She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5
“That’s right,” Cora confirmed. “But after all this time, the medical staff I tracked down couldn’t remember if the other baby was a boy or a girl. If you want real answers, you’ll have to ask your birth parents.”
Athena acknowledged this with a thoughtful hum, emotions churning in her chest.
Cora added. “Both the Donovan and Kennedy twins were born on the same day. A fire broke out in the hospital early that morning. The staff only managed to save two babies, saying one belonged to the Donovans and the other to the Kennedys.
“But the truth is, both babies were from the Donovan family, and you were handed over to the Kennedys as their surviving daughter.”
Athena frowned, suspicion creeping into her voice. That sounds shady. There’s a good chance there was arson and child theft involved”
“It’s possible.” Cora agreed over the phone. The hospital director’s wife had suffered a traumatic loss two months before the fire when she gave birth to twins who didn’t make it. That loss broke her mentally.
“After the fire, the director paid off both the Donovan and Kennedy families before moving abroad with his wife. Interestingly, while they were overseas, they had twins again, who came back to the country last year, I’ve confirmed that those twins are actually Isaac and Regina Kennedy’s biological children.”
Athena’s expression cleared as the pieces fell into place. “So, the director and his wife used the fire as cover to steal the Kennedys twins and then passed me off as the surviving daughter,”
Cora added, “I questioned the hospital director and his wife privately. He swore on his faith that he didn’t start the fire. He claimed that in the chaos, he impulsively took the Kennedy twins and told his wife their babies hadn’t died. Her mental state improved because of it, and she’s fully recovered now?”
After a pau
pause, Cora asked, “Do you want more details about the Kennedy twins?”
Athena shook her head. “Do they have anything to do with me?
“No, not directly,” Cora answered.
“Then I don’t care,” Athena said firmly. “My priority is finding out who sent those letters and the real story behind the fire.”
“Got it,” Cora said. “I’ll keep digging until we get to the bottom of this.”
“Thanks, Athena said softly. “By the way, any updates on my mentor? Even the slightest clue would help.”
Six years ago, Athena’s mentor had handed her the reins of Vission Group, guiding her step by step.
In just two years, the mentor transferred control of the medical labs, physics research centers, and an astronomical observatory to her before disappearing from Kitmore City without a trace.
Despite her mentor’s brilliance, Athena couldn’t shake the worry that gnawed at her.
After a brief silence, Cora replied, “Nothing new yet, but I’m not giving up.”
Athena sighed softly, murmured her thanks, and ended the call. She then pressed the brakes, letting her thoughts wander as
she sat in her car.
Considering her birth parents had been financially stable back den and received a large payout, Athena couldn’t help but wander how they’d ended up in such poverty.
‘Maybe I’ll figure it out when I get to the Donovans, she mused.
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Chapter 5
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Shaking off the thoughts, Athena glanced out the window, realizing she was just five or six minutes from her destination. But the road ahead was blocked, causing a massive traffic jam, with police cars scattered across the scene.
Athena checked her watch-almost noon. At this rate, she might not make it in time.
After a moment’s hesitation, Athena got out of the car and walked up to a nearby pedestrian bridge to get a better look at the situation. About 660 feet ahead, she could make out several large banners with bold letters and hear the crowd’s loud chanting.
One banner screamed. “Regret buying an apartment in Bard Garden? You’ll regret it for the rest of your life!”
Another boldly declared, Three years overdue! Families left homeless, kids without schools!”
“Blood, sweat, and tears for mortgage payments… and still no home!”
“Please help those who poured their life savings into a house they can’t even enter!”
It turned out that homeowners from a nearby development were gathered at the entrance, staging a large protest.
Athena watched them with a quiet sigh, feeling genuine sympathy for their struggle.
Without a word, she returned to her car and navigated into a strall alley to avoid the traffic.
The detour would take longer, but it was better than being stuck. After weaving through the back streets, she finally arrived at Viento Court.
Viento Court used to be an apartment for employees. It was an old place, but still clean and quiet, with lots of open space.
The area mostly housed older residents now, with few young people around. After all, a young or wealthy person wouldn’t want to live in a neighborhood that should’ve been demolished years ago.
The community had a few residential buildings, none taller than six stories. The exterior walls were worn, paint peeling, and the building numbers had faded.
Athena parked at the entrance and asked the security guard for directions. Soon enough, she found Building No. 6, where couple in their fifties stood waiting outside.
The man was dressed in a black suit and polished leather shoes, while the woman wore a blue dress and high heels. Their clothes were a bit outdated, but they were spotless and well-kept, radiating a kind of old-world dignity.
The woman kept glancing at her phone, clearly waiting for a message. Meanwhile, the man was on his tiptoes, shading his eyes with his hand as he scanned the area. They were obviously expecting someone.
Athena recognized them immediately-Wesley and Claire Donovan. Just a few days ago, she had met them at the hospital when they all had a paternity test done.
After their blood was drawn, Wesley had taken a phone call, and he and Claire had rushed-off, so they hadn’t had much of a chance to talk. Although Athena recognized them, she still didn’t know much about them.
When the couple spotted her, their faces lit up with a mix of joy and nervousness. They hurried over, stopping a few steps away, their hands trembling as they reached out to take hers but then pulled back.
Wesley stammered, “Athena… is it okay if we call you that?”
Athena smiled warmly, “Of course.”
Claire nervously rubbed her hands together. “Athena, we’ve been so happy ever since we found you! This is the best thing
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that’s happened to us in years.
“It’s just that… our family doesn’t have much. We’re so sorry.”
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Athena saw the sincerity in their faces and smiled gently. “It’s okay. I’ve had a good life so far, and that won’t change. Your don’t need to give me anything or feel bad about it, she reassured them.
After a brief pause, she added, “If there’s something we want bu don’t have, let’s work together to get it.”
Her heartfelt words deeply moved Wesley and Claire, and their eyes welled with tears. If they hadn’t been worried about overwhelming their daughter at their first real meeting, they might have broken down right then and there.
Wesley quickly composed himself and laughed, “The food’s ready. Let’s head upstairs and talk over lunch, shall we?”
Athena nodded. “Sure.”
Just as they started to walk, a woman’s high-pitched voice rang out behind them, “Athena, wait!”
Athena instinctively turned towards the voice, only to be met with the rapid clicks of cameras as a man and a woman frantically snapped photos with their phones.
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