She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69
Archie shivered as he felt the cold, hard edge of the knife on his arm. “W-what does your sister have to do with me? W-what do you want?”
Just moments ago. Matthew had dragged Archie out of his car, knocked him unconscious with a single punch, and brought him here without saying a word. Then, he had unleashed a relentless assault of punches and kicks. Before Archie could even process what was happening, he had been beaten to a pulp by Matthew, unable to defend himself.
Mathew’s eyes were devoid of warmth, his voice equally cold. “Who told you about my sister and Dr. Annie?”
Archie, too frightened to meet his gaze, tried to maintain defiance. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about-
Before he could finish, Matthew slashed his arm with the knife.
Archie cried out in pain, clutching his wound as tears streamed down his face. “Y-you’re bullying me… I’m going to tell Dad. Ouch! It hurts so bad…
“Please don’t cut my face, it’s very precious to me…” Archie sobbed.
As he pleaded, Matthew slashed him again, this time across his face, the cut neither deep nor shallow, and blood began to step out.
Tll ask you one last time. How did you know about my sister and Dr. Annie? Matthew asked with a chilling calm, his eyes unfeeling.
Standing at the side, Louis chimed in, “Mr. Archie, I advise you to confess. If the injuries on your face aren’t treated promptly, you could end up disfigured.”
The word “disfigured” filled Archie with a deep sense of dread.
Covering the wound on his face, Archie bawled as he said, “This morning, I-I received a photo and a message. It said your and your sister were in contact with Dr. Annie, and you were planning to take your girlfriend to see your sister because she might be in critical condition.”
Matthew’s eyes narrowed with menace. “Hand over your phone, and I might let you leave in one piece.
The threat in Matthew’s words was palpable to Archie.
“W-what do you mean by leave in one piece?” Archie asked in a trembling voice.
Matthew’s face remained impassive. “Do you think Farrah became crippled by accident?” he uttered coolly,
Archie gasped in shock, his face turning pale. “Did Farrah really fall off the bridge because of you?”
Matthew’s lips curled up into a subtle smirk, his gaze cold as ice. What do you think?”
“She’s your stepmother.. Archie’s voice quivered with horror, realizing he might have underestimated Matthew. “You’ll end up in prison for this…”
“Prison” Matthew chuckled coldly. “I’m a law-abiding citizen. I don’t do things that would land me in prison. Just like my mother’s death from the fall, and the deaths within the Graham mily-they’re all accidents. No one will end up in prison. Perhaps one day, your mother will follow in my mother’s and Farrah’s footsteps.”
Archie was terrified to his core. “D-don’t you dare…” he stammeret, failing to sound intimidating.
Matthew’s eyes narrowed with a ruthless glint. “You need to understand, I don’t tolerate nonsense.”
1/3
Chapter 69
The ominous tension in the air intensified as Matthew pressed the knife’s tip against Archie’s face, poised to make another
“My assistant sent it to mel” Archic cried out in desperation, completely surrendering himself. “Check my phone. His name is Samuel Finch. The one called Doormat Sam.”
Without needing further instruction, Louis picked up Archie’s phone, tapped it a few times, and handed it to Matthew, “Found it.”
Samuel had forwarded a photo and a message to Archie. The photo showed a girl with her back to the camera, revealing part of her profile. She was looking down at her phone, and the camera captured the edge of the phone screen, which displayed the words “Lucy Graham” and “Dr. Annie
Though the girl’s face and hairstyle were obscured, it was clear to both Matthew and Louis that it was Athena. The Thessage read. [Lucy Graham is in critical condition, with Dr. Annie personally treating her. This girl is Matthew’s rumored girlfriend, likely going to see Lucy for the last time.]
Matthew stood up, put away the small knife, and said calmly, “Bring Samuel Finch here. We must find the mastermind behind this.
“Yes,” Louis responded and walked out swiftly.
Still in tears, Archie pleaded, “Matthew… Just interrogate Samuel and let me go. I don’t know anything. All I did was pass on the photo and message. I didn’t do anything else, I swear…
Matthew gazed down at Archie with a chilling smile. “Who do you think I am? Do you think I’d just let you off so easily?”
Recalling Farrah’s gruesome fate, Archie felt a surge of fear. He instinctively protested, “Others are spreading the news too. W-why are you only targeting-
Archie was seized by the neck before he could even finish speaking.
Matthew tightened his grip on Archie’s neck, lifting him with a bloodthirsty glare. “It’s because you’re the most useless and the easiest to handle,” he uttered, each word measured and deliberate. He then dragged the struggling Archie to the edge of the pool and threw him into the water. With a detached expression, Mathew watched as Archie flailed, choking on water and gasping for air.
The pool wasn’t large, about 5 feet high with a water level of just over 3 feet. Normally, this wouldn’t pose a problem for someone of Archie’s height, but now bruised and swollen, he had no strength to swim
Archie struggled to stay afloat, desperately trying to cling to the pool’s edge. While he did manage to clutch the edge, the smooth walls made it impossible to climb out, and he kept sliding back into the water. Eventually, he was utterly spent. He clung to the edge of the pool, propping his chin up, with his feet on the bottom and most of his body submerged.
“Matthew, my only brother, please forgive me… I won’t do it again. Please just let me go this time,” Archie begged weakly, water spilling from his mouth as he spoke..
Matthew ignored him, stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him. Standing in front of the one-way glass, he watched Archie suffer while dialing Athena’s number.
The call connected immediately, and a smile slowly spread across his face. His voice remained frosty but softened with a touch of warmth. “Miss Donovan, this is Matthew. I’ll send you a photo shortly. Someone has been following you and taking pictures. Be careful.”