She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49
Matthew stopped in front of Athena, gazing intently at her. He handed her a bouquet of flowers and said politely. “Miss Donovan, congratulations on your perfect score in the exams. Please accept these flowers and my best wishes”
Athena let out a soft “Oh” and reached out to take the bouquet of roses. Thank you.”
She then stood there, holding the flowers and staring blankly at Matthew, wondering what she should say.
She felt like she had so much to say, but suddenly couldn’t figure out where to start.
Matthew was also looking at her, thinking about what he should say.
He thought. ‘Should I compliment her lively high ponytail? Mention how cute her yellow duck t-shirt is? Or tell her that the roses really suit her, making her skin look even fairer and healthier, and her eyes even bigger and brighter?
Everyone around them was watching, collectively thinking, “They’re such a perfect match
They really did look perfect together-like the finest sword paired with the perfect sheath. Together, they’d be unstoppable. Of course, Matthew was the sword, and Athena the sheath. Whenever Matthew stood in front of Athena, fis sharp, cold demeanor softened considerably.
They thought. But seriously, why are they just staring at each other without saying anything?
They were not speaking, and nobody else dared to either, afraid that they might accidentally offend Matthew.
Five seconds passed. Then ten Athena and Matthew remained silent, still just staring at each other like two awkward statues, Another five seconds went by. Finally, the crowd couldn’t hold it in anymore and started whispering, “What’s going on? Are they having a conversation with their eyes?”
“Mr. Graham rarely shows up in Kitmore City, and Athena is just a student. How did these two even meet?”
“Mr. Graham came all the way to Zoe’s graduation party just to celebrate Athena? Isn’t that a slap in the face for Zoe?”
The Donovan family glanced at the two of them on stage and listened to the crowd’s murmurs with complicated feelings. thinking. Is Athena about to be… uh… targeted by this mysterious guy?’
Louis finally couldn’t bear to watch any longer. He stepped forward and stood beside Matthew, politely addressing Athena, “Miss Donovan, it’s nice to see you again. I always knew you were outstanding, but I didn’t expect you to achieve such an incredible score. As your friend, I’m truly proud of you.”
The crowd was stunned, thinking, ‘Matthew’s personal secretary is friends with Athena? That’s wild!”
Everyone who had tried to get close to Matthew knew that to even approach him, you first had to win over Louis.
Despite his usual warm smile and refined demeanor, he was incredibly sharp and tough to deal with. People had spent ages trying to get in his good graces, all without success
They thought, ‘How on earth did Athena manage to pull that off
Athena snapped back to reality and politely replied, “Thank you, Louis”
Louis adjusted his glasses with a smile. “You and Mr. Graham really are destined to meet. Back when he was taking exams, he often scored high as well.”
“Oh-Athena’s eyes sparkled with admiration as she looked at Matthew. “You’re really impressive
Matthew thought for a moment. “Not really.”
And just like that, the conversation hit a dead end.
Louis, feeling helpless, turned to Matthew and said quietly, “Mr. Graham, didn’t you say you wanted to invite Miss Donovan
to dinner?”
Matthew gave a slight nod and said politely. “To celebrate Miss Donovan’s achievement and to express my thanks for your help, I’d like to invite you and your family to join me for a casual meal. I hope you’ll honor us with your presence.”
The crowd was buzzing with confusion and disbelief, thinking. Athena helped Mr. Graham? A big shot like him would need help from someone like her? What could she possibly do for him? It just doesn’t add up-there is something really strange about all this…
Meanwhile, Zoe was standing off to the side, her eyes practically shooting flames as jealousy gnawed at her. She felt like everyone’s gaze was stabbing into her like needles, making her wish she could vanish on the spot. But running away would be even more humiliating, so she had no choice but to hang on awkwardly, stuck between wanting to leave, wanting to stay, and feeling too embarrassed to either laugh or cry
She was seething with hatred for Athena. After all these years, nothing had changed. As long as Athena was around, Zoe would forever be a side character, no matter how hard she tried to take center stage.
Athena, seemingly oblivious to Zoe’s existence, blinked and asked. “You’re inviting me to dinner? Uh, okay.
Matthew smiled, a charming curve forming at the corners of his lips. His deep eyes sparkled faintly, and even his voice softened. “It’s a deal, then.”
Athena nodded. “It’s a deal’
And once again, they just stood there staring at each other, neither sure what to say next.
Louis couldn’t take it anymore. He sighed and said, “Mr. Graham, Miss Donovan, this is Miss Murray’s graduation party. Maybe we shouldn’t be hogging the stage and stealing her spotlight”
Matthew gave a slight smile. “Miss Donovan, would you like to sit together?”
Athena nodded. “Sure, let’s sit together.”
She cradled the bouquet and walked off the stage, returning to her seat.
Someone quickly and thoughtfully brought over an extra chair and placed it next to Athena
Matthew sat down beside her, instantly drawing the attention and curiosity of everyone in the room.
Zoe, still standing alone on stage, felt like she was about to burst into tears.
This was supposed to be her night, her graduation party, where she was the star, admired by everyone. She thought, ‘How does it end up like this?”
No one was even looking her way-not even the reporters she had invited. It was as if the entire event had been thrown just for Athena…
She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear…
“Athena, you’ve got some nerve.” Lucas, who had also been trying to cozy up to Matthew, couldn’t hold back his bitterness. As a man, his pride wouldn’t let him be friendly toward someone who might be romantically interested in Athena, so his words came out sharp and sarcastic.
Athena glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and replied c***y, “If I didn’t have some tricks up my sleeve, how could I
Chapter 49
have shaken you off?”
“You” Lucas was practically shaking with anger.
But instead of arguing back, he turned to Matthew, flashing a sly smile. “Mr. Graham, I’m Lucas, Athena’s ex-fiancé. We broke up just a few days ago.
“When we split, Athena was bawling her eyes out, begging me not to leave…”
Matthew cut him off icily. “Mr. Harper, no offense, but you’re not even close to being good enough for Miss Donovan.”
Lucas’s smile froze.
Everyone else was left speechless, thinking, ‘Did Mr. Graham just start defending Athena that quickly? Looks like there’s definitely something going on between them.”
The Donovan family’s anxiety only deepened, thinking, ‘Athena just returned home a few days ago, and now someone is already trying to snatch her away?”
The Kennedy family members were seething with rage, thinking “How does Athena get so lucky? She leaves the Kennedy family, and suddenly she’s rubbing shoulders with big shots like Harry and Matthew? Does she have any shame at all? At such a young age, she’s already using her looks to latch onto powerful men and secure her place in high society?
Especially Gia, who stared daggers at Athena. Beneath her mask, her features twisted with jealousy.
She thought, “This b***h-stealing away the wealth and luxury meant for me for eighteen years isn’t enough; now she has the audacity to go after my man too?”
But Gia swore she would crush Athena with her superior status and power, showing her what social class, disparity, and hopeless ambition really meant. She thought, Athena’s delusions will end in nothing but empty dreams
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