She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

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 couldn't stop admiring this diamond ring. I was planning to give it to her once she and Andrew got engaged. Who would've guessed Ather would swipe it right from under our noses!" "Maybe you didn't know, but Zoe and Athena went to school together-from.elementary all the way to high school. Zoe told me Athena was popular with the boys, and they used to shower her with expensive gifts. She never hesitated to accept them "Let's not dig into this." Isaac cut her off, unwilling to tarnish the memory of the girl they had once cherished. "She's 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. "Don't give her a damn cent. Poor people are like bottomless pits. The moment they get a taste of easy money, they'll keep coming back for more. We can't let that happen." Isaac nodded. "Don't worry. I'll keep it cordial, but she won't 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, nearly laughing.

Five suitcases were stacked by the door-two filled with clothes, one with shoes, another with bags, and the last one with skincare products and jewelry, none of it worth more than five figures. All the really expensive stuff was gone, but she didn't 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. Don't worry, and don't miss mel" She placed 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 placed her keys and house card on the cabinet by the door.

Without a second glance, she stepped outside and headed toward her modest black 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! You're done being their

doormat!"

the trouble I caused. But starting today,

rang out on the other end of

sound of laughter and cheers poured through

grew louder. "Hell yeah! Congrats on making the right call and cutting ties with the Kennedy Group! First thing tomorrow, I'll contact

I'm driving, Let's talk

1/2

20:55 Wed, Oct 9

Chapter 3

no idea that, across the street from the villa, an SUV was parked under the trees, lying in wait like a predator, silently watching her every move.

after she drove off, Matthew in the SUV issued a curt order. "Follow that car. Keep out of

his secretary Louis Connor replied, smoothly tailing Athena's car

notice. 68%

got the better of Louis. He glanced into the rearview mirror and asked, "Mr. Graham, you came back home and flew all the way to Kitmore

soon as that girl showed up, you switched

a woman-hell, whether she's eighteen or thirty-eight-I'd be so damn

stayed silent, arms crossed, eyes closed, completely unfazed