She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40
Zoe watched Wesley closely and said earnestly, “Mr. Donovan, all the other students have brought their parents. Do you really want Athena to be the only one here without hers?”
Her words made Wesley clench his teeth. “Alright then. Zoe, please lead the way.”
Zoe guided Wesley and his family into the hall, across the red carpet, and over to the main table near the stage.
Then, she addressed the people already seated, “Attention please allow me to introduce you. This is Athena’s father, mother, brother, and sister.”
The people at the main table were all influential figures. They had never encountered someone as unremarkable as Wesley.
They cast a brief, indifferent glance at the Donovan family, nodded slightly, and then turned away to resume their
conversations.
The Donovan family felt the disdain in the air. They didn’t greet anyone, instead scanning the room, trying to spot Athena.
“Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, please have a seat,” Zoe said with a smile. “Athena will be here soon.”
“Thank you.” Wesley replied, barely maintaining his composure as he guided Claire to a seat.
There were just enough chairs to seat all four of them at the table
Zoe, still smiling, said. “Make yourselves comfortable. I have some things to take care of
As soon as she left, the people she had planted began mocking the Donovan family.
“Is Athena too embarrassed by her own family to even show up?
“How did they end up at the main table? Do they really think they belong here?”
“These country bumpkins have no idea what they’re doing. They think they’re someone important just because they’re here for the first time.
Arthur was boiling with anger, ready to slam the table in outrage,
But Wesley grabbed his shoulder and whispered, “Calm down. I’ll call Athena and see where she is.”
He had no idea that as soon as he pulled out his phone, a student would shout in excitement, “Hey, look at this! What kind of phone is that? I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Zoe’s group jumped at the chance to join in.
“I remember seeing a phone like that when I was a kid. It was all the rage ten years ago. It’s totally outdated now, but who knows, maybe it’s worth something in a second-hand or antique market.”
“I change my phone at least once a year, but Athena’s real dad hasn’t changed his in ten years. That’s dedication! You don’t see that kind of thriftiness much these days..
“Click-A bunch of them started taking pictures of Wesley, shouting excitedly. “I’m posting this on Twitter and Facebook. Everyone’s got to see what a phone from ten years ago looks like
Despite everything he had been through, even Wesley couldn’t help but feel humiliated. He instinctively shoved the phone back into his pocket
Seeing Wesley ridiculed, Arthur’s eyes blazed with anger. He suddenly stood up and shouted, “It’s just a phone! Let me show
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Chapter 40
you what a real phone looks like!”
BK 89%
He pulled out the phone Athena had given him, waved it around, and then threw it straight into the boiling broth
Everyone stared at him in shock, thinking. Has he lost his mind?”
Arthur smirked, grabbed a ladle, and stirred the broth before fishing out the phone.
To everyone’s astonishment, the phone was completely intact, not even greasy, with just a few drops of water clinging to it
Arthur wiped the phone off with a napkin and dialed a number.
Athena’s voice came through the speaker. “Arthur, I’m on my way, I’ll be there soon. Is everything okay? Nothing happened, right?”
The room erupted in gasps of disbelief.
“Oh my God, what kind of phone is that? It was in the broth for so long and it’s still working perfectly?”
“This phone looks amazing, like a piece of art…
“Hey, where did you get that phone, bro? How much did it cost? I want one too.”
“Did anyone catch a photo of the phone in the broth? If you did, send it to me ASAP-I’m posting it on TikTok, hurry!”
Arthur ignored them, smiling as he spoke into the phone, ‘Athena, no need to rush. Take your time. I will handle things
Here
He then hung up, set the phone on the table, grabbed a steak knife, and suddenly started stabbing the phone’s screen.
Again and again……..
Everyone watched in stunned silence, thinking, ‘What is he doing now?”
Someone couldn’t help but feel sorry for the phone. “That phone is so beautiful… What a waste…
“Did the phone do something to you? Why are you destroying it?”
But then someone noticed something strange and gasped.
“Oh my God, the phone isn’t even scratched-not a single crack!
“Holy crap! The phone really isn’t damaged-this is unreal…
Arthur put down the knife, picked up the phone, and opened the camera app. “Let me show you what this phone’s camera can do.”
He aimed the camera at the flower bushes outside the entrance, took a picture, and showed it to the crowd. “Can your phones do this?”
Everyone gasped in awe.
“That’s got to be at least fifty yards away, and it’s so clear, like a close-up!”
“It’s almost as good as a DSLR…”
The students who had mocked Wesley’s phone earlier quickly slunk back into the crowd, too embarrassed to say another word
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Chapter 40
Just as Arthur was about to keep showing off, a loud voice boomed from the entrance, “The Kennedy family has arrived
All conversation stopped as everyone turned to look at the entrance.
The Donovan family members felt a chill run through them, their expressions growing tense. It was clear now-the event. they’d come to tonight was a setup.
At the far end of the room, the dazzling Kennedy family of four made their entrance, immediately drawing everyone’s
attention.
Isaac was dressed in a sharp black tailored suit, his hair perfectly styled, and his diamond tie clip and watch gleamed under the lights.
Regina wore a blue evening gown, dripping in jewels, her flawless makeup expertly masking the effects of cosmetic procedures, giving her the appearance of a stunningly elegant lady.
On one side of them stood a tall, handsome young man with an air of sophistication, wearing a half-face mask.
On the other side was a young girl in a pink princess dress, silver high heels, and chestnut curts cascading down to her waist.
The girl’s face was adorned with an exquisite butterfly mask, her skin as pale as snow, lips as red as cherries, radiating an aura of pure royalty.
“Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, Andrew, Gia, welcome!” Zoe, who had been keeping a low profile until now, suddenly appeared and stepped forward to greet them. “This way, please.”
She led the Kennedy family of four to an empty table right next to the Donovan family’s. “Please, have a seat.”
The entire room erupted in quiet laughter, thinking, Zoe has seated the Kennedy family right next to the Donovan family+ how devious!
Wesley and his family looked even more uncomfortable.
Isaac had noticed the Donovan family the moment he entered. As soon as he sat down, he greeted them, “Mr. Donovan, Mrs. Donovan, you’re here too.”
Wesley replied c**ly, “Yes, sorry to disappoint you!”
“Not at all, we’re delighted to see you,” Isaac said politely. “After all, we raised Athena for eighteen years, so we know her well. This is the perfect chance to teach you how to bring her up properly.”
The crowd chuckled to themselves, thinking. As expected, these two families are clearly at odds.
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