected. That guy with long hair, wearing pink and sunsses? He looks like trouble. Mr. Donovan, you better keep an eye on your daughter before she gets into real trouble 0 She Outshines 31 She Outshines 31 Chapter 31 89% Wesley took a deep breath and stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of his family. Trs broad daylight in the city center, with people everywhere. My daughter was simply walking into an office building with someone, not going anywhere questionable. What are you trying to achieve by ndering Athena over something so innocent? Wesley pressed Arthur rolled up his sleeves, flexing his biceps as his usually frienilly face turned serious. I can take on all three of you! If you keep ndering my sister, I wont hold back! Arthur was well-liked in the neighborhood. Handsome, kind, and always willing to help, he never turned down requests to carry packages, fix pipes, or change light bulbs. The young women in the neighborhood adored him. Seeing him stand up so fiercely, some of the young women blushed, their eyes sparkling Go, Arthur! Were behind you! Arthur, youre the best! Dont be afraid, just go for it! They really knew how to stir things up. Regina barely regarded Arthur, backing up slightly with a wary nce but still sneering. Do you even know who the man in the photos is? She hissed. His name is Harry Freeman, the chief representative of Vission Group in the West End. Sure, hes wealthy, but hes also a notorious pl**oy in Kitmore City. If your daughter is involved with him, its not business; its something else. Andrew chimed in with a mocking tone, Birds of a feather flock together. Harrys women change daily-small-time actresses, models, influencers. If Athena were a good girl, would she be hanging out with someone like him? The crowd continued to gossip. I dont think the Donovan girl is like that. Maybe shes been tricked by the p**oy? someone suggested. Remember, she was raised by a wealthy family. Shes used to the good life. Its normal for her to find a rich guy to support her, another chimed in. 18-year-old with a car? If a man didnt give it to her, how could she earn it herself? She looks like an angel. How could she get involved with a guy like that? The Donovans turned pale with anger, and tears welled up in ires eyes. Shut up! Wesley Donovan, usually mild-mannered, was furious waving his arms. Mrs. Kennedy, Mr. Kennedy, youre ndering Athena based on assumptions. Thats illegal! Besides, Athena is eighteen. She has the right to associate with anyone she chooses. Why are you so concerned about her private life? Dad, dont waste your breath on them! Arthur charged forward aiming a punch at Andrew. Ill shut them up myself? Andrews face turned white, and he instinctively covered his face. His looks were his livelihood-he couldnt afford to get hit But before Arthur couldnd a punch, a hand caught his arm. Arthur, theyre not worth it, Athena said calmly, stopping him. Mr. Kennedy, Mrs, Kennedy, did you come here just to say all this? Stop pretending! Regina snapped, momentarily stunned by Athenasposure. You know exactly what youve done. 1/3 BB ch Chapter 31 Were here to tell you to make things right with Harry and restore the Kennedy familys partnership with Vission Group Isaac felt ufortable hearing Athena address them so formaly as Mr. and Mrs, but he feigned patience. Athena, the Kennedys raised you for eighteen years, providing you with the best of everything. You cant revenit us just because youre no longer living the life of a wealthy heiress. What do you mean by that? Arthur interrupted angrily. Atheist is happy to be with us. She doesnt care about your wealth. Pit! Andrew, relieved from the immediate threat, sneered again Athena couldnt be a Kennedy heiress, so she cozied up to Harry, convincing Vission Group to cut ties with the Kennedy and ruinProperty ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. their business. Cutting off someones livelihood is like killing their parents. Is your Athena ruthless? Regina added. Athena, youve received the best education for eighteen years. I dont remember betrayal being part of it. If you have any conscience, make Harry renew the contract with the Kennedys. Otherwise, well tell everyone in Kitmore City how cruel you are. The crowd buzzed with spection. Just because she cant be a rich heiress, she decides to take revenge on her foster family? Thats too much Going from a life of luxury to living here as a regr person is a huge drop. I wouldnt be able to handle it either I knew it. That Donovan girl found her real family but didnt move back in. She must think this ce is too shabby The faces of the Donovan family grew increasingly grim as they listened. Even Wesley and Arthur, usually calm, were visibly upset, and Maria clenched her fists, ready to join the fray. But Athena raised her hand, signaling her family to hold back. Her eyes, sharp and clear, swept over Isaac and Regina. So. you need something from me, right? And yet you have the nerve to publicly nder me? nder? What nder? Regina stammered, her voice rising defensively under Athenas gaze. Were just stating the facts! Your rtionship with Harry is shady, to say the least. Good, Athena said, lifting her phone. Harry, did you catch all that? Everyone turned to look. To their surprise, she was on a video call with a man. The man in the video had long hair and wore a floral shirt. Though he wasnt wearing sunsses, his style matched the p**oy from the photos. Harry had been watching the entire spectacle, his patience wearing thin Finally, when it was his turn to speak, he mmed his hand on the table and shouted, Isaac, Regina, do you really think you can stalk me, take secret photos, and bully my friend? Do you take me for a fool? Ive recorded everything you said about me and Athena. Just wait-Im calling mywyer now. By tomorrow morning, Il be filing awsuit against you. Prepare for your day in court. And as for spreading rumors about Athena being ungrateful? Who do you think you are? If it werent for Athena, I would never have signed a contract with you in the first ce. Dream on Isaac and Regina stared at Harry in the video, their faces turning pale. How much had Harry seen and heard? Despite his mboyant appearance, Harry was known for being ruthless. Their insults likely left him vengeful, making any hope for coboration even slimmer. 2/3 B B Chapter 31 At that moment, Reginas haired for Athena intensified. She ined Athena for everything That ungrateful girl had been quietly informing Harry all along, her cunning deeper than they had realized. She Outshines 32 She Outshines 32 Chapter 32 Isaac tried to cate Harry with a forced smile. Mr. Freeman, please listen to me. This is all just a misunderstanding My wife was speaking out of anger earlier. We just wanted to check on how Athena is doing and understand her rtionship with you. Shes still young, and we believe getting involved too early isnt good for her, so we may have spoken harshly to scare her! Isaac defended. Thats ridiculous! Harry shot back, flipping him off with a fierce re. Athena saved my life once, and I consider her family. You keep ndering our rtionship-are you trying to provoke me? The crowd buzzed with realization. Oh, so the Donovan familys lost daughter had that kind of connection with the yboy! They felt ashamed for misunderstanding the young woman. After all, saving someones life at such a young age was truly remarkable Isaac felt a wave of regret wash over him. If only he had known earlier, he wouldnt have made such mistakes. Im sorry, it was our misunderstanding, he said, wiping his brow and bowing slightly toward Harry on the screen. Mr. Freeman, since you and Athena are like family, that makes us family too, About renewing the contract Athena interrupted him. Mr. Kennedy, Ive left the Kennedy family and have no ties to them. So my family isnt your family, and Id appreciate it if you didnt try to im otherwise Isaac stared at her in shock, struggling to find his words. In front of so many people, Athena refused to give him any respect? He had raised her for eighteen years, and this was how she treated him? At that moment, Regina watched her husband grovel to Harry, and her anger toward Athena reached a boiling point. Athena knew how important Vission Group was to the Kennedy family, so why hadnt she mentioned her rtionship with Harry? If the Kennedy family had known about Athenas connection to Harry, would they have still driven her away? Athena was deliberately hiding this crucial information, ying the Kennedy family for fools with Harry. Regina no longer hoped for Harrys sympathy and pointed at Athena, shouting, Youre anOwned by N?velDrama.Org. ungrateful brat! Do you have any idea how much the Kennedy family has spent on you over the years? Even if its not two or three million, its at least a million! You say you have no connection to the Kennedy family, then pay back every cent with interest! A million? The onlookers were stunned, some forgetting to swallow their food, others forgetting what they were about to say. Just raising a child to eighteen cost that much? What kind of world did the Donovan familys lost daughtere from? Andrew covered his face with his hands, continuing his sarcastic remarks. Athena, just a few days ago, you were living the good life with the Kennedys, and now you disown them? Fine, if youre so principled, give us a straight answer-when will you pay back everything the Kennedy family has spent on you? The Donovan family turned pale at the usations. Of course, they needed to repay the money! But how could they possiblye up with such arge sum? Wesley gritted his teeth and said firmly. Tm grateful to the Kennedy family for raising my daughter. Since she no longer has ties with them, we will repay the expenses. Please provide a detailed list, and the Donovan family will pay you back with interest In recent years, property values had soared, and the Bard Property home was worth nearly a million now. 09:06 Chapter 32 If necessary, he could sell the house and pay the rest in installments. Though this decision would be tough on the family, he believed they would understand and support him. Regina looked Wesley up and down with disdain. Pay it back with interest? Can you really afford that? Youre making promises in front of all these people-what if you cant follow through? Wesleys face flushed with determination. The Donovan family may be poor, but we have our pride! Ill write you a guarantee right now, promising that well repay every cent of Athenas upbringing. ire added, Ill sign the guarantee too. You dont need to worry about us reneging Arthur pounded his chest. Ill sign as well. Even if I have to sell everything, Ill make sure we repay you. Wesley and ire red at him. He awkwardly raised his hands in surrender. Just saying, just saying. Maria hesitated, raising and lowering her hand before finally speaking timidly, Tll sign too. Regina sneered. Let me remind you, pride doesnt pay the bills. Itll only cost you money and dignity. Her words drew disapproving looks, not just from the Donovans but from the onlookers as well. Mocking someone for being poor was one thing, but mocking their integrity? No one could stand for that! Before the Donovans could respond, Harry spoke up from the phone. Donovans, Athena doesnt owe the Kennedys a dime. Dont let them intimidate you. The Kennedy family wasnt qualified to be Vission Groups agent. Six years ago, I gave them the exclusive rights purely because of Athena. In that time, theyve made nearly a billion. Strictly speaking, that money is thanks to Athena. She owes the Kennedys nothing. The crowd was stunned. Nearly a billion in just six years? Who were these people? Were they making money or printing it? Harry continued, delivering a harsh blow. Isaac, do you really think youre talented? Without Athena, the Kennedy family is nothing Isaac and his family flushed with anger. Andrew snapped, Harry, youre going this far for Athena and still im your rtionship is innocent? Athena was just a child when she met you. How could she possibly have saved a grown man like you? Something doesnt add up Harry smirked. Andrew, youre on my list for tomorrowswsuit Youd better find awyer fast. Andrew was left speechless. As a rising star, awsuit could spell serious trouble for him. Watching her son being humiliated, Regina could no longer contain herself. If we hadnt adopted Athena, she would have ended up in an orphanage. She never would have had the chance to live like a princess or receive a proper education. Youre belittling the Kennedy familys care and generosity as if it were worthless. We should have just let her burn in that hospital! she screamed. Reginas words struck hard, leaving Wesley and ire pale with shock and pain. Tears filled ires eyes as the weight of her hurtfulments settled in. She Outshines 33 She Outshines 33 Chapter 33 Athena noticed the tension in her parents and saw the fierce look on Arthurs face, realizing he was about to lose his temper. She quickly spoke up, Alright, Harry, go ahead and prepare for tomorrowswsuit. Everythings fine on my end. Wait. Harry called out. Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, how about I give you the exclusive rights to Vission Group in the West End! If youre interested, we can sign the deal tomorrow Before he could finish. Athena ended the video call. The Donovans didnt take Harrys offer seriously. However, the Kennedys were visibly shaken by his words. The exclusive rights they couldnt secure despite all their efforts were casually offered to the Donovans? How could the Donovans be so lucky? er, how could Athena be so Or rather, fortunate? They had raised Athena with great effort, yet she was now taking away the wealth they believed was rightfully theirs. Was that fair! In that moment, their feelings toward Athena were a mix of jealousy and resentment. After ending the call, Athena turned to Isaac and Regina. Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. Kennedy, if Harry says hes going to sue, he will. I suggest you save your arguments for the courtroom to avoid giving him more ammunition. Regina opened her mouth to retort. But Isaac stopped her, speaking gently to Athena. Athena, havent I treated you well all these years? Please, just this once, convince Harry to renew the exclusive rights with the Kennedy family for another three years. Just three years! This onest time! This is thest favor Ill ever ask of you! he pleaded. Arthur, infuriated, pped Wesley on the shoulder and loudly dered, Athenas father is right here! Mr. Kennedy, please stop pretending to be her father. Its very disrespectful! Isaac ignored him, focusing solely on Athena. Athena, if you help me this time, all the years Ive cared for you will have been worth it. I wont bother you again, and you wont owe me or the Kennedy family anything. His voice was almost pleading, as if he were about to kneel. Everyone watching could see he was trying to guilt-trip her. Not far away, Gia watched Athena through a slightly lowered car window. She had heard about Athenas beauty but hadnt thought much of it until now. Seeing Athena in person, her radiance felt like a thorn piercing Gias heart. It was because the Kennedy family had raised Athena like a princess that she carried herself with such confidence and poise If Athena had grown up in the modest Donovan family, she might have been charming, but she wouldnt have the poise she has now. Thinking this, Gia clenched her teeth, her already envious gaze now tinged with hostility. In her mind, Athena owed the Kennedy family. If Athena didnt repay the Kennedy familys losses many times over, she deserved to be struck by lightning But Athena clearly didnt see it that way. In response to Isaac Kennedys almost desperate plea, she remained polite. Mr. Kennedy, with all due respect, Vission Group gave you six years of exclusive rights. The money youve earned should be more than enough for afortable life. Everything has its limits. You should know when to stop. She paused briefly before continuing. Instead of wasting time with Harry and me, you should focus on expanding your business elsewhere. 1/3 09:06 Thu, Ocl Chapter 33 89% The onlookers nodded in agreement. Exactly, you raised Athena for eighteen years and made nearly a billion. Isnt that enough? Greed will only lead to downfall. Nearly a billion! That couldfortably support a family of six for eighteen lifetimes Isaac listened, a bitter smile forming on his lips. He understood the logic. But once ustomed to the best, who can easily ept a step down? Besides, the Kennedy family had spent as much as they earned over the years. With easy money camevish spending- investing in whatever was hot, buying mansions and yachts abroad, making a killing in the stock market, bidding on art, and funding films. They had invested billions, often losing everything or getting trapped, leaving the Kennedy family with little liquid capital. Moreover, the Kennedy Groups stock had been plummeting, likely to fall below its initial offering price soon, further depleting their wealth Without regaining Vission Groups exclusive rights, theyd have to sell off assets. Reginas eyes narrowed like des, cutting into Athena. Athena, are you really going to let us fall, after we raised you for eighteen years? Athena remained calm. Mrs. Kennedy, I hope you can be reasonable Before she could finish, Isaac suddenly dropped to his knees before her. Athena, please, Im begging you. Help me this once. Everyone was taken aback by his actions. Athena quickly stepped back, putting her car between them to maintain distance. Mr. Kennedy, please dont pressure me like this. Arthur was livid. The Kennedys im to be so noble, yet youre resorting to such low tactics to force an eighteen-year-old girl to solve your business problems? Have you no shame? Wesley added sternly, Mr. Kennedy, your wife and son are watching, Please, maintain some dignity for yourself and them and get up. Desperate, Isaac crawled toward Athena. Athena, this is thest time Ill ask T If you agree to help me, I promise that even if I jump off a building, get hit by a car, or fall terminallyProperty ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. ill, I wont bother you again. Please, just this once. He was so ustomed to his current lifestyle that he couldnt imagine losing his status and position. By any means necessary, even threatening to jump, he was determined to make Athena agree. The onlookers were stunned by his disy. Dressed in a sharp suit with a slicked-back hairstyle, yet here he was, acting like a wronged spouse, kneeling andmenting his fate. People couldnt believe their eyes. Was he out of his mind? Regina was furious when she saw her husband kneeling before Athena, her eyes filled with rage. She was about to rush over and pull him up when her phone buzzed with a message. It was from her daughter: Record Dad kneeling to Athena She paused, puzzled at first, but then it dawned on her. Her daughter was indeed clever. If her husband was already kneeling, achieving their goal was the only way to justify his actions. So, she stepped back, raised her phone, and calmly recorded the scene. B Chapter 33 Wesley didnt notice Reginas actions, but he saw many people around them with their phones out, taking photos or videos. He knew that if these images leaked, Athena would be thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. What could he do? He couldnt let Athena bebeled as someone who forced her adoptive father to kneel in public. Even if Athena wasnt at fault, the fact that the Kennedy family had raised her would sway public opinion in favor of the kneeling father. She Outshines 34 She Outshines 34 Chapter 34 Isaac knew exactly what he was doing. His performance became more intense, his voice choked with emotion, and his eyes filled with tears. Athena, youve been with the Kennedy family for eighteen years. Ive always treated you like my own daughter and did everything to help you be the outstanding person you are today. Even if our paths must part, I hope youll remember the old times and give your father a way out The Donovan family looked visibly upset. Anyone unaware of the situation would think Athena wanted to kill him based on. Isaacs words. At that moment, Andrew jumped in to make his presence known Clenching his fists, he shouted, Athena, youve only been away from the Kennedy family for a few days, and now youre forcing my father to kneel? Before he could finish, there was a sudden thud as Wesley knelt before Isaac, blocking his path. Everyone was stunned. What was going on now? Mr. Kennedy, I sincerely thank you for raising Athena for eighteen years, Wesley said solemnly. But the things youre forcing her to do are beyond her capabilities. I ask you to consider that Athena once brought great fortune to the Kennedy family, making you one of the richest in Kitmore City. Please, let her go. Lon With so many people taking photos and videos, this was the only way Wesley could think of to protect Athenas reputation. ires eyes reddened upon seeing her husband kneel. Without thinking, she knelt beside him, suppressing her anger, Mr. Kennedy, Athena is just an eighteen-year-old girl. Youre forcing her to convince Vission Group to hand over their agency rights. How could she possibly do that? Arthur and Maria, witnessing this, also teared up, clenching their fists to hold back their emotions. Little Josie clutched Marias clothes, crying softly. Their father, though an ordinary man, had always valued dignity and integrity, teaching them the virtues of self-reliance and self-respect. Now, having to kneel before someone like Isane was utterly humiliating for him. Arthur wanted to help his parents up but realized this was the best way to protect Athena. Helplessly, he joined in, If you with all your wealth and power, cant achieve this, how can my sister Athena be expected to? Even if she once saved Mr. Freemans life, he has repaid that debt by working with you for six years and bringing you nearly a billion in wealth. The onlookers nodded in agreement. The Donovan family was right; the Kennedy family was being unreasonable! Unable to convince the yboy themselves, they were bullying an eighteen-year-old girl to do it-how unfair! Athena, feeling distressed, stepped out from behind the car, Mom, Dad, get up, dont Thank you, Athena! Isaac interrupted, his eyes lighting up as he stood, Does this mean youve agreed to help your father? Was he doing this on purpose? How shameless! Arthur heaved a sigh of relief and quickly helped his parents up Chapter 34 Athena fixed her gaze on Isaac, her voice steady and cold, Mr. Kennedy, I havent agreed to anything. Youve caused enough. of a scene. Its time to go back before you make an even bigger spectacle of yourselves. A scene? Regina felt the sting of Athenas words and exploded in rage. Who are you calling a scene? We raised you for so many years, turned you into ady, and you repay us by stealing our business! She roared like an enraged tigress, her voice echoing through the neighborhood. She didnt give anyone a chance to interrupt her. When you were living as a Kennedy, you helped us make money, which allowed you to live a good life. Now that youre no longer a Kennedy, youve secretly handed our business to your new family so you can continue living like a princess while crushing the Kennedy family! Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Some people are just rotten to the core! You shouldve died in that fire eighteen years ago she spat. Her words were as venomous as they could be. Arthur was livid, his fists clenched tightly, ready to fight. Smack! An egg flew through the air, hitting Regina and staining her designer dress with egg whites and yolk. She was furious, screaming, Who did that? Ill kill you! L Everyone turned to see where the egg hade from Little Josie peeked out from behind Maria, her cheeks puffed with anger, eyes wide, still holding the pose of having thrown the egg, and shouted, Youre evil! After yelling, she quickly hid again, leaving only her fluffy head visible. Everyone thought, Oh my gosh, this is too cute! How can a child be this adorable? You you little brat! Regina was livid, swinging her handbag as if to teach Josie a lesson. At that moment, Athena spoke calmly, Mrs. Kennedy, your son is a newly debuted actor. If I were to pull off his mask and record your familys public tantrum, then upload it to social media, what do you think would happen to his career? She knew where to hit thent where it hurt. Andrew was the apple of the Kennedy familys eye; they would never risk his future. Regina was even angrier, turning her fury towards Athena, Say that again! I dare you But Andrew had already grabbed her arm, pulling her away. Stop it. Lets go. She Outshines 35 She Outshines 35 Chapter 35 11 The Kennedy family sat in their luxurious ck Maybach, each enveloped in silence and a somber mood. Regina was engrossed in her phone, checking her stock portfolio With each nce, her expression grew darker. Andrew and Gia stared out their respective windows, a sense of disappointment in their parents weighing heavily on them. Before they returned to the Kennedy family, everything seemed prosperous. But as soon as they came back, the familys assets dwindled, and challenges arose. Even though Athena was the cause of these troubles, their parents seemed utterly ineffective.. The Maybach came to a halt at a red light. Isaac, gazing listlessly outside, suggested, Its getting dark. Why dont we find somewhere nearby to eat? Just as he finished speaking, his eyesnded on a building ahead. Harmony Hospital? That was where his mother was hospitalized. He had almost forgotten she was still alive. A sudden idea sparked in his mind, and he turned to Regina, Dear, why dont we stop by and visit my mom? Regina didnt even look up. Whats the point of visiting an old woman whos practically a vegetable? If you want to go, do it yourself. Im not interested. Isaac coaxed her, Sweetheart, remember? Athena was raised by my mom and is very close to her. If we cant persuade Athena, maybe my mom can. Would she really ignore the plight of her own son and grandchildren? he offered. Hearing this, Regina looked up, both surprised and delighted. Youre right! How could I forget that? No grandparent can resist their grandchildren. Once your mom sees Andrew, shell agree to anything he asks She spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, not seeing any issue with her words. Gia, however, felt her mood darken, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes. Was her mother implying that her brother was more important, more valued than she was? Having grown up abroad, Cia hadnt been exposed to traditional ideas of male preference, though she had heard about such views from many people. She hadnt thought much of it then. Now, she was seeing it firsthand. Determined, she resolved to prove through her actions that she was every bit as capable as her brother. Isaac instructed Micah to park the car at the entrance of Harmony Hospital, then led his family to the inpatient ward. To their disappointment, despite the surgery being a month ago, the olddy was still in aa. Reginained, She cant die, and she cant wake up. Just lying there, wasting the familys money. Such a burden. Isaac, feeling frustrated, said, Well wait for an hour. If my mom doesnt wake up by then, well leave. He turned to Andrew and Gia, Are you hungry? Should I order some takeout for you? Andrew, engrossed in watching his own TV series and interacting with fans, didnt even look up. Not hungry. Gia, touching up her makeup in apact mirror, replied, I dont want to eat takeout in a hospital. Chapter 35 Reginay on the couch, ying cards on her phone, not bothering to say a word. Isaac had no choice but to chat with the nurse. H Miss Donovan is very good to the olddy, the nurse praised Athena. She visits about every three days, stays for half a day each time, personally feeds her, gives her medicine, and massages her hands and feet. Shes incredibly attentive. The other patients here are quite envious, saying the olddy has a very filial granddaughter.. Isaac smiled. Athena clearly cared a lot about the olddy. As long as his mother was in the Kennedy familys hands, Athena would have toply. He sent the nurse off for a meal and called Micah in. Stay here and watch over my mom. If she wakes up, call me immediately. Micah nodded obediently. Yes, sir. Isaac thought for a moment and added, When she wakes up, make sure she stays awake until I get here. And make sure to tell her about Andrew and Gia, and the crisis the Kennedy family is facing. Ask her to plead with Athena on our behalf. Micah looked worried. L.. Im not sure I can convince the olddy Isaac said. If you handle this well; Ill double your year-end bonus. Micah straightened up immediately. Dont worry, Mr. Kennedy, Ill do my best to persuade her. With Micah staying behind, Isaac was ready to leave. Andrew, , we can go now. Micah quickly offered, Ill escort you out. As they left the room, Andrew suddenly thought of something. What if she never wakes up, or if she wakes up but cant speak? A cruel glint shed in Reginas eyes. Then well move her somewhere else, so Athena will never see her again. She smirked. Since Athena isnt our biological child, she has no right to interfere with the old croon. We can treat her however we want. If Athena wants to see her, shell have to give in to us. The others smiled in agreement. Youre so clever. They didnt notice that the olddy on the bed had slowly opened her eyes and was trying to say something. But the door had already mmed shut, and no one heard her voice. Her eyes revealed a deep sadness, but even more so, a profound disappointment. Its just as well that Athena has left. This old body of mine doesnt have much time left. At least I wont drag her down anymore shemented to herself Athena, Grandma is so sorry If I had known that Isaac and his wife would use my illness to force you into doing things, I wouldnt have gone through with that surgery. I should have just joined your grandfather in the afterlife She murmured these words as she closed her eyes again, as if she had never awakened. Tears continued to flow silently down her chertProperty ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. She Outshines 36 She Outshines 36 Chapter 36 As night fell, Athena returned to her apartment. Freya sent her a message: [The pharmacist and neurologist have sessfully seen the patient. They will conduct aprehensive examination tonight and send you the first report tomorrow.) Athena replied simply: [Okay.1 ording to the n. Dr. Annies team was set to arrive in the capital this afternoon and would then be secretly transported to Lucys retreat by Louis. Thinking of Lucy reminded Athena of Matthew. His meticulously sculpted face, wless from every angle, lingered in her mind.. What could Matthew be doing right now? she wondered. Curious, she logged onto the inte and searched for updates on Matthew. Despite his reputation for being low-key and avoiding the spotlight, she quickly found a recent video of him This afternoon, actress Luna Carter held a yacht party at Moon Bay. Numerous high-profile guests arrived at the dock. Among the invited were The most surprising guest was the usually reclusive Matthew Graham, CEO of the Graham Group. Matthew arrived at Moon Bay in an SUV, got out alone, and boarded the luxurious yacht with a bikini-d beauty. The SUV then drove away. After Matthew boarded, the yacht left the dock It was said that these parties require signing confidentiality agreements, with all phones collected, so that no one is able to take photos or videos. Therefore, what happens on the yacht remains unknown. Athena quickly understood. Matthew must have deliberately leaked his whereabouts to draw public and family attention. allowing Louis to secretly take Dr. Annies team to see Lucy. This showed just how deeply Matthew cared for his sister. Athena couldnt quite exin why, but she didnt want to see sadness, pain, or disappointment on Matthews handsome face. She found herself silently praying. Praying for Lucys surgery to go smoothly and for her to recover soon Meanwhile, at Harmony Hospital, the olddy opened her eyes and kept calling out, Athena, where is Athena The nurse, who had secretly epted a six-figure bribe from the Kennedy family, hesitated. Instead of calling Athena, she informed Micah, who was out having ate-night snack. Micah rushed back to the hospital, calling Isaac on the way. Isaac, upon receiving the news, went to fetch his children, urging them toe to the hospital. Andrew, applying a face mask, was de Staying upte ruins my skin! Its toote, Im not going. Gia, engrossed in her design work, didnt even look up. Im busy with my designs. I cant go. Isaac and Regina didnt dare to force them, so they headed to the hospital alone. In the VIP room, after sending the nurse to rest, Micah discreetly dissolved a stimnt pill in warm water and gave it to the olddy. He had obtained the pill from a doctor, iming he needed it to stay awake during night shifts. While it was generally safe Chapter 36 for asional use, it had severe side effects for someone in the olddys condition. After drinking the water, the olddy became more alert and managed to speak a full sentence: Athena, I want to see Athena. Please, call Athena Grandma, please listen to me. Micah seized the opportunity to exin the Kennedy familys situation. Athena is not your biological granddaughter. You have a pair of biological twin grandchildren, a grandson named Andrew and a granddaughter named Gia.. Unexpectedly, the olddy became furious, her voice hoarse with anger. Youre lying! Micah sighed, Tm not lying. He produced a DNA test report showing that Athena was not Isaac and Reginas biological child. He then showed photos of Andrew and Gia on his phone. These are your biological grandchildren. They look just like Isaac and Regina The olddy closed her eyes and turned her head away. They dont look like them at all! I want Athena. Call Athena now Micah, frustrated, continued, Grandma, the Kennedy family is in trouble. We need your help. Ignoring whether she was listening or not, he exined the situation with Vission Group. Only youContent ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. can persuade Athena to spare the Kennedy family. The olddy remained stubborn, like a child demanding candy. I want to see Athena. I want to see Athena Micah was at his wits end. This is so troublesome. I dont even know if she understands Just then, his phone rang. It was Isaac. Isaacs voice was filled with frustration. Were at the hospital, but visiting hours are over. We cant get into the inpatient ward. He rarely visited hospitals. Even when he did, there were always people to handle things for him. He only needed to wait for the results. Athena had always taken care of his mothers hospitalization and treatment, so he had no idea that visiting hours ended at 10 PM. Micah was dumbfounded. What do we do now? Then what else can we do? Isaac snapped. You just have to convince my mom to plead with Athena on our behalf. Micah, looking pained, replied, Ive said everything I could, but she wont listen. She keeps repeating that she wants to see Athena and insists Athena is her real granddaughter. Hearing this, Regina grabbed the phone from her husband and yelled into it, Just keep talking! Keep brainwashing her until she remembers that Andrew and Gia are her real grandchildren and that Athena is an imposter who deceived us for eighteen years. Got it? she bristled. Micah, resigned, said, Got it. He hung up the phone and returned to the bedside, ready to continue his attempts at persuasion. But he found that the old Jady had already fallen asleep, drooling at the corner of her mouth. This brainwashing session was over before it even started. She Outshines 37 She Outshines 37 Chapter 37 At the break of dawn, the sky was still a muted gray. Athena was sleeping soundly when she heard her phone chime with a special notification: [Message from the hospital, please address urgently.] This was a custom notification she had set specifically for any updates from the hospital. The sound meant only one thing- something was wrong with her grandmother. Athena immediately opened her eyes, sat up, and reached for her phone on the bedside table. The message from the nurse read: [Help Grandma, donte back.] Help Grandma? Donte back? Just as she pieced together the meaning, the message was retracted. What was going on with the nurse? Even if there was an issue with Grandma, why wouldnt the nurse be straightforward about it? No, something felt off. The message was likely sent by her grandmother, using the nurses phone in secret to avoid detection With this realization, Athena switched on the light, quickly dressed, grabbed her phone and bag, and dashed out. The streets were eerily quiet in the dim morning light. Athena arrived at Harmony Hospital in under twenty minutes. Though the inpatient ward wasnt officially open at this hour, a quick call to the hospitals higher-ups ensured someone was there to let her in. She hurried into her grandmothers room, finding her peacefully asleep in bed while the nurse sat on the couch, eating breakfast. The nurse looked up, surprised to see her. Miss Donovan, what brings you here so early? Athenaposed herself. I had a nightmare that something happened to my grandmother, so I rushed over to check on her. The nurse smiled. Youre so caring, Miss Donovan. The olddy is fine, sleeping soundly. Athena paused, then said to the nurse, You can go rest now. Ill stay with Grandma. Ill call you when I leave. The nurse was more than willing toply. Thank you, Miss Donovan. If you need anything, just let me know Once the nurse left, Athena closed the door and carefully examined her grandmothers eyes, mouth, and pulse. She also reviewed thetest medical readings, her expression growing serious. Recently, her grandmothers health indicators had been stable and improving. But today, her blood pressure and heart rate were off, herplexion had worsened, and her eyes appeared cloudy. What on earth had happened? Athena opened herptop and essed the surveince footage from her grandmothers hospital room. A surge of shock and fury coursed through her as she watched the yback. An hour earlier, the nurse had briefly left her phone unattended. In that moment, her grandmothers eyes flickered open 891 Chapter 37 With deliberate movements, the frail woman reached for the phone, tapped out a message, and then carefully ced it back down. The timing of this action coincided precisely with the moment Athena had received a mysterious text from the nurse. A chilling realization dawned on her: her grandmother didnt trust the nurse. Something was definitely wrong. Intrigued and rmed, Athena delved deeper into the footage. The previous night, she discovered a disturbing scene. After her grandmother awakened, Micah had secretly slipped something into her grandmothers drink. She also witnessed Isaac and his family entering the room the previous evening, with Isaac pulling the nurse aside to whisper something conspiratorial. Rage consumed Athena as the disturbing evidence unfolded. She immediately demanded the nurses presence in the hospital room. When the nurse entered, Athena confronted her with the footage. My grandmother just woke up and told she overheard the Kennedys discussing a substantial payment to deceive me. Confess now, or Ill take this to the hospital administration and then to court. The nurse, a middle-aged woman who relied on her high-paying job to support her family, looked terrified She broke down and confessed everything. Miss Donovan, I never meant to harm your grandmother. Theyre her family; I never thought they would do anything to hurt her. Athena replied coldly, Its fortunate my grandmother is okay, or youd be facing jail time. Everyone must take responsibility for their actions. You should resign and make sure this never happens again. The nurse wanted to plead further, but Athenas steely gaze silenced her. She left the room, wiping away tears and apologizing as she went. After closing the door, Athena carefully examined her grandmother, checking her pulse and monitoring her vital signs. She adjusted her grandmothers position for betterfort and ensured she was breathing steadily. For two hours, Athena meticulously cared for her, administering the necessary medications and gently massaging her hands and feet to improve cirction. Gradually, she noticed a slight improvement in her grandmothersplexion and a stabilization of her vital signs. Finally, Athena allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief. She sat down to enjoy the lunch the hospital had provided. However, she hadnt finished eating when Harry sent her an update. At eight that morning, he had filed a defamationwsuit against Isaac and Regina. The court epted the case immediately, and he sent a photo of the notice to Isaac. Clearly rattled, Isaac bombarded Harry with messages, apologizing and pleading for an out-of-court settlement. Harry. however, ignored him. Athena responded to Harry with a thumbs-up emoji: [Well done.] Harry replied with a smug grin emoji: [Of course, who do you think I am?] Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Just as Athena was feeling satisfied with the turn of events, she received an unexpected message from Regina. The attached. photo showed her grandmother lying in bed with her eyes closed, Isaac and Regina sitting beside her. Reginas message read: (Athena, we visited your grandmother earlier. She woke up and, after hearing about the family situation, shes made it clear that you must have Harry withdraw thewsuit and persuade him to return the business to the UZ VU LIU, VMI Chapter 37 Kennedys. If you dont, she refuses to stay in the hospital, and well have no choice but to take her home.] ~ She Outshines 38 She Outshines 38 Chapter 38 Athena felt a surge of amusement as she read the messages. If Regina knew that Athena was right there in her grandmothers hospital room, fully aware of their schemes thanks to the nurses confession, how shocked would she be? But Athena kept her silence. When it came to her grandmother, she had to remain calm, not letting the Kennedy family see how much she truly cared. While Athena stayedposed. Regina grew increasingly frantic, bombarding her with messages. [If you dont agree, well start the discharge process for your grandmother right now.] [Were not joking. Im at the payment desk as we speak.] [After today, youll never see the grandmother who raised and loved you again.] [If youre so heartless, dont expect an invitation to her funeral when she passes.] Athena smirked. Who were they trying to scare? Her grandmother was in the best room, receiving top-notch care, and had been in the hospital for quite some time. The umted costs were in the millions. Originally, Athena was covering these expenses. If the Kennedys insisted on taking her grandmother away, theyd have to. foot the bill themselves. The old Kennedy family might have brushed off financial concerns, but the current Kennedy family was in serious decline. Would they really be willing to spend that much on her grandmothers care! Athena understood their psychology perfectly. Soon, Reginas tone softened considerably: [Give us a one-year exclusive agency for Vission Group, and you can visit your grandmother anytime.] Athena deliberately waited until evening to reply: [Harry is interested in your property in East City. Hes nning to visit tomorrow.] Regina: [What do you mean by that?] Athena: [Transfer my grandmothers guardianship to me, and I persuade Harry to drop thewsuit and leave your East City property alone.] Regina: [Add a one-year exclusive agency for Vission Group!] Athena: [Harry said its non-negotiable.] Regina: [Dont you care about your grandmother?] Athena: [Of course I do, which is why Im willing to persuade Harry to drop thewsuit and not go after your property.] There was silence from Reginas side. Half an hourter, she replied: [We can ept your the right to know her health and living conditions and visit her anytime.] r terms, but as her family, we have Athena smirked. The Kennedy family didnt want to take care of her grandmother, yet they still wanted to use her as leverage. Their audacity was astounding. BB K Chapter 38 She replied: [You certainly have those rights, but Grandma needs peace and quiet for her recovery. Any visits must be approved by me.] After about fifteen minutes, Regina finally replied: [First, we want to visit Grandma twice a week.] [Second, if she wants to see us or if anything happens, you must notify us immediately and allow us to visit.] Athena responded: [As long as Grandma wants to see you, you can visit anytime. Otherwise, no.] This time, Regina took a long time to reply, likely consulting with awyer. Athena remained patient, willing to wait it out. An hourter, Regina finally responded: [Agreed. When can we sign the contract?] Athena replied: [Ill send awyer to meet with you now.] She then contacted Ryan to handle the paperwork. Ryan quickly drafted the agreement, first sending it to Isaac for his signature, then to Athena. Wasting no time, Athenapleted the discharge process and transferred her grandmother to a reliable private hospital. When Micah returned to the hospital and found the room empty, he was filled with regret, clutching his head and nearly in tears. How was he going to exin this to the Kennedy family? Would they fire him in a fit of anger? L Fearful of the consequences, he hesitated for hours before finally calling Isaac. Isaac was furious over the phone, Youre useless! Aplete idiot! I should never have made you my assistant. Youre more trouble than youre worth! Meanwhile, Regina hurriedly sent messages to Athena, only to discover, to her fury, that Athena had blocked her. Isaac found himself blocked as well. The couple was left feeling helpless and frustrated. Why was their luck so terrible, always being outmaneuvered by Athena? On Athenas end, after handling her grandmothers situation, she felt a wave of relief. She lounged lazily on the sofa, opened her tablet, and reviewed the report from Freya Fanny and her team had cotnpleted their examination of Lucy, concluding: [Removing the bone fragment without damaging the brains nerves is impossible ] If surgery is not performed, the patient might survive another month or two.] [If surgery is performed, theres a risk of immediate brain death. Athena studied the brain scans. The most dangerous bone fragment resembled a slender de embedded in the brain, its edge perilously close to the venous sinus. Removing it manually without causing damage seemned unrealistic. Avoiding surgery seemed safer. Yet, as Athena gazed at the image of Lucy, she couldnt bring herself to give up. Lucys face was so beautiful, even with her eyes closed and herplexion pale. Her strong brow and tightly pressed lips exuded resilience and determination, as if she were still fighting the illness, refusing to surrender. With the patient still battling, how could Athena, as a doctor, give up? If it couldnt be done by hand, what about using machines? Robots, perhaps? BB th Chapter 38 Athena considered all the robots she knew of but still shook her head. No matter the method, safely extracting the fragment seemed too risky. She sighed softly, grabbing her cup of fruit tea and taking a long sip. Nothing came up. 89%2 Looking down, she realized a piece of fruit had blocked the bottom of the straw. Hmph, lets see if my strong suction can get you out! She took a deep breath and sucked hard, trying to dislodge the fruit Sess! But the fruit got stuck in the middle of the straw, refusing to budge no matter how hard she tried. Frustrated, she set the cup down on the table with a thud. Im done with this Wait a minute. Her eyes lit up. What if the bone fragment couldnt be extracted but could be sucked out? She asked in Dr. Annies group chat: [Is there any way to suck out a bone fragment?] Someone replied: [If human bones could be maized or if certain materials could interact with bones maically, it could solve the problem of bone pressing on nerves, but its not possible right now.) Athena suggested: [What if we could merge a maic material with the fragment and then use a ma to extract it?] After a while, someone replied: [Your idea sounds far-fetched, but its creative. Ill ask the scientists at the research center to see if they have any solutions.] Athena: [Good luck.] After working tirelessly, Athena was exhausted and rested her head on the bedside table for a quick nap. She waster jolted awake by a text message. Yawning, shezily opened the message. The number was unfamiliar, but the tone was all too familiar. It had to be from Zoe using a new number: [Athena, Im hosting a graduation party tomorrow at 5 PM in Hall One of the Vission Resort. I warmly invite you and your family to attend. Please be sure to RSVP! ] As if! Athena promptly deleted the message and blocked the number Meanwhile, Zoe was eagerly waiting for Athenas reply, but it never came. Frustrated, Zoe tried calling Athena, only to discover she had been blocked. Hmph, she really thinks she can just ignore me like this. Zoe wasnt angry, though. She tossed her phone yfully, her eyes gleaming with mischief. Dont think you can escape me by not showing up! Tomorrow night, Ill make sure you humiliate yourself in front of everyone and fall from your pedestal!Owned by N?velDrama.Org. She Outshines 39 She Outshines 39 Chapter 39 On the morning of July 1st. Athena received a message from her father: Athena, you can check your SAT results today, right? Your mom is nning to buy groceries and make a big dinner to celebrate. Is there anything special youd like to eat? Do you want toe over for lunch or dinner?] Athena replied: 11 think the results will be avable in the afternoon. Ille over for dinner. Ill love whatever Mom cooks, dont worry.] After responding, she set her phone aside and picked up her tablet to continue reviewing the documents sent by Harry. Smce Vission Group had cut ties with the Kennedy family, a wave of individuals andpanies had approached Harry seeking partnerships. Harry had already filtered out many, but over twenty remained. Harrys initial thought was to keep it in the family and give the exclusive agency rights to the Donovans. However, Athena felt that her family wasnt yet equipped with the necessary expertise and experience. They were honest people and might not be ready for the cutthroat world of business Meanwhile, ire and Arthur returned from the market with fresh ingredients and decided to take a nap After all, running a barbecue stand meant they usually worked until around 3 AM, and waking up early left them sleep-deprived. ire slept until 3:30 PM, then donned her apron and washed her hands, ready to start preparing dinner. Just then, Wesley Donovan received a text message. It was from Athena: [Mom, Dad, my exam results are out, and Im the top scorer in the province! My friends have booked a few tables at a hotel for a celebration dinner, starting at 5 PM. Ive sent a car to pick you up. It should arrive in about ten minutes, so get ready to leave.] Wesley found it odd. Athena had said she woulde over for dinner, so why the sudden change to a hotel celebration? But Athena mentioned that her friends had organized it, and perhaps she couldnt refuse their hospitality. To be sure, Wesley decided to call his daughter to confirm. However, for some reason, the signal was poor, and he couldnt get through despite several attempts. Considering the limited time; Wesley didnt want to dy. He quickly informed his family about the change of them to dress nicely, and called Maria.. ns, urging Maria was thrilled Congrattions to Athena! But I asked my manager, and I cant get the day off. Ill have to celebrate with her tomorrow. Wesley reassured her, Focus on your work and make sure to rest. Well save some food for you when we get back He then whipped up a couple of dishes, wrapped them in stic, and stored them in the fridge before changing into his own outfit. Once the family was ready, the car arrived downstairs. The driver, dressed in an impable ck suit, politely opened the door for them. Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, Miss Athena sent me to take you to the celebration dinner. Please, get in The Donovans thanked him and got into the car with their children. Throughout the ride, Wesley had a nagging feeling that something was off. This kind of arrangement didnt feel like Athenas doing. He tried calling his daughter again, but the signal was still poor, and he couldnt get through With no other choice, he pushed his doubts aside. 09:08 Thu, Chapter 39 5 Meanwhile, Athena had also left her apartment, but just as her car exited the neighborhood, she received several photos. Opening them, her eyes widened in surprise. Her parents. Arthur, and Josic? Her father was in a neat, old ck suit, and her mother wore a faded blue id dress as they stepped out of a car in front of the Vission Resort, being ushered into the hotel lobby. What was going on? The number sending the photos was unfamiliar. As she prepared to call her father, another message came through from the same unknown number: [Athena, your parents. wonte?] are already at my celebration dinner and have been seated at the main table. Are you sure you Athenas lips curled in irritation. Zoe Murray was at it again, tricking her parents into attending the celebration dinner. [Just you wait.] Athena shot a message back to Zoe, then swiftly turned her car around, driving straight to the Vission Resort with determination. The back hall of the Vission Resort was alive with activity. A prominent sign in red and gold at the entrance announced: Congrattions to Zoe Murray for scoring 1530 on the SAT! Well-trained staff, d in either ck suits or pink uniforms, lined up to greet guests as they arrived in a steady stream. There were teachers and students. There were friends and rtives of the Kennedy family. There were also the elite and socialites of Kitmore City Each one was dressed impably, exuding wealth and status. When the waiter led Wesley and his family to the entrance of the hall, their attire quickly drew attention. Whispers spread through the crowd, Who are these people? Are they some poor family brought here by a student to attend Zoe Murrays celebration dinner? Even though the Murray family invited all the graduates, which of the less fortunate students would actually dare toe? They came, and they brought their whole family to freeload. Dont they feel embarrassed? The Donovans felt ufortable under the scrutiny. Arthur Donovan held Josie close, shielding her face against his chest, and whispered, Josie, dont pay attention to them. Josie clutched her Hello Kitty plush and nodded obediently. Okay Just as Wesley and his wife were about to ask the staff about Athenas whereabouts, a pretty girl in a purple strapless dress, adorned with a sparkling heart-shaped ne, emerged with a group of students. She called out loudly, Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, youre here! Their expressions shifted abruptly. Zoe Murray? The same girl who had tormented Athena outside their home? What was she doing here? Everyone, meet Athena Donovans biological parents, Zoe announced with a sickly sweet smile, gesturing towards Wesley and his wife. Dont you think she looks just like them? Chapter 39 A ripple of curiosity passed through the crowd as students exchanged hushed whispers. Emboldened by Zoes lead, those inclined to be cruel raised their voices. I heard her real family is dirt poor. Looks like its true, one sucered. Athenas used to the high life with the Kennedys. Can you afford her lifestyle? another taunted. They have a ton of kids. You know what they say: the more kids, the less money, a third chimed in.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. She Outshines 40 She Outshines 40 Chapter 40 Zoe watched Wesley closely and said earnestly, Mr. Donovan, all the other students have brought their parents. Do you really want Athena to be the only one here without hers? Her words made Wesley clench his teeth. Alright then. Zoe, please lead the way. Zoe guided Wesley and his family into the hall, across the red carpet, and over to the main table near the stage. Then, she addressed the people already seated, Attention please allow me to introduce you. This is Athenas father, mother, brother, and sister. The people at the main table were all influential figures. They had never encountered someone as unremarkable as Wesley. They cast a brief, indifferent nce at the Donovan family, nodded slightly, and then turned away to resume their conversations. The Donovan family felt the disdain in the air. They didnt greet anyone, instead scanning the room, trying to spot Athena. Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, please have a seat, Zoe said with a smile. Athena will be here soon. Thank you. Wesley replied, barely maintaining hisposure as he guided ire to a seat. There were just enough chairs to seat all four of them at the table Zoe, still smiling, said. Make yourselvesfortable. I have some things to take care of As soon as she left, the people she had nted began mocking the Donovan family. Is Athena too embarrassed by her own family to even show up? How did they end up at the main table? Do they really think they belong here? These country bumpkins have no idea what theyre doing. They think theyre someone important just because theyre here for the first time. Arthur was boiling with anger, ready to m the table in outrage, But Wesley grabbed his shoulder and whispered, Calm down. Ill call Athena and see where she is. He had no idea that as soon as he pulled out his phone, a student would shout in excitement, Hey, look at this! What kind of phone is that? Ive never seen anything like it before. Zoes group jumped at the chance to join in. I remember seeing a phone like that when I was a kid. It was all the rage ten years ago. Its totally outdated now, but who knows, maybe its worth something in a second-hand or antique market. I change my phone at least once a year, but Athenas real dad hasnt changed his in ten years. Thats dedication! You dont see that kind of thriftiness much these days.. Click-A bunch of them started taking pictures of Wesley, shouting excitedly. Im posting this on Twitter and Facebook. Everyones got to see what a phone from ten years ago looks like Despite everything he had been through, even Wesley couldnt help but feel humiliated. He instinctively shoved the phone back into his pocket Seeing Wesley ridiculed, Arthurs eyes zed with anger. He suddenly stood up and shouted, Its just a phone! Let me show 1/3 Thu, Oct 10 Chapter 40 you what a real phone looks like! BK 89% He pulled out the phone Athena had given him, waved it around, and then threw it straight into the boiling broth Everyone stared at him in shock, thinking. Has he lost his mind? Arthur smirked, grabbed adle, and stirred the broth before fishing out the phone. To everyones astonishment, the phone waspletely intact, not even greasy, with just a few drops of water clinging to it Arthur wiped the phone off with a napkin and dialed a number. Athenas voice came through the speaker. Arthur, Im on my way, Ill be there soon. Is everything okay? Nothing happened, right? The room erupted in gasps of disbelief. Oh my God, what kind of phone is that? It was in the broth for so long and its still working perfectly? This phone looks amazing, like a piece of art Hey, where did you get that phone, bro? How much did it cost? I want one too. Did anyone catch a photo of the phone in the broth? If you did, send it to me ASAP-Im posting it on TikTok, hurry! Arthur ignored them, smiling as he spoke into the phone, Athena, no need to rush. Take your time. I will handle things Here He then hung up, set the phone on the table, grabbed a steak knife, and suddenly started stabbing the phones screen. Again and again.. Everyone watched in stunned silence, thinking, What is he doing now? Someone couldnt help but feel sorry for the phone. That phone is so beautiful What a waste Did the phone do something to you? Why are you destroying it? But then someone noticed something strange and gasped. Oh my God, the phone isnt even scratched-not a single crack! Holy crap! The phone really isnt damaged-this is unreal Arthur put down the knife, picked up the phone, and opened the camera app. Let me show you what this phones camera can do. He aimed the camera at the flower bushes outside the entrance, took a picture, and showed it to the crowd. Can your phones do this? Everyone gasped in awe. Thats got to be at least fifty yards away, and its so clear, like a close-up! Its almost as good as a DSLR The students who had mocked Wesleys phone earlier quickly slunk back into the crowd, too embarrassed to say another word Thu, Oct 09:08 Chapter 40 Just as Arthur was about to keep showing off, a loud voice boomed from the entrance, The Kennedy family has arrived All conversation stopped as everyone turned to look at the entrance. The Donovan family members felt a chill run through them, their expressions growing tense. It was clear now-the event. theyde to tonight was a setup. At the far end of the room, the dazzling Kennedy family of four made their entrance, immediately drawing everyones attention. Isaac was dressed in a sharp ck tailored suit, his hair perfectly styled, and his diamond tie clip and watch gleamed under the lights. Regina wore a blue evening gown, dripping in jewels, her wless makeup expertly masking the effects of cosmetic procedures, giving her the appearance of a stunningly elegantdy. On one side of them stood a tall, handsome young man with an air of sophistication, wearing a half- face mask. On the other side was a young girl in a pink princess dress, silver high heels, and chestnut curts cascading down to her waist. The girls face was adorned with an exquisite butterfly mask, her skin as pale as snow, lips as red as cherries, radiating an aura of pure royalty. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, Andrew, Gia, wee! Zoe, who had been keeping a low profile until now, suddenly appeared and stepped forward to greet them. This way, please. She led the Kennedy family of four to an empty table right next to the Donovan familys. Please, have a seat. The entire room erupted in quietughter, thinking, Zoe has seated the Kennedy family right next to the Donovan family+ how devious! Wesley and his family looked even more ufortable. Isaac had noticed the Donovan family the moment he entered. As soon as he sat down, he greeted them, Mr. Donovan, Mrs. Donovan, youre here too. Wesley replied c**ly, Yes, sorry to disappoint you! Not at all, were delighted to see you, Isaac said politely. After all, we raised Athena for eighteen years, so we know her well. This is the perfect chance to teach you how to bring her up properly. The crowd chuckled to themselves, thinking. As expected, these two families are clearly at odds. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. She Outshines 41 She Outshines 41 Chapter 41 Wesley forced a stiff smile. Athena is already exceptional. Theres nothing we need to teach her. But your own child, fresh back from overseas, doesnt even have the guts to show their face. Are they that ashamed? The tension in the room shot up immediately. The guests thought, Wow, theyre already going at it? The Kennedy familys expressions soured. Regina sneered, Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, tonights dinner includes French cuisine. Do you even know how to eat it? Would you like us to give you a hands-on lesson? Arthur didnt miss a beat. Your kid just got back from abroad. Do they even know how to use a fork? Maybe we should give them a lesson. At this, Josie raised her tiny hand and said in her sweet, childish voice, I know how to use a fork. I can teach them. The crowd couldnt help butugh. They looked down on the Donovan family for being poor, but they didnt think much of the Kennedy family either, who were rich but ssless. So, they stayed neutral, just enjoying the show. Regina was so furious she mmed the table, about to lose her temper. Just then, someone eximed, Athena is here- Both families instinctively turned toward the entrance, pausing their argument. With Athena being the former beloved daughter of the Kennedy family, even those who hadnt met her had certainly heard/ of her. She was also the top student and a recognized beauty of Kitmore City High School, the best in the city-everyone in the room knew who she was. Given the special nature of tonights event, the moment she walked in, she became the center of attention. Today, she was dressed casually but stylishly. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and she wore white sneakers, a light yellow T-shirt with a cute duck design, and white knee-length shorts. A cream-colored crossbody bag hung over her shoulder. She looked fresh, vibrant, and full of energy. What really caught everyones attention was her wless, glowing skin, the curves that even her loose T-shirt couldnt hide, her shiny ck hair, long curled eyshes, and full, rosy lips. In short, everything about her was just right-her fair skin, dark hair, rosy lips, and perfect figure left no room for criticism. The only thing anyone could possibly nitpick was that she wasnt wearing any designer brands. Under the gaze of everyone in the room, Athena walked confidently to the main table,pletely unfazed by the attention. Dad, Mom, Arthur, Josie, Fm sorry. I only got Zoes message a few minutes ago, so Im a bitte. Seeing her healthyplexion and bright smile, with no sign of distress or difort, Wesley and the others finally rxed 1/3 Chapter 41 As long as youre okay. Wesley smiled. There arent any seats left at this table. Should we move to another one or head out? The show isnt over yet. How can we leave now? Athena grinned as she gently patted Josies head. Josie, how about you sit with me? Josie pped her hands excitedly. Okay. Im so small, I wont take up much space. Athena cheerfully lifted her up and seated her on herp Wesley leaned in and whispered, Athena, whats going on here? Athena smiled. Youve been set up. But dont worry, just think of it as watching a good show. Hold back your anger for now, and well make sure to return the favorter Seeing her soposed, Wesley and the others calmed down as well. Alright. Well, well, Athena, youre finally here, Regina said, her old grudges bubbling to the surface. With a cold smile, she continued, Now that youre here, why havent you greeted us, the adoptive parents who raised you for 18 years? Or are you afraid well ask for financial support now that youve latched onto a rich backer? Andrew joined in, mocking Athena, Are you bitter because my parents didnt give you enough when they sent you back to the Donovan family? Is that why youre holding a grudge? The crowd was shocked, thinking Whoa, Athena just walked in, and the Kennedy family is already attacking her? raising her for 18 years, theyre talking to her like shes an enemy And wait, did Athena really hook up with someone rich? Athena smiled calmly. Mrs. Kennedy, youve got it all wrong. Everything Ive done has been to help you and your biological children. If your own kids cant even measure up to me, and I still treated you as my adoptive parents, wouldnt they worry that I might steal your affection-or even your inheritance? How could they sleep at night? For the sake of your familys happiness, its only right that I cut ties with you. Besides, my biological parents are better than you in every way. I need to focus on being a good daughter to them1 simply dont have the time or energy to deal with you. The crowd was buzzing with excitement. They thought, Athena isnt holding back at all, hitting the Kennedy family where it hurts! This is getting intense. Everyone was eager to see what would happen next. The only ones thrilled by this were the Donovan family. All their anger and frustration seemed to melt away at that moment. Stop ttering yourself! Regina snapped, mming the table. What makes you think youre better than my Andrew and Gia? Youre just jealous of them! Jealous? Of what? Athena smirked, touching her face. Are Andrew and Gia so hideous that they dont even dare show their faces? She knew exactly why Andrew and Gia were keeping their faces hidden. Andrew was the lead in a popr drama that was currently airing. If he showed his face here, the students would swarm him,pletely ruining Zoes carefullyid ns. As for Gia, she was vain and pretentious, probably trying to maintain an air of mystery for some grand revealter. B BO Chapter 41 Andrew and Gia were seething, their faces nearly twisted with rage. Andrew mmed the table and stood up. Athena, my parents mised you for 18 years. When they sent you back to the Donovan family, they even gave you a three-bedroom apartment, but you turned it down because it was too old. 89% Fine, you didnt want it. But you took the opportunity to steal my moms favorite Vission Groups diamond ring. Dont you have any shame! Is this the kind of dirty gene that runs in the Donovan family? The room fell into stunned silence. The way people looked at Athena now was filled with contempt. They thought, She looks so refined and pure, yet shes being used of stealing her adoptive mothers diamond ring? If this is true, its beyond despicable! You youre lying? ire couldnt bear to see Athena being used of theft in front of everyone. She stood up, her eyes red with emotion. Athena would never do something like that! Youre framing her! Wesley also stood up, holding ires hand. You owe Athena an apology right now, or we wont let this go. Framing her? Andrew sneered and turned to Regina. Mom, give me that ring Regina shot Athena a venomous re before taking off the red diamond ring from her finger and handing it to Andrew. Andrew held up the ring for everyone to see. Everyone, take a look. This is the Vission Groups Diamond Ring my mom bought just two months ago. Its worth 2 million dors. Its a new design by Miss Yonder, and its the only one of its kind in the world-extremely valuable. The crowd buzzed with excitement, their eyes filled with awe and envy as they stared at the ring. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Yonders designs were incredibly rare, with artistic and collectible value far beyond their market price. Owning a ring like this would be a prized possession, whether worn or kept as an investment. She Outshines 42 She Outshines 42 Chapter 42 Andrew soaked in the envious stares from the crowd, a touch of mugness in his tone. My mom usually keeps this diamond ring in her bedroom,pletely out of reach for most people. But three days before Athena went back to the Donovan family, the ring suddenly disappeared. We searched everywhere and couldnt find it. Then, the night before Athena left, our housekeeper was packing her clothes and found the ring in the pocket of one of her jackets. Our maid can vouch for this. He looked around the room. I should also mention that Athenas room was right across from my parents bedroom. She often saw them using the code to open their bedroom door, so she must have known how to get in. Hearing Andrews seemingly logical exnation, paired with the knowledge of the Donovan familys financial struggles, many in the room started to believe him. Their looks toward Athena and her family grew increasingly contemptuous. No wonder the Kennedy family was so eager to send her packing. Whod want to keep someone like that around to cause trouble Imagine going from being the sole heir of a billion-dor empire to just another kid in a poor family- anyone would have a hard time with that. No surprise shed try to steal her adoptive mothers diamond ring out of spite Even after falling into poverty, she still has the nerve to show up at an elite party. How desperate is she to cling to her old connections Enough! Arthur, unable to hold back any longer, mmed the table so hard it startled everyone. His face was stone-cold as he red at Andrew, Youre using Athena of stealing the ring based solely on what your mom and your maid said. The ring is in your hands now, yet you have no real evidence that Athena took it You and your mom are family, and your maid works for you. Its entirely reasonable to suspect that you could have told her to lie and frame Athena! Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. The crowd murmured in agreement, thinking that Arthur had a point. Andrew shot back angrily. The Kennedy family is worth billions. Do you really think wed falsely use Athena over a single diamond ring? Arthur retorted, With how twisted your family is, why wouldnt you try to frame Athena? If Athena really stole the ring, why didnt she take it with her when she left? Why would she be foolish enough to leave it in her own room! And another thing-why was your maid going through Athenas clothes so thoroughly, checking every pocket like she was searching for something specific? Does that sound normal to you? Finally, if you truly thought Athena stole the ring when you found it in her clothes, why didnt you confront her about it right then and there? He sneered, pressing his point. Its been days since this happened. You didnt say anything then, but now, in front of all these people, youre bringing it up just to smear Athenas reputation? Thats beyond low! A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd. Arthurs arguments were logical and convincing, much more so than the exnations from the Kennedy family. Athena, who had been quietly fiddling with her phone, smiled, impressed by Arthurs strong defense. BB Chapter 42 You youre spouting nonsense! Andrew was so furious at Arthurs rebuttal that he nearly choked on his words. My parents. didnt say anything at the time because they wanted to spare Athena some dignity as she was leaving. Im bringing it up now because I realized she hasnt shown any remorse, Instead, shes been ungrateful, and I couldnt keep quiet about it any longer. Arthur was about to argue further, but Athena had already stood up. She ced a hand on his shoulder and smiled. Dad, Mom, Arthur, take a seat. Ill handle this. Turning to Andrew, her smile never wavered. Mr. Andrew, Ive recorded everything you just said. If you dont have solid proof to back up your usations, what youve said constitutes nder. I can take legal action against you anytime. Youre just trying to scare me. Andrew stammered, clearly unsettled by her calm mention of legal action. We didnt make this up. If this goes to court, we wont lose. Oh really? Athena looked directly at Regina. Mrs. Kennedy, do you believe that too? Of course, Regina blustered, though Athenas steady gaze made her feel uneasy. You did steal the ring. Im not falsely using you. If anyones taking this to court, itll be us suing you. Athena kept her calm smile. There are security cameras in themon areas on the second floor of your house. On the day the ring went missing, the footage would show who entered and exited your bedroom. I certainly wasnt one of them. Are you willing to show that footage to everyone here? Aripple of unease ran through the crowd as they began to look at Regina with growing suspicion. We we checked, and the cameras werent working that day, Regina stammered. Maybe youre the one who tampered with them! Athena remainedposed. Mrs. Kennedy, using me of tampering with the cameras without any evidence is also nder. Im recording this conversation, so I suggest you choose your words carefully. Reginas face darkened. She wanted tosh out but, fearing it would be caught on camera, held her tongue and red at Athena with barely concealed fury. Athena continued, You, Mr. Isaac, the housekeeper, and your biological children all have ess to your bedroom. Theyre just as likely suspects as I am. On top of that, I was out early and backte during those days, hardly spending any time at the Kennedy family during the day. When I returned at night, you were all home-theres security footage to prove this. I cant even think of a time when I could have sneaked into your bedroom to steal a diamond ring. And lets be honest, that ring was probably kept in a well-hidden spot. How long would it take me to find it after sneaking in? If I had done it, I would have been caught in the act. Regina found herself at a loss for words. The crowd quietly nodded, seeing the logic in Athenas points. Athena shrugged. To be honest, I didnt even know you owned a diamond ring like that. Regina sneered, You expect us to take your word for that? Athena smiled calmly. You might not know this, but I was aware that the Kennedy familys servants werent exactly trustworthy, so I installed a hidden camera in my room. I took the footage with me when I left So, if anyone stole your ring and nted it in my clothes, the footage will show exactly who did it. BB Chapter 42 89% As soon as she said this, Zoe, who had been watching from behind the stage, turned pale, a sh of panic crossing her face. Zoe thought, If Athena really has set up a camera in her room, this could be a disaster for me But Athena is clever, it could also be a bluff What should I do? I cant afford to take the risk. If I gamble and lose, my reputation would be ruined, and I would lose Andrew. With that thought, she quickly pulled out her phone and discreetly sent a text to Jarred. Meanwhile, the Kennedy family exchanged uneasy nces, clearly hesitant. None of them dared to say, Go ahead, check it -we have nothing to hide. They were convinced Athena had stolen the ring, but her calm demeanor suggested she might have proof to clear her name. If that were true, theyd be guilty of nder. Athena waited a few moments, then looked directly at Regina. Tm giving you two options: Either retract your usations and publicly apologize, or Ill have someone retrieve the footage right now, expose the real thief, and have her handed over to the police. And of course, Ill sue you for defamation. The Kennedy familys faces turned pale. Everyone in the room was watching them, waiting to see what they would do. Regina was cornered, too afraid to make a decision. She could only bluster, Athena, we didnt want to make a big deal out of this, which is why we didnt mention it before. Dont push your luck and force us to take things further It sounds like youre asking for awsuit, Athena interrupted, picking up her phone. Ill call my lawyer right now and have them retrieve the footage.. She Outshines 43 She Outshines 43 Chapter 43 Enough! At that moment, Jarred, who was seated at the same table as Athena, suddenly stood up. His voice was firm yet polite as he said, Miss Donovan, Mrs. Kennedy, tonight is Zoes graduation celebration. I kindly ask you both to give me this favor. Lets set aside your grievances until after the party. Let Zoe enjoy her evening in peace. Athena smiled, realizing that now that things were turning against the Kennedy family, the Murray family finally decided to step in. She didnt rush to respond, instead, she just gave Regina a cold, steady look. Regina was reluctant, but she didnt have enough evidence to prove that Athena had stolen the diamond ring. She was also worried that any surveince footage Athena presented might work against the Kennedy family, and she feared the influence of Harry, who was backing Athena. Reluctantly, she took the way out offered to her, The Kennedy family and the Murray family are longtime friends, so of course, well respect your wishes. With that, Athena graciously spread her hands. Since Zoe went through so much trouble to invite my entire family, Ill give her this favor as well. Jarred smiled. Thank you all. Lets raise a toast. Athena raised her ss and took & small sip of red wine. After she sat down, Arthur leaned over and whispered in her ear, Athena, after they used you like that, why did you let them off so easily? I think you shouldve shown the footage and made them apologize. Athena chuckled softly. There is no footage. Arthur blinked in surprise. What? What do you mean? Athena grinned like a fox. I was bluffing. Back when she was staying at the Kennedy familys house, she never imagined they would try to frame her. Plus, since there were already cameras in themon areas, it never urred to her to install a separate camera in her room. Owned by N?velDrama.Org. She was betting that whoever was framing her would be too scared to risk her producing the footage. Of course, even if they had called her bluff and demanded the footage, she had other ways to prove her innocence-it just would ve been more of a hassle. You you Arthur stared at her, dumbfounded, before finally murmuring, You really took that gamble? You nearly gave me a heart attack. Athenas nerves were incredible, and she yed the part so convincingly that he had fully believed she had actual footage and was eagerly waiting for her to show it to crush the Kennedy family, Athenaughed. Why not? Im pretty gutsy. Arthur had nothing more to say, so he just gave her a thumbs-up Zoe, who had been watching Athenaughing and chatting, felt a flicker of anger in her eyes. When she had visited Regina at the Kennedy familys house, Regina had shown off that diamond ring, which sparked an idea in Zoe. She secretly hacked into the Kennedy familys security system, causing the cameras to malfunction so they couldnt record: Chapter 43 Then, she sneaked into Reginas bedroom, took the ring, andter slipped it into Athenas coat pocket to frame her. The n had worked-until Athena imed she had installed a hidden camera in her room, nearly exposing everything. But no matter, the diamond ring incident was just a minor setback. Her real n hadnt been put into action yet. She nced at the time-it was already 5:10 PM. She signaled the staff to stop the music and prepared to go on stage to give her speech. But just then, amotion erupted at the entrance, and someone shouted, Mr. Harper has arrived! The guests buzzed with excitement. They nced at Athena, then at Gia, before exchanging knowing smiles and turning their attention to the entrance, whispering among themselves. Wow, this is getting good! One drama ends, and another one begins. Even TV shows arent this entertaining. I heard Mr. Harper canceled his engagement with Athena and ns to marry the real daughter of the Kennedy family. With both the fake and real daughters here tonight, do you think theyll end up fighting over him? This is a real showdown-on one side, the new love like a princess, on the other, the old me like a goddess. Whos he going to choose? Only kids make choices-adults want both. One as a wife, the other as a mistress People openly joked andughed about the situation. Wesley and the others looked furious, almost ready to pull Athena out of there. But Athena stayed calm, smiling as if none of it bothered her at all. Lucas entered, dressed in a stylishvender checkered suit paired with white trousers. With his handsome face and tall, slender figure, he stood out among the men in dark suits, exuding a unique blend of elegance and trendiness. On his arm was his well-endowed but not particrly bright sister, Jodie. Jodie wore a bright yellow princess dress. Herrge eyes appeared unfocused, as if she were severely nearsighted, giving her a dreamy, slightly dazed look that made people worry she might trip because she couldnt see clearly. In reality, she wasnt nearsighted; she just naturally had that spacey, slightly slow-witted demeanor. Mr. Harper is still as handsome as ever, some women couldnt help but admire. If he wanted to marry me, Id pay him to do it Poor Athena, she was so close to bing the Harper familys daughter-inw, but now the Kennedy familys real daughter is getting all the benefits I can believe Athena doesnt care about the Kennedy familys fortune, but theres no way shes okay with losing Mr. Harper Lucas overheard the murmurs around him. He lifted his chin slightly, casting a sidelong nce at Athena, his expression clearly saying, Did you hear that? Letting me go was your biggest mistake. Tonight, Ill be with Gia, while youre stuck with your shabby family, mocked and scorned by everyone Athena, meanwhile, was calmly feeding Josie fruit, not even sparing Lucas a nce. Lucas sneered internally, Keep up the act. Lets see how long you can keep pretending. Following the usher, he made his way to the front of the hall, where his seat was set at the Kennedy familys table 08:52 Fri, Oct Chapter 43 90% Reginas eyes flickered with a quick idea. She stood up and warmly called out, Mr. Harper, why dont you sit here with us? The crowd chuckled, thinking she was really ying dirty. Athenas seat was directly in front of Regina, who was nked by Andrew on one side and Gia on the other. By inviting Lucas to sit right behind Athena and next to Gia, it was clear that Regis was trying to provoke Athena. Lucas couldnt have been more pleased with this setup. Thank you, Mrs. Kennedy, Lucas stood beside Athena, graciously thanking Regina. Youre wee; were practically family, Regina replied with a knowing smile as she moved to sit on the other side of the table. look especially beautiful tonight. Lucas said as he sat down, greeting her with all the charm of a gentleman. Gia smiled sweetly. Thank you, youre looking particrly handsome tonight too. Andrew patted Lucas on the shoulder and said loudly, Mr. Harper, arent you going to say hello to your ex-fiance, Athena? Athena, youre here too? Lucas pretended to only now notice her, turning with a look of concern. Its been a while; you seem to have lost some weight. Havent you been getting enough rest? 0 She Outshines 44 She Outshines 44 Chapter 44 Lucas? Athena pretended to only notice him just then, acting sliprised. When did you get here? I didnt see you earlier Everyone else was speechless, thinking. Could they be any more obvious with their fake acting? Lucas smiled but sidestepped her question. I was too focused on my fiance and didnt see you. My apologies No worries, Athena replied with a smile. I was busy watching mosquitoes fight, so I didnt notice you either. My apologies The crowd couldnt help but chuckle Lucas clenched his teeth slightly. Let me introduce you-this is my fiance, Gia. Gia waved at Athena with a warm, friendly smile, showing no hint of hostility. Hi, Athena. Its nice to meet you. Thanks for taking care of my fiance for so long Youre wee, Athena responded sincerely. I should be thanking you for recycling oh. I mean, taking back my ex- fiance. Otherwise, Td be stuck with the reputation of being heartless and fickle. You-Lucass face turned dark with anger, clearly on the verge of losing his cool. Everyone, dinner is served, Jarred quickly cut in, eager to stop the childish back-and-forth. He wasnt here for petty squabbles-he wanted to see Athena put in her ce. Lucas forced augh, his tone dripping with hidden meaning. Athena, the real show is about to start. Make sure you stick around-you wont want to miss it. I love suspenseful dramas with plot twists. Athena smiled back, her words just as pointed. Lets hope you can handle the twists without needing to duck out early. Im not going anywhere Lucas began, but before he could continue, Zoe took the stage. She cleared her throat into the microphone, preparing to give her speech. Lucas clicked his tongue in frustration, begrudgingly turning his attention away from Athena. Zoes voice was sweet and polished, exuding a warmth that instantly put everyone at ease. Honored guests, dear teachers, ssmates, and friends, good evening. Tink you all for taking the time to join me for my graduation celebration tonight. Though my academic achievements may not be extraordinary, Im hosting this party primarily to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the support youve given me over the years. I want to thank my wonderful parents for providing me with the best conditions for learning and for always encouraging me to strive for improvement. Thank you to my esteemed teachers for imparting both knowledge and life lessons, guiding me along the right path. Thank you to my dear ssinates who have stood by me through high school-encouraging me when I failed, reminding me to stay humble when I seeded, and pushing me to keep growing. I hope youll continue to support me in the future. With that, she paused slightly and bowed respectfully to the audience. The room erupted in warm apuse, with many people voicing their praise. Zoe is truly impressive-beautiful, smart, and so humble and well-mannered. Shes got a bright future ahead. Chapter 44 Whoever marries hier will be incredibly fortunate Hearing this, Andrews lips curled into a smug smile as he threw triumphant look at Athena, his expression clearly saying, See how much better Zoe is than you? Jealous yet? But Athena, busy scrolling on her phone, didnt even nce his way,pletely ignoring his attempt to provoke her After 7 Zoe thanked her parents, teachers, and ssmates, everyone thought Zoe had finished her speech. But just as the apuse began to die down, she suddenly turned to Athena and, with heartfelt sincerity, said, From elementary school all the way through high school, the person In most grateful for is my best ssmate and greatest rival -Athena. The crowd was stunned, all eyes turning to Athena, thinking, Why is Zoe thanking her? Are theyProperty ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. really that close? The teachers and students from Kitmore City High School exchanged confused nces, their expressions filled with curiosity. Athena put down her phone and met Zoes gaze with a smile that seemed to say, Youre wee! Many of you might not know this, Zoe continued, scanning the room with confidence, but Athena and I first met in elementary school. Later, we were in the same ss throughout middle school and high school. Weve had a long and deep connection. The crowd murmured in low voiles, unsure of where she was going with this. Zoe went on, Before graduating from elementary school-and even during kindergarten-I was always number one. whether it was exams, sportspetitions, or artistic contests. No one could beat me. At that time, I was young and full of myself, convinced I was a genius and the best at everything. The crowd chuckled, finding her self-reflection more endearing than boastful. But Wesley and his family couldnt shake a sense of unease. Athena, still smiling, calmly reassured them, Shes just telling a story. Lets just listen. Then, Zoe continued, looking at Athena with genuine fondness, Athena showed up, and from that moment on, I never came in first again. She paused and sighed softly. Unless she didnt participate, no matter how hard I worked, I could only manage second ce. The crowd was genuinely surprised. Is she exaggerating? I cant believe she never beat Athena even once from elementary to high school. But the students from Kitmore City High School quickly chimed in, We were in their ss. Its true- throughout high school, whether it was exams orpetitions, Athena was always first, and Zoe was always second? Even on Valentines Day, Athena received the most flowers and choctes, with Zoeing in second. Athena is known as our schools genius. She barely seemed to study, often skipped ss, but still aced every test. Even in sports like running, swimming, and shot put, she always came out on top. The teachers often joked that there was nothing more they could teach her. I wasnt in their ss in high school, but I was in middle school with them, and its true-Athena was always first. I dont remember Zoe ever beating her. The others were amazed. Athena is really that incredible? Chapter 44 But you have to respect Zor. Shes openly admitting that she was never as good as Athena-that takes real grace. In that sense, shes even better than Athena. Meanwhile, the uncase in Wesleys family only deepened. They thought, What exactly is Zoe up to? Zoc continued, Because of Athena, I realized that theres always someone better out there and a higher mountain to climb. From that point on, I stopped being arrogant and pushed myself even harder. *For all these years, my biggest goal has been to surpass Athena, which is why Ive always studied so diligently. Even though I never reached number one again, my overall performance improved significantly. Im certain that without Athena, my best friend and strongest rival, I wouldnt have achieved such high scores on the SAT dup So. Im truly grateful to Athena. Athena, would you stand up and ept my thanks? 0 She Outshines 45 She Outshines 45 Chapter 45 Someone quickly passed the microphone to Athena. She took it but remained seated, responding in a calm, detachedtone, I wont ept your gratitude because your achievements are the result of your own effort and have nothing to do with me. The crowd was taken aback, thinking. Zoe is genuinely expressing her thanks-why is Athena being so cold? Is she secretly jealous of Zoe? How could it have nothing to do with you? Zor asked sincerely. For the past seven years, weve been the best rivals, always pushing each other to improve You think youre qualified to be my rival? Athena cut her off abruptly, a mocking smile on her lips. Who gave you the audacity to even think you couldpare yourself to me? The lively atmosphere froze instantly, Everyone was stunned, hardly believing their cars, thinking. Did Athena really just humiliate Zoe like that, tearing her dow in front of everyone? Zoes wless smile stiffenedpletely, like a dried leaf barely hanging on. Zoe, if you want to be my rival, thaybe try again in your next life. Athenas face remained indifferent as she handed the microphone back to the server. Dont embarrass yourself like this again. The crowd finally snapped out of their shock, murmuring in disbelief. Such arrogance at such a young age! Shes setting herself up for a fall. No wonder the Kennedy family kicked her out when they found out she wasnt their real daughter. That kind of arrogance is unbelievable! What a horrible attitude! No manners, no ss. If it werent for Zoes kindness, she wouldnt have even been invited to this party Andrews re could have burned a hole through Athena. Athena, what kind of nonserise is that? Zoe treated you with nothing but sincerity, and you repay her with this kind of cold-heartedness? He thought, My beloved Zoe is humble, hardworking, and kind-so much better than you in every way! And yet, you dare to treat her like this? I wont forget this; one day, you will pay! Athena gave a faint smile. Im just stating the truth. If Zoe cant handle reality, shes free to keep living in her fantasy- No ones stopping her. The Murray familys sharp res were like daggers, but Athena remainedpletely unfazed, casually sipping her drink Meanwhile, the Donovan family looked at her with near-worshipful admiration, practically ready to give their respect. -Jarred spoke coldly, Miss Donovan, if you think so little of us The crowd held their breath, eager to see if the Murray family would kick Athena and her family out. But before it could escte, Zoe regained her sweet smile and raised her voice, Everyone, please quiet down and let me say a few words. Chapter 45 The murmurs died down as everyone turned to see how she would handle this. With sincerity in her voice, Zoe said, Athena is indeed incredibile, and she has every right to look down on me. Ill work twice as hard from now on to hopefully be someone she night one day consider a worthy rival The crowd thought, How gracious, humble, and kind-hearted she is! They couldnt help but look at Zoe with admiration and sympathy. At that moment, Zoes mother, Barbara, stood up as well, her voice full of sympathy as she said. Everyone, my daughter speaks modestly, but the truth is, the effort she put in during high school far exceeds what most people can imagine. To use a popr phrase: given herfortable background, why would she need to work so hard? In middle school, her schedule was packed. Besides extra tutoring, she took lessons in dance, musical instruments, painting. tennis, swimming, and more-over a dozen different skills. She barely had any time for fun, even during holidays. Especially in the final stretch of high school, she studiedte into the night, often until midnight. Weekends and holidays. were spent catching up with private tutors instead of enjoying herself. Weve prepared some photos and videos of her dedication and hard work so everyone can see for themselves. We hope they inspire more students to keep striving and achieve even better results. As soon as she finished speaking, therge screen behind the stage dimmed and then lit up,Owned by N?velDrama.Org. disying a series of photos. The crowd gasped in shock as they took in the images What are these pictures? Oh my, is that cramped living room even livable! That tiny space is packed with so many cabs, and the walls are covered with shelves. It looks like theres barely room to move around Wait, isnt that Athena in the photos? Is this where shes been living since the Kennedy family kicked her out? This is awful. Oh my gosh, thats supposed to be a bedroom? Its more crowded than the shelves in a corner store. Youd have to climb up and down just to sleep, and theres no room to change clothes except on the bed. How depressing. Does Kitmore City really have slums like this? If I had to live in a ce like that, Id rather be dead Athena and her family hadnt been paying much attention to Zoes speech, but when they heard the crowdsments, they all looked up-and their expressions immediately darkened. The screen wasnt showing photos of Zoes diligent study sessions at all. It was disying images of the Donovan familys daily life. There were photos of Athena and her parents entering Block 6, Viento Court, pictures of the family eating together in their cramped, narrow living room, and even shots of their living room, balcony, and bedrooms. Some of the photos had clearly been taken from outside, through the balcony or windows, while others were captured directly inside the living room. These photos had obviously been taken recently, but because the Donovan familys house and furniture were so old, the images had a dingy, yellowish tone that made everything look bleak and shabby. The Donovan family members faces were filled with anger as they realized they had been secretly photographed, deceived, and humiliated. Only josie, unaware of the cruelty and malice in the world, cheerfully pointed at the screen and eximed, Athena, Athena, thats our homet ɫ Chapter 45 To her, the ce where she lived with her parents, siblings, and grandparents was the home she loved most. She had never imagined that their small, rundown home could be a source of ridicule and scorn from others. Seeing the pictures now only filled her with warmth and familiarity. Her innocent, childlike voice caught everyones attention. The crowd turned to look at her, smirking with a mix of emotions-sympathy, mockery, contempt, and disgust. Wesley and the others were at a loss for how to exin the situation to Josie. They deeply regretted bringing her to this event She Outshines 46 She Outshines 46 Chapter 46 Athena gently patted Josies head, smiling warmly as she said, Yes, these are photos of our home. Our home is the warmest, most loving ce in the world. Yes! Josie nodded eagerly, her face lit up with joy. Our home is the happiest, and Im the happiest too! Hearing this and seeing Josies bright, innocent smile, Wesley and the others suddenly felt a sense of relief. They thought that there was no point in caring if others mocked their small, rundown home. A house was valuable because of the people who lived in it, not because of its size or price. With this realization, they smiled and calmly continued watching the screen, After several photos, a video began to y. The footage showed a small, unassuming restaurant with a simple but eye-catching sign that read Local Fried Chicken. In the video, ire was wearing a mask and gloves as she stood by the fryer, cooking rows of chickens. One hand flipped the chickens while the other brushed them with sauce. Wesley was busy serving customers, delivering dishes, and handling the cash register. Arthur was rushing back and forth, greeting customers, taking orders, clearing tables, and grabbing beers. The restaurant had a dozen or so tables, all packed with diners, clearly indicating that business was booming. As the camera panned, a sign reading Food Court came into view. Josie excitedly pointed at the screen again. Thats our restaurant The food is really yummy. The crowd began murmuring, their expressions filled with disdain, mockery, and pity as they looked at the Donovan family. So, they run a fried chicken shop. No wonder they always smell like grease. Doing that kind of lowly work and still daring to show up here if it were me, Id be too embarrassed to even leave the house From a billionaire heiress to the daughter of a fried chicken shop owner-what a fall from grace Lucas pretended to be sympathetic as he chimed in, Athena, your familys restaurant looks pretty good. Maybe one day Ill book the whole ce and treat our household staff. Youll have to join them for a drink or two, wont you? Wesley clenched his fists, gritting his teeth to keep his anger in check. ire lowered her head, her face flushed with embarrassment. Arthur pressed his lips into a tight line, instinctively covering Josies ears to shield her from the cruel comments, They werent ashamed of their work-they took pride in it. But they felt heartbroken for Athena, who was being ridiculed in front of so many people. It felt like they were helpless prey trapped in a forest, surrounded by predators ready to mock, humiliate, and toy with them. Their hearts were filled with anger but also a deep sense of helplessness. They kept asking themselves, What have we done to deserve such treatment? Chapter 46 Athena, however, remained unfazed, thinking, So this is Zoes big n? How childish She picked up a bottle of wine and poured drinks for her family Dad, Mom, Arthur, dont let any of this get to you. We live our lives with integrity and judge people by their character. They judge people by appearances and think thats something to be proud of. We were never meant to walk the same path. You dont need to care about their opinions. Athenasposure was nothing short of remarkable. Her beauty and poise were so striking that she exuded the air of a queen in disguise. Her every gesture carried an undeniable aura of confidence and authority. Suddenly, the crowd began to feel like they were the ones being put on disy, mocking her as if she were some sideshow. when in reality, it was as though they were the ones performing like circus monkeys under her gaze. Wesley and the others felt their spirits lift; the sense of humiliation that had weighed them down started to dissipate. Athena raised her ss with a gentle smile. Dad, Mom, Arthur, youre all good people. Heres to you. The three of them exchanged nces and lifted their sses in return. After a few sips of red wine, they felt the tension ease, allowing them to stand tall and meet the eyes of those around them with renewed confidence. Seeing the Donovan family remain unfazed, the crowd lost interest in their ridicule and quietly shifted their focus, murmuring among themselves. On stage, Zoe had been lingering in the corner, pretending to sip water and check her phone. It was only then that she finally looked up with a gasp of feigned surprise. She quickly turned off the screen and rushed to the microphone, bowing repeatedly toward Athena. Athena, Im so sorry! I was just reviewing some notes and didnt realize the staff identally yed footage of your family instead of mine. I truly apologize. Athena smiled coolly and replied, Its fine. Your brain has always been a bit slow-thats why youve never been able to match up to me. Tonight is a big deal for you, so of course, youre excited and nervous. Making mistakes is understandable. But for me, this kind of event is no big deal. Even if I tried to mess up, I wouldnt get the chance. The crowd was speechless, thinking. Is there anyone more cutting than Athena? They were almost starting to feel sorry for Zoes face turned pale, struggling to keep herposure. After a few seconds, she forced a stiff smile and said, Im d you can forgive me. Then she smoothly changed the subject, Athena, Im sure you scored better than me on the exams this time. Would you be willing toe up and show everyone your results? All eyes were on Athena. They thought, The teachers and students from Kitmore City High School have imed she always ranks first. Can she really maintain that record? After all, Zoes scores are already incredibly high, likely the best in the school. Can Athena outperform Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. her? Of course I scored higher than you. Athena slowly stood up, smiling at Zoe. Ive already told you, your brain isnt good enough to even be my rival. Trying topete with me is just setting yourself up for embarrassment. The room fell into dead silence. Everyone, except the Donovan family, was left stunned by Athenas boldness and Chapter 46 confidence. They thought, Where does she get the nerve to publicly mock someone as aplished as Zoe? Is she fearless because she has nothing to lose, or is she truly that sure of herself? Zoes eyes widened in shock, unable to process what was happening. She thought, Even now, Athena can still smile and look down on me? Gradually, Zoes expression softened into a sweet smile as she pped her hands. Athena, I believe in your abilities. So how high did you score? Athena confidently strode up to the stage. Ill show you right now just how big the gap between us really is. She approached theputer at the side of the stage, opened the browser, and began logging into the score-checking system, ready to input her information. But just as she was about to enter her details, a group of reporters suddenly burst in through the doors, cameras shing and rolling as they swarmed her and Zoe, capturing every moment with relentless enthusiasm. She Outshines 47 She Outshines 47 Chapter 47 The sudden entrance of the reporters was so unexpected and fast-paced that the crowd dirint have time to react. It wasnt until they had finished taking a barrage of photos that Zoe finally raised her hand to shield her face, angrily demanding. Who are you people? What are you doing here? Oh. sorry about that, Miss Murray, one of the reporters quickly exined. Were from the Kitmore City TV station. We got reliable information that the top student from Kitmore City High School is holding a graduation party here, so we came uninvited to cover the story.. Were from the national TV station. Could you tell us who the top student is? Would you be willing to do a live interview? 1 Im Edu Cavin, a YouTuber focused on culture and education. I bet many people here know my channel. Miss Murray, Id love to do an exclusive interview with you Im a reporter from Kitmore City Radio and also an alum of Kitmore City High School. Id love to interview my junior. Tm an editor at Kitmore City Evening News As the reporters continued snapping pictures and recording video, they eagerly introduced themselves and asked for interviews with Zoe. A few university representatives also stepped forward, enthusiastically offering her opportunities. The scene was buzzing with excitement Zoe instantly became the center of attention, with everyone vying for her time. Standing on stage, she waved her hands nervously, clearly flustered. I-Im really not that special. Youre all giving me too much credit Athena almost couldnt hold back herughter, thinking, Zoe is still ying the part! It was obvious these people were arranged by Zoe herself, right down to the timing of their entrance. And yet, she was pretending to be caught off guard. Athena thought, How shameless! No need to be so modest, Miss Murray, the reporters insisted. Scoring so high is definitely something to be proud of No, no, no, Zoe quickly interjected. My ssmate Athena has always been the top student in our school. Ive never beaten her in any exam. She even said just now that shes sure she scored higher than me this time. You should be interviewing her instead. Immediately, all the cameras turned toward Athena. Miss Donovan, what was your score this time? Could you show us? Dont exaggerate, Miss Donovan. Your teachers and ssmates are all here-if you boast and cant deliver, itll only backfire I find it hard to believe anyone could score higher than Miss Murray. Athena smiled calmly. I never boast. Let me show you my results right now. She leisurely entered her login details into the browser. Theputer was connected to therge screen at the back of the stage, so her scores would be disyed for everyone to Chapter 47 The room fell silent as everyone focused on the screen, eager to see if she would impress or embarrass herself. 90% Zoe was also watching Athena closely, a cold, triumphant smile creeping onto her lips. This time, she was certain she had won and that Athena was destined to fail. After all, on the afternoon of the final exam, she had arranged for a minor car ident on the only road Athena could take to reach the test center, causing a traffic jam that blocked all vehicles, The only way for Athena to get to the exam venue would have been on foot. But walking there would have meant arriving extremelyte, which could have resulted in her getting a zero for thest subject. Even if Athena had somehow managed to arrive just in time, her mental state would have been thrown off, making it nearly impossible for her to achieve a high score. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. After being overshadowed by Athena for so many years, Zoe finally believed she had her moment of victory in the most crucial exam of all. The thought of finally defeating Athena, avenging her past frustrations, and watching Athena be aughingstock in front of everyone filled Zoe with smug satisfaction. She wasnt alone in her anticipation. The Murray family, the Kennedy family, the Harper siblings-all of them were eagerly waiting for Athenas downfall. Its up! Athenas score is out! Lets see if she really did better than Miss Murray The room fell into a dead silence. Everyone was stunned by what they saw on the screen. It took a few seconds before the crowd erupted into shocked exmations. I must be seeing things! What score do you see? No way! This cant be reall Ive covered exams for years and have never seen arscore like this Either the system glitched, or Athena somehow faked it-theres no way she scored that high This isnt just the top score in our school-there are only a handful of people in the entire countrys exam history who hav, done this well Athena is incredible! Wesley and his family jumped to their feet, cheering, hugging, and high- fiving. Their frustration and anger vanished instantly, reced by pure joy and pride. Zoe, who had just closed her eyes in anticipation of hearing the crowd mock and ridicule Athena, suddenly snapped them open. She thought, Higher than mine? Impossible. She stared at the screen, her eyes wide in disbelief. She blinked hard, rubbed her eyes, and even took a few steps closer to examine the score. She thought, It really is 70 points higher than mine? Zoes face went pale as she stood frozen, staring at Athenas score, wondering if she was trapped in a nightmare. How could this be Smack! She suddenly pped herself across the face. The sharp pain stung, bringing tears to her eyes. Trembling, she slowly turned to look at Athena. Athena smiled calmly, her voice steady and deliberate. Zoe, do you see it now? This is the gap between us. No matter how hard you try or what tricks you pull, you will never beat me. 90% Chapter 47 On her way to thest exam Athena had encountered a traffic ident. A dozen cars had collided in a chain reaction, blocking the bridge entirely. The only way to cross was on foot. But the bridge was far from the exam center, and in the scorching afternoon heat, even hailing a cab after crossing the bridge wouldve been difficult. Under normal circumstances, she wouldve beente for sure. So, holding an umbre, she ran the entire way, even climbing over a hill in a nearby park to take a shortcut. In the end, she arrived at the exam hall with just one minute to spare. Zoe probably assumed she hadnt made it to the final exam, which was why she smugly pressured her into attending this party, hoping to see her humiliated. Of course. Athena had every reason to suspect that the ident was orchestrated by Zoe. But to Athena, such petty schemes were childs y-they couldnt touch her in the slightest. Zoes face was drained of all color as she stared nkly at Athena. How how did you manage to score so high? Athena smiled. Youre too dim to understand, even if I exined it. 0 She Outshines 48 She Outshines 48 Chapter 48 Everyone was speechless, thinking. Athenas words are razor-sharp They wanted to scold her, to defend poor Zoe, but they couldnt say anything. Athenas score was genuinely higher-something she could brag about for the rest of her life. There was nothing they could possibly criticize her for. Andrews expression was as dark as Zoes, though fortunately for him, his face was hidden behind a mask. Athena, dont get so arrogant! he snapped angrily. Its just an 70-point difference. Whats so impressive about that? You probably cheated Cant 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. Thats so typical of the Kennerly fattily. And honestly. I didnt 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 wouldnt notice. Its 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. Zoes parents looked just as embarrassed. The pride and joy they had felt moments ago vanished the instant Athenas 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, theres no need to be so condescending For the sake of Zoes 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, everyones attention shifted away from Athena and Zoe. Nearly everyone was asking, Which Mr. Graham? Could it really be that one? ts that Mr. Graham! someone who had been smoking outside yelled excitedly. The one from Graham Group-theres no doubt! Oh my God, whats 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 Zoes 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 wouldnt 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 everyones attention. It really was Matthew. Even those who had never seen him before could instantly recognize that he wasnt 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 gentlemans 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, Zoes 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. Zoes 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 hes 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. Isnt 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 womens 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? Whats 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, its an honor to meet you! Im 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. Were honored to have you at my daughters graduation party. Mr. Graham- Matthew didnt 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 couldnt 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 doesnt 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 90% Miss Murrays luck is incredible. Shes the second top scorer and now has caught Mr. Grahams attention. Im so jealous could cry. Zoes background is decent, but for years, all in the city talked about was Athena, not her. Its only because Athena isnt the Kennedy familys 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-theyre 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 Zoes 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. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. She Outshines 49 She Outshines 49 Chapter 49 Matthew stopped in front of Athena, gazing intently at her. He handed her a bouquet of flowers and said politely. Miss Donovan, congrattions on your perfect score in the exams. Please ept these flowers and my best wishes Athena let out a soft Oh and reached out to take the bouquet of roses. Thank you. She then stood there, holding the flowers and staring nkly at Matthew, wondering what she should say. She felt like she had so much to say, but suddenly couldnt figure out where to start. Matthew was also looking at her, thinking about what he should say. He thought. Should Ipliment her lively high ponytail? Mention how cute her yellow duck t-shirt is? Or tell her that the roses really suit her, making her skin look even fairer and healthier, and her eyes even bigger and brighter? Everyone around them was watching, collectively thinking, Theyre such a perfect match They really did look perfect together-like the finest sword paired with the perfect sheath. Together, theyd be unstoppable. Of course, Matthew was the sword, and Athena the sheath. Whenever Matthew stood in front of Athena, fis sharp, cold demeanor softened considerably. They thought. But seriously, why are they just staring at each other without saying anything? They were not speaking, and nobody else dared to either, afraid that they might identally offend Matthew. Five seconds passed. Then ten Athena and Matthew remained silent, still just staring at each other like two awkward statues, Another five seconds went by. Finally, the crowd couldnt hold it in anymore and started whispering, Whats going on? Are they having a conversation with their eyes? Mr. Graham rarely shows up in Kitmore City, and Athena is just a student. How did these two even meet? Mr. Graham came all the way to Zoes graduation party just to celebrate Athena? Isnt that a p in the face for Zoe? The Donovan family nced at the two of them on stage and listened to the crowds murmurs with complicated feelings. thinking. Is Athena about to be uh targeted by this mysterious guy? Louis finally couldnt bear to watch any longer. He stepped forward and stood beside Matthew, politely addressing Athena, Miss Donovan, its nice to see you again. I always knew you were outstanding, but I didnt expect you to achieve such an incredible score. As your friend, Im truly proud of you. The crowd was stunned, thinking, Matthews personal secretary is friends with Athena? Thats wild! Everyone who had tried to get close to Matthew knew that to even approach him, you first had to win over Louis. Despite his usual warm smile and refined demeanor, he was incredibly sharp and tough to deal with. People had spent ages trying to get in his good graces, all without sess They thought, How on earth did Athena manage to pull that off Athena snapped back to reality and politely replied, Thank you, Louis Louis adjusted his sses with a smile. You and Mr. Graham really are destined to meet. Back when he was taking exams, he often scored high as well. Oh-Athenas eyes sparkled with admiration as she looked at Matthew. Youre really impressive Matthew thought for a moment. Not really. And just like that, the conversation hit a dead end. Louis, feeling helpless, turned to Matthew and said quietly, Mr. Graham, didnt you say you wanted to invite Miss Donovan to dinner? Matthew gave a slight nod and said politely. To celebrate Miss Donovans achievement and to express my thanks for your help, Id like to invite you and your family to join me for a casual meal. I hope youll honor us with your presence. The crowd was buzzing with confusion and disbelief, thinking. Athena helped Mr. Graham? A big shot like him would need help from someone like her? What could she possibly do for him? It just doesnt add up-there is something really strange about all this Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Meanwhile, Zoe was standing off to the side, her eyes practically shooting mes as jealousy gnawed at her. She felt like everyones gaze was stabbing into her like needles, making her wish she could vanish on the spot. But running away would be even more humiliating, so she had no choice but to hang on awkwardly, stuck between wanting to leave, wanting to stay, and feeling too embarrassed to eitherugh or cry She was seething with hatred for Athena. After all these years, nothing had changed. As long as Athena was around, Zoe would forever be a side character, no matter how hard she tried to take center stage. Athena, seemingly oblivious to Zoes existence, blinked and asked. Youre inviting me to dinner? Uh, okay. Matthew smiled, a charming curve forming at the corners of his lips. His deep eyes sparkled faintly, and even his voice softened. Its a deal, then. Athena nodded. Its a deal And once again, they just stood there staring at each other, neither sure what to say next. Louis couldnt take it anymore. He sighed and said, Mr. Graham, Miss Donovan, this is Miss Murrays graduation party. Maybe we shouldnt be hogging the stage and stealing her spotlight Matthew gave a slight smile. Miss Donovan, would you like to sit together? Athena nodded. Sure, lets sit together. She cradled the bouquet and walked off the stage, returning to her seat. Someone quickly and thoughtfully brought over an extra chair and ced it next to Athena Matthew sat down beside her, instantly drawing the attention and curiosity of everyone in the room. Zoe, still standing alone on stage, felt like she was about to burst into tears. This was supposed to be her night, her graduation party, where she was the star, admired by everyone. She thought, How does it end up like this? No one was even looking her way-not even the reporters she had invited. It was as if the entire event had been thrown just for Athena She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear Athena, youve got some nerve. Lucas, who had also been trying to cozy up to Matthew, couldnt hold back his bitterness. As a man, his pride wouldnt let him be friendly toward someone who might be romantically interested in Athena, so his words came out sharp and sarcastic. Athena nced at him out of the corner of her eye and replied c***y, If I didnt have some tricks up my sleeve, how could I Chapter 49 have shaken you off? You Lucas was practically shaking with anger. But instead of arguing back, he turned to Matthew, shing a sly smile. Mr. Graham, Im Lucas, Athenas ex-fianc. We broke up just a few days ago. When we split, Athena was bawling her eyes out, begging me not to leave Matthew cut him off icily. Mr. Harper, no offense, but youre not even close to being good enough for Miss Donovan. Lucass smile froze. Everyone else was left speechless, thinking, Did Mr. Graham just start defending Athena that quickly? Looks like theres definitely something going on between them. The Donovan familys anxiety only deepened, thinking, Athena just returned home a few days ago, and now someone is already trying to snatch her away? The Kennedy family members were seething with rage, thinking How does Athena get so lucky? She leaves the Kennedy family, and suddenly shes rubbing shoulders with big shots like Harry and Matthew? Does she have any shame at all? At such a young age, shes already using her looks to latch onto powerful men and secure her ce in high society? Especially Gia, who stared daggers at Athena. Beneath her mask, her features twisted with jealousy. She thought, This b***h-stealing away the wealth and luxury meant for me for eighteen years isnt enough; now she has the audacity to go after my man too? But Gia swore she would crush Athena with her superior status and power, showing her what social ss, disparity, and hopeless ambition really meant. She thought, Athenas delusions will end in nothing but empty dreams She Outshines 50 She Outshines 50 Chapter 50 Andrew was clearly uneasy seeing Matthew standing up for Athena like that and couldnt help but ask, So, Mr. Graham, are you saying youre the only one worthy of Athena? What exactly is your rtionship with her? The crowd fell silent, thinking. The newly acknowledged young master of the Kennedy family is gutsy! He actually dares to openly question Mr. Graham! Great, with someone like him around, we dont have to risk stepping up ourselves to hear Mr. Grahams response. Matthew remained calm as he replied, Theres no connection between me and you, and likewise, theres no connection between Miss Donovan and you. So whatever my rtionship with Miss Donovan is, its none of your concern. Andrews face flushed with embarrassment. But but my family has done a lot for Athena Mr. Kennedy, dont overstate your familys contributions, Matthew cut him off coldly. Whether the Kennedy family has done much for Miss Donovan, I cant say. But youve been living abroad all these years and only returned to the Kennedy family a few days ago. Its clear youve done nothing for her. He then turned to Athena and asked, Miss Donovan, isnt that right? Youre absolutely right. Athena nodded firmly. He hasnt done anything for me, so he has no ce to say anything about me. Andrew was left speechless. He ghnced over at his parents, hoping theyd back him up. Isaac and Regina looked furious and unwilling to swallow their pride, but they stayed silent, clearly not wanting to cross Matthew. Frustrated, Andrew grabbed a ss of red wine and angrily downed it in one go. The crowd quietly exchanged nces, astonished, thinking, Isnt Mr. Graham supposed to be the cold, unapproachable type? Why is he so sharp-tongued tonight? Is it all for Athena? Good thing we havent had a chance to target her! The more Matthew defended Athena, the more unsettled Lucas became, thinking, How could the woman I discarded end with a man whos even better than me? up Forcing a smile, he said in a falsely earnest tone, Mr. Graham, you dont really know Athena, but Ive known her for three years As a man, you should at least have basic manners and decency Matthew cut in icily, Dragging your ex-fiances name through the mud in public is something no decent man would do. ucass face turned bright red. I-Im just telling the truth Before he could finish, Jodie blinked her teary eyes and chimed in with a soft, sweet voice, Mr. Graham, my brother isnt ndering Athena. Hes just stating the facts. I was in the same school and grade as Athena. Even though she had good grades, she often skipped sses and rarely participated in extracurricrs. Everyone at school said she was mingling with shady crowds and constantly hanging out at nightclubs. Her voice was delicate and innocent, like a child speaking her mind without guile,pletely unaware of the malice her words carried She continued, Just a few days ago, she was seen cozying up to that notorious yboy Harry, all lovey-dovey. My brother couldnt tolerate it anymore, so he broke up with her So youre Miss Graham, Matthew interrupted coldly. Ive heard the Harper family is the most prestigious in Kitmore City. Chapter 50 I expected better upbringing But it turns out your familys tradition is gossiping, spreading baseless rumors, and destroying peoples reputations. His icy gaze swept over the Harper familys table,ced with sarcasm. The Harper family and the Kennedy family truly are a perfect match. Its no wonder youre inws; you share the same disgraceful habits. The Kennedy familys faces turned crimson with shame. Gia felt especially humiliated, unable to even lift her head. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. The crowd couldnt help but cringe for Jodie, thinking, Why would a young girl who knows nothing about adult matters jump into this mess? And what kind of family teaches her to speak so carelessly,pletely unaware of the situation They thought, Jodies reaction is a textbook case of that saying: if she doesnt feel embarrassed, then the awkwardness belongs to everyone else. Completely oblivious to how others were looking at her, she blinked her tearful eyes and pouted in a soft, pitiful voice, Mr. Graham, why are you saying that about me? Im just worried youre being fooled by Athena, so I was kindly trying to warn you At this point, even Lucas wanted to cover his face and pretend he didnt know Jodie, unable to stand her clueless act. Shut up! Athena couldnt hold back any longer. She unlocked her phone and pulled up a recording, Lucas, Jodie, since youre so determined to throw dirt on me, I think its time I set the record straight. She hit y, and Lucass voice came through clearly, backed by the unmistakable sound of a hars ambient noise. This is the breakup agreement This is the property transfer contract And the brand-new Maserati is parked downstairs The crowd buzzed with murmurs, and the looks they shot at Lucas were full of disdain. He was trying to y both sides? Keeping his ex-fiance as a mistress while showing off his new rtionship? How shameless can you get? The Harper familys values are seriously messed up-backstabbing, greedy, and without a shred of integrity. Some took a different angle. Seriously? A single apartment and a sports car to keep someone for five years? Thats so cheap. Is the Harper family going bankrupt? Cant even afford to properly fund a mistress? The Donovan familys eyes burned with fury as they red at Lucas. If it werent for Athena signaling them to stay calm, Wesley and Arthur would have probably jumped up and given Larcas a thorough beating. When the recording reached the part about the car, Athena quickly fast-forwarded through the section where Lucas sneered at her familys financial status and skipped to the next damning portion. This part was even more scandalous. Athena, I genuinely care about you. If youre willing, Ill take care of you for life. If you want a child, Ill ept it, but it cant be recognized by the Harper family. And then came the string of insults and threats he hurled after Athena rejected him. The crowd erupted. Oh my god, he really said that? Athena has nerves of steel. If it were me, I wouldve pped him right then and there. Chapter 50 Imagine not even being married yet and already nning to keep a side piece and have an illegitimate child. No wonder Athena thanked Gia for taking out the trash. No amount of money or good looks is worth dealing with a guy like that Everyones eyes shifted to Gia, some with mocking expressions, others with sympathy, but mostly with a sense of satisfaction at her misfortune. Gia kept her head low, her hands clenched into fists under the table as she fought the urge to storm out. She thought, Lucas is such a scumbag! And the worst part is, he had the nerve to im he genuinely loved Athena and everyone. wanted to take care of her for life-how humiliating! Hes dragging my dignity through the mud in front of Theres no way I can stay with him now. If I do, people will use this to ridicule me forever. Arthur red at Lucas and said coldly, People like you, all decked out in designer clothes, acting all high and mighty, but youre rotten to the core-absolutely disgusting! Wesley took a deep breath and shouted, Youre the perfect example of all that glitters is not gold- pure garbage! Meanwhile, the reporters were in a frenzy. They couldnt snap photos or record videos fast enough. Coming here tonight turned out to be a goldmine. Scandal after scandal was unfolding right before their eyes-they could barely keep up. In one night, theyd hit their monthly quota and then some. She Outshines 51 She Outshines 51 Chapter 51 89% Lucas was utterly humiliated by the recording Athena yed, bi he still refused to admit defeat. These recordings are fake! He stood up, flushed with anger, and pointed usingly at Athena. The background noise is so loud-theres no proof that voice is mine. My fiance is perfect, a truedy from a prominent family. Why would I waste my time on someone like you? Athena scoffed. Oh, Ive got video too. Want me to y that for everyone! Lucass face went pale. Y-You know falsifying recordings and videos is illegal, right? He thought. The bar was pretty dim that night, and since Athena recorded everything secretly, maybe.. it didnt clearly capture my face? As long as my face isnt visible, or if it is Blurry, I may still have a way out. Or maybe I should figure out how to destroy her phone right now? Athena taunted him, Ill connect my phone to the big screen right now and let everyone see what you really look like She made a show of standing up, ready to head toward the stage. In reality, she only had the audio recording-there was no video at all But Lucas fell for it. He turned as white as a sheet, cold sweat forming on his forehead. Athena, this is Zoes graduation party. Do you really want to ruin like this Before he could finish, a group of uniformed hotel security guards suddenly walked in. With polite smiles, they asked, Is Mr. Harper and Miss Harper here? Lucas felt a surge of hope. Thats me. Whats going on? At this point, he didnt care who were as long as they could stop Athena from exposing him further. The head of security stepped forward and respectfully said, Mr. Harper, Miss Harper, our headquarters at Vission Group issued an internal notice a few days ago, banning any Harper family members from entering any of our properties. Due to therge number of guests tonight, we didnt realize that members of the Harper family hadContent ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. entered the hotel, which vites ourpanys policy. That oversight is on us So we must now formally request that you and Miss Harper leave the premises immediately, and refrain from ever entering this hotel again. The crowd, already shocked multiple times tonight, was thrown into yet another uproar. Whats going on? Can hotels just kick guests out like that now? The Harper family is a major power in Kitmore City. And the hotels just throwing them out? Wheres the Harper familys dignity? Vission Group and the Harper family dont have any known issues, so why would Vission Group issue a ban like this? This is crazy! Ive never seen a five-star hotel publicly expel high-profile guests like this before Wow, is Vission Group picking a fight with both the Kennedy family and Harper family? Are those two families going to team up and drive Vission Group out of West End?- The room buzzed with chatter as people tried to make sense of what was happening. Lucas, whod never been humiliated like this in his life, mmed the table in rage. Is this how your hotel treats its guests! Ill Chapter 51 be filing aint with your management! The head of security remained calm and polite. Were simply following orders from our management. Please, dont make this harder for us-or for yourself. Lucas turned to the reporters, raising his voice. Did you see this This is how Vission Resort treats its guests. Make sure you report this everywhere so the whole city knows what kind of service they offer! But he didnt need to say a word. The reporters were already snapping photos and recording videos like mad. Some were even excitedly posting on Twitter, Facebook, and live-streaming the drama in real-time. The head of security remainedpletely unfazed and politely said, Since Vission Group headquarters issued this directive, Im sure theyre prepared for any public bacsh. Mr. Graham, youre wee to file aint, but we still have to followpany policy. Please, both you and Miss Graham need to leave now. As he spoke, several security guards moved in, surrounding Lucks and Jodie. Sir, Miss, please-this way. Lucas mmed the table again in fury. Were not leaving, What are you going to do about it? In reality, he desperately wanted to get out of there, but he needed to leave on his own terms, walking out with his head held high-not because he was forced out. He wanted to make it seem like leaving was his choice, not because someone had driven him away. The head of security replied calmly, If thats the case, well have no choice but to escort you out. You wouldnt dare-Lucas started, but before he could finish, Jodie suddenly burst into tears. She stepped forward, grabbing Matthews wrist with teary eyes and pleaded, Mr. Graham, please dont let them kick me out. I just want to stay and talk to you. Cant you ask them to let me stay? The crowd was stunned, thinking, Is she out of her mind? Why would she turn to Mr. Graham in a situation like this? And who does she think she is, trying such a cheap trick? If Mr. Graham actually fell for something this low, itd be a serious hit to his reputation. Matthew didnt disappoint. The moment Jodie grabbed his hand, his face darkened with obvious disgust. He shook her hand off without hesitation and said coldly, Miss Graham, we dont know each other. Please have some self-respect and dont touch me. Jodie froze for a moment, then ted crying even harder, her tears falling like pearls as she looked ready to throw herself into his arms. Mr. Graham, please help me. I didnt do anything wrong. Its so humiliating to be kicked out like this. Please Matthew quickly sidestepped her attempted embrace and turned to the security guards. What are you waiting for? Escort her out. The guards, momentarily stunned by Jodies antics, finally snapped back to reality. Two female guards stepped forward, gently but firmly taking hold of Jodies arms. Miss Graham, let us take you outside. Despite her struggles, they calmly and courteously escorted her toward the exit. Mr. Graham, please save me! Jodie cried, ncing back at Matthew with tear-filled eyes. Tll do whatever you want, just help me! No one paid her any mind. Her crying grew even louder. She waspletely baffled, thinking, Arent men supposed to love girls like me-big-chested, Chapter 51 slim-waisted, with a pretty face, doe-eyed innocence, and a bit of clueless charm, like a lost little lamb? Why isnt Mr. Graham falling for it? The crowd cringed with secondhand embarrassment, thinking. Does she really think shes the heroine of some cheesy drama, where a few tears and a pretty face can make any guy fall head over heels? Matthew didnt even spare her a nce. Instead, he sat back down and quietly resumed his conversation with Athena. Lucas,pletely mortified by Jodies foolish behavior, couldnt stay any longer. Putting on a tough front, he threw out onest threat. Youll regret this. Im going to file aint with the authorities. and let the media know about the humiliation we suffered at Vision Resort. Lets see if you can still act this arrogant then With that, he straightened his back and marched out with as much dignity as he could muster, all while enduring the mocking stares of everyone in the room. She Outshines 52 She Outshines 52 Chapter 52 Athena atched Lucass retreating figure with a cold, calcted smile. This was Vission Groups turf. From the moment the Harper siblings appeared, she couldve had them kicked out. But she deliberately held off, letting them dig their own graves first, then called in hotel security to publicly throw them out after theyd made aplete spectacle of themselves. Outside the hall. Jodies sobs and Lucass harsh scolding could be heard. What are you crying for? Just hurry up and leave! Stop embarrassing us! But it was toote-their reputation was already in shambles, beyond repair. Inside the hall, people shook their heads, the Harper siblings disgraceful behavior leaving asting impression. Someone couldnt help but ask. Is Miss Graham like this at school too? Totally Students from Kitmore City High School chimed in. Shes known as the campus beauty, but also as a notorious cker. Shes always at the bottom of the ss rankings. No one can figure out how she even got into Kitmore City High School. Its obvious-the Harper family donated a building to the school. With her grades, she wouldnt get in even if she studied for another decade. And her PE scores are terrible. Every time she cant keep up in running, she just cries, and then all the boys beg the teacher to go easy on her. The teachers probably feel sorry for her when she starts crying and just let her pass. The craziest part is, she doesnt care at all about being at the bottom of the ss. Every time she flunks, she just says shes not made for academics, that shes better suited for marrying a man wholl take care of her, having kids early, and letting him support her for the rest of her life. She even says the only reason she goes to a good school is to boost her value so she can marry a rich guyter. The crowd was shocked. But the wealthier a man is, the more he wants smart, capable kids to inherit the family business. Isnt she worried theyll see her as dumb and assume her kids will beProperty ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. too? The Kitmore City High School students shrugged. Thats the thing-shes too dumb to even think that far ahead. Everyone was left speechless. One parent couldnt resist giving some advice to their son. Remember, no matter how preuy Miss Graham is, you cant marry someone like her. If shes not smart, your kids wont be either, and theyll be useless in running the family business, Shell drag the whole family down A brother with bad character and a sister with no brains-the Harper family is a mess. Man, I used to envy the Kennedy familys daughter, but not anymore. At this point, everyone suddenly remembered Gia and turned to see how she was reacting. Her head was lowered even further, and she tightened her mask as if she wished she could sink into the floor and disappear. Isaac and the others looked equally miserable, feeling as if they were being roasted alive in front of everyone. Staying was unbearable, but leaving would be even more humiliating. Fortunately, some hungry students who hade with empty stomachs couldnt wait any longer and spoke up, Its almost seven oclock. Are we still going to eat or not? Chapter 52 Matthew turned to Athena and asked, Miss Donovan, do you still n on staying? Athena smiled sweetly. This is Zoes graduation party. We should see what she thinks With that, she nced toward the stage. Everyone else followed her gaze. The stage waspletely empty-there was no sign of Zoc. Where did Zoe go? The crowd began looking around, trying to spot her. But it was as if Zoe had vanished into thin air-along with Barba. Only Jarred remained. Fζ:89% Everyone quickly realized that Zoe and Barbara must have quietly slipped away, too embarrassed to stay any longer. The crowds gaze turned toward Jarred, now tinged with sympathy. After all, scoring high on the exam was already an impressive achievement for Zoe. It was just unfortunate that she was overshadowed by someone who scored even higher Jarred forced a smile and raised his ss. Everyone, the party is now officially starting. I hope you all enjoy your meal. Let me offer a toast to you first. The guests awkwardly raised their sses and drank along. After his toast, Jarred sat down and made a point of picking up his fork to take a bite. Once he started eating, the other guests felt they could finally dig ih. But the Kennedy family had lost their appetite. The Donovan family wasnt in the mood. And Matthew clearly had no interest in staying He leaned over and asked Athena softly. Miss Donovan, Ive arranged another dinner. Would you mind joining me somewhere else for a more private meal? Seeing that the drama was over and Zoe had fled, Athena smiled and agreed, Sure. Matthews typically cold, sculpted features softened into a warm smile. Great, lets go. He then turned to Wesley and the others, politely saying, Mr. Donovan, Mrs. Donovan, Arthur, and this little one, youre all wee to join us. Wesley simply looked at Athena, waiting for her response. Athena smiled back and said, I did help Mr. Graham out before, so its only fair to ept his dinner invitation. Only then did Wesley nod and say. In that case, thank you, Mr. Graham Matthew stood up. Lets head out. Seeing them prepare to leave, Jarred hurried over. Mr. Graham, youre leaving already? Its not often we get to have you here. Please, at least let me host you properly Matthew replied coolly, I came here to celebrate with Miss Donovan. This has nothing to do with the Murray family, so theres no need for you to entertain me. Goodbye. With that, he turned and left without hesitation. Knowing there was no way to keep him, Jarred sighed and said, Allow me to escort Mr. Graham and Miss Donovan out. The Donovan family also stood up, following Athena out. 08.54 Fri, Chapter 52 Arthur, not wanting anyone toment on Josies limp, carried her in his arms as they left. After taking a few steps, Athena suddenly remembered something. She turned back to the table, picked up the bouquet of roses, tok a deep breath of their scent, and smiled softly before quickly catching up with the group. Matthew noticed her actions and couldnt help but smile, his gaze softening. He slowed his pace slightly, waiting for her to catch up. Everyone watched them leave, their expressions mixed. The way Matthew led the Donovan family away was like a powerful tiger entering a dangerous forest to rescue a family of deer surrounded by wolves. They thought, What could Athena have done to earn such special treatment from Mr. Graham? Gias eyes burned with resentment as she watched through her task. She thought, I am the truedy here-intelligent, beautiful, well-bred, and from a distinguished family. Athena is just a girl from a poor background. How can she capture Mr. Grahams attention while I am left as the joke of the evening? It is utterly unfair! She was determined to show everyone that,pared to her, Athena was nothing. She was the one trudy suited to be by Matthews side. Meanwhile, upstairs, Zoe hid in a lounge, peeking through the door at the scene below. Her heart ached as if it were being scraped by dozens of dull knives. She thought, What will it take to finally defeat Athena? From elementary school to high school, Athena had always been the mountain weighing her down, preventing her from ever standing tall. She knew she was already outstanding and didnt need to be so fixated onpeting with Athena, but she couldnt ovee the mental block. Even if she runner-up. anted to let it go, people around her would constantlypare her to Athena, mocking her as the eternal She couldnt bear that kind of humiliation. Her only option was to keep fighting Athena-until she