She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 177

Chapter 177
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Matthew’s injuries were not light. He had been relying on medication, strong willpower, and his robust physique to endure until now.
With Athena by his side, the crisis was temporarily averted, and he finally relaxed completely, feeling the pain
and fatigue wash over him. He leaned softly against Athena’s shoulder and whispered, “Miss Donovan, I’m going to sleep for a bit. Wake me if something comes up.”
Athena reached around his shoulder and gently patted his short hair as if soothing a big cat. “Go ahead and sleep. With me here, everything’s fine?
Matthew closed his eyes and smiled. “Thank you…
After trekking through the dangerous rainforest for so many days, even with a “Guardian” on watch and a versatile backpack for protection. Matthew had always been in light sleep, waking at the slightest rustle.
But now, as soon as he shut his eyes, he fell asleep.
A smile still lingered on his lips, like a child lost in a beautiful dream.
Athena finally had the chance to look at him openly and without reservation
She admired his handsome face.
She traced his well-defined, slightly arched brows with her fingertips. Her gaze shifted to his long eyelashes and the high bridge of his nose. Then, she noticed his perfectly shaped, sensuous lips, which seemed to keep others at a distance. Finally, her eyes lingered on his strong, defined jawline.
As she watched, Athena couldn’t help but chuckle to herself, feeling content.
Despite the sweat, he didn’t smell bad at all. It was just a man’s strong, masculine aroma,
The more she looked, the more satisfied and enchanted she became.
Athena firmly believed she wasn’t perverse but rather an exceptional woman with refined taste.
As she gazed at him, unsure if she was genuinely sleepy or simply entranced by his beauty, she found herself closing her eyes and slowly drifting off to sleep.
After a long while, the low growl of the “Guardian” roused her. “Attention! Unidentified individuals are approaching from the ten o’clock direction”
Startled, Athena opened her eyes and realized it had grown dark
She helped Matthew sit against a tree trunk, then stood up, raising her submachine gun in a standard posture to watch the left front warily.
It was the natives
They raised their hands, carrying a safe, speaking among themselves.
Athena recognized they were there to deliver the safe, but she couldn’t understand what they were saying.
Fortunately. Matthew was awakened by the commotion, instructing them to set the safe down and take their unaware compatriots away.
Even though Athena had fired quite a few shots upon arriving, she hadn’t aimed for any vital spots on the natives, so there
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had been almost no fatalities, only serious injuries.
Matthew tossed the bottle of medicine that Athena had given him to the natives, briefly explaining how to use it.
He did this not out of kindness, but because these natives had lived here for thousands of years. This was their only home and territory. They had never thought to leave and wreak havoc on the outside world, and the intrusion from the outside was, to some extent, disturbing them.
There was no deep-seated hatred between them, so there was no need for extermination.
Moreover, he and Athena had to spend the night here, so angering the natives would not be beneficial for them.
The natives took their wounded away and indicated they wouldn’t return.
Athena crouched down and placed the soccer-sized safe in front of Matthew, thoughtfully saying, “You finally got the safe you fought so hard for. You can relax now.”
The way she said it made it sound like it was his last wish.
Matthew cleared his throat softly, lowered his gaze slightly, and smiled. “It’s all thanks to you.”
The safe was riddled with bullet holes, likely from the rebel leader trying repeatedly to shoot it open, but the quality of the safe was too good. It could be damaged but not opened.
In front of Athena, he entered the password and unlocked the safe.
Athena’s keen eyesight and memory were impressive.
She quickly noticed that the password to the safe was her birthday.
In that instant, her face flushed like she had a fever, and her heart raced.
Athena thought, ‘Could Matthew have a crush on me?’
She shook her head quickly, telling herself secretly, ‘Don’t think nonsense. It would be embarrassing if I guessed wrong
Inside the safe was a fist-sized, light-green diamond.
Though the raw diamond was a bit rough and unrefined, it was already beautiful, with a lovely green hue that gradually lightened from the inside out.
One could imagine how elegant and sparkling it would be once polished.
Matthew picked up the rough and held it in front of Athena, gazing at her. “Miss Donovan, do you like this diamond?”
Without thinking, Athena replied, “I do.”
She recalled Louis’s words and thought, “A diamond this large might never be seen again in the world. Would Matthew really give it to me?’
Just as she thought that, Matthew asked her, “Miss Donovan, if I were to give you this diamond, would you accept it?”
Athena gasped inwardly, blinking, her face flushed and her heart racing even faster.
Matthew’s gesture felt a bit like something else.
‘Oh no, what was I thinking again?” she thought.
Athena raised a hand to cover her face. “I would.”
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Then, she asked curiously, “So, are you really going to give it to me?”
Matthew put away the green rough and said. “Not right now.”
Athena’s cheeks puffed up slightly, muttering to herself, “I knew it. Men are unreliable.”
However, Matthew continued, “I want to design it myself and have it polished into jewelry before giving it to you. I hope you will still like it then”
Athena’s face flushed again.
His words made her feel a bit excited.
She hesitated, saying, “I have high standards. You need to make it first, and then I’ll see if I like it.”
Matthew lowered his gaze and smiled slightly. That’s fair. I’ll do my best.”
Athena quickly said. “I’ll give you your medicine, then we’ll set up the tent and cook some oatmeal.”
She found the tent among the airdropped supplies and set it up with Matthew. Then she took out folding cooking utensils, clean water, spaghetti, and vegetables to cook with him.
After eating, they stargazed together.
After watching the stars, they went to sleep together.
Well, nothing embarrassing happened.
Due to extreme fatigue and prolonged injury, Matthew still had a fever, sleeping fitfully.
Athena worried about his condition and didn’t sleep deeply, waking periodically to check his temperature and condition.
It wasn’t until the next morning when a helicopter arrived to pick them up that Matthew was able to be hospitalized.
Not long after being admitted, Matthew announced through the Graham Group’s official website and various social media platforms via a live stream that he and the local government forces had jointly killed the rebel leader and over five hundred rebels, seeking justice for the victims who died at the hands of the rebels.
Sitting in his hospital bed, facing the camera, he looked firm, and his attitude was resolute as he said, “The mining site will continue operations, strengthening defenses to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
“If such tragedies unfortunately happen again. The Graham Group will spare no effort to hunt down the perpetrators.”
The local government, which hadn’t put in much effort, was quick to take credit. They held a press conference to confirm that Matthew’s claims were true. The rebel leader had been killed and the rebels were retreating from the area.
The news sent shockwaves through Asnaoya, resonating throughout the country and the industry.
People were discussing this matter online and within the industry.
“What a formidable youth. At just 22, he dared to go to Asnaoya alone to pursue the rebels. Such courage and guts could hardly be matched by even the first generation of the Graham family.
“What’s more frightening than his courage is that he followed through and came back alive. As long as he’s here, the Graham Group will remain steady as a rock”
Matthew’s trip to Asnaoya didn’t receive support from his family, and many believed he wouldn’t return unscathed, secretly preparing to accept his power and wealth. Yet under such circumstances, he not only came back safe and sound but also handled the situation adeptly. I believe he has solidified his foundation in the Graham Group. No one can touch him
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anymore.”
The shares of the Graham Group hit a limit-up, reaching a new high in fifteen years, and Matthew’s personal wealth surged
as a result…”
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