She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

Chapter 54

Louis walked over and opened the car door. "Welcome, Miss Maria."

Maria hopped out of the car, beaming. "Mom, Dad, Arthur, Josie, and Athena-you're all really here! I was so worried 1 might've gotten into a sketchy car and was being scammed." She rubbed her nose sheepishly and added, "But then I thought, who'd bother scamming someone like me? I guess I was j just overthinking it"

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say you couldn't get the night off? How did you manage to come here?"

Maria shot a grateful glance at Louis. "He called me and said his boss wanted to treat our family to dinner, and it wouldn't be the same if I wasn't there.

"I told him I had to stay at the shop, so the driver he sent bought out all the fruit tea. The manager let us close early after that."

When Louis called her, the luxury sports car he'd sent was already waiting outside the fruit tea shop. The driver had been incredibly polite, even buying every drink in the store, causing a small commotion and earning plenty of envious stares. Maria had never been treated like this before; it felt like something out of a drama, and she could hardly believe it was real..

It wasn't until Louis video-called her and showed her that her parents were indeed with him that she finally felt safe enough

to get in the car.

The Donovan family turned to look at Matthew, their expressions softening a little.

Athena smiled and said to Matthew, Thank you for bringing her here."

Matthew responded politely, "It was my pleasure. This way, please-

He guided everyone into the club, pressed the elevator button for them, and led them to a private room on the top floor. Inside, a table full of delicious food was waiting, the dishes still hot and fragrant, clearly just prepared. This perfectly timed meal was another sign of Matthew's thoughtful planning.

Matthew even pulled out a chair for Athena, with the air of

a gentleman. "Miss Donovan, please take a seat."

The Donovan family exchanged looks. Though they still weren't fully on board with Matthew, they had to admit he was treating Athena with genuine respect.

sat

Matthew to sit before

soup to each person and asking whether they preferred wine or a non-alcoholic drink, before pouring

Miss Donovan's friends. This is just

feel respected, unlike when they had been in the

his champagne glass. "T'd like to first toast Miss Donovan and celebrate

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glass of juice and clinked it against his.

is for Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, as well as Miss Donovan's brother and sisters. Miss Donovan is lucky to have such a loving family, and

the second drink, Matthew took a sip of soup and said. "Please, Miss Donovan,

him begin to eat, the others finally picked up

quiet after that, leaving Louis to take over the role of keeping

cooking methods of each dish, mixing in some funny anecdotes and

up, laughing and chatting with him as if

couldn't help but

had to admit, Matthew carried himself with grace

Athena

was how Matthew and Athena looked ridiculously well-matched

he was actually observing

quickly noticed Arthur's phone, Josie's watch, and Maria's handbag, all of which caught his attention. These weren't just

afford such high-end pieces He thought, 'Could it

a moment while Athena went to the restroom, Matthew casually remarked, "Mr. Donovan, your phone has a really tasteful design. Where did you get it? I've been thinking of

shot? Even someone like him can't buy this

a smile. "Where did Miss Donovan get

and raised an eyebrow. "Not