She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

She outshines 15 She outshines 15Chapter 1

Late at night in a dimly lit bar, a wealthy young man clad in designer threads slid a document across the table to Athena Donovan

"I'm engaged to the Kennedy's daughter. You're 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 nonchalance. Athena, dressed in a light As she watched him flaunt

t blue linen dress, sat opposite him. Her long black hair fell over her shoulders, her skin porcelain- smooth, and her eyes gleamed with a quiet fire." unt his s riches, she couldn't 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 it's yours. Oh, and that brand-new Maserati downstairs? It's 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? That's barely 200 grand a year-less than 20 thousand dollars a month. And he expects gratitude for his 'generosity'? Her gaze unnerved him. He grabbed a wine glass, sipping a 2,000-dollar mouthful of wine, before continuing. "Look, I get it, you're a proud woman. Signing this might sting a bit." "But let's be real-your folks are broke. Five brothers, all cramped in some tiny house in the old quarter," he pressed. "Trust me, you wouldn't last a day in their shoes. Take the flat and the car. You're gonna need them." Athena shot him a brief, scornful smirk, then leaned in to swiftly sign the e documents.

Lucas Harper's grandiose promises, made during their courtship, now seemed laughable and vile, especially after his rush to call off their engagement upon learning she wasn't 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 won't 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

as she started to walk away. "Athena, you better learn your damn place!" he yelled rushing over and her arm. I'm the heir to the richest family in Kitmore City, not to mention handsome, generous, and a top grad from an elite foreign school. I've had women throwing themselves at me since I was a kid," Lucas boasted arrogantly. "You should be grateful I'm even considering keeping you, you gold-digging impostor! If you walk out now, you'll 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.

pursuing Athena for three years but

thought desperately. I need to spend one night with her,

1/3

Chapter 1

69% 69%

bachelor in

"Athena, Mr. Harper has bent over backward for you. How can you be so cold

him, at least throw the guy a bone. Show some damn appreciation

their shoulders with a smirk. "Matthew, you made

the name. Lucas and

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

back around to Athena. "Where's Matthew Graham? Are you lying..." he started, but trailed off as he realized Athena had

to catch

and sprinted to the elevator, hitting the building's lobby in seconds, only modest black car pulling

to see Athena's

"Athena, you

dust as her car tore down the street. Furious, he wiped his face and glared at the fading taillights. "After her!" he roared between coughs before jumping into his Maserati to give

1

+