She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

Chapter 491

Athena's lips curved into a knowing, icy smile. "You're wondering how I know, aren't you?"

Athena's gaze didn't waver. "Zilvia and I are twins. Same face, same intelligence. All I had to do was put myself in her shoes and think about what you'd do. Zilvia was glued to your side, day and night. She even shared your bed. Your influence was absolute. "And she didn't just listen-she believed you. That's why she started looking down on her classmates. To her, they were just silly little kids. Her eyes were already on the horizon, dreaming of the grand, glittering world you promised her."

Every word struck Catherine like a slap. She opened her mouth to argue, to deny it, but nothing came out. Athena's accusations had boxed her in, leaving her defenseless.

"And let's talk about seventeen years ago, December 31st," Athena said, her tone relentless. "That's when Nellie visited Rose Kindergarten. You were there to pick up Zilvia and attend the Advent Sunday evening party. And you saw her, didn't you? Nellie Rose-the epitome of wealth and power. You couldn't take your eyes off her."-

Athena's words grew harsher, cutting to the bone. "I know you, Catherine. You knew you'd never be someone like Nellie. But you could make a dream for Zilvia, couldn't you? You probably told her, "That's how a woman should live-with elegance and status, just like Nellie. Maybe you even went further, spinning tales about the Rose family, making them sound like royalty, until Zilvia was completely mesmerized."

"And here's the kicker," Athena continued with her voice like ice. You didn't know that Nellie had just lost a daughter. She was desperate to fill that void. But Zilvia heard everything-overheard Nellie talking to her aides. She learned the secret. And that's when she made her decision. It wasn't just a coincidence. It was inevitable. Zilvia decided she'd become Nellie's daughter. She was going to join the Rose family."

Athena leaned closer, her gaze unrelenting. "After that holiday, Zilvia started scouting the department stores where Nellie liked to shop. She planned every detail. And on Christmas Day, she made her move. And you know what's sad, Catherine? She didn't just leave you. She abandoned you."

Catherine's face went ashen as she sank into the chair, her body trembling. For a long moment, she couldn't find the words to respond, only managing to weakly stammer, "N-no, it's not like that..."

she tried to defend herself. "I left the Donovan family almost twenty years ago. What

sharp as knives. "And what about the fire at Angel's Kiss Private Hospital twenty-two years ago? Are you going to tell me you had nothing

with terror as she stared at Athena, her voice faltering. "W-what are you saying? Do you think I started that fire? The police ruled it an

stayed by her side, while you were supposed to be caring for the two newborns. When the fire broke out, you were in the nursery.

words tripping over each other. "Y-you two were born close to midnight. The fire didn't start until two or three in the morning. I was

you were, a fire that big would have woken you up. And don't tell me two newborns were too much for

clearly in pain. "There weren't many nurses, doctors, or security on duty that night, but the patients were all asleep. When

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took me, handed me over to a nurse, and claimed I was from the Kennedy family. So tell

her composure, her voice shaking.

set the bottle down, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "Before we get into the truth about

pounded in her chest, her

But instead of studying