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.

flustered, sat

to sit before

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

to Maria, saying politely, "Both Mr. Graham and I are Miss Donovan's friends. This is just a casual

Donovan family feel respected, unlike when they had been in the

and raised his champagne glass. "T'd like to first toast Miss Donovan and celebrate her excellent exam results.

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her glass of juice and

Matthew poured himself another glass and raised it again. "This next toast 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 I'm genuinely happy for her." The The Donovan family loved hearing those words, Even Arthur's expression softened a bit. They all

drink, Matthew took a sip of

to eat, the others finally picked up their

take over the role of keeping the

the background and cooking methods of each dish, mixing in some funny anecdotes and lighthearted jokes. Occasionally, he would help Maria and Josie with some food, which quickly put them at

clearly enjoying Louis's hospitality. Maria and Josie, in particular, quickly warmed up, laughing and chatting with him as if they had known him for years, completely relaxed. Meanwhile, Wesley and

on the other hand, couldn't help but keep scrutinizing Matthew, searching for

himself with grace and never showed the slightest hint of

Athena

how Matthew

focused on his meal, he

and Maria's handbag, all of which caught his attention. These weren't

and connections, it seemed unlikely they could afford

Matthew casually remarked, "Mr. Donovan, your phone has a really tasteful design. Where did you get it? I've been thinking of getting one myself." Arthur grinned smugly. "Athena gave it to me. You can't find

someone like him can't

smile.

raised an