She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

Chapter

45

Someone quickly passed the microphone to Athena.

She took it but remained seated, responding in a calm, detachedtone, "I won't accept 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, we've been the best rivals, always pushing each other to improve...

You think you're 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 could compare 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?

Zoe's!

flawless smile stiffened ned completely, like a dried leaf barely hanging on.

"Zoe, if y

if you want to be my rival, thaybe try again in your next life." Athena's face remained indifferent as she handed the microphone back to the server. "Don't embarrass yourself like this again." The crowd finally snapped out of their shock, murmuring in disbelief. She's herself f for a a fall."

Such arrogance at such a young aged her out when they found out she wasn't their real daughter. That kind of arrogance is unbelievable! "No wonder the Kennedy family kicked her

"What a horrible attitude! No manners, no class. If it weren't for Zoe's kindness, she wouldn't have even been invited to this party..."

Andrew's glare 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?"

much better than you in every way! And yet, you dare to treat her like

stating the truth. If Zoe can't handle reality, she's free to keep living in

her drink Meanwhile, the Donovan family looked at her with near-worshipful admiration, practically ready to give their respect. -Jarred spoke

the Murray family would kick Athena

But I

before

45

43

and raised her voice,

everyone turned to see how

The

The

every right to look down on me. I'll work twice as hard from now on

thought, How gracious, humble, and kind-hearted she is! They

moment, Zoe's 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

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 studied late

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

As

a as she finished speaking,

behind the stage dimmed and then lit up,

are these pictures?

my

the images

living room

the walls are covered with shelves. It looks like there's barely room to move

Athena in the photos? Is this where she's been living since the Kennedy family kicked her out? This is awful. "Oh my gosh, that's supposed to be a bedroom? It's more crowded than the shelves in

I had to live in