She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 102

0
Chapter 102
After completing the analysis report on the murderer, Athena slept until dusk before taxling back home to Mid-Level Mountain Garden.
Her family knew she would return that night and were all waiting for her.
The dining table was filled with her favorite dishes. Although there was no foie gras with gingerbread toast or sautéed vegetables, there were still plenty of her favorites, like corn salad, sweet and sour stir-fried vegetables, smoked sausage with mustard sauce, pecan-stuffed mushrooms, and pan-seared fish fillets with garlic butter. There was not anything her mother made that she did not like.
“Athena is back! Come, sit down and eat with us,” someone said, waving at her.
Another was getting cutlery for her while another pulled out a chair for her.
Athena was touched. “It is already almost eight in the evening. Why have you not eaten yet? Skipping meals is not good for
you
Arthur smiled and said, “Although we have not had dinner yet, we have had fruits and snacks. We are not that hungry. We just really wanted to eat together with you.”
Sitting on a high stool, Josie swung her legs back and forth and tapped on her bowl with a small spoon, singing. Athena, sit down quickly. Let us eat together the food will taste even better!
Athena patted her head and sat down beside her. “Alright, alright, let us eat together.”
After dinner, Athena was full. She smiled and asked, “Mum, after checking out those restaurants for the past three days, have you decided?”
Claire laughed and replied. “Yes, we went to eight private home-cooking restaurants, and I have concluded that my homemade dishes taste even better than theirs.”
“If they can open a shop to make money, there is no reason why I cannot, Claire said. At this point, she said a bit embarrassedly. “Athena, Arthur, and I are planning to choose a location to open the shop. If we find a good spot, I will trouble you to help introduce some investors.”
“I am thinking of starting with a smaller restaurant. I do not want to invest too much at the beginning in case I cannot recover my capital in time or end up losing money. Owing too much money to others is not a good idea.”
Athena replied, “Mom, you do not have to rush to decide on the investment amount,”
“If you are free tomorrow, make some specialty dishes at home will invite a few wealthy heirs from the laboratory to come and try them.
“They are all food connoisseurs who have tasted countless delicacies and have very picky tastes. If they are satisfied with the food, investing tens of millions is nothing- even hundreds of millions would be no problem”
The few looked at each other in amazement, wondering what kind of people Athena knew. They thought, “Rich, talented, and generous. Was this the world of the top students?”
Claire felt a bit nervous when she heard this. She instinctively wanted to say there was no need to invest so much, but Wesley gently patted her leg under the table, signaling her to relax. “Claire, Athena is so supportive of you. You want to make something of yourself, so you must have confidence.
“Even if you do not trust yourself that much,
have to trust Athena, right?
When Claire heard that, she realized he was right
1/3
Chapter 102
Her daughter had done so much for her. She could not let her daughter down.
Hence, she mustered her courage. “Alright, if your friends are free to come over tomorrow, I will prepare some of my best dishes and try my best to make them enjoy the meal”
Athena smiled. “They’re free, Let’s set it at 12:30 pm tomorrow.
After this was settled, everyone could almost feel their dreams drawing closer, and their spirits lifted with excitement.
Maria also seemed very happy tonight. She blushed slightly and kept glancing around.
When everyone was almost done eating, Maria said with pride and embarrassment, “Dad, Mom, Arthur, Athena, I received a recruitment notice from Yaen Jewelry Design Studio this afternoon. I can officially start work tomorrow”
Wesley and the others did not know the reputation of this studio, but they all knew that Maria was very interested in jewelry design, so they all applauded.
Arthur picked up some food for Maria “Congratulations, Maria! Have some more food!”
Claire smiled and said. “Mom will not serve supper anymore, so you can sleep and wake up early. You do not have to make breakfast in the future. Just focus your time and energy on work and do your best
Wesley said, “Where is your studio? I can drive you to the office every morning if it is on the way or not far.”
Josie cutely placed her palm on her little mouth, blew a kiss to Maria, and, mimicking lines from a drama, said, “Maria, keep it up! You are the best!”
Maria rubbed her nose in embarrassment. “The studio hasn’t officially opened yet. Even if I go, I’ll only be an intern. I can’t even be considered a probationary employee-just doing odd jobs. The pay is pitifully low.”
She added, feeling awkward, “I might not be able to save any money for the family over the next few months.”
Previously, when working, she could save si every month for her family.
Of course, she insisted on giving this money to the family. They never asked her to do it and even occasionally bought her beautiful clothes and cosmetics.
As far as she knew, her mother had been saving the money for her dowry in the future.
Claire scolded her lightly, “You’re still young, and it’s tough to earn money. Keep your salary for yourself and buy whatever you want. Your father’s salary is quite high now, so we don’t need your help with expenses for now.
Maria sniffled, “Thank you, Mom and Dad”
Athena, meanwhile, was thinking. The name Yaen sounds familiar. Isn’t she a well-known designer?”
Hearing this, Maria nodded excitedly. “Athena, you really know a lot.”
“Yaen won first prize in last year’s International Diamond Jewelry Design Competition. Leard she’s very young, a rising star in the jewelry design world, and highly regarded by many”
“She’s currently setting up her studio and needs people. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gotten this chance.
Athena suddenly remembered.
She was a judge in the design competition last year but did not attend in person. Instead, she reviewed the participating works through photos and videos.
Athena had only seen a few photos of Yarn but had not looked at them closely, so she did not have a strong impression of
Chapter 102
her.
“I read an article about her in a magazine. Yaen is indeed very talented. If you can learn from her, you’ll definitely benefit a lot,” she said sincerely, genuinely happy for Maria.
“Thank you, Athena.” Maria poured her a glass of lemonade and said earnestly, “I submitted the design drafts you recommended. They said I wasn’t professional enough and lacked experience, but they saw sincerity and a kind of simple, natural charm in my work. That’s why they decided to take me to.”
“I might not have had the courage to take that step without you
Athena raised her lemonade and clinked glasses with her. “You chose this path yourself and earned the opportunity with your ability. I just gave you a little nudge from behind. So, you deserve this chance.”
Maria smiled. “Athena, you are so good at encouraging people. Every time I talk to you, I feel great about myself”
Everyone at the table laughed.
Athena blinked. “That is because I have good taste and am just speaking the truth.”
Maria continued, “Athena, could you help me choose what to wear tomorrow?”
“The studio said that jewelry design is part of the fashion industry, so all employees must pay attention to their appearance. We must wear makeup to work and dress appropriately, preferably with some fashion elements”
Athena nodded. “Certainly, tomorrow morning, I will help you with your makeup and choose an outfit.”
Maria visibly breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Athena. With your help, I feel confident.”
After everyone continued to eat happily for a while, they concluded the dinner on a pleasant note.
Wesley and Claire held hands and went for a walk, discussing the lunch menu for the next day as they walked.
Arthur, whose stomach was slightly rounded from eating, stood up and hummed a tune while cheerfully clearing the dishes.
Athena had seen many men who liked to cook, but this was the first time she had seen someone like Arthur, who enjoyed cleaning up after meals.
She had once curiously asked Arthur why he liked washing the dishes.
Arthur explained, “If you sit still after eating, it is easy to gain weight, which affects your figure and appearance. So, cleaning the dining table and washing the dishes after meals helps digestion.”
Athena had observed that Arthur washed the dishes spotlessly and kept the kitchen and dining table tidy. He was a handsome young man who was both clean and diligent.
When Arthur married in the future, he would undoubtedly make a good husband.
宙