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?"

Zoe is humble, hardworking, and kind-so much better than you in every way! And yet, you dare to treat her like this? I won't

gave a a faint smile. "I'm just stating the truth. If Zoe can't handle reality, she's free to keep living in

family looked at her with near-worshipful admiration, practically ready to give their respect. -Jarred spoke coldly, "Miss Donovan, if you think so little

if the

But I

before

45

43

escalate, Zoe regained her sweet smile and raised her voice,

died down as everyone turned to see

The

The

to look down on me.

thought, How gracious, humble, and kind-hearted she is! They couldn't help but look

of sympathy as she said. "Everyone, my daughter speaks modestly, but the truth is, the effort she put in during high school far

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

work so everyone can see for themselves. We hope they inspire more students to keep striving and achieve even better

As

she

as they took in tcreen behind the stage

are these

my

the images

that cramped living

space is packed with with so many cabinets, and the walls

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 a corner store. You'd have to climb up and down just to

If I had to live in a place like that, I'd rather be