She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15
Arthur stumbled out of the police station that evening, his mind in a haze. The warm glow of the setting sun made everything around him feel strangely unreal.
Is it really over? No detention, no lines?’ he muttered to himself, struggling to wrap his head around how quickly everything had been resolved.
Earlier, a security guard had shoved a pregnant woman, prompting Arthur to step in and ultimately break the guard’s arm. The property management and the guard had been hell-bent on demanding hefty compensation and ensuring Arthur stayed out of their business in the future.
But as soon as Ryan showed up. Arthur was released almost immediately. Even the guard he’d injured had apologized, assuring Arthur they wouldn’t press charges.
“Hey, Arthur! What the hell are you standing around for? Get in the car!” a voice snapped, jolting Arthur from his thoughts.
He turned to see a plain-looking man, an e-cigarette dangling from his lips, who looked as if he couldn’t care less about anything.
The guy was probably in his thirties, but despite his sharp gaze and impressive way with words when dealing with the cops, he didn’t fit the image of a high-powered lawyer that Arthur had imagined.
“Mr. Marshall, thanks a lot for your help, Arthur said gratefully. Things could’ve gone really bad if it weren’t for you.”
Once is enough. No need to keep saying it,” Ryan replied, opening the passenger door of his car. “I’ll drive you home. Your parents must be worried sick”
Arthur scratched his head, feeling a bit awkward. “You’ve already done so much for me today. I don’t want to trouble you anymore. I can get home by myself.”
Ryan rolled his eyes, knocking on the roof of the car with irritation. “What’s your problem? I helped you out of a major mess, and now you’re refusing a simple ride home? That’s just rude, man”
-Arthur hesitated, unsure if he was wrong for trying to be considerate. But with Ryan putting it like that, refusing would seem ungrateful. So, with a muttered thanks, he slid into the passenger seat.
Though the car seemed a bit old, Arthur was surprised by how comfortable it was, feeling as luxurious as any high-end vehicle he’d ever been in.
As they sped down the road, Arthur was even more impressed. The ride was incredibly smooth, with no bumps, weird smells, or annoying noise..
“Mr. Marshall, this car is something else. How much did it cost? If I ever get the chance, I’d like to get one too, Arthur asked, still marveling at the car.
Ryan glanced at him, his tone dripping with sarcasm. This car’s custom-made. No amount of money’s gonna get you one.” Arthur blinked, caught off guard by the response. Realizing he shouldn’t pry any further, he simply nodded.
But curiosity got the better of him, and after a moment of silence, he asked, “Mr. Marshall, why are you helping me?” Not only had Ryan gotten him out of a huge mess, but he’d also given Arthur his number, telling him to reach out if he ever found himself in a similar situation. Yet Arthur couldn’t shake the feeling that Ryan’s kindness was too good to be true.
“Stop overthinking it!” Ryan snapped, his tone firm. “If you need a reason, just figure I can’t stand bullies and have to step in
when I see one.
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Chapter 15
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Startled by the sharp response. Arthur quickly offered a sheepish grin. “You’re right. I guess I’m just not used to meeting people as righteous as you.”
Ryan shot him another meaningful look. “You’ll be meeting more people like me soon enough.”
Arthur chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head. “Thanks for the encouragement.”
Taking advantage of Ryan’s focus on the road, Arthur discreetly pulled out his phone and searched for information about him. What he found left him speechless.
Ryan was one of the top lawyers in Kitmore City, known for his connections on both sides of the law. He didn’t take on cases. based on a client’s background or how much they could pay but on whether he found them worthy of his time.
Arthur was shocked to discover that Ryan was also known as “The Devil’s Fear. No wonder those arrogant property managers had practically been shaking in their boots when he showed up.
The more Arthur learned about Ryan, the more confused he became. He couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to Ryan’s help than just a sense of justice.
Just as Arthur was about to ask more questions, the car suddenly stopped. “We’re here, Ryan said, snapping Arthur out of his thoughts.
Arthur glanced out the window and realized they’d arrived at Viento Court.
“Oh, right. Thanks again!” Arthur’said quickly as he got out of the car. He turned to Ryan, wanting to extend an invitation. “It’s dinner time. Why don’t you come over! My mom’s a great cook…”
Before Athena could finish, the car had already sped away.
Arthur stood there, baffled. ‘Mr. Marshall really does seem like someone who helps without expecting anything in return. What a remarkable guy,’ he muttered to himself
Feeling grateful, Arthur hurried toward Block 6. Wesley and Claire were already waiting at the entrance, and they rushed forward as soon as they saw him.
-Wiping away tears, Claire clutched Arthur’s arm, anxiously checking him over for injuries. Meanwhile, Wesley patted Arthur on the shoulder and asked how everything had turned out.
As the family reunited, a shadowy figure lay flat in the shadows of a derelict building across from Block 6. Through a grimy window, he quietly aimed his long-focus camera at them, capturing their every move without making a sound
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After Wesley and his family went upstairs, the man quietly made his way to the top floor of the abandoned building. He slipped into a shabby room that overlooked the Donovan family’s apartment. Despite the grime, mold, and bugs crawling around, he kept his camera trained on their home, waiting for the right moment.
The Donovan family was gathered around the dinner table, and their conversation was lively as they talked about Athena’s progress.
Arthur’s face lit up as he listened to the updates about Athena. “We should rent Mr. Wells’ place next door. After some renovations, Athena, Maria, and Josie could move in there. It’d be way better for them
Their current apartment had only two bedrooms, which meant cramming everyone into bunk beds and making do with separate sleeping arrangements for different genders.
Sometimes, two people had to share a bed, and any extra guests ended up on the sofa or a folding bed. They couldn’t let Athena keep living in such cramped conditions.
Wesley mulled over Arthur’s suggestion, then nodded. “Alright. Talk to Leon tomorrow about renting his place and fixing it up.
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Most of the community’s residents had moved away, leaving many buildings abandoned.
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Only seven or eight were still fit to live in. The house across from theirs, where Leon Wells and his family had once lived, had been empty for years and was a bit rundown.
Maria’s eyes sparkled at the thought of having her own room. For a girl her age, it was like a dream come true.
Josie’s face lit up with excitement. She grinned and said, “Yay! I want a new room too!”
Claire smiled and patted Josie’s head. “Of course, my sweet Josie will have a new room.”
The family’s conversation was warm and happy, reflecting the simple joys of their everyday life.
Meanwhile, Athena had finished reviewing Lucy’s medical records in the VIP ward. As her stomach growled, she put the records back in her bag, grabbed a food container from the sofi,and popped it into the microwave.
But when she opened the last box, her eyes went wide with surprise. Inside was a stack of cash, easily over two thousand dollars
Did Mom and Dad secretly slip this in? Athena wondered, a wave of warmth washing over her.
While this amount might have been pocket change for her in the past, it was a significant sum for the Donovans.
Athena accepted their thoughtful gesture, carefully tucking the money into her bag. Just then, she noticed a message on her phone, It was from Ryan, containing the info he had gathered on Bard Property.
Perfect timing. Athena thought, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.
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