She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6
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Athena narrowed her eyes, a cold smirk playing on her lips as she watched the scene unfold in front of her.
The man taking pictures was Lucas Harper, and beside him stood Zoe Murray-her defeated rival. There was another man with them, someone Athena didn’t recognize, but he had the same smug look on his face.
Athena stepped calmly to the side, positioning herself protectively in front of Claire. “What are you doing here?” she asked. her voice steady, without a hint of fear.
Zoe flashed a bright but fake smile. “Athena, we’ve known each other for years. Now that you’ve finally found your birth parents. I just had to come to congratulate you in person.”
Athena’s smile was faint, unreadable. She knew the gossip about her not being the Kennedy family’s real daughter had spread like wildfire, and all those who envied her or hated her were eagerly waiting to see her fall
Zoe, who had always seen her as competition, was no different-ready to strike now that Athena’s shield of privilege had fallen.
But Athena kept quiet, letting them make their move first.
Wesley, unaware of their true intentions, greeted them warmly. “So, you’re Athena’s friends! We’ve prepared lunch. Why don’t you come up and join us?”
“Dad, I’m not close with them,” Athena interrupted, her smile unchanged. They’ve just been bugging me, so don’t feel like you have to entertain them.”
Wesley’s smile faded, and he turned to Zoe and the others with a cold glare. “If Athena doesn’t want to see you, then I’d appreciate it if you left.”
Athena added calmly, “Dad, Mom, please head upstairs first. I’ll take care of this and join you soon.
Wesley’s face grew serious. “No, you and your mother should go home first. I’ll handle this.
.Before Athena could say anything, Zoe cut in loudly, “Athena, how can you say that about us!
“Until last night, you were the pampered daughter of the Kennedy family, the second richest in Kitmore City. You grew up in a mansion, rode in luxury cars, and had servants at your beck and call.
“Now you’ve been tossed out and reduced to living here like some stray. We came as your friends, bearing gifts, and you say we’re not close?”
Athena didn’t flinch as she had seen and heard worse before.
But Wesley and Claire turned pale at Zoe’s words. Their eyes filled with guilt and sadness as they looked at Athena, clearly wanting to say something but too afraid to speak.
Zoe, Teli
relishing the moment, felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. She grabbed the fruit basket from her boyfriend and ripped off the wrapping paper with a sneer. “Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, I bet you’ve never seen fruit like this before.
“These are imported blueberries, Athena’s favorite. They go for over 60 dollars a pound. We got them just for her. Since she doesn’t want us upstairs, you can take the basket. After all, she won’t be able to afford luxuries like this anymore.”
Zoe’s original plan had been to film Athena’s new home and post it online, but after seeing the run-down apartment building, she found it so repulsive she didn’t even want to step inside.
Wesley and Claire’s faces flushed with anger, ready to explode.
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Chapter 6
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Before they could react, Lucas chimed in with a nasty grin. “Athena, we had something special once, didn’t we?”
“Last night was unforgettable. Didn’t you leave your clothes and underwear in my car?” Lucas sneered. “I even promised to bring you back to the Donovans, but you just vanished on me.”
His mind flashed back to the previous night when he’d driven around in his sports car for hours, desperately searching for Athena.
It wasn’t until near dawn that he found out from the Kennedy family’s maid that she’d come home before midnight. The memory fueled his rage, and he vowed to make her life a living hell until she begged to come back to him.
Lucas’s words were far more vicious than Zoe’s taunts, and by now, a small crowd of elderly residents and children had gathered, whispering and pointing at Athena.
“Isn’t that Wesley’s daughter? The one who was kidnapped as a kid? She’s so beautiful, but how could someone so young get mixed up with a man like that? It’s just not right,” one resident muttered.
Another chimed in, “I heard a wealthy family adopted her. She must be used to living in luxury. How’s she ever going to adjust to the modest life of the Donovans?”
Their remarks were like needles piercing Wesley and Claire’s hearts, filling them with pain.
Claire, trembling with rage, clenched her fists and glared at Lucas with tear-filled eyes. “If you keep slandering my daughter, I.. I won’t stand for it..” she stammered, her voice shaking with emotion.
Wesley silently rolled up his sleeves, ready to confront Lucas.
But before he could act, Athena calmly stepped in front of him. Dad, Mom, please trust me. I can handle this. You both should go home first,” she said, her tone composed and reassuring.
Wesley wanted to argue, to tell her she couldn’t handle them on her own, but the determination in her eyes stopped him. There was a quiet strength in her gaze, a promise that she wasn’t bluffing. He realized he needed to respect Athena’s wishes., Taking Claire’s hand, he whispered, “Let’s go upstairs and watch from there. If she needs us, we’ll help chase them off.” Claire looked at Athena, then at the gathered onlookers, her eyes brimming with tears. After a moment, she nodded. “Okay Once they were safely upstairs, Athena stepped forward with grace, her smile serene and unbothered. “Zoe, even if I’m living here now, I’m still smarter, more beautiful, and more elegant than you. No matter how hard you try, you’ll never measure up to me.”
Her words cut Zoe deep, right where it hurt most.
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