She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54
Louis walked over and opened the car door. “Welcome, Miss Maria.”
Maria hopped out of the car, beaming. “Mom, Dad, Arthur, Josie, and Athena-you’re all really here! I was so worried 1 might’ve gotten into a sketchy car and was being scammed.”
She rubbed her nose sheepishly and added, “But then I thought, who’d bother scamming someone like me? I guess I was j just overthinking it”
Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you say you couldn’t get the night off? How did you manage to come here?”
Maria shot a grateful glance at Louis. “He called me and said his boss wanted to treat our family to dinner, and it wouldn’t be the same if I wasn’t there.
“I told him I had to stay at the shop, so the driver he sent bought out all the fruit tea. The manager let us close early after that.”
When Louis called her, the luxury sports car he’d sent was already waiting outside the fruit tea shop. The driver had been incredibly polite, even buying every drink in the store, causing a small commotion and earning plenty of envious stares.
Maria had never been treated like this before; it felt like something out of a drama, and she could hardly believe it was real..
It wasn’t until Louis video-called her and showed her that her parents were indeed with him that she finally felt safe enough
to get in the car.
The Donovan family turned to look at Matthew, their expressions softening a little.
Athena smiled and said to Matthew, Thank you for bringing her here.”
Matthew responded politely, “It was my pleasure. This way, please-
He guided everyone into the club, pressed the elevator button for them, and led them to a private room on the top floor. Inside, a table full of delicious food was waiting, the dishes still hot and fragrant, clearly just prepared.
This perfectly timed meal was another sign of Matthew’s thoughtful planning.
Matthew even pulled out a chair for Athena, with the air of a gentleman. “Miss Donovan, please take a seat.”
The Donovan family exchanged looks. Though they still weren’t fully on board with Matthew, they had to admit he was treating Athena with genuine respect.
Athena, a bit flustered, sat down. “Oh, thank you.”
The others waited for Matthew to sit before taking their seats.
Louis remained standing, serving soup to each person and asking whether they preferred wine or a non-alcoholic drink, before pouring accordingly.
Only after finishing these tasks did he sit down next to Maria, saying politely, “Both Mr. Graham and I are Miss Donovan’s friends. This is just a casual gathering, so please relax-no pressure to drink, just enjoy yourselves and have a good time.”
His warm, courteous, and attentive manner made the Donovan family feel respected, unlike when they had been in the hotel lobby earlier, where they felt more like they were being watched as a spectacle.
Matthew smiled and raised his champagne glass. “T’d like to first toast Miss Donovan and celebrate her excellent exam results. As her friend, I’m truly proud of her accomplishments.”
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Chapter 54
Athena raised her glass of juice and clinked it against his. “Thank you.”
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After finishing his champagne) Matthew poured himself another glass and raised it again. “This next toast is for Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, as well as Miss Donovan’s brother and sisters. Miss Donovan is lucky to have such a loving family, and I’m genuinely happy for her.”
The Donovan family loved hearing those words, Even Arthur’s expression softened a bit. They all raised their glasses and exchanged toasts with Matthew.
After finishing the second drink, Matthew took a sip of soup and said. “Please, Miss Donovan, everyone, make yourselves comfortable.”
Seeing him begin to eat, the others finally picked up their forks and spoons.
Matthew kept quiet after that, leaving Louis to take over the role of keeping the atmosphere lively.
As he ate, he introduced the background and cooking methods of each dish, mixing in some funny anecdotes and lighthearted jokes. Occasionally, he would help Maria and Josie with some food, which quickly put them at ease.
The Donovan family was clearly enjoying Louis’s hospitality. Maria and Josie, in particular, quickly warmed up, laughing and chatting with him as if they had known him for years, completely relaxed.
Meanwhile, Wesley and Claire quietly observed Matthew while eating.
Arthur, on the other hand, couldn’t help but keep scrutinizing Matthew, searching for any flaws.
But even he had to admit, Matthew carried himself with grace and never showed the slightest hint of disrespect toward their
Athena
What really irked him was how Matthew and Athena looked ridiculously well-matched sitting together.
Although Matthew seemed focused on his meal, he was actually observing the Donovan family, too.
He quickly noticed Arthur’s phone, Josie’s watch, and Maria’s handbag, all of which caught his attention. These weren’t just ordinary luxury items.
Given the Donovan family’s financial situation and connections, it seemed unlikely they could afford such high-end pieces He thought, ‘Could it have something to do with Athena?’
Seizing a moment while Athena went to the restroom, Matthew casually remarked, “Mr. Donovan, your phone has a really tasteful design. Where did you get it? I’ve been thinking of getting one myself.”
Arthur grinned smugly. “Athena gave it to me. You can’t find it anywhere. Jealous?”
Arthur thought, ‘What’s so special about being a big shot? Even someone like him can’t buy this phone, no matter how much money he has
“Definitely jealous, Matthew replied with a smile. “Where did Miss Donovan get it?”
Arthur chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “Not telling you.”
Matthew just smiled back and didn’t press the issue.
When Matthew didn’t say anything for a while, Arthur couldn’t hold back anymore. “You don’t live in Kitmore City, do you? So how did you and Athena even-meet?”
Wesley and Claire also put down their forks, their eyes sharp and focused on Matthew,
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Chapter 54
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Matthew paused briefly, and when he noticed Athena returning, he said, “Miss Donovan, Arthur is curious about how we met. Is it okay if I share?”
Athena blinked. “Of course.”
The way they met was completely aboveboard, and she hadn’t shared any secrets with Matthew, so there was nothing to hide.
Matthew then explained, “A friend of mine was sick and really wanted to be treated by the famous Dr. Annie.
He briefly recounted how he sought Athena’s help to reach out to Annie for Lucy, though he deliberately left out the part about Lucy’s identity, simply saying he was helping a friend.
Hearing this, the Donovan family visibly relaxed.
They thought. So far, Matthew seems like a decent person-going out of his way to come to Kitmore City for a friend and treating Athena with respect. Normally, someone like him probably isn’t up to anything shady!
At the same time, they couldn’t help but feel tempted, thinking, Dr. Annie is clearly very skilled-maybe we can ask Athena to help arrange for her to treat our elderly relatives as well?
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