She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172
As Joy’s revelations stirred up a frenzy on campus, Athena had already returned to her personal apartment, immersing herself in work and research, completely indifferent to the chaos around her.
The university orientation lasted three days, with the final night dedicated to a class meeting before the two-week military training began.
She planned to go to school on the third night.
hus, like Joy, who had captivated the entire school, Athena made her appearance in the classroom on Wednesday evening. t only did her classmates notice her, but students from other classes also crowded by the windows and doors to catch a mpse of Athena.
ven as Athena
a**to head back to her dorm, a throng followed behind her.
Athena wore a mask, unfazed by the attention.
After all, it wouldn’t take long for everyone’s novelty and curiosity to wear off, and they wouldn’t pay her as much mind.
Moreover, even though she had entered university, she had previously arranged with the school that she would attend very few classes, only showing up for important activities and exams.
The teachers were aware of her capabilities and wouldn’t pressure her to attend their lectures, as they didn’t want to hinder her studies and research.
With military training starting on Thursday, Athena, like the other freshmen, didn’t dare stay up late and went to bed on time.
Before falling asleep, she called Matthew.
His phone was still turned off.
Next, she called Louis.
Louis explained, “The conditions over there are harsh, and the signal is poor. It’s hard to get through.
“I only manage to have a brief chat once in a while. Three nights ago, several hundred rebels launched a nighttime attack on the office area. Mr. Graham led over a hundred well-equipped and trained mercenaries to engage the rebels.
“Mr. Graham’s side should have the advantage, but the rebel leader escaped with his trusted aides. Mr. Graham pursued them relentlessly, engaging in guerrilla warfare in the surrounding area, which is why his phone is even harder to reach.”
Athena asked, “Aren’t you worried about him?”
“Of course I am,” Louis replied. “But Mr. Graham has undergone professional military training during his summers and winters in school, so his field combat skills are on par with professional soldiers. With his advanced equipment and your gift for self-defense, he should be fine.”
Athena nodded. “Okay, I’ll be participating in closed military training tomorrow, which will last for half a month. I hope to hear good news by then.”
During this training, the departments with the most male students were sent to an external military training base, including the Aerospace major.
During military training, all students had to turn in their phones and were not allowed to leave. If someone needed to make a call, they had to apply for it, and important calls from the outside were conveyed by designated personnel.
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Chapter 172
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Athena filled her free time with reading, completely disconnected from the outside world. Thus, she had no idea that during this half month, shocking photos and videos detailing her family’s poverty and the hardships her family endured had gone viral on campus, including private information about the Donovan family.
Campus forums, Facebook, and especially student groups for the Aerospace and history majors were rapidly sharing these images and videos.
This sparked widespread discussion across the school.
[I’ve heard she’s poor, but I didn’t realize it was this bad. So many people crammed into a small, run-down two-bedroom apartment, and it’s still less comfortable than the school dorins.
[She seems more like a Cinderella at best.]
[With the weekend coming up, let’s head to the Food Court for some barbecue. It’ll be a nice way to pay respect to our future in-laws.]
[Wow, Athena’s brother was ditched at his wedding because he couldn’t pay the bride’s father’s medical bills? They dated for seven years, and he went to court over a measly twenty thousand dollars, forcing the bride’s family to move away from Kitmore City.]/
[I heard Athena was switched at birth and grew up in a wealthy family. She only returned to the Donovan family two months ago. The Donovan family often demands favors from the Kennedy family and has received quite a bit, now they are renting a relatively large house.]
[There are two seriously ill elders, a disabled child in the Donovan family, and Athena’s two-brothers have gone missing. Some say one got involved in telecom fraud and the other ended up in prison.]
[Athena’s elder sister might be her father’s illegitimate daughter. Her younger sister could be her mother’s child from an affair. The Donovan family is such a mess. Could Athena be an illegitimate child too?]
Various rumors spread to every corner of the campus.
This was all orchestrated by Lucas, Zoe, and Gia.
They took advantage of Athena’s inability to communicate with the outside world during military training to spread half- truths and rumors on campus.
Two days before the end of the military training, they used various means to delete these photos, videos, and revelations from campus networks and student groups, while also warning students against spreading rumors under the guise of departments, teachers, and student councils.
Students ceased to openly discuss the Donovan family’s issues, but privately they felt that since the higher-ups had intervened, these revelations were likely true.
For the average student, whether Athena and the Donovan family were rich or poor, respectable or not, had nothing to do with them.
However, for those envious of Athena or competing with her, these rumors became tools for attacking her.
Soon, military training concluded.
As Athena left the training base, she dialed Matthew’s number, intending to invite him to dinner at her family’s restaurant.
However, Matthew’s phone was still off.
So she called Louis again.
After a long wait, Louis answered, his voice hoarse. “Hello, Miss Donovan…”
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Chapter 172
Concerned, Athena asked, “Are you sick?”
There was silence on the other end.
moment, she realized something. “Something happened to Matthew?”
If nothing had happened, his phone wouldn’t be unreachable.
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After several more seconds, Louis answered with bitterness, “Miss Donovan, you’re so smart. Even if I wanted to hide it, I couldn’t.”
Athena frowned, waiting for him to continue.
“Mr. Graham has gone missing.” Louis’s tone was heavy.
Athena gasped, u
how to respond.
She thought, ‘Matthew is such a smart, strong person, wealthy and well-prepared. How could he just disappear? Could this be one of Matthew’s schemes?’
Louis seemed to sense her thoughts, his voice filled with more anguish. “I can’t believe it either, but Mr. Graham has been unreachable for over a week. No one can contact him.”
Athena’s eyes darkened, her voice deepening. “Take your time and explain what happened.”
It seemed Louis was drinking water. After several seconds, he finally said, “The last time you called me, Mr. Graham was pursuing the rebel leader near the mining site.
“The rebel leader was cornered and fled into the rainforest with a few trusted aides.
“Despite everyone’s objections, Mr. Graham went in alone, and then he lost contact. We can’t reach him by phone.”
His calm demeanor contrasted with Athena’s increasingly serious expression, her heart tightening with worry.
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