《Dark Revenge of an unwanted wife the twins are not yours》


 Chapter 1: Divorce

    <h4>Chapter 1: Divorce</h4>


    "Ewan, I want a divorce."


    Athena spoke, finding her voice a minute after seeing her husband, Ewan, and his self-acimed best friend, Fiona, in an intimate position on the ck, long, plushy L-shaped, gold trimmed sofa in the sitting room.


    What good husband would abandon his wife to grief today? What good husband would choose his work¡ªor rather mistress now¡ªto spending at least five minutes to mourn with his wife over her mother''s death? What good husband was that cold hearted?


    Seeing them had brought to her remembrance the unttering, yet heartbreaking picture that Fiona had sent to her two days ago; of Ewan sleeping at Fiona''s home, in her bed, intertwined with her.


    Athena had been beyond pained then, but now she just let out a sarcasticugh.


    Divorce?


    Athena had always thought it an abstract event, relegated to certain people, but not her. Yet at this moment, this was the only thing she wanted to do. Oh, the tides of life!


    She watched now as Fiona dealt her a withering re before slithering out of the arms of Ewan who had turnedzily to see the disrupter of his peace.


    "What did you just say, Athena?" Ewan asked, sitting up properly on the sofa, his countenance, a canvas of aloofness. A bystander would think that he was asking about the weather, or inquiring about the time.


    "I''ve had enough, Ewan. Grant me a divorce." Athena answered, mping down the hurt and searing pain that was threatening to mask her face on seeing Fiona slip her right hand into Ewan''s open palm.


    Was that a solidarity stance? Athena wasn''t sure, but it pained her the most; her heart tethered on breakage the most when Ewan sped, and covered Fiona''s hand with an attitude that suggested normalcy.


    Athena felt faint then, yet she stood her ground, choosing to see the end of this matter there and then, before disappearing to grieve two losses. She believed that she had no choice at the moment.


    Seeing that Ewan didn''t care for her emotions, had never cared actually, it would be stupid of her to break down in tears before them. Her foolishness and naivety of three years ended here. She no longer had the desire to thaw the ice that was Ewan Gietti.


    "I told you from the very beginning." Ewan started, rubbing gentle slow circles on Fiona''s palm.


    An act, which Athena swallowed bravely amidst the withering ache that assailed her heart, without blinking an eyelid.


    "There would be no easy way out of this marriage. Not until I get what I want from you and that day looks to be a long way off. Unfortunately, cliche though it may seem, you''ve made this bed and we both have toy in it."


    "I can''t live like this anymore, Ewan. Yes, stupid me made the bed, but I think we should get rid of the bed at this point. There is no use lying on it again." Athena attempted the dark humor with a chuckle, resting nonchntly by a wall, choosing to take up the aloof countenance that her husband was sporting. She knew she couldn''t cower at this point.


    On her lips were a chilly smile that grated on Fiona''s nerves, and in her eyes were a mixture of stark hatred and anger which unsettled Ewan deeply.


    Ewan stood then, so instant and aggressive¡ªthe first crack in his aloof countenance¡ªthat Athena''s right hand unconsciously flew over her stomach.


    This action didn''t go unnoticed by Fiona, whose mind wheels were already in motion.


    "Do you think I''m happy being with you?" Ewan asked, unable to mask the tremor in his voice, still raking in a shallow unbelief that Athena would want to dispose of him nonchntly.


    Had her love been fake all this while? Well, wasn''t she her father''s daughter?


    "I need a divorce too, wife. But first, you need to bring forth a son for your father, so that he can return my property to me." He covered the distance between them as he dropped the bombshell.


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows, not understanding what property Ewan was talking about. "What are you talking about, Ewan?"


    "The illiterate breeder feigns ignorance."


    Athena bristled at Fiona''s snidement, but she didn''t grab the bait.


    Ignoring the jab at her education status, another cruelty of life to her, she concentrated on the other two disturbing factors. Breeder? Property? What were the two idiots talking about?


    She had thought that Ewan''s obsession with a son had been because of the maintenance of his noble lineage, and to further cement the union of the twopanies that had been at loggerheads with each other since forever. However, she was beginning to think that there was more to the story, more that her father had kept hidden from her.


    This knowledge pushed her to tighten her hand over her stomach, as if to protect the child that she recently found had taken sce in her womb.


    Athena had gotten the great news two days ago, but had decided to keep it under the wraps till after her mother''s funeral. Foolish her had thought she could thaw Ewan''s cold heart with the news, but with these new revtions, she knew that was an impossible matter.


    She didn''t know of her father''s role in her marriage, only that he had persuaded her, his only child, to marry Ewan, but she wouldn''t leave her child in the hands of two cold men.


    "You want to be gone?" She heard Ewan ask, his voice retrieving its cold and aloof quality.


    She nodded her head slowly, holding his gaze, unruffled when his blue eyes got darker with rage at her answer.


    "Then give me a son. Until then, take that thought of divorce off your head. Hopefully, your barren womb will take pity on us, and conceive after this night."


    "No way! I will never ever-"


    But before Athena could finish her statement, Ewan, with an insane speed and agility, to the surprise of both women, carried Athena on his shoulders, and trudged angrily towards their bedroom.

 Chapter 2: An Accusation

    <h4>Chapter 2: An usation</h4>


    Slick with sweat and limp with ecstasy, Athena copsed back into the bed, her mind befogged by the mind-blowing sex with Ewan.


    Her slender form was still severely racked by the spasms of her strong release. And her earlier smouldering rage had subsided significantly.


    Athena knew if she prolonged campaigning for her separation from Ewan, that she might never really leave him.


    Yes, the sex was that good. It was one thing she wouldn''t fault Ewan for. He was good in bed, so good that it numbed her of her thoughts most times, probably why she had remained in this marriage this long. But no more.


    Within seconds of their shared orgasm, Ewan had untangled, disengaged, and distanced himself from her, lying on his back next to her withboured, ragged breathing.


    Even after all this time, his words¡ªwhich were usually wrenched from him at his climax¡ªremained suspended in the air between them and continued to cause more pain than was necessary.


    "Give me a son, Athena..."


    With those five words, he inevitably killed the afterglow, destroyed the intimacy of the moment and relegated the act into nothing more than a biological imperative.


    After three years of the same, Athena had finally realized that it would never change. It had taken the events of today to tell her that.


    That''s why she held strong to her own five words!


    They were words that had been on the tip of her tongue since he had met her in the bedroom after sending Fiona home two hours ago; words that had coated her mouth when he had plunged into her; words that she could no longer swallow back, no matter how much it killed her to say them.


    She sat up naked, her body still trembling, and drew her knees to her chest. She wrapped her arms around her legs, pressed her cheek to her knees and watched as his breathing steadied; his own shaking was subsiding slightly.


    Ewany spread-eagled, also magnificently nude. His eyes were shut but she knew he wasn''t asleep. No, he would take a few moments topose himself before heading for the shower, where she always imagined him frantically scrubbing her scent and touch from his bronzed skin.


    She could no longer contain the words and they spilled from her lips with desperate earnestness.


    "I still want a divorce, Ewan. I won''t demand for anything else. Please, just let me go." <i>Please let me and your child go.</i>


    Ewan tensed, every single muscle in his body went as tight as a coiled spring, before he turned his head to meet her watchful gaze. His eyes were hooded and his upper lip curled mockingly.


    "But I thought you loved me, Athena. You reveled me with that in the early months of our marriage..." He taunted with exquisite cruelty and Athena lowered her eyelids, trying to mask the shaft of pain in his words.


    When she was sure she had her emotions under control, she once again lifted her eyes to his dark gaze.


    "Not anymore," She managed, hoping the lie sounded convincing. "Things change."


    "What things?" Ewan rolled onto his side and propped himself up onto his elbow, resting his head on his hand.


    "Feelings, and I''ve changed." Athena answered softly.


    Ewan chuckled. A snide chuckle, which caused her to flinch more than words would.


    And just when she thought he wouldn''t answer her again, she heard him speak, coldly.


    "Maybe for you... I actually don''t care..." Ewan shrugged. "But like I told you earlier today; no son, no divorce. That isn''t hard now to grasp, is it?"


    "Fiona would be happy to carry your son. Why don''t you get married to her? You seem to love her." Athena asked, burying her face in her knees, fighting to keep the tears at bay.


    "I wish. But it isn''t Fiona that holds the treasure..." Ewan answered. "This is thest time we will discuss this." He added, before getting up and walking, naked, to the en-suite bathroom, where she believed he dutifully scrubbed her scent off his body.


    Athena heard the shower start momentster and took a few seconds topose herself, swiping the hot tears from her face with the backs of both hands before dragging on a gauzy peignoir and heading toward the kitchen to make herself a hot drink.


    While she was sitting on a bar stool, sipping her hot chocte fifteen minutester, she felt Ewan''s presence behind her and the hairs in the nape of her neck stood on end. His aura was colder than usual. <i>What happened now?</i>


    "What is the meaning of this, Athena? Who is this man?" He asked with a voice of steel, gently dropping a phone in front of her, before fisting his hands by his side.


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows as she stared into his phone. Her eyes widened in unbelief when she saw herself, no, definitely not her, in the arms of a naked man on a bed. It looked so intimate, so real, that she almost baffed.


    Her eyes then strayed to the sender of the message. It was Fiona. She scoffed.


    "That''s not me. It''s edited. Nice work though, by Fiona, the best friend."


    Shemented flippantly, about to take up the cup for a sip of hot chocte, when Ewan gently stopped her midway¡ªby cing his hand on the cup, or rather, on her hand on the cup.


    Athena jerked involuntarily, her hand leaving the cup, as if his touch had burned her, causing the cup to fall to the ground and break in pieces. Ewan never touched her, unless they were in bed.


    Her eyes traveled to Ewan, when he took the next stool to hers, confused when she saw the whirl of emotions there.


    There was anger, there was confusion, and there was...she didn''t want to believe it, didn''t want to admit it, but there was hurt too, and jealousy¡ªif she wanted to humor herself.


    But why would he feel that way? Ewan hated her; he reminded her of that on a daily basis, either by his sparse words, or his cold actions.


    "You can talk to me, Athena. For one, I know this wasn''t edited. So, tell me, Athena, who is this man?"


    "That is not me, Ewan. I have never cheated on you before. You should ask your best friend where she bought the image from rather." She stated, her hand flying to her stomach, when Ewan pounded his right fist on the table angrily.


    She had never seen him like this, had never seen him crack like this. Seeing her with another man must have unsettled him greatly. If she had known about this secret earlier...she might have gone out often with her best friend, Gianna.


    "Do you take me as a fool, Athena? Fiona can never lie to me! Why would she? I gave you a chance to redeem yourself, either by a truth or a lie, yet you chose to deny the picturepletely. You think it a joke to taint my reputation? Do you know this is all over the socials??" Ewan shouted at Athena in rage, losing control of himself for the first time, not understanding why she would cheat on him, not understanding the exact reason why he was shouting.


    Didn''t she love him? He queried himself for the second time today. What has changed?


    Athena stood up then, drawing strength from the baby in her womb, not believing that he would believe such farce, yet knowing that he would always choose Fiona over her, at every turn. "Ewan, that is not me."


    "I think I have seen enough of your body, Athena, to know if you are the one. Put on a dress, wife. We are going to see your father. Seems you will be getting that divorce after all." Ewan spoke, his voice re-attaining its cold and aloof quality, his emotions congealing once more into ice.

 Chapter 3: Betrayed

    <h4>Chapter 3: Betrayed</h4>


    Athena maintained a stoic face as she was pushed to the center of the hall where a council of elders presided over issues emanating from the elites in the region. Not even her father''s look of disappointment and disgust was able to excite an emotion out of her.


    He hadn''t believed her words the previous night, when Ewan had taken her to her home, rather he had kept cursing her for being as useless as her mother. Her father never forgave his wife for not giving him a son, before her death.


    The only person that had believed her was Gianna. No one else from the elitemunity, or the public. If her mother had been alive, then...


    "Athena Moore, you know why you are here right?"


    Athena''s attention returned to the matter on ground, when she heard Fiona''s father speak. He was one of the elders in the ruling council, and of course, he hated her.


    She shook her head mechanically to his question, eliciting murmurs from the crowd that had added up from the two families involved in the case. They couldn''t believe her audacity.


    "Athena, we are not here to y around. How can you not know why you are here? You have been used of cheating on Mr Ewan of the Gietti n. What do you have to say on the matter?" Another elder asked, taking the reins of the interrogation.


    "I didn''t cheat on Ewan. If there was a cheat in our marriage, then it should be him. Weren''t you all aware of his improper rtionship with his best friend, Fiona? Frolicking with a mistress, under the guise of friendship..." Athena chuckled about the smartness of the arrangement, before speaking again.


    "Did y''all say anything? Was Ewan sanctioned for disregarding the sacred union?" She questioned calmly, struggling to put her rageful emotions on hold. Bursting out in anger won''t help her in the council.


    Fiona''s father scoffed. "What insolence! Do you have proof? Has your unfounded jealousy driven you to cheat on him with another man? Don''t change us from the discourse, youngdy. Tell us why youmitted this disgraceful act, on the eve of your mother''s funeral. Isn''t that cruel?"


    Athena inhaled deeply, feeling the jab sink straight into her heart and increase the pain that was already there to a hundred-fold. They would include her mother into this too?


    At this point, she hated herself for ever choosing Ewan. If only she could turn back the hands of time.


    "I didn''t sleep with another man. That picture was edited, or the woman isn''t me." She managed to answer, her hands remaining as fists by her side.


    There was an outbreak ofughter in the crowd.


    "Do you think us stupid, Athena? That picture isn''t edited. You have been caught in the act. Be truthful, and we can perhaps reduce your sentence." Fiona''s father requested.


    Athena smiled then, annoying the hell out of Ewan who was still seething in anger over being betrayed by an illiterate woman.


    Ewan couldn''t believe that Athena had the audacity to smile while on trial. She should be ashamed, begging for mercy, and not smiling.


    "You want me to lie, Elder Alfonso? I''m sorry, but I can''t. That is not me."


    Elder Alfonso smirked at Athena''s response. "Okay then. What were you doing at hotel Lafoon two days ago, before your mother''s burial?" He asked, standing up, and sharing a bunch of papers to the other elders on the governing council.


    The paper depicted the records of a room that had been booked by Athena.


    "You were meeting a man. Weren''t you? The CCTV had captured that."


    Athena smiled again, grating on the nerves of the people. She already knew where they were heading to with this. It''s a good thing then, that Luca was here. He woulde to her rescue.


    "Yes, I was there to meet an old friend for a meal."


    Ewan folded his fists for the umpteenth time. He couldn''t believe the balls of this woman. Beside him was Fiona, with a false look of pity on her face.


    "Luca had just returned from a trip, and had called upon me for a talk. I met him at the hotel. We had lunch at the hotel''s eatery. Whilst there, I got sick, and he told me to move to the room¡ªwhich I had booked for him in advance¡ªand take a rest on the bed while he called for the doctor. I obeyed. But I dozed off minutester, while waiting..."


    Athena paused, when the murmurings got louder. It was so sinister and loud, that the chief elder had to strike the table to ensure silence. He gestured at her to continue when there was silence.


    "When I woke up from the nap, I saw a bunch of medicines on the table. It seemed that the doctor hade and left. I took the medicines before leaving the room. I didn''t see Luca, so I left him a message. Nothing happened, Elder Timothy. Luca is here. You can ask him." Athena finished with a definite calm, not finding it necessary to add that the same day was when she had found out about her pregnancy.


    Yet, her calm was broken by chills transcending the contours of her body when she saw a smirk on Elder Alfonso''s lips, right before he called on Luca from the crowd.


    What was that smirk about? She wondered, dread settling in the pit of her stomach, when Luca stepped on the podium right opposite her, and yet couldn''t meet her eyes.


    She swallowed nothing, feeling her hands begin to sweat. Evil foreboding overwhelmed her so much that she felt faint. Luca was her only source of salvation, but why was he looking like her sentence to death?


    "Luca, you pledge to speak only the truth?" The head of the ruling council asked, and Luca nodded slowly.


    "Then, I am sure that you know why you are here. The used had called you as a witness. What really happened at the hotel?"


    Athena watched forlornly as Luca''s eyes darted between Fiona and her father.


    Without him speaking, she already knew that she was condemned. She couldn''t believe that her childhood friend, a best friend to her and Gianna, could do this to her.


    How could he? What had they promised him? She wondered, her ears attuned to the lies he was spouting already.


    "Yes, I met Athena in the hotel to talk and catch up. There, she had told me of her mother''s death, and had bemoaned the bad state of her mind. Then she pleaded with me to make her forget, that she had always wondered what it would be like to sleep with me, that she had always wanted me in her bed." Luca began, his face shrouded in false pity and remorse.


    Athena couldn''t help, at this moment, but to gape openly at Luca. What he was saying was utterly ridiculous!


    "He''s lying! I never did this!" She cried out, her resolve to remain calm despite the odds breaking fitfully. But her passionate statement resulted in everybody looking at her like she was crazy.


    No one would believe her.


    All of them were expecting her to go to hell.


    Athena gasped softly at this knowledge, unable this time around, to stop the tear that slipped past her eyes. Quickly though, she wiped it off, and re-capped her staidness.


    "I had no choice but to do that. She had promised me secrecy, and a position in her husband''spany. I couldn''t resist such an offer, so I sumbed. I don''t know how the pictures were made public though." Luca concluded, his face, a temte of false remorse.


    There were many loopholes to the story¡ªlike who had taken the pictures, and the timeframe¡ªbut Athena made no sound. She had seen the resigned look on Ewan''s face already. He believed Luca.


    "Well, I think we have our truth now. Anything you would like to say, Athena, in your defense?" Elder Alfonso asked, mockingly, but Athena shook her head.


    There was nothing to say.


    "Ewan, over to you. What do you want for her?" The ruling elder asked, sping his hands together. Obviously, the case was over.


    Ewan stood up from his seat sharply. And keeping a tight lid over his emotions, he spoke with a straight face and a cold voice:


    "I, Ewan Gietti, head of the Gietti family, reject you, Athena Moore, as my wife and co-leader of my n and town. You can collect the divorce papers on your way out."


    Without stopping, without caring to know how Athena had taken the rejection, he continued, this time to the elders. "And I want her banished from my city, and my father''snd returned."


    Once done, Ewan turned around and walked out of the meeting, his eyes not catching when Athena fell to the ground in despair, as the pain of rejection and exile bawled her over.

 Chapter 4: Banished

    <h4>Chapter 4: Banished</h4>


    "Didn''t you hear me? Get out of here, slut!"


    Athena remained stiff, as her father pped her for the third time, and asked her out of the familypound.


    "Father, I just want my belongings and..."


    But Mr. Zack Moore wasn''t one to listen when angry. "Shut up, you ungrateful child! I don''t want to hear any nonsense from you! The one thing you could have done for me, out of your miserable existence, you failed at it. You couldn''t give me a son, and you couldn''t keep your marriage. Rather you soiled my reputation, and destroyed my chance of profiting off that proud boy. I shouldn''t have let your mother bring you in when she had found you at the barn. Cursed be the person that had dropped you by our doorstep, and cursed be you!"


    Athena stirred then, having heard that she wasn''t her father''s daughter.


    "What are you talking about, father? What do you mean..."


    But Zack wasn''t having any of it. He called for his assistant''s son.


    "Take this slut out of here. I don''t want to ever see her in thispound. She is forever banished from this family, from my town, and from this city!"


    Athena cried out loudly in pain, as she felt the breaking of the familial bonds for the second time.


    When Ewan had issued his rejection, the same thing had happened. Pain. Loneliness. Rejection. She would have felt useless, would have given in to despair, but for the baby residing in her womb. She had to be strong.


    Not wanting the hands of Marco, the deputy''s son, on her, she turned around before she could be touched and left thepound, walking the short distance to Gianna''s house.


    There was a high probability that she wouldn''t be epted past the door by Gianna''s parents, but she had to take the risk. She needed her friend''s help.


    Luckily for Athena, Gianna was the one that opened the door, when she knocked.


    She heaved in relief, when her best friend engulfed her in a bear hug before demanding that she step inside the sitting room.


    "I can''t, Gianna. My father just banished me. It would spell trouble for you and your family if I''m seen here. You know how it works in this town. I just need you to help me with cash, and a few clothes. I promise, I will pay you back." Athena pleaded with her friend, who sighed in annoyance at the precarious situation.


    "This is unfair." Giana muttered, as she gestured with her hand that Athena should wait, whilst she strolled into the house, without shutting the front door.


    Athena smiled wistfully at this¡ªshe knew that her friend left the door open as a challenge to any onlooker, she knew that Gianna wanted her toe inside still and take a seat.


    But Athena wasn''t selfish, so she stayed outside, on the porch, until Gianna returned ten minutester.


    "You really stood outside? That''s alright... didn''t expect anything less from you. Here..." Gianna dropped a big backpack on the ground.


    "It contains some clothes and the necessary essories very important to our gender. There is also some cash; I stowed it away at that particr bottom pocket known to only you and I. It should be enough to get you by. Andstly, take this..." She handed a piece of paper to an already emotional Athena.


    "It''s an address. When you get there, ask for Antonio. He is a friend of mine. Just tell him that I sent you. He would know what to do. He is a good person."


    Athena muttered a heartfelt ''thank you'', before engulfing her friend in a hug thatsted until Gianna''s mother came into the sitting room.


    "What is happening here? Gianna, didn''t you hear Zack''s decree?"


    Athena muttered a greeting to Mrs. Aldo, and without much ado, picked up the backpack and said a goodbye to her best friend, before hurriedly turning away and descending down the short steps, not wanting to bring trouble to her friend.


    When she got to the borders of the town, she saw Fiona in talks with the security personnel of Ewan''s town. Their borders were just opposite each other, separated by a grassy chasm, a lengthy path that served as amon route outside the region''s confines.


    "Oh, what do we have here?!" Fiona screamed in sheer delight and derision when she saw Athena. She had just been instructing the security personnel stationed for today''s patrol to not let Athena into the town, no matter what.


    She had believed that Athena might strut in to plead with Ewan for a second chance, or help. Whatever it was, Fiona didn''t want the duo to cross paths again. She had gone to terrifying lengths to separate the both; she couldn''t bear to have her efforts nullified at this time.


    It was great that Ewan had banished Athena from the entire city too. The power her man held!


    Athena, pretending that she wasn''t hearing any of Fiona''s gibberish, tightened her grasp on the backpack, and started threading the grassy path that would lead her out of the region.


    But Fiona wasn''t one to be ignored.


    "How dare you ignore me?" She asked, dragging Athena by the arm. "Who do you think you are, walking out on me? Do you forget that you are alone now, that you are useless? Worse, you have no education, so I wonder how you will survive without your father''s aid. I heard he disowned you. "


    A snide chuckle followed the statement.


    Athena gritted her teeth in anger, before violently shaking herself away from Fiona''s grip. "You got what you wanted, Fiona. So, let me be. I know that you and your father had been behind the set up with Luca. I suggest you mind your business at this point, or else I might scatter your fairytale reality with just one word to Ewan."


    Fiona indulged in a disjointedughter, to mask the antsy feeling that was crawling over her body at Athena''s words.


    A word to Ewan that would puncture her joyful moment? What could that be? Was the illiterate bitch serious, or was she just making a fake attempt at being brave?


    Athena scoffed, seeing the near speechlessness of Fiona.


    Of course, she would never tell Ewan that she was pregnant at this point¡ªhe wouldn''t even believe her¡ªbut it was nice unsettling Fiona. Thetter always thought she had things in control¡ªthe reason for the ever present proud look on her face.


    "You should be out of here, bitch, before Ewan takes notice of your presence. He is still pissed at your ruthless acts." Fiona cited, folding her arms across her chest, as she faked pity, whilst rejoicing inside at seeing her rival in pain.


    Athena chuckled, hearing these words from Fiona. <i>Saving face now, are we? </i>


    Sheughed more wildly, when she saw theical expressions on the faces of Fiona, and the two security personnel that were behind thetter. They must think her crazy. But she didn''t care.


    She was stirred now, and while at it, she would love to hear the truth from Fiona. She would love to know how they had gotten her childhood friend to their side. He wasn''t even from their town. How could he betray her?


    "You were behind it, right? You were behind the set up. You and your father." She inquired calmly, dying theughter, keeping a firm hold on the backpack and on her feelings.


    Fiona scoffed at the question before asking the guards to leave. When she was sure they were far gone, she turned around and looked at Athena with contempt.


    "Yes, I did it, and so what?"


    Athena nodded, not in the least surprised about the answer. "Luca...how did you get him to your side? Was his meeting me a nned operation? Was that where the setup had begun?"


    "Luca was easy to win over." Fiona lied, perturbed when her words had no desired effect on Athena. It was like thetter had taken Ewan''s cold demeanor with her.


    Has she always been like this? Why wasn''t she rising to the bait? Or was this how her surrender looked like? Was she tired of fighting?


    That must be it. Fiona thought with a nod, about opening her mouth to spurt more lies, when a deep voice sauntered into the conversation going on between the women.


    "What''s going on here?"


    Fiona jumped frightfully as she heard the voice behind her.


    <i>Sandro?</i>

 Chapter 5: Restless

    <h4>Chapter 5: Restless</h4>


    Fiona shriveled when Sandro came to stand before her, his eyes zing with a sheer indifference to her, as always. For the first time, she was d about it¡ªit showed that he hadn''t heard her discussion with Athena.


    Sandro was Ewan''s right-hand man, and his best friend. A no-nonsense man who wasn''t fooled by her antics. He knew of her obsession with Ewan, but had maintained his peace for the unity of his friend''s union.


    Fiona wondered what he would do now. She knew that he had always favored Athena over her, even though thetter wasn''t aware of it.


    "Mis... Athena, what are you doing here?" Sandro questioned, darting nces between the two women.


    He bit his lower lip for almost calling Athena, Mistress, his eyebrows furrowing when he saw the knapsack in thetter''s hand. "Where are you going?"


    "She is going..."


    "Fiona, I don''t remember asking you any question. You can leave now. I think your father is searching for you." Sandro mentioned, not bothering to even bestow a nce at the offending female.


    For reasons best known to him, he had never epted Fiona into his life as a friend or whatever, no matter how much she had thrown herself in his way, a fact that Ewan was unaware of.


    Sandro was beginning to wonder if he had made the right choice by keeping it away from Ewan.


    Perhaps if he had told his friend, thetter would have been skeptical in believing whatever Fiona told him, thetter would have probably investigated the cheating event, before denouncing Athena from being his wife.


    Sandro was logical, especially as he wasn''t involved in the scandal. There were a lot of loopholes in Luca''s ount, yet nobody had mentioned that. He knew that if the matter was thoroughly investigated, Athena would be innocent.


    Athena wasn''t one to cheat.


    She was illiterate, yes, but she wasn''t disloyal.


    He knew that much, having known her these past three years.


    Too bad that Ewan had been too caught up in his emotions, that he had acted unlike himself; or had thetter seen this as an escape route out of the loveless marriage, and a way to get back his father''snd?


    Sandro shook his head. His friend wasn''t that underhanded. No matter what, Ewan always chose the truth over anything else, including his emotions.


    This made Sandro wonder why Ewan had let his feelings cloud his judgment. Could it be...?


    "If you say so, then. I am out of here. Enjoy your journey, Athena. Hopefully, the highway criminals won''t tear you apart before you get to another city." Fionamented, breaking Sandro''s thoughts, just before she turned away and began to head into the town.


    Sandro scoffed just at the same time as Athena, who found the wish evil. Criminals? She hadn''t thought of that.


    "Don''t mind Fiona. The criminals have been pursued far north. Just keep to the path, and out of the thick bushes, and you will be fine. I promise."


    Athena nodded in appreciation. Sandro was just as cold as Ewan, but she knew that he didn''t hate her. "Thank you, Sandro. And for your question, I''m not sure where I am heading to. Time will tell, I guess."


    Sandro piqued his eyebrows, still not understanding why she was leaving her father''s town.


    "He banished me." Athena said, after a beat, reading off the question on the male''s face.


    "My father banished me."


    __________________


    Ewan dropped the pen he was using to sign on the ledger, out of frustration, when Sandro sighed for the third time in a row.


    His best friend had arrived in his office a couple of minutes ago in a sour mood; he had resisted asking him what the problem was, because he had been busy. It seemed that he couldn''t help but get involved now.


    "What is it, Sandro?" He asked, pushing the ledger in front of him to the right side of therge brown mahogany desk, his hands sping, and resting on the now empty space on the desk.


    "It''s about Athena, and the incident that had transpired yesterday." Sandro started, his morale not in the least dampened when Ewan scowled at him.


    "I don''t want to hear her name, Sandro. And why the sudden interest in my ex-wife? Did she manage to sink her sly ws in you, before leaving for her father''s town?" Ewan inquired, getting out of his seat, bing restless all of a sudden.


    It has been like this, since he had found the shaming photo. He didn''t understand why it was so, but he believed that time would cure it.


    However, why was his best friend interested in that sly woman now? Had she told him something?


    Since he married Athena, Sandro had only been civil to her, and that''s because of the position she held in the town; yet here was his friend, talking about her, as if he wanted to defend her.


    Ewan could see the look in Sandro''s eyes, and he knew that his friend wouldn''t stop until he had said what was in his mind.


    "Ewan, I think she is innocent." Sandro started, standing up to his feet, abandoning thefort of the soft sofa, when Ewan red at him.


    "I know. I know. But just let me speak."


    "You have five minutes to state your case." Ewan obliged, curious to hear what his friend would say in defense of his ex-wife who had thrown mud to his face.


    To think that he had resolved to be a bit lenient to her, at the request of her mother before the lovely woman had passed away.


    Sandro paced around a few paces, collecting his thoughts before speaking again. "I think it was a setup by Elder Alfonso and Fiona to separate the both of you, so that Fiona can be your wife..."


    Sandro shook his head, when Ewan waved him away, a sign to stop talking, and get out of the office.


    "I am not done yet, Ewan. I know that Fiona is your childhood friend, and that she had saved you from drowning those years ago¡ªalthough there is no evidence that she was actually the one..."


    "Okay, that''s it. Get out, Sandro. I don''t know what Athena told you, but that woman is as sly as her father. I don''t trust her, and you shouldn''t either. Secondly, I wouldn''t have you tarnish Fiona''s image. Thatdy has been of immense help to me. If she hadn''t saved me those years ago from..."


    "Yeah...yeah, I have heard that so many times. She is your assumed savior...I get it.."


    "She is not assumed, she is! Get out, Sandro! I don''t think you are in your right senses." Ewan stated coldly, angry at his best friend, angrier at Athena for trying to sow discord between his friend and him.


    What was her n? Maybe he should pay her a visit, and give her a piece of his mind. Ast warning, per say, to stay out of his business.


    "Ewan..." Sandro tried again, but Ewan wasn''t having it.


    "Out, Sandro. You cane back in, when your senses have returned."


    Sandro huffed, and took a few steps in the direction of the door. He stopped, however, to the amazement of Ewan who was beginning to find the scenario amusing, yet annoying.


    "Well, since you are hell bent on believing Fiona to the end, you should know that Athena''s father disowned her, and banished her from the town. Also, on my way here, I saw your Fiona in a heated discussion with Luca and her father. They seemed to be arguing so intensely, that they hadn''t been aware of my presence untilter."


    Sandro turned, when his words were greeted with silence.


    Seeing that Ewan was still standing, processing the information, gave him the incentive to say the rest of his thoughts.


    "I didn''t hear much¡ªbut one thing was clear; Luca had been asking for money, amnesty, and something about the freeing of someone. I don''t know who. If that doesn''t tell that his ount was false, and that he has been working for Fiona and her father to oust Athena, I don''t know what again."


    A slight pause.


    "It seems that Athena''s father had also banished him. To add to these, I hadn''t told you before, but Fiona isn''t as innocent as you think she is. She has tried seducing me, times without a number. I know it is incredulous, I know that you are happy to be in possession of your father''snd now, but I think that you should investigate this scandal,"


    "And then what?" Ewan asked, folding his arms across his chest. He piqued his eyebrows, when Sandro''s mouth fell open. "Just leave, Sandro. The deed has already been done. But I will talk to Fiona, even though I think you must have heard wrong."


    Sandro recovered from his speechlessness then, and sauntered out of the room without a word, choosing to scrap the whole event under the rug, as his friend seemed to be doing. After all, there was nothing else to be done. Athena was already out of the towns.


    Nevertheless, immediately Sandro left the room and shut the door behind him, Ewan spewed out curses, and punched the wall closest to him with all his might and anger, causing his hands to bleed and blister.


    He didn''t seem to be fazed though by the blood dripping and staining the german tiles, for he punched the wall again and again, seeking to abate the feeling of restlessness that had tripled by the reason of Sandro''s reports.


    Athena had been banished by her father? Where had she gone to? Did she have money on her? Why hadn''t shee to him for help? Would he have helped her? Was Sandro right about Fiona?


    These questions without answers, pushed him the more, made him punch the wall the more, until there was a notable crack on the inanimate object, and a pool of blood on the floor.


    "There is no proof." He muttered a few secondster in annoyance, as he trudged to his seat, a show to congeal his emotions of probable guilt, to quell the restlessness and cover up the gaping hole now present in his heart.


    "There is no proof that Athena was framed. Fiona wouldn''t do that. Athena is the sly one."


    He bent his head, then sank his fingers into his lush hair in despair, after dumping himself on the seat.


    "But why?" He questioned, shuffling his hair. "Why do I feel so anxious and empty?"

 Chapter 6: Her Return

    <h4>Chapter 6: Her Return</h4>


    Six Years Later.


    Athena inhaled deeply, calming her fraying nerves whilst sitting in the limousine her friend had hired for her.


    In her hands were the ticket to the party, which he had pleaded with her for months to attend, the party that would herald her return to the world where she had been exiled from.


    She had thought she was done with that part of the universe until she had met Zane...


    "Ma''am, we are here."


    Her driver reminded her.


    It''s been more than five minutes, she thought, looking at the slim watch on her slender wrist.


    It''s been more than five minutes since she has been here, resetting her mind, and preparing it to take, in a cool stride, whatever she would see in this party.


    "I''m aware, sir. Just give me a few more, please."


    Her phone dinged right at that moment, preventing her from hearing the driver''s dissatisfied grunt.


    Quickly she swiped it open, her breath held in suspension, as she perused the content of the message. It was just payment from a client for a sessful treatment.


    Wheew!


    She exhaled harshly, sying her right hand on her chest.


    She didn''t want any interruption of any kind, not even from her favorite people. Especially them.


    Her eyes, for the third time, found the hall, which had been picked for the event. It was huge and extraordinarily beautiful, big enough to contain a lot of people.


    She wondered if she would see familiar faces here, if they would even remember her.


    A lot of things had happened since her exile, and although she was tougher than she had been then, she would have appreciated a quiet evening with no familiar faces. But the celebrant was a popr one; her wish would be nearly impossible to grant.


    The loud sighing of the driver again interrupted her reverie, reminding her of his impatience. And so, with a final inhtion of calmness, she thanked him for the ride and stepped out of the car.


    As she walked toward the hall''s entrance, blinded by the lights of the paparazzi, she wondered if they knew who she was, if they knew what her role in tonight''s party would be. She hoped not.


    Just then, she noticed a handsome suited male in histe twenties¡ªshe made the guess¡ªapproaching her.


    "Dr. Caddel, please this way..."


    Athena sighed softly in relief, following the male immediately. Her friend had made arrangements for her.


    This new man took her past the standing queue of finely dressed men and women, who were waiting to be scanned by the hefty man in front, to the hefty man-scanner.


    The man-scanner, who could easily pass as a bouncer, exchanged nces with her escort, probably wondering why thetter was disying such favoritism in the open.


    "It''s Dr. Caddell..."


    The only indication that the bouncer had heard the escort was a pique of his eyebrows, before he turned to his iPad to search for her name.


    Athena tapped her feet on the ground, counting until the moment when the man would locate her name.


    She was already hearing murmurs from the people in the queue. They were wondering why she was taken past them; they were wondering if she was more important than the most elite of the state that were still in queue.


    They didn''t know who she was.


    Athena rxed, a rxation that became short lived, when there was a tap on her arm.


    "Athena?"


    It has been six years, but Athena would never forget the voice of thedy that had been the source of her misery for three solid years. Fiona.


    Athena quickly sported an aloof demeanor, and swiveled gracefully; there wasn''t an indication on her face that she remembered her old rival.


    "It is really you..." Fiona breathed in awe, not believing what her eyes were seeing, fanning the embers of Athena''s aloofness.


    "Do I know you?" Athena asked, almost purring in excitement, when she saw the swift change in Fiona''s countenance.


    The awe was disced, and reced with sheer contempt.


    Athena watched, unmoved, as Fiona cackled in derision, attracting the attention of the people in the queue.


    "What are you doing here, Athena? How are you here?"


    Yet Athena remained silent.


    And when she saw that Fiona wasn''t forting with any more speeches¡ªfor thetter was unable to get rid of the shock of seeing a curvy Athena¡ªshe turned around, and tapped her escort on the arm.


    "Can we leave?"


    This simple question, this snide dismissal, caused Fiona to see red, to grit her teeth in anger. Without stopping to think, she dragged Athena by the arm, causing a tear to spot on thetter''s dress.


    The escort tried to intervene then, seeing the harsh treatment melted on the VIP his master had told him to take care of, but Athena stopped him with a wave of her hand. She could handle it.


    "I don''t know who you are, but are you sure you can cover the expenses for this torn dress?"


    Fiona seized that opportunity to look at the dress Athena was wearing, very well. She bit her lips hard, angry, as she noticed how the dress fitted Athena perfectly, gliding over her curves sexually.


    She was about to make a false dig out of jealousy, when she recognized that the dress was thetest customized dress of the popr fashion designer, Areso.


    Fiona gritted her teeth openly then, envy riding her in waves, especially as she began to hear the awe stricken words of the people behind her in the queue. They had noticed the design of the dress too.


    There were just two of these dresses in the whole country! How had the twat gotten her hand on it? Which big shot did she saddle herself with? Or was it a fake, a caricature? It must be that.


    Fiona sneered. "You''re wearing the fake version of a dress, and you are bragging? You must be more stupid than I thought!"


    "Should I call Areso?" Athena''s lips turned up in a smirk, when she saw Fiona pale in fright. She was liking this more than she would care to admit.


    Fiona gulped nothing, after hearing the confident words of Athena; confidence that only came from truth.


    But how? How had Athena gotten the dress? She was supposed to be dead, or at the most, a menial worker! What was she doing in a party hosted by one of the richest men in the world?!


    Fiona''s wandering eyes, which were taking in the originality of the seams in the dress, stopped when she saw the ck ticket, only reserved for the VIP of the asion.


    Her mouth fell open in shock. Even Ewan, as rich as he was, had only secured a gold ticket for the both of them!


    She shook her head in unbelief. Who was backing Athena? Who was the illiterate sleeping with?!


    She hissed, and tried to grab the ticket like a mad woman, but Athena''s reflexes were faster.


    "I see you are with some rich old man. Are you his mistress or slut since Ewan turned you down?"


    Athenaughed, "You wish! If you want the ck ticket so much, be a valuable woman, or better still leech it off your husband. I think he is looking for you,"


    She pointed at an Ewan, who just came down from a limo with Sandro.


    "Has my name been cleared?" She asked the escort, immediately Fiona turned around to watch Ewan approach them.


    "Yes, Dr. Caddell. I am sorry for keeping you here. I didn''t know you were the special guest we were expecting here today. If you had shown me the ck ticket, it would have prevented negligence on my part. I am sorry, ma. Please this way. Take the right end, it leads to the VIP area." The hefty man spoke, instead of the escort, surprising the entire people in the queue, including Fiona, who sharply swiveled to face Athena.


    If she had maintained her gaze on Ewan, she would have seen the flicker of recognition and amazement in his eyes when theynded on Athena, and the tightening of his fists and lips.


    But Athena, not wanting another confrontation, this time with her ex-husband, walked swiftly with the escort into the party.


    She was aware, however, as she walked away, of Ewan''s cold gaze following her every step. And she knew it was only a matter of time before her ex-husband came for her.

 Chapter 7: National Treasure

    <h4>Chapter 7: National Treasure</h4>


    "What do you think of the party, Athena? Does it meet your standards? Too small? It was the best we could gather on short notice. Perhaps if you had epted my invitation earlier, instead of giving me a reply a day ago, I would have dug up something bigger."


    Athena held back a scoff, hearing her good friend talk. She didn''t even know if he was being sarcastic, or actually being real.


    The party was too small? She shook her head. It was good that she had given him her response yesterday.


    If this crowd was what he had managed to scavenge in a day, then what would have happened if she had given him the response two months ago?


    She had thought it would be a small party where she wouldn''t have to meet other people from surrounding cities and towns, where she wouldn''t have to meet Ewan, at least not yet. But it seemed that the fates had another thing in mind.


    <i>Well, as long as he doesn''t cross me.</i> She thought, letting out a breath when the moderator called her friend, to the stage.


    She chuckled, when he dropped a kiss on her cheeks.


    "Wish me luck."


    Pfft.. As if he needed it.


    She only hoped that he wouldn''t be so borate with her return, that he would just confer on her the title, and then dere the party over.


    "Good evening distinguisheddies and gentlemen. As you all know, I am Zane. And I bid you wee to this beautiful event..."


    Athena tuned out then, not interested in hearing the boring talk on state politics.


    She allowed her eyes to roam around the room, from her apex position, upying the only VIP seat with Zane. And from this position, she could see everyone in therge hall. They were over two hundred!


    And Zane had called them small.


    She scoffed softly, her eyes retaining their aloof quality when they collided with Fiona. Her old rival was scowling at her.


    Athena found it funny. Her eyes perched, before she could stop them, on the seat next to Fiona. It was empty.


    Did Ewan go somewhere?


    She shrugged her shoulders. Why should she care? His whereabouts weren''t her business. He would never be her business again.


    "Now, I would like to invite someone to the podium, someone of great importance..."


    Zane''s statement brought her to attention, causing her to look away from Fiona, to center her gaze on her good friend.


    Therefore, she didn''t see when Ewan stepped into the row, and sat on the empty seat, closeby Fiona.


    He sat, and watched her. Yet she didn''t notice. She was too wrapped up in the emotions assailing her.


    <i>All right. Here it goes. </i>She mused, sping her hands on her thigh, taking deep breaths to cate her breathing that had gotten a bit erratic. She still hated public speaking or appearances.


    "...someone that has a special ce in my heart. We met at a medical institute. She was the doctor, who had healed my father of the strange illness...you all know about the deadly disease my old man battled with..."


    Gasps erupted in the hall, gasps of surprise and approval. There were murmurs of happiness and relief. The people were also curious to see the miracle worker.


    Athena hated it. She wished Zane would be done with the epistle already, so that she would leave. She had to be home by nine. She had to tuck her favorite people into bed.


    "You know I''ve been trying to poach her for a year plus, since she had cured my father. I had offered her all manner of contracts, even went as far as waiting under the rain while she got busy at theb...ignoring me..."


    Athena chuckled then, with the crowd. A fact about Zane was that he exaggerated things, sometimes out of proportion.


    The incident he had talked about had just been a stroke of bad luck for her good friend.


    That fateful day he hade to see her, but due to the amount of patients visiting, he had to wait outside. Sadly, a heavy rain had started and met him. But only for five minutes! He had been ushered into his car by his bodyguard Immediately.


    And here he was, talking like he had waited for hours.


    Athena chuckled again.


    However, her smile became tentative when she saw Ewan staring at her, no, ring at her.


    When had he joined Fiona?


    She hoped they were married now, seeing as they couldn''t get away from each other when she had been a stumbling block.


    She nonchntly nced away from him, like she hadn''t seen him in the first ce, and looked at her friend who was still talking grand things about her.


    "Well, to cut the long story short, after a year of wooing her tenaciously, she is here with me, and would be resuming as not only the chief doctor in my hospital''s headquarters, but also as the managing director for all our hospitals in this state. More like the owner of our medical sector. I can''t let any otherpany or government buy her attention... She is a national treasure."


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows, the noises of celebration drowning her zeal to call Zane to his bullshit.


    That sly cow. He had told her she would perform medical duties in the headquarters alone. But as a managing director for all the Whitman''s hospitals? That was an issue. She couldn''t.


    It meant that she would meet more people than expected. The Whitman Hospitals were present in every town and city! Would she even have the time to rest?


    Her hand flew to rest on her forehead in frustration when she heard Zane calling her to join him on the podium.


    She would kill him. She surmised, wearing a thin smile as she stood up from the seat and sauntered to the podium.


    She would kill him, and then bring him back to life. After all, he was The Godfather of her favorite people.

 Chapter 8: Denial

    <h4>Chapter 8: Denial</h4>


    Athena kept a perfunctory smile on her lips as Zane led her to greet many people. Her arm enclosed in his, she was aware they were passing an image that they were together.


    At first, she had wanted to create a chasm, an awareness that it wasn''t so, but now she decided to let the impression continue, not in the least ready to make an exnation to her father, who was approaching her now.


    Walking arm in arm with him was a middle-ageddy she hadn''t seen in her entire life. Did the old man get married again?


    Nevertheless, she maintained an aloof countenance when Zane did an introduction; an aloofness, which didn''t disappear when her father chuckled drily, before speaking.


    "There is no need for an introduction, Mr. Zane. Doctor Athena is my daughter."


    It was Zane''s turn to chuckle. "Mr Zack, yourst name is Moore. I may not be good with remembering names, but I remember yours..."


    Mr Zack blushed in happiness, pleased that the almighty Zane remembered his name. This caused him to raise his shoulders in pride; an act which caused Athena to pique an eyebrow. Her father was still the same, after six years.


    "You are right, Mr. Zane. Moore is myst name. But Caddels is myte wife''sst name. There had been a slight altercation in the family a few years ago, after my wife''s death, and my daughter had left. It''s no surprise that she had changed her name; however, it would exin why I had been unable to find her."


    Unable to find her? Athena held back a bitter chuckle. She hadn''t changed her name for the longest time after her exile from the city.


    She found the lie amusing, but she said nothing. There was no need for that. She wasn''t nning to ept the man back as her father. He wasn''t even that, in the truest sense.


    So she stayed quiet, waiting for the lifting of the stillness, which transcended past their orbit and infiltrated the spheres of the other party attendees.


    "Is this true, Athena?'''' Zane broke the ice finally; his voice a temte for coldness.


    Athena had told him that her parents were dead. Had she lied to him?


    "Not at all, Zane. I don''t know the old geezer. I''m ttered, however, that he thought me beautiful and valuable enough to im as his daughter..."


    A snide chuckle followed Athena''s answer, unsettling her father.


    He didn''t like the cold aura she was emitting; a material that only got worse, when she shifted her attention from Zane to him, and spoke;


    "But it''s too bad Mr. Zack. I''m not looking for a father."


    Zack furrowed his eyebrows, hearing Athena''s rejection. But he refused to give up on his quest for her association and the profit he would garner if she married the trillionaire, Zane.


    "Athena, my dear... I know you are still upset about the little problem that had happened six years ago, but let bygones be bygones. Forget the past! Don''t you miss your home?"


    When Athena''s face remained apathetic to his words, Zack panicked, and decided to tow the rare route.


    "I am sorry for my anger, Athena. I''m really sorry, my beloved. You know how it always is, but..."


    He stopped short when Athena raised her hand casually, as if tired of hearing a belligerent kid speak.


    "I''m ttered by your attention, old man. But I don''t desire it. I am not your daughter."


    Athena ignored her father''s sudden white face, a sheet of anger and frustration, and turned to Zane, sporting an icy smile on her lips.


    "Can we get out of this space? The man is beginning to suffocate me..."


    Zane nodded, and red at Zack, who stepped back in fear, especially as two guards materialized out of nowhere to escort him out of the venue.


    "Mr. Zack, your time here is up. Leave now. I won''t tolerate anyone disturbing my esteemed guest."


    There was a bristling quality in Zane''s voice, one that Athena has heard a few times; dangerous and terrible. Despite his jolly nature, this bristle voice quality, which came up once in a while, was why she thought him a predator.


    And from her father''s reaction of terror, it seemed she was right.


    Athena watched, satisfied, as her father was escorted out of the hall with his date. Before he left from the first exit, however, he turned and red at her.


    When Zane breathed deeply beside her, she knew he had seen it; she knew her father would pay for that particr re.


    Zane was quite possessive of her. And although it scared her sometimes, times like this made it alright.


    Yet, she wondered about how he would make her father pay. Two secondster, she shrugged her shoulders. She didn''t care.


    She didn''t care or shiver either when her eyes met Ewan''s at the far end of the hall, not even when he started walking toward her, with Fiona.


    "Tell me the truth, Athena..."


    Athena shifted her focus to Zane, who was looking down at her with intense concentration.


    "Is he your father? Do you both have a history?"


    Athena sighed. There was no way she was escaping this. Lying would only cause more harm than good. And Zane was a good friend.


    "He was my father, until he disowned me six years ago, until he revealed I was dropped at his barn by someone. A someone, who he cursed repeatedly before throwing me out of his town."


    There was silence where Zane ruminated on this. "Why would he do that?"


    "Because I was no longer profitable to him." Athena stated casually when Ewan came to stand before them with Fiona.


    "Ewan! How have you been, old cow?!"


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows when she heard Zane''s mode of greeting her ex-husband, when he stepped forward and engulfed Ewan in a hug, which thetter returned enthusiastically, although his eyes never left her.


    They were friends? Wow, what a small world!


    When they disengaged, Zane took up the reins of conversation. But Athena wasn''t fooled. She knew he would continue his drilling about her history when the party was over.


    "Who is the beauty beside you, Ewan? Your wife? You didn''t invite me to your wedding ceremony, friend. That should be a new low for you!"


    Ewan chuckled, and Athena held her breath in mild shock, not believing her heart. She secretly pinched herself, after the hearty chuckle sent tendrils of sexual excitement around her body.


    She med this reaction on the fact that she rarely saw Ewan smile. But she would rather be dead than pine for Ewan, than making this discovery obvious.


    "No, we are not married. We are just..."


    Athena literally had to mp her teeth at this point, to stop her tongue from spouting ''best friends??'' She couldn''t believe they were still keeping up the ruse.


    "...engaged for the now..." Ewan finished, without even ncing at Fiona, as loving couples usually did.


    Fiona, whose entire focus was on Athena and her possible rtionship with Zane, wasn''t in the least deterred. She was too distracted by her evil thoughts, to notice that Ewan has been ncing at Athena since they came before Zane.


    But Zane noticed.


    He also noticed the unusual coldness to Athena as she looked at Ewan and his fianc¨¦e, but he said nothing. There would be ample time for investigationster.


    "I see, congrattions are in order then." Zane finally said, his smile not as vibrant as before. However, he still shook Ewan''s hand.


    Ewan, who nodded robotically to his friend''s pleasantries, when all he wanted was to grab Athena, and ask her what she was doing here, what she was doing with his old friend.


    Was she with him for the money? How was she even a famous doctor? When had she gotten educated?


    "Thank you, Mr. Zane. What about you and yourdy? Is she your fianc¨¦e?"


    Athena held back a scoff. So like Fiona to ask stupid questions, just topare ranks.


    "And how would that be your business, youngdy?" Zane inquired, causing Fiona to blush in embarrassment, and Athena to chuckle heartily; a chuckle that only served to taint her graces in Ewan''s eyes.


    Had he been a fool to believe Sandro six years ago? His ex-wife no longer looked innocent or docile. Ewan thought, watching as Athena excused herself by tapping Zane''s arm, her eyesmunicating her reason to his friend.


    He watched as Zane released her arm.


    He watched as his friend watched Athena go to the restroom.


    Suddenly, he became aware of the restlessness that rose in his chest.


    Suddenly, he became angry at his friend for watching Athena walk to the restroom.


    Suddenly he became angry with himself for being angry in the first ce.


    This restless feeling made the decision for Ewan. It was time to get answers.


    And so, he excused himself from the party of three, and walked away, not minding how the duo behind him would perceive his erratic action.

 Chapter 9: Shameless Display

    <h4>Chapter 9: Shameless Disy</h4>


    Athena inhaled deeply, as she watched herself in the mirror, prepping herself for the journey ahead. Ewan had recognized her. Her father too.


    She sighed, and washed her hands in the sink.


    To be honest, she had expected it. She hadn¡¯t changed much after all; and she hadn¡¯t taken Gianna¡¯s advice to undergo stic surgery before returning to the city.


    ¡¯To enjoy a peaceful existence.¡¯ Her friend had remarked.


    No. She had chosen rather toe back as she was, because somewhere within her, a darkness lurked, seeking revenge.


    She wanted them to pay for the evil they hadmitted against her.


    Athena would have loved to start her revenge n now, but she remembered the deal she made with Gianna.


    Seeing her foes though, she wished she hadn¡¯t done so.


    Watching her hands try to steady themselves, she wished she hadn¡¯t agreed to the deal.


    But she wasn¡¯t one to break a promise, so she would wait.


    Just then, the hairs on her neck stood erect, as a cold feeling assailed her entire body, starting from that sensitive neck, down to her feet covered in silver stilettos.


    But Athena already knew who was approaching her. Ewan.


    Of course, her ex-husband¡¯s prideful self wasn¡¯t able to swallow her swift denial of their rtionship, without making a fuss.


    Maybe, she didn¡¯t have to worry about upsetting Gianna after all; maybe she wouldn¡¯t have to break the promise.


    Steeling herself, especially her heart¡ªwhich tended to betray her in the face of this particr male specimen¡ªshe wore a stic smile and swerved, giddy with satisfaction when she caught Ewan staring at her hips.


    Didn¡¯t he mention that he was engaged to Fiona? This would be fun.


    She rested her waist at the sink¡¯s edge, and waited for Ewan¡¯s questions.


    But Ewan said nothing. He didn¡¯t make a move either.


    He only stood and stared at Athena, as if he couldn¡¯t get enough of her face, as if he had the whole time in the world to stare at a fine piece of art.


    Athena piqued her right eyebrow in impatience, however, when two minutes of silence stretched between them, when no one interrupted them either.


    Had the egotistical brat shunned everyone away from the restroom reserved for females? She thought. Interesting.


    Shrugging mentally, not up for silly games, she picked her purse from the sink, and strode toward the exit.


    If Ewan wasn¡¯t going to speak, she wasn¡¯t going to stay and watch him.


    But as she tried to walk past him, Ewan held her by the arm, and drew her close to him. "Where are you going, wife?"


    Athena hissed and swiftly shook her arm out of his grip. "Last I checked Ewan, we are divorced. I think we should stick to that reality. I have no intention of bing that miserable anymore."


    "Why did youe back then? How are you the famous doctor that had brought cure to the disease that had gued Zane¡¯s father?"


    Ewan¡¯s face and voice mirrored aggressive irritation while his eyes perused the face that had haunted his dreams for the past six years.


    It annoyed him greatly that Athena was looking ravishing, as one with no care in the world, while he had been ridden with guilt every day, despite her being the guilty one.


    She had cheated on him, and now she was back like nothing happened!


    Annoyance and frustration burned within him when Athena gave no answer to his question.


    Instead she stared at him with those beautiful eyes of hers, as if he had gone crazy.


    When she finally opened her mouth to speak, he concentrated on the fullness of her lips and how tempting they were.


    Without meaning to, he remembered what those lips had done on him in time past; pleasurable ministrations which he had missed.


    Ewan held back a groan of exasperation when his little man stood at attention. So it has been in good condition all these years?


    Quickly, he turned aside, embarrassed, more so when Athena cocked her head to the side with a sly smile on her lips.


    But she didn¡¯t say a word, as he had assumed.


    No. She just looked at him like he was <i>trash</i>, shook her head in derision, and strode out of the restroom.


    For a full minute, Ewan was immobile with shock, his quest to push his little man down, forgotten.


    Athena had never walked out on him before. Neither had she looked at him like he was nothing.


    She has be more feisty.


    He had first seen the signs six years ago, when she had stood straight in the court, whilst denying that she had slept with Luca.


    Without Sandro knowing, he had done investigations about that incident, but the CCTV footage of the hotel had been erased. There had been no way to confirm the truth.


    But he hadn¡¯t sought for her because he was sure that she and her father had trapped him in a marriage to control his town, to control his wealth, to use him as a breeder.


    Thinking of that now made Ewan so angry, that he strode out of the restroom briskly to search out Athena, and query her for returning¡ªsomething he couldn¡¯t do earlier because of her deceptive beauty that had dried the words in his mind and tongue.


    He won¡¯t fall for her spell again! He promised to himself, stopping in his tracks when he saw her talking with Zane again.


    They looked so intimate, with Zane¡¯s hand around her waist.


    Ewan gritted his teeth, not caring when Fiona came to stand beside him and spoke:


    "Did she say anything?"


    He ignored her, and walked up to Zane, determined to expose Athena¡¯s true character to his old friend.


    "Zane, do you know anything about the woman standing beside you...apart from the fact that she is a doctor?"


    Zane looked at Ewan, and then at Athena who was sporting an aloof countenance.


    Behind them, Fiona watched with an open mouth and fisted hands.


    This had been her worst nightmare; Ewan being besotted with Athena again.


    Even six years ago, he had been, without knowing it.


    "Yes. I believe I know all I should." Zane finally replied, holding Athena¡¯s waist tighter, managing to conceal his annoyance at his friend¡¯s shameless disy.


    "Then you know that Zack Moore is her father?" Ewan continued, folding his arms across his chest, a smirk dancing on his lips.


    Zane¡¯s hand tightened further on Athena¡¯s waist, causing her to bite her lips.


    Athena knew she had offended her good friend. She would apologize when they were free from the parasites.


    "Yes, I knew he was the one. Is there a problem?" Zane answered, gritting his teeth.


    Ewan¡¯s smirk metamorphosed to a wicked smile. "Yes, there¡¯s a problem. Do you remember the story I told you sometime ago, about a father and daughter that tried to ensnare me with a marriage contract?"


    Zane nodded slowly, aware of the difort rising in his belly. He also didn¡¯t like the satisfied look on his friend¡¯s face.


    "Well, the father is Zack, and the daughter is Athena. The duo had brought up the contract that would turn me into a breeder..."


    Athena¡¯s sharp intake of breath coincided with the exact moment that Zane¡¯s hand fell from her waist.


    "What are you talking about, Ewan?" Zane battled with unbelief, but fisted his hands in anger.


    He refused to look at Athena either, not sure he wanted to see the look on her face. She had lied to him.


    "Doctor Athena here is the girl who turned me into a breeder, who cheated on me, who caused mypany¡¯s stocks to plunge, and who caused our investments to go underwater..."


    Athena opened her mouth to defend herself, but shut it after a second thought. There was no need for that.


    If Zane chose to believe Ewan, she wouldn¡¯t try to change his mind; neither would she speak, until she was spoken to.


    So, she maintained the aloof countenance and continued to watch Ewan speak, only breaking her resolve when he shot thest bullet:


    "So Zane, to make a more appropriate introduction; meet the woman who you vowed to kill, should the both of you see..."


    A pause.


    "Zane, meet my scheming wife, Athena."

 Chapter 10: Stupidest Deduction

    <h4>Chapter 10: Stupidest Deduction</h4>


    "Wife? That¡¯s far-fetched." Athena muttered tepidly, when Zane¡¯s face turned bright red after Ewan¡¯s deration.


    She watched Zane still, as his eyes narrowed, and became dark and furious.


    His jaw clenched so tightly that his teeth could have cracked. Veins pulsed on his forehead, and a thick one throbbed along his neck.


    Zane could feel his heart pounding hard in his chest, pumping hot anger through his veins, likeva ready to explode. His fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white, nails digging into his palms.


    Then he met Athena¡¯s gaze, breathing heavily, hoping to see her share the same anger. But she just stood there, her arms crossed and her expression calm¡ªalmost bored.


    She was looking at him, at Ewan, as if they were nothing but flies buzzing in her way.


    Her eyes showed not a trace of fear, no hint of surprise. Instead, she gave a tiny,zy yawn, covering her mouth with her hand as if she could barely stay awake.


    That made Zane even angrier. Didn¡¯t she understand what this meant? How could she stand there so calmly? If Ewan was right, they were archenemies!


    His shoulders shook as he fought to keep his rage under control. But Athena just tilted her head, raising an eyebrow, as if daring him to do something about it.


    The sight of her boredom only fueled his anger, burning him from the inside out, and he knew he wouldn¡¯t forget this moment.


    "Athena...shit!"


    Athena yawned again, after hearing Zane cuss out.


    Yes, she had lied to him.


    Yes, she had been Ewan¡¯s wife at one time.


    Yes, Ewan¡¯s stocks had plunged after their divorce.


    But so what?


    She didn¡¯t kill anyone. Well, at least not yet.


    And she had no time for these shenanigans. She had to be home.


    "Zane, can we leave here? Can we discuss thister, at home? I promise, there¡¯s more to the story. You haven¡¯t heard my side of the story yet." Athena couldn¡¯t hold it in again, when she heard Zane cuss underneath his breath for the third time.


    She didn¡¯t hear his exact words this time around, but she knew that he was very furious at being lied to. He was angry with her.


    But how was she supposed to know that he was Ewan¡¯s best friend?


    If she had known that he was in any way rted to Ewan, she would have turned down the offer; she wouldn¡¯t havee here.


    Not that she was afraid of Ewan. No, her promise to Gianna had entailed staying away from Ewan and any thing that rted to him.


    Well, it seemed that fate had something else in mind.


    She recoiled mentally for the second time, expecting a sharp refusal, when Zane looked at her coldly, like he didn¡¯t know her from adam.


    This was totally not how she had foreseen this night. Being at enmity with Zane.


    "Leave? You are still talking about leaving with Zane? You should be ashamed of yourself! Using him to get back to Ewan?! Even that is wicked!" Fiona shouted dramatically, drawing attention from the other party attendees.


    The guests didn¡¯t move closer to them, but Athena knew their ears were as sharp as ever, to hear what was going on, to know what gossip they would be spreading around the city.


    Athena cackled drily, perching short-lived nces on the trio that were staring at her; each with differing emotions on their faces.


    "Wicked? Getting back to Ewan? That¡¯s the stupidest deduction I¡¯ve heard in my whole life; that¡¯s apart from the best-friendship tag you both enjoyed while frolicking behind my back, and the allegation that had exiled me from the city six years ago."


    A heavy pause, where she stared at Fiona like thetter was the scum of the earth.


    "Fiona, you¡¯re still as dumb as ever. And that doesn¡¯t speak well of your fianc¨¦."


    Then she reverted to Zane, whose anger has been reced with a sheer aloofness that grated on Athena¡¯s nerves.


    It reminded her of the years she hadbored emotionally under Ewan, trying to garner his favor and attention. She won¡¯t do that under another man. Never!


    She piqued an eyebrow at him¡ªa chance to redeem himself¡ªbut Zane remained unyielding.


    As stubborn as she had expected.


    Well well.


    "Mr Zane...I quit from the position you offered me earlier. Find some other doctor. I can¡¯t work for someone who doesn¡¯t trust me. I can¡¯t work for someone with a low IQ."


    Gasps exploded around her, but Athena wasn¡¯t deterred.


    Not concerned that she had just dissed her only friend in the party, she gave Zane a final re, raised her chin up, squared her shoulders, and walked out of the party.


    All these, without sparing Ewan a nce.


    Outside, she hailed a cab quickly, and got in, sighing heavily in relief when the cab started to move, when none of the guards approached to hold her captive .


    Even though her rtionship with Zane was now strained, she didn¡¯t want him on her bad side yet.


    She would give him another chance yet. She decided. For his father¡¯s sake.


    Her phone rang then. It was Gianna.


    "Hey, what happened at the party?! I told you toy low!"


    Athena rubbed her forehead, as Gianna went on to recap what she had heard from the gossip mongers already.


    It was barely ten minutes, and the news was everywhere on the socials.


    But Athena wasn¡¯t surprised. Ewan and Zane were easily the most eligible bachelors in the country, and the richest.


    "Are you listening to me, Athena?"


    "Yes." Athena answered, even though she hadn¡¯t been paying attention since Gianna¡¯s first shout.


    "Did you know that Zane was Ewan¡¯s best friend."


    Athena shook her head.


    "Athena??"


    Athena sighed before she spoke. "No."


    "So, what are you going to do?"


    "I quit the position Zane offered me. I saw the look on his face when Ewan called me a whore. He regretted hiring me. I made the work and paper process easier. Our friendship has been nice while itsted."


    There was silence on Gianna¡¯s side for a minute.


    Athena waited, making sure to look out of the window intermittently, to be sure that the driver was really taking her home. She didn¡¯t trust any adult, apart from Gianna.


    "But you needed the work... are you going back to Q city?"


    Athena didn¡¯t know. But she didn¡¯t say that. "Maybe. There are many hospitals begging for my attention. Many opportunities for me to serve the people well."


    And that was true. She only chose Zane¡¯s hospital because of his father. He was one of the few she had made a deal with.


    She wondered what he would say when the news got to him, and shook her head. There was no need to worry her head about that for now. She needed to go home and rest.


    "Stop here please.."


    The driver stopped at a high rise skyscraper.


    As she came down, and bent to tip the driver, she noticed that he looked at her skeptically, that he looked at the generous tip in her hand suspiciously.


    She knew then that he was wondering how a youngdy like her was living in the most expensive building in the state.


    Sheughed when he didn¡¯t reject the generous tip. Sheughed harder when he scowled and zoomed away from her.


    What would he do then, when he discovered that she owned the building?


    Athena shook her head at the stupid stereotypes about rich women before sauntering into her building.


    Nodding to the doormen who bowed as they greeted her, she walked elegantly to the elevator and went up.


    At the top floor, which was exclusive to her and her family, she saw Gianna waiting at the door.


    "Hey...Gia... sorry, I¡¯mte. Are they still awake?"


    Gianna, who had been busy with her phone, shook her head, before giving her friend a bear hug.


    "No, I just tucked them into their beds a few minutes ago."


    A frown appeared on Gianna¡¯s face as her nostrils caught an unsavory smell.


    "You took a cab, again? I told you..."


    Athena ced a thumb on her friend¡¯s lips. "I was in a hurry, Gianna. There wasn¡¯t a time to call Aidan to pick me up. I¡¯m safe. Aren¡¯t I?"


    Giana pouted, turned and walked into therge sitting room.


    Athena followed behind, dropping her bag on the nearest table, after shutting the door.


    She also followed Gianna to the two seater and fell tiredly on it, sighing heavily when her friend started speaking again.


    "That you¡¯re safe this time, doesn¡¯t mean you will be safe another time."


    Athena looked at the high rise ceiling. "Are you wishing me bad luck, friend?"


    Gianna red at Athena and huffed. "Whatever. Your food is in the kitchen. Eat and freshen up. We have a lot to talk about. Ethan came searching for you earlier."


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows, before looking at her friend. "Ethan? What is he doing here? He shouldn¡¯t be here!"


    However, before Gianna could calm the fire raging in her friend¡¯s eyes, a loud scream of pain pierced the quiet night.


    Instantly. Athena was on her feet.


    Worry shone on her face, as she ced her right hand on her chest and red at Gianna.


    "Gianna, what the hell!"

 Chapter 11: The Twins

    <h4>Chapter 11: The Twins</h4>


    "Gianna, what the hell! You told me they were asleep! Isn¡¯t that Kathleen¡¯s voice?" Athena delivered to Gianna an incredulous look, her words shrouded in an usatory tone.


    As she spoke, her legs moved hurriedly out of the sitting room to the well lit hallway.


    Gianna hurried after her, cussing intermittently at the swift change in the atmosphere. She didn¡¯t fail, however, to plead her cause.


    "Athena,st I checked, they were asleep. I even double checked. How was I supposed to know they were awake?"


    Athena had no response to Gianna¡¯s question and plea. She only hoped that the shout she had heard earlier was from protest, and not from pain.


    But when she stepped into the room, a sharp cry of anguish escaped her lips.


    "What is happening here?!" She screamed thereafter, when she saw her children hugging themselves on the floor. They were crying intensely, passionately.


    Athena¡¯s heart-rate plummeted seriously. She hurried over to them, and repeated her question, anxiously.


    At her voice, the two children, male and female, aged six, looked up to her with startling blue eyes that reminded Athena of Ewan.


    "Mom, an ant bit Kate..." The male responded, deftly pointing the area of pain to Athena, who had settled on the floor right beside them.


    Athena sighed in relief at the small sight of red on Kathleen¡¯s arm, before asking Gianna to get the pain reliever.


    But Gianna wasn¡¯t at the doorstep when she turned. Her friend was already off to the dining area to get the first aid kit.


    Gianna was perceptive enough to know that the pain relieving ointment would be needed.


    Just when Athena was about tofort the little Kathleen who looked at her adoringly, she saw theptop that was open and running, near them.


    Her eyebrows furrowed. Her children hadn¡¯t been asleep in the first ce!


    "What were you both doing awake?" She asked calmly, almost abandoning Kate who now squirmed underneath her gaze.


    Her son licked his lips slowly in response.


    Athena had to resist from cursing at Ewan¡ªwith all the willpower she possessed.


    His resemnce to her son was too canny. Nathaniel was truly a chip of the old block!


    "We couldn¡¯t sleep, mom. We were waiting for you. We decided to y someputer games when we saw that you weren¡¯ting back anytime soon... especially after Aunt Gia tried tucking us into bed."


    Even Nathaniel¡¯s aloof countenance as he finally gave an answer to her question reminded her of Ewan.


    Athena sighed tiredly, and took her daughter in her arms again,forting the little one by rubbing her arms softly and repeatedly.


    "I¡¯m sorry about that, Nate. I got caught up at the party. There was a lot to be done, a lot of people to be introduced to."


    Nate shrugged his shoulders, as if he couldn¡¯t be bothered. "How did it go?"


    Athena thought about the likely loss of her rtionship with Zane, and shrugged her shoulders too. "Not bad."


    However, a furrow marred her forehead when she saw the strange look on her son¡¯s face.


    He looked at her like she was a liar.


    Athena piqued her eyebrow, and when Nate remained undeterred, she sighed.


    "Nathaniel...please don¡¯t tell me that you did that again. You promised not to use that skill again! You promised not to spy..."


    Athena palmed her forehead in frustration.


    Behind her, Gianna tiptoed out of the room, after dropping the ointment on the floor, beside Athena, already knowing where this particr conversation was heading to.


    She wasn¡¯t ready to bear the brunt of what she didn¡¯t understand! The twins could take care of themselves before their mother.


    Even so, Nate said nothing. He only donned the nonchnt demeanor that was Ewan.


    Athena gave him a side re before applying the ointment on Kate¡¯s arm¡ªKate, who kept staring at her mother and brother intermittently, waiting for the other shoe to drop.


    After Athena was done making the application, she carried Kate to the bed and tucked her in, muttering sweet words of encouragement to her. Thereafter she dropped a kiss on thetter¡¯s cheeks.


    Only after that, did she turn to Nathaniel with a scowl on her face. "You are grounded for a week, boy. Let me have your gadgets!"


    Nathaniel hesitated, then bowed his face in submission, under the heat of his mother¡¯s anger.


    He stood up grudgingly, picked up hisptop and then his phone, and handed them over to his mother.


    He cast a side nce at his sister who watched them keenly.


    "Now, get on your bed..."


    "I¡¯m sorry, Mom. It won¡¯t happen again..."


    Athena cocked her head to the side, studying her son. <i>¡¯It won¡¯t happen again.¡¯ </i>has urred more than a hundred times over the past two years!


    Three years ago she had discovered his passion forputers, and had pushed him into that path.


    Nevertheless, she was beginning to wonder if she had been wrong, especially as he could hack into surveince systems at such a young age.


    Athena sighed after a few beats. She couldn¡¯t be angry at her children for long, not when they looked at her like that; like she was the best thing ever, like they would be condemned to death if she punished them.


    She pulled Nathaniel up, hugged him, and then tucked him into bed.


    "Mom..." Nathaniel tried again, but Athena ced her finger on his lips.


    "It¡¯s okay, Nate...I have forgiven you. Sleep now."


    Nate dropped a kiss on Athena¡¯s right cheek, wished her a good night, and closed his eyes.


    Athena got to her feet, looked at her children sleeping, and inhaled deeply. These two were her world. She would kill for their sake.


    Again she wondered what would happen if Ewan saw them.


    She shook her head free from the disturbing thought, and checked her children again. When she was satisfied with their sleeping state, she walked out of the room.


    She needed to talk with Gianna about Ethan and his reports.


    But immediately Athena left the room, Kate opened her eyes.


    She waited for some seconds, to stop hearing her mother¡¯s footsteps, before jumping down from her bed, and hurrying to her brother¡¯s.


    "Nate! Wake up!"


    Nate pretended to sleep, but Kate knew him from the inside out.


    She hit him on the arm. "Get up! We aren¡¯t done watching the surveince."


    "Mom will really go crazy when she discovers you are the one behind the hack-ins." Nathaniel opined, refusing to open his eyes, even after Kate¡¯s nervousugh.


    But Kate wasn¡¯t one to give up. She hit Nate again on the arm.


    Nathaniel cussed softly and opened his eyes.


    "You really are bent on entering mom¡¯s bad books today.." He cited, stepping down from the bed.


    Kate ignored him, and brought her own phone. A few taps in, and she was watching the live feed of the party.


    "So that¡¯s our father? He looks like us. What do you think, Nate?"


    "He is our father. I checked him out some days ago, before our return."


    "Well he seems hell bent on discrediting our mom. What¡¯s this nonsense about adultery? Is he okay?"


    "Not likely." Nathaniel answered. "We will deal with him though. He will regret doing this."


    Kathleen sighed. "Should we give him another chance?"


    "He just lost thest one." Nathaniel somberly took the phone out of his sister¡¯s hand, turned it off, and led her to her bed.


    "By the way, when are you going to tell mom you are more of a tech guru than I am?"


    Kate shrugged her shoulders, beforeying down on the bed. "I don¡¯t think she should know yet. If she does, she won¡¯t let us help her. Let¡¯s stick to the story. We need to protect her."


    Silence.


    "You think we should tell her?"


    Nathaniel shook his head. "No. You¡¯re right. What about our godfather?"


    "I¡¯m not sure. We¡¯ll give him onest chance for reconciliation. If he doesn¡¯t take it, he¡¯s out."

 Chapter 12: Game Of Chess

    <h4>Chapter 12: Game Of Chess</h4>


    "So, why was Ethan here?" Athena asked as she collected the cup of hot chocte from Gianna.


    She dumped herself on a sofa and crossed her legs, took a sip of hot drink and sighed in rxation.


    After checking on her children, she had freshened up, and eaten the food that her friend had microwaved for her. Now, she felt ready for a business talk.


    "Well, you were right about the situation earlier. He has started receiving proposals for a buyout. There are a few about partnering too..."


    A significant pause.


    Athena looked at Gianna, knowing that thetter wasn¡¯t done talking. A bombshell wasing.


    "The chiefpetitors are Ewan and Zane. Did Zane tell you about his interest, or did you know?"


    Athena shook her head. She didn¡¯t discuss business with Zane, except it entailed the hospital and the kids. They hadn¡¯t gotten past that stage yet.


    "Well, Ethan mentioned that he liked Ewan¡¯s proposal more. He came to ask for your opinion, as he hasn¡¯t been able to reach you via the phone..."


    Athena nodded, holding back the smile that was threatening to mount on her lips. Things were working ording to n, a n that Gianna was oblivious to.


    Gianna believed she was only a doctor, and then a counselor to the infamous Ethan Patterson and hispany.


    What her best friend didn¡¯t know was that she owned Ethan¡¯spany; that she had set up the branch in the city for a purpose; that all these were part of a game she was ying¡ªa game of chess.


    A game she couldn¡¯t afford to lose this time around.


    If her old rivals don¡¯t provoke her, she would live out her years in wealth.


    If they did provoke her, she wanted to be in charge, and not helpless, as she had been six years ago.


    But of course she would let Gianna know, only after that n kicked off. For now, however, let her friend think of her as a rich counselor and doctor alone.


    There was a perceptible silence where Athena pretended to think of the answer to give her friend on the issue of Ethan.


    "If Ethan reaches out again, tell him to wait. That would increase thepany value. Did he mention anything else?"


    Gianna hesitated, thinking that delivering this information was making Athena ufortable.


    After all, hadn¡¯t she been the one who had told her to let go of the past? But what can one do, when the past kept showing up at every turn?


    "Gianna, what¡¯s the problem?"


    Gianna bit her lips. "Well, your father..."


    "Gianna, I told you I don¡¯t have a father, at least not one that I know of."


    Gianna sighed and nodded. "Of course. Zack Moore is among thepetitors. But unlike the others, he¡¯s not seeking the buyout or partnership option. He wants to buy only five percent of thepany¡¯s shares."


    A pause.


    "What do you think about that? It¡¯s good for thepany right? Your friend will still have a hold over thepany¡¯s activities."


    Athena nodded, while she thought the opposite. But everything was working ording to n.


    "I will talk to Ethan tomorrow. Don¡¯t worry your pretty head, everything will be fine." She assured her friend, before standing up from the sofa.


    "Are you going to sleep?" Gianna asked, standing up too.


    Athena opened her mouth to reply that she had somepany documents to go through, but changed her mind. What Gianna knew her for was <i>counseling and doctoring.</i>


    "Yeah, I¡¯ll just take water first." She replied, going to the kitchen to retrieve a cup of water, and her bag.


    "Goodnight."


    Meanwhile at Ewan¡¯s residence, he was pacing restlessly from one end of the sitting room to the other.


    Seated on one of the sofa was Fiona, who kept clenching and unclenching her fists.


    She didn¡¯t need to ask Ewan to know that what kept the man she loved in knots was Athena¡¯s return.


    She gritted her teeth, as she remembered what had transpired after Athena had walked out of the party hall.


    Ewan had made to go after Athena, even after painting her as a whore. He had wanted to run after her, but for Zane, who had asked him to let Athena go for the night.


    For Zane, she had expected the wealth mogul to talk bitterly against Athena, but thetter had just wished them goodnight with a nd smile, announced the end of the party, and left in his limousine.


    Fiona didn¡¯t need a fortune teller to inform her that the guy was in love with Athena too. Just like Ewan.


    Anger rippled Fiona¡¯s heart.


    She didn¡¯t know why Athena was still breathing, after she had paid some bandits to do away with thetter six years ago, while she journeyed away from the town.


    But she would make sure that Athena dies now. She won¡¯t be taking chances. No. Not with Ewan behaving like this.


    For now, however, Fiona stilled her anger, stood up from the sofa, and walked to Ewan, who had rested on the wall.


    "What is it, Ewan? You should be resting. You can deal with Athena tomorrow. Don¡¯t worry about Zane either. I¡¯m sure he will know best how to deal with Athena too, for betraying him." She said, even though she highly doubted that Zane would do a thing to hurt Athena.


    But Ewan ignored her.


    When she attempted to speak again, he shunned her. "Go and sleep Fiona. I want to be left alone."


    Fiona gritted her teeth again. Ewan has never rebuffed her hug, except on the night that Athena left the towns six years ago.


    She thought of trying again, but she knew it wouldn¡¯t work, so she wished him goodnight, and returned to her room.


    Immediately Fiona was out of sight, Ewan sat on the sofa, and held his head in his hands. What was wrong with him?


    One moment he felt vindictive, another moment he felt guilty. The mixed feelings had assailed him when Athena had looked at him like he was trash and walked out of the party hall.


    He sighed tiredly. Where was Sandro?


    As if being summoned, Sandro stepped into the sitting room, without knocking.


    Seeing him, Ewan stumbled to his feet. "What did you find out?"


    Sandro inhaled softly. "That she remarried. She returned to the city with two children."

 Chapter 13: A Ruckus

    <h4>Chapter 13: A Ruckus</h4>


    "Remember to wait for Aunt Gianna under that shade after school dismissal..."


    Athena pointed to the shade she was referring to, as she and her children came out of the principal¡¯s office.


    The twins nodded, smiling adorably at her. They jumped excitedly, holding her hands, as she walked them to their ssroom.


    "And please don¡¯t make any trouble in ss..."


    Kathleen pouted at her mother¡¯s implied reprimand. "Mom, we are not trouble makers!"


    Athena nodded solemnly, causing Nathaniel to chuckle. His mother knew them well enough.


    "We will try, mom¡ªif no one looks for either of our troubles. But we will keep our troubles safe, and out of reach."


    Athena hoped, for the sake of other children, that they hid their troubles properly. Her children could be problematic when they chose to be.


    When they got to the ssroom , she squatted to their height, and dropped a kiss on their forehead. "Listen to your teachers, sweethearts. I will ask you questions when you get home..."


    The twins nodded, before dropping a kiss on her cheeks. "We will pay utmost attention! Also promise us to be safe today..."


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows at the strange request, but nodded all the same.


    Just at the same time, the twins exchanged furtive nces; Kathleen brought out a toy watch from her bag, and handed it over to her mother. "To remember us... even while you work..."


    Athena chuckled, wondering at the sudden need for remembrance. They didn¡¯t give her this when they had lived away from the city. Why now?


    But she took the gift, happy to have it.


    "It¡¯s cute." She spoke as she wore it on her left wrist. She didn¡¯t care that the watch looked childish. Because it came from her children, she would treasure it with her life.


    She was so engrossed with dropping another round of appreciation kisses on their cheeks and foreheads, that she didn¡¯t notice the red light that blinked twice and stopped at the edge of the watch.


    "Good bye..." She waved after them, as they walked into their ss, feeling bereft as she always did when they parted ways for even a second. It reminded her of those days that had been bleak and drab.


    She sighed, drew herself away from the sad memories, and turned toward the exit gate. Her driver was waiting.


    Last night, after working, she had emailed Zane a resignation letter. He had given her a response two minutester, as if he had been expecting her email.


    He hadn¡¯t epted her resignation. Rather, he had booked her a dinner, to discuss some things.


    Already, Athena knew it was about Ewan¡¯s stupid speech.


    However, because of Zane¡¯s father, she had agreed to meet him after work today.


    She checked her new watch, the time was actually working. She chuckled as she entered the car, and told Aiden to drive. She loved her kids!


    When she got to the hospital, she sighed when she saw a queue behind the reception desk.


    Looking to the other side, she followed the back door, and went up to her office, refusing to be swamped by overzealous patients, or their families. It was too early for that.


    As she got into her office, she said a little prayer for the day, and set about arranging the documents on her table. After that, she informed her personal assistant, through the telephone, to send in her first patient for the day.


    A few minutester, there was a knock on the door.


    Athena righted herself on her seat, before beckoning on the knocker toe in.


    When the door opened, Athena saw the surprised look on her assistant¡¯s face¡ªnoting it must be because she hadn¡¯te through the front door¡ªbefore she saw Fiona.


    But Fiona already saw her first, if the contortion of thetter¡¯s face with fury was any indication.


    Oh well. What a bad start to a work day. Athena mused, waiting for the other shoe to drop as Fiona stepped properly into her office.


    "What are you doing here?" Fiona demanded, after scrutinizing therge office¡ªas if it was too pure to be tainted by a strange woman¡ªcausing Athena to pique her eyebrow at the disturbance she wasn¡¯t ready for this morning.


    When Athena gave her no reply, Fiona hissed and turned to the personal assistant. "What is the city¡¯s whore doing here? She was fired a few hours ago!"


    The personal assistant was lost for words. She didn¡¯t get the memo.


    Athena inhaled and exhaled tiredly. She looked at the name tag on her assistant¡¯s shirt. "Ciara, take the mad woman out of here. I don¡¯t think she is ready for treatment."


    "Me? A mad woman? Do you know..." Fiona pushed Ciara away when thetter tried to pull her out of the office.


    "You stinking secretary! If you touch me again, I¡¯ll make sure you spend your remaining days on earth in jail!"


    Ciara kept her hands to herself. She knew who Fiona was.


    Athena chuckled softly. "Ciara, don¡¯t be afraid. Call security to throw her out then. Don¡¯t waste a second."


    Ciara obeyed instantly. Athena was still her boss.


    Picking her phone, she dialed the security, watching with curiosity as Fiona red at her boss. What could be the history between them?


    "There¡¯s a mad woman in our boss¡¯ office. Come take her away."


    Fiona red at Ciara again, but Athena¡¯s calmness gave Ciara the boost she needed to remain rooted in the face of Fiona¡¯s anger.


    "Do you know who I am? You stupid secretary? I will make sure you lose your job today! Ewan Gietti will make sure of that!"


    Caira faltered then, but Athena won¡¯t have any of that.


    "See the fool bragging with a man¡¯s name!" Athena chuckled again. " They aren¡¯t even married yet. For all we know, he might be using her to warm his bed."


    Fiona saw red. She was about to walk up to Athena, when the guards arrived.


    The guards looked at Athena for instruction, having recognized Fiona as Ewan¡¯s fianc¨¦e.


    "Throw out the mad woman!" Athena ordered, a sly smirk on her lips.


    "How dare you?!" Fiona screamed when the two guards bundled her up.


    As they carried her out, she turned to Athena, her eyes shing with fury.


    "I saw Zane and Ewan this morning. They were talking about your position. Zane promised to fire you. And I know he will, you whore! You will be fired by the end of today! Ewan wille for you too, wait for it!"


    Athena snorted, and let the chair swirl her in a 360 degree motion, twice.


    She will wait. She loved the waiting game after all.

 Chapter 14: A Ruckus II

    <h4>Chapter 14: A Ruckus II</h4>


    Athena was reading the documents her assistant had submitted to her earlier, which detailed the spread of the strange disease around some towns, when she heard themotion right outside the door.


    A smile slithered across her lips when she heard Fiona¡¯s hysterical scream at Ciara; an order to open the office doors so that she could get through.


    For the guards to let Fiona back into the premises, it could only mean that Ewan hade with her.


    Athena shook her head. The ruckus was far from over. But she was more than ready for the wacky couple.


    Just then her phone started ringing.


    When she saw the caller, she piqued an eyebrow. Zane.


    Had Ewan really spoken to him about firing her? Or was he calling to inform her to ept Fiona¡¯s request, whatever that was?


    Athena silenced the phone, and turned it upside down. She didn¡¯t need Zane¡¯s interference. If he deemed it necessary to interfere, she would resign.


    That decided, she ced her hands on the desk, and wore excellently, the posture of the aloof boss that she was.


    At the same moment her office door opened, and Ciara led Ewan and Fiona into her mighty office which had a beautiful view of the sky and city.


    <i>Probably why Fiona had gone wild with hate the first time.</i>


    "I tried to stop them, but Mr. Ewan Gietti had permission from Mr. Zane."


    Athena nodded slowly, before gesturing that Ciara leave the office. "Give me five minutes before you send the other patients in. I think I will be done with this case soonest."


    Ciara nodded and gave a bow, before leaving the office.


    Fiona couldn¡¯t stop herself from releasing a cuss word at the assistant, whose only response was silence before she shut the door.


    But Athena wouldn¡¯t let that go.


    "If your fianc¨¦e has no self control, then she has to leave. I won¡¯t have her insulting my staff." She said calmly, gazing at Ewan with a bored expression.


    Before Ewan could respond however, Fiona shouted at Athena. "Are you stupid? Who do you think you are, speaking about staff and what not?! Zane assured me that you will be fired today!"


    "Really?" Athena chuckled, and shook her head. "Then, I guess I am out of here."


    She made a show of reaching for her bag, despite knowing that Fiona was lying. Ewan confirmed her deductions the next second.


    "Don¡¯t mind my fianc¨¦e, Athena..."


    "It¡¯s Doctor Athena to you..." Athena interrupted, flipping through the document that was before her.


    Ewan stilled at the rebuff, but knew this was what he had to endure to ensure the treatment of the people in his town.


    He couldn¡¯t afford to mess the chance up because of an old feud that had gone cold. And there was the fact that she had remarried.


    After Sandro had returned with the reportsst night, he had been amazed by what he had read¡ªAthena¡¯s aplishments in the past five years had blown his mind!


    He read of her education background, and the speed with which she had moved through health fields and education. It was obvious to him that she had someone backing her. But who?


    The document hadn¡¯t exined that. And a particr year¡¯s report was missing from the documents; the year and the next, after she had left the town.


    Had it been when she married her husband? Could the husband be the backer? Who was he? And if she was married, why was she frolicking with Zane?


    These questions didn¡¯t put Athena in a good light before Ewan but he knew he had to push all that aside to obtain help from his ex wife; not for himself, but for his people.


    "Doctor Athena, don¡¯t mind my fianc¨¦e..."


    "Mr. Ewan, she is not worth minding, neither are you. I gave you both five minutes; that time is almost up!"


    Ewan¡¯s nostrils red in anger at being treated like a nobody. Yet for the love of his people, he stood rimrod straight as if he wasn¡¯t affected by Athena¡¯s subtle insults.


    Fiona, however, wasn¡¯t exactly wise.


    She strolled to Athena¡¯s desk, andmanded her to stand up. "You are spoiling for a p... Athena.."


    But Athena didn¡¯t even spare Fiona a nce.


    Instead she looked at Ewan, who understood that his ex wife was expecting him to do something drastic, or lose her attention.


    "Fiona, leave us."


    Fiona¡¯s mouth dropped open in shock.


    And when Athena smiled in satisfaction, Fiona raised her hand to p her, but Ewan was fast enough to catch her flimsy hand.


    "Let me Ewan! Let me wipe off that smirk from her lips! Does she know my position in the city???"


    But Ewan wasn¡¯t having any of Fiona¡¯s tantrums, not if it could destabilize his ns. He pulled her to himself, and pushed her toward the door.


    "Ewan..."


    A re from the already annoyed male silenced Fiona immediately.


    Knowing that Ewan was hanging on a tiny thread, she submissively went to the door, happy at least that his anger wasn¡¯t directed toward her.


    Surely, this way, he could see that Athena was evil for him?


    Before she left, she red at Athena. But Athena continued to smile at her, deprecatingly.


    Fiona, helpless, held back a retort and walked out of the door.


    Immediately she left, Ewan turned to Athena. "I¡¯m sorry for that. She can be a handful."


    "What do you want, Mr. Ewan?"


    Athena wasn¡¯t in the mood for small talk. She went back to reading the documents on the table.


    "Athe... Doctor Athena..."


    Ewan opened his mouth, then shut it, amazed that he was stuttering.


    He couldn¡¯t believe it. Athena had been the one to stutter in front of him years ago, and now he was doing it. How had the tables turned?


    He swallowed his pride still. "Doctor Athena, I need your medical help..."


    "I¡¯m sure that¡¯s the case, as that is the only reason you will be here. You have one minute more, Mr. Ewan. What do you want?"


    "I need your help. The disease you treated Zane¡¯s father for, is spreading in my town. Fiona¡¯s mother is gued by it already. I know we have a shady past, but can you let bygones be bygones? We need you to cure her."


    A significant pause.


    "Will youe? Will you help us?"

 Chapter 15: Mixed Feelings

    <h4>Chapter 15: Mixed Feelings</h4>


    Athena chuckled softly after Ewan¡¯s plea, causing Ewan to ball his fists.


    "Well, I won¡¯t take up the case. Leave my office. And when you do, send the next person inside."


    Ewan was rendered speechless again.


    After a few beats, he opened his mouth to speak, but shut it, not knowing what to say, especially with Athena looking at him that way.


    He held back a weary sigh and met her mocking gaze; she was deriving utmost pleasure from rejecting him, from ying with him.


    But there were people¡¯s lives at stake! Didn¡¯t she care about that? Wasn¡¯t it a doctor¡¯s first need to heal people? So, what was this sentimental bullshit?


    He opened his mouth to tell her this, but thought better. He didn¡¯t know much of the new Athena, but knew that if he spoke now, he would be incurring more problems on him and his town.


    He took a step back, and diverted his gaze from her to the pictures of Zane¡¯s family on the wall.


    If he had known that she was the only doctor who had found the cure to the strange ailment giarizing the country, he wouldn¡¯t have gone berserk yesterday.


    No. He would have stamped his anger and frustration down, just to see his people safe. He would have been cool, would¡¯ve even made an attempt at friendship.


    He was an astute businessman, putting his businesses before his personal life.


    Last night, however, had been a shock to him. Why had he been so bitter?


    He looked at Athena. She was poring over the documents, and he felt like overthrowing the table.


    He sighed deeply, seeing that he still felt the same, noting that this frustrating feeling won¡¯t be leaving anytime soon, unless Athena left.


    But he didn¡¯t want her gone. He needed her help. He would have to suck up his feelings. But how did he go about pleading? He has never been a beggar. Would he start now?


    His eyes wandered to a lone picture of Zane, and he sighed for the second time.


    Fiona thought Zane was on their side, but the Zane that he had spoken to this morning wasn¡¯t exactly sure; the excuse his best friend had given was that Athena was needed; her talent was needed and they couldn¡¯t just let her go; that he would find a way to deal with her still.


    But Ewan knew that was half hearted. Zane loved his wife!


    He rubbed his forehead, thinking of the possessiveness that had added to this terrible feeling at his chest.


    Probably because he never divorced Athena.


    "Mr Ewan, don¡¯t you have a business to run?" Athena¡¯s cold question brought Ewan back to thend of the conscious.


    "Well, if you don¡¯t have one, I do. And I don¡¯t appreciate being stalled. Leave."


    Ewan thought of kneeling to plead. But even the thought disgusted him. How could he kneel to a woman, especially a woman that had cheated on him?


    Moreover, he didn¡¯t think that this changed Athena would be easily thawed by that singr action. If anything, she wouldugh in derision.


    Ewan wasn¡¯t ready to be mocked. He didn¡¯t know how to get Athena to listen to him, but he would find a way to do that, no matter the cost; his people needed him.


    He tried onest time. "You are a doctor. Shouldn¡¯t the lives of people matter to you, more than a personal vendetta?"


    Athena looked at him with a bored expression. "And who said anything about a personal vendetta? Lives matter, that¡¯s true. But a doctor has choices. This isn¡¯t Hollywood, Mr. Ewan."


    Ewan pushed down the feeling to pull Athena into his arms and shake the madness out of her, and then kiss her madly like his life depended on it.


    He cussed himself mentally for wanting to taste her lips.


    "Is there nothing really I can do to change your mind?"


    This was said through gritted teeth.


    Athena had tough. She didn¡¯t bother to conceal that she was enjoying this banter.


    Yes, she had promised Gianna not to make the first strike, but there was nothing in the deal against doing business. She was a delectable business woman.


    <i>What could he do?</i> Oh she had something he could do.


    "Make me a shareholder in yourpany, with ess to twenty percent of your shares."


    There was silence in the office for a few minutes.


    "Do you know how much that is, Athena? Do you know what you are asking for? That¡¯s an insane request!"


    Ewan didn¡¯t know when his voice texture skyrocketed. Athena was bent on making him crazy!


    Athena chuckled softly. "Of course I do, Ewan. I¡¯m not an uneducated woman anymore. I know business. Trust me, there¡¯s a reason I¡¯m the counselor to the Patterson¡¯s family."


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows. Counselor to the entire Zane family? Impossible!


    "Athena, there¡¯s a difference between being a doctor, and a counselor? You weren¡¯t taught that?" He couldn¡¯t help the dig.


    Athena chuckled again. "Ewan, your brain cells really need some recuperation. The audacity for you to think I don¡¯t know the meaning. You should me your pathetic brain for thinking that a woman can¡¯t be both."


    Ewan paled visibly.


    Since Athena came back, he has been subjected to all forms of insult, he wouldn¡¯t have ordinarily taken lying low. Was it a sigh to let her be?


    Yet how can he do so when she was the key to healing his people? Twenty percent shares? Wasn¡¯t that greedy?


    She had a smirk on her lips now, and he felt like wiping it off her lips with a hot kiss.


    Ewan cursed himself for the second time. Here was a woman trying to strip him of his dignity , and he was thinking about kissing her.


    He shook his head. He needed to leave her office; her scent was intoxicating him.


    He had managed to ignore it for a while, but it seemed impossible now; it seemed as if the scent was fighting this case too, against him.


    "I know we have a lot between us, Athena. But please, for the sake of the innocent people involved, have a rethink about the situation. I¡¯ll be back."


    Athena sat up on her seat, and sped her hands together on the desk. "Don¡¯te back here without an answer to my proposal, Ewan. That¡¯s the only way we can move forward."


    Then she picked the telephone and called Ciara. "Send in the next client."


    ...Not minding that Ewan had opened his mouth to speak.


    She was tired of hearing his voice. It gave her mixed feelings; loathing and yearning.

 Chapter 16: Apologies

    <h4>Chapter 16: Apologies</h4>


    Athena mused as she returned her files into their cabs after suspending her other appointments of the day¡ªan unforeseen, yet important, interruption had urred.


    Gianna had called a few minutes ago to inform her that she had a work emergency; she wouldn¡¯t be able to pick up the twins from school today.


    Athena would have sent Aiden, her personal driver, to pick them up, but the male¡¯s name wasn¡¯t registered on the school¡¯s system as one of the people ted to pick her kids up.


    Sighing tiredly, she shut down herptop. Today has been hectic.


    As she checked items into her bag, she wondered if it had been a good idea taking this job. But even as the thought came, she trashed it. The job was worth the stress. And she needed it.


    Striding out of her office, with her bag slung across her shoulder, into her assistant¡¯s space, she spotted Zane talking to Ciara.


    <i>Oh no. Not another ruckus. </i>She thought, biting her lower lip. She was tired. She had to avoid a confrontation now, at all costs.


    Before, she would have stopped to admire and tease Zane; to make small talk andugh over little blessings; but now, she walked past him, with her eyes trained on the exit door¡ªwould have been sessful with the escape mission, if he hadn¡¯t called her back.


    "Athena, please wait..."


    Athena inhaled deeply to calm her conflicting emotions and waited. Zane deserved that much.


    Still, was he here to convince her to take Ewan as a patient? Was that why he had called earlier?


    "Athena, I¡¯m sorry aboutst night. I should have done my due research before acting out of character. I should have thought of my god-son and god-daughter. I should have thought of the sincerity of our friendship, and your integrity..."


    Zane paused, and looked at a gaping Ciara.


    The assistant nched, picked some files from her table, and ran out of themon room.


    Ciara knew her employer¡¯s moods well enough to know that Zane considered it a sacrilege to be seen as anything but cold.


    In her absence, Zane recovered momentum. He approached Athena gently, and continued his apology. "I¡¯m sorry, Athena. It won¡¯t happen again."


    Athena, though finding the situation amusing, nodded stiffly. "That¡¯s okay. Can we head out? I¡¯m in a hurry."


    Zane let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you!"


    Together, they walked out of the hospital.


    "Where are you heading to? We can talk while on transit."


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows. She didn¡¯t want to go anywhere with Zane. She didn¡¯t want to talk about Ewan and his loose fianc¨¦e. So, she said nothing.


    Zane stopped walking. "I¡¯m sorry, Athena. I allowed emotions to blind me."


    He was ready to apologize as many times as possible, to have Athena back as before.


    With the chance of losing her present, Zane discovered he couldn¡¯t let go of Athena. When she had ignored his calls this morning, he had almost lost it.


    Right now, he discarded the coldness that was him, and allowed the boyish charm and demeanor to resurface.


    It didn¡¯t work on Athena.


    "Have you done your research, Zane? What did you find out?" Athena cut straight to the chase. She knew enough of the Pattersons family and their connections.


    Zane sighed, but nodded. "To be honest, I did research on you when father had hired you to treat him. And though I suspected some shady business, I had let it go, not caring what your past was, so long as you healed my father."


    A pause.


    "But yesterday, I had my men do a more thorough investigation on what had actually happened six years ago. There had been no conclusive evidence that you had cheated on Ewan."


    They stopped at his car, and Zane opened the door for her.


    Athena stared at him contemtively. Noting the plea in his eyes, she shook her head and entered the car. Hadn¡¯t she decided to give him a second chance?


    At least he wasn¡¯t gullible as Ewan, who she had given numerous chances during the three years of their marriage.


    "As a matter of fact, I believe your side of the story. There were a lot of loopholes to Luca¡¯s story. Speaking about Luca... Where is he now?"


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "Paying for his crimes."


    Zane piqued an eyebrow, but Athena said nothing more.


    He shook his head, while a smile yed on his lips.


    Mystery was one of the things that attracted him to Athena. As much as she was simple, she was a woman who knew what she wanted, and how she wanted it.


    Already, he could imagine what torture Luca might be facing now. Good for him.


    Well, it was better that the young man fell under Athena¡¯s hands. It would have been a different case under him.


    "So, you are choosing me over your best friend?" Athena asked some minutester, interrupting Zane¡¯s thoughts, a few miles away from the twins¡¯ school.


    "Not exactly. I trust your story, so I will try convincing Ewan to see things clearly. I need to gather more evidence. The CCTV of the hotel had been wiped clean."


    Didn¡¯t she know? Athena chuckled bitterly. It had been one of the things she had tried getting her hands on after she stood back on her feet.


    Fiona and her father had really been thorough. Unfortunately, Luca hadn¡¯t been so.


    Just then her phone rang. The phone number was an unknown one. Athena furrowed her eyebrows. Who could be this calling her private number?


    She cocked her head to the side, but went ahead to answer the call.


    "Hello, Athena, it¡¯s your father..."


    Athena ended the call. "Who gave the bagger my phone number?"


    "Who was that?"


    "Mr Zack Moore. Did your investigators let you know that he isn¡¯t my real father?"


    "That part was true?"


    Athena red at Zane who muttered an apology before parking his car at the school¡¯s garage. "I wasn¡¯t informed. How did you find out?"


    "He told me."


    "You don¡¯t think it was something said out of anger?"


    Zane received another re, and muttered another apology.


    "No, it wasn¡¯t. I know he is not my father. It had put things on a clearer perspective six years ago."


    "That¡¯s crazy. You should block his number then." Zane advised before killing the engine.


    They both stepped out of the car, and walked inside the school.


    "So, Zane, I have a question for you, and I request an honest reply."


    Zane piqued up. Athena rarely made requests.


    "Sure, go ahead! So long as it doesn¡¯t have to do with the money in my bank ount."


    Athenaughed, understanding the joke, to Zane¡¯s relief. He had realized a little toote that his statement was in line with the allegation that had been levied against Athenast night.


    He had to sue two presspanies for itst night!


    "Trust me, Zane, I have no interest in your money." Athena started.


    But Zane was already aware of this fact. "What do you want to know, Athena?"


    "Last six years, when I asked Ewan for a divorce, there had been talks about being a breeder, and my father¡¯s role in our marriage. Last night, Ewan mentioned it too. What was he talking about?"

 Chapter 17: A Threat

    <h4>Chapter 17: A Threat</h4>


    Before Zane could give a reply to Athena, shouts of ¡¯Mom! Godfather!¡¯ rented the air, putting a stop to the conversation between the two adults.


    Athena turned first with a dazzling smile, in the direction she knew that her children wereing from.


    So dazzling was the smile that Zane was momentarily blinded just as his heartbeat escted suddenly. He inhaled sharply to calm himself down.


    Athena was oblivious to the excitement she had ignited in Zane unknowingly.


    Her attention was fully grabbed by her children who were running to her withrge smiles that almost made her dizzy.


    She squatted and opened her arms wide, for them to rush into her embrace.


    "Good afternoon, Mom!" Kathleen and Nathaniel chorused, embracing Athena gaily, kissing her cheeks which were made avable to them.


    "Good afternoon lovelies! How was your day at school?"


    "Beautiful mom!"


    "Interesting!"


    Kathleen and Nathaniel echoed simultaneously.


    Athena was satisfied with their answers. She smiled and dropped kisses on their foreheads, before letting them rush into Zane¡¯s arms.


    Seeing as he squatted to wee them too, seeing as he ruffled their hairs and yed with them, she wished he was their father; that he was the one her heart panted for. Sadly, fate had prepared a different n.


    She sighed wistfully, watching Nathaniel whisper something in Zane¡¯s ears, watching himugh, watching Kathleen pout her lips at being sidelined.


    When Zane tried to include Kathleen, she watched her daughter shake her head in pride, and hurry to her side.


    Athena chuckled softly, and ruffled her daughter¡¯s hair. But she hadn¡¯t anticipated Kathleen¡¯s outburst the next second.


    "Nathaniel, you are fickle. ying with a man that had bullied our motherst night! Where¡¯s your shame and integrity?!"


    And like that Kathleen sessfully punctured the happy atmosphere and her brother¡¯s jolly mood to the chagrin of the adults.


    Athena shook her head. Her daughter was as vindictive as her.


    For Zane, he didn¡¯t know how the children had found out aboutst night, but he let his knees touch the ground, and apologized.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Kathleen. I hadn¡¯t gotten my facts straight. I should have followed your mother out of the party. At the very least, I should have given her the benefit of doubt."


    Nathaniel who had been jovial minutes ago, now stood aloof with his hands across his chest.


    Athena didn¡¯t know how to manage this particr issue. So, she stood at the sidelines and watched.


    A smile however yed on her lips when Kathleen walked up to Zane and draped her arms around his neck. A smile which disappeared the next second when she heard her daughter¡¯s next words:


    "But if you act that way again, godfather, I will personally see to it that you regret that singr decision for the rest of your life."


    Worse, Kathleen smiled as she uttered the threat. Nathaniel came to stand behind her as a guard would.


    The position did something funny and right at Athena¡¯s chest. She didn¡¯t know what Kathleen was on about, but she was proud that her children had their backs, and her back too.


    "I promise it won¡¯te to that, Kathleen. I will serve as your mother¡¯s protector, just as you two are." Zane flicked their noses as he spoke, causing them tough, and hug him properly.


    He carried them up without any stress, giving Athena a good view of his biceps.


    Athena feasted her eyes. He would be a good fit for Gianna, she thought.


    Only that her friend, for some reason, was apathetic to Zane.


    Athena wouldn¡¯t have believed it if she hadn¡¯t seen it.


    Once she had contemted on researching if there was any history between them, but had given up, choosing to wait it out, to wait until her friend told her. She was still waiting.


    She watched now as Zane carried her two children to the car. She enjoyed the view for a second longer, before walking after them.


    But two stepster, she was held back by a soft hand on her wrist. "Excuse me, ma¡¯am..."


    Athena turned to see a little girl, around the age of her twins, looking at her with wide eyes, wide familiar eyes. "Yes, little one. What is the problem?"


    She squatted to the height of the little one, and patted her cheek, encouraging the girl to keep talking.


    "Can I be friends with Kate and Nate?"


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows. A ssmate of her children? Do her children know they have a fan already?


    "What¡¯s your name?"


    "Kendra." The little girl answered, ncing at the twins who were arguing with Zane in the car.


    Athena followed her eyes, noted the twinkle in them, and nodded. Surely a fan. Hopefully, the little one wasn¡¯t obsessive. She didn¡¯t that influence around her children.


    "Kendra, where are your parents?"


    Kendra darted her eyes away from the twins to Athena, but kept silent.


    Intermittently she looked behind her, and Athena followed the motion. Yet no one waiting in each case. Still, Athena had to know.


    "Kendra..." Athena prodded, flicking the girl¡¯s wide hair behind her ear, hair quality which was familiar.


    "I don¡¯t have parents. Only my aunt takes care of me." Kendra was looking at her small pink shoes now.


    Athena smiled sadly, and lifted Kendra¡¯s face by the chin. "It¡¯s alright. You can be friends with them. But are you sure you want that? They are quite a handful."


    Kendra bobbed her head, and shed a smile that made Athena dizzy.


    Athena only stumbled to her feet when an older woman called Kendra suddenly. When she took a good look at the aunt in question, the person wasn¡¯t familiar.


    Who does the girl remind her of? She wondered, as she headed back to the car.


    Zane opened the door, and she stepped in.


    It was when she stepped into the car, and Zane started to drive, that the realization dawned on her.


    The little girl had the eyes of Fiona, and the tacky hair of Luca.


    Athena held down a shout.

 Chapter 18: Little Revelation

    <h4>Chapter 18: Little Revtion</h4>


    "The twins are Ewan¡¯s right?"


    The white te in Athena¡¯s hand quivered as her hand became unsteady by the virtue of Zane¡¯s question.


    Already she was in some kind of knot, thinking of the possible union of Fiona and Luca¡ªthe when and how the possibility had urred¡ªand now Zanees up with the million dor question.


    But that was to be expected. Zane hadn¡¯t made the deduction earlier because he hadn¡¯t known she was affiliated with Ewan.


    Now that he knew, he was connecting the obvious dots.


    Surely if Zane could do so, then Ewan would too, if heid his eyes on the kids.


    Athena shuddered involuntarily at the court battle that might ensue after that. However, she was ready if it ever came to that. That had been factored in her game ns too.


    "Yes they are. But I will appreciate it if you keep that Information to yourself."


    Zane raised his two hands, watching Athena dish food into the ceramic te. The twins were ying in the sitting room.


    "I promise, Athena. The truth won¡¯t leave my lips. It¡¯s not my fault that my best friend chose to be foolish six years ago."


    "Thank you, Zane."


    Zane shrugged his shoulders. "It¡¯s the right thing to do. After all, my father will have my balls on a tter if he finds out that I had betrayed you unjustly. Yesternight, he almost had them..."


    Athena chuckled and shook her head. Her earlier worries about Zane¡¯s father had been for nothing. It seemed the old man knew more about her, than he let on.


    "Will you ever tell him?"


    Athena shook her head. "But he will find out. I will prefer itter though. I need to put some things in order."


    "Things like what?"


    Zane¡¯s question was met with only a nk stare.


    Zane mused and turned away. That was it again. He thought. The mystery that kept pulling him in. He wasn¡¯t sure if he loved Athena, or if he just wanted to unravel her, or if it was the both.


    "Do you want yours with extra chili sauce?"


    And like that, the topic was changed¡ªchanged and lost forever.


    Zane sighed and nodded. He needed enough pepper to push down the frustration that came with dealing with Athena sometimes.


    "Extra salt?" She asked, when he took a spoon of food to his mouth.


    "No. This is perfect."


    A pause.


    "You didn¡¯t ask the question from earlier again.."


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "I didn¡¯t want toe off as eager."


    How could she be eager for that reply, when the story of the century hadnded on herp! Fiona had a child with Luca! The timing too was crazier!


    If Zane was Gianna, she would have enlisted him into stalking the child, getting a hair sample from both the little one and Fiona, and running a DNA test.


    But he wasn¡¯t Gianna.


    When was her best friending back? Wasn¡¯t she done with the work emergency? It was alreadyte.


    Meanwhile, Zaneughed at her previous response. "You rarelye off as eager, Athena. At least you don¡¯t make it seem so. You have perfected the act of human rtions."


    Athena turned up her lipsically, before closing the pot.


    "You aren¡¯t eating?"


    She shook her head. "Had a heavy lunch. Let¡¯s go. The children might get silly, after waiting for us."


    "Like the children of Israel in the old times after Moses went to the mountain?"


    Athena scowled.


    Zane divulged inughter.


    Three hourster, with the children tucked into bed, Athena and Zane converged in the sitting room.


    Zane plunged into the chair tiredly, causing Athena tough.


    "How do you deal with those hyperactive children of yours..."


    "Well, I don¡¯t indulge them as you do."


    Zane frowned, then gave up, when Athenaughed at him again.


    She stopped, however, when a deeper frown metamorphosed in his face. "What¡¯s the problem, Zane?"


    "Just thinking how you were able to take care of them since birth. I¡¯m sure it wasn¡¯t easy for you."


    "No, it wasn¡¯t. Doesn¡¯t mean I want to talk about it either."


    Zane epted the sharp rebuttal, and sought another topic to speak on. He liked spending time with Athena.


    "About your question earlier, your father made a contract with Ewan some months before your wedding..."


    Athena inhaled sharply, yet softly and reclined deeper in the chair. She knew whatever she would hear would put some things in a different light. "What contract is that?"


    Zane sighed, and turned away from the nk stare on Athena¡¯s face. He knew she had pushed her feelings one side, only allowing her brain to process whatever he was going to tell her logically. "It¡¯s a long story, but I will cut it short,"


    A slight pause.


    "As you know, the two towns have always been at loggerheads, sometimes over petty issues, but really they were justpetitive; and to be honest that had helped in the development of the towns and the city as a whole into what it is now."


    Athena agreed with a nod.


    "Well, there was a time when Ewan¡¯s n went bankrupt; during the great copse of the economy. That time, your father or rather Zack¡¯s grandfather bought a certainnd from Ewan¡¯s grandfather, to help thetter stand in those times. Money had been an issue. It was noted that the two towns had peace during that period, since thend was important one. However, the narrative changed when the two men died..."


    Athena tapped her thighs intermittently, starting a beat.


    Zane pretended not to notice, and continued the story.


    "Zack¡¯s father abused the privileges, by using thend as an opportunity to interfere in the affairs of Ewan¡¯s town. Ewan¡¯s father ignored it. It brought a lot of chaos then. During Ewan¡¯s time, he wanted to stop it. So, he met your father. He asked your father to name a price for thend. Ewan was ready to pay billions to have thend¡ªit had been his father¡¯s dying wish. And he was set to aplish it, by all means..."


    Athena clenched her fists. She already knew where the story was heading to.


    "I told him the offer to make; we all knew that Zack loved money. So, we thought he would fall for it. But Zack brought forth another proposition. I¡¯m sure you can guess what that is..."


    Athena opened her mouth to speak then, words alreadyced with hatred, when a knocknded on the door.


    At first, she thought to ignore it. Yet the knocknded again.


    "I know what you are talking about, Zane. Please, go on."


    She turned to the door, picked a remote on the table and pressed the green button on it. "Come in Gia, the door is open."


    But she was slightly put off when she didn¡¯t hear Gia¡¯s voice in response, when she saw the startled look on Zane¡¯s face after reverting her attention to him.


    Her curiosity piqued, she turned again, immensely startled when she saw who was standing in her sitting room.


    It was Ewan.

 Chapter 19: Unwelcome

    <h4>Chapter 19: Unwee</h4>


    "What are you doing here, Ewan?"


    Athena was the first to break away from the clutches of shock that held the three adults captive.


    "You won¡¯t offer me a seat?" Ewan ndly gestured to the sofa closest to him.


    Athena frowned in distaste, and turned to Zane. "Did you tell him my address?"


    Zane shook his head twice, amusing Ewan. "No, I didn¡¯t. I¡¯m sure he had other means at his disposal."


    "You are right. I did." Ewan stated sharply. " I dropped by your house, Zane, to check on you, but your butler informed me that you had gone to the hospital. I went to the hospital, after closing from work, and I was informed by an irritable secretary that you followed your new hire home."


    Ewan chuckled humorlessly. "Finding her home wasn¡¯t hard. It was enlisted in the system. And something tells me, Zane, that you are not here to plead with her to consider my request."


    "What request is that?" Zane¡¯s mood was anything but happy that his best friend had interrupted his conversation with Athena.


    Ewan hummed with widened eyes, pretending to be surprised at the turn of events. "Forgotten so soon? Fiona mentioned that she called you earlier today."


    Zane pretended to recall, and then shook his head. "I had no idea what she was talking about then. Your fianc¨¦e is always too fast. What was it that you wanted, Ewan?"


    Ewan didn¡¯t like being questioned by his best friend either. Shouldn¡¯t the guy be on his side?


    Of course Zane remembered Fiona¡¯s request! Yet, he was denying it. What happened to their bro code?


    Ewan breathed out gently, walked to a sofa, and sat on it. He was so frustrated with everything, that he didn¡¯t bother giving Zane an answer, yet.


    When he met Athena¡¯s gaze, hoping to see a re, hoping to see at least an emotion in her eyes¡ªany at all, he was met with indifference. His gut twisted with... sadness.


    If Athena disyed emotions like she had done during their marriage¡ªlike re up whenever she saw him, or banter stupidly with Fiona¡ªit would have eased the restlessness in his bones.


    Yes. He would have found ways to understand the feeling that rose in his chest whenever he saw her. He would have tried to get to know her again. As a friend.


    But she didn¡¯t anymore. She was like a stone now; cold and very mysterious. How would he know her afresh, if she showed no desire of being known by him?


    Ewan was tired, but he knew he deserved it. In some way, despite what he thought, he knew he deserved it.


    Hadn¡¯t Sandro told him to investigate the usations immediately, on the day of Athena¡¯s banishment? Hadn¡¯t Sandro advised him not to dismiss Athena like a whore? Hadn¡¯t his assistant vouched for Athena¡¯s innocence and loyalty?


    But he had been so consumed with anger first, with relief at being free from her father¡¯s evil clutches after, that he had disregarded Sandro¡¯s concerns.


    He took a nce at Zane. His best friend was looking at him pitifully. Why was that?


    Ewan mped his right knee tightly. Was Zane still his best friend, or Athena¡¯s? What best friend was this fickle?


    He inhaled deeply, but harshly this time around, and centered his mind on what he came here to do. Time was running out fast.


    "Zane..." He finally started. " I told you about my town¡¯s case, the disease spreading at an rming rate. I was hoping you would help plead my case with Athena, after our discussionst night."


    Zane reclined into his sofa. A nd smile perched on his lips, which grated on Ewan¡¯s nerves.


    "Yes that. But you see, I can¡¯t do that. Athena is her own boss actually. If she chooses not to treat your town, then that¡¯s not my concern. I can only remind her of the doctor¡¯s code, and look the other way. My hospital is honored to have her, Ewan. I can¡¯t lose her by badgering her with your request."


    Athena smiled at Zane pleasantly to the envy of Ewan. He had missed being the object of her smiles and fawnings.


    Still...


    "But Zane..."


    "Didn¡¯t you hear the man, Ewan? He can¡¯t do anything to help you. Only I can help you."


    Athena smirked.


    "And if you want my help, Ewan, just do as I told you earlier. Give me twenty percent of yourpany¡¯s shares; that¡¯s apart from my payments..."


    Zane had the grace to be shocked on Ewan¡¯s behalf.


    "Twenty percent?" He croaked out, sitting up on the sofa, before he could help himself.


    Ewan nodded, and sneered at Athena, thinking that Zane would join him now, having seen Athena¡¯s cruelty.


    But Athena didn¡¯t care for all that. "Yes. Is there a problem, Zane?"


    There was definitely a problem. Zane wanted to say, but he kept his opinion to himself, and reclined into his sofa again.


    If he spoke on the matter, he might lose his chance of finding the truth from Athena tonight. He might even lose her friendship, which he had painstakingly recovered. He couldn¡¯t afford that. Ewan can take care of himself.


    "Zane..." Athena prodded, still holding her smirk.


    Zane swallowed. "Not at all. It is perfect."


    "Perfect?!" The cool facade Ewan had kept up with broke. "Zane, you think her offer is perfect and you are my best friend? You are a joke!"


    Ewan got to his feet, restless with energy. He began to pace tro and fro, his fists clenching and unclenching.


    However, he was making Athena dizzy. "You should leave, Ewan. You have overstayed your wee. You weren¡¯t even weed in the first ce."


    Ewan stood at a spot, and stared at Athena and Zane. He didn¡¯t know what he was feeling. He couldn¡¯t understand it. Betrayal? Loss? Rejection?


    He inhaled and exhaled so that the pain clutching his heart would let go, but it held on.


    "Are you trying to take revenge on me, Athena? Are you helping her, Zane?"


    The question was soft, so soft that Athena¡¯s ice began to thaw.


    "You want mypany to go under a second time? Is this your n all along, Zane?"


    Ewan¡¯s eyes had gone soft too, as if all the fight had left him.


    Zane¡¯s fingers started a beat on his thighs. He was feeling the heat. He hated seeing his friend like this.


    But then Ewan chuckled softly, and the somber atmosphere was suspended. "Well, you both are a good team then. But you won¡¯t seed. I have worked too hard for mypany to be destroyed."


    He red at Zane. "Don¡¯t bothering around again."


    To Athena. "I know we have a bad history. I know we had a bad start off when you came back. I¡¯m not even sure what I did wrong, but I feel you deserve an apology. So, I¡¯m sorry. But I won¡¯t sit back and let you walk over me. From this time onward.."


    A cough interrupted his next speech, and broke the haze of confusion over the other two adults.


    They all turned toward the intruder. It was little Kathleen.


    "Mom, I have a headache."

 Chapter 20: Played

    <h4>Chapter 20: yed</h4>


    Athena panicked for the first time since Ewan entered her residence.


    She had believed her children were asleep an hour ago. But, again, fate had chosen to y funny games with her.


    Her heart beat out of rhythm as she watched Ewan watch her daughter, his daughter¡ªwondering if this was the moment where she would pull out her entire arsenal to keep her children from Ewan and his stupid fianc¨¦e.


    However, that was not so. She saw no recognition on Ewan¡¯s face.


    The blue eyes didn¡¯t do the trick?


    Athena swallowed her unbelief.


    Not wanting to take any chances, she stood up from the sofa, walked to her daughter, and started leading the little one back to the room.


    But Kathleen wasn¡¯t done. "Who are you, stranger?" She turned and faced Ewan squarely.


    "Your mother¡¯s friend." Ewan replied, just as fast, enthralled by the little girl with beautiful blue eyes.


    Athena¡¯s husband must be a handsome man. The feeling sat ufortably on his heart; he didn¡¯t bother deciphering it.


    "You should take a little aspirin for the headache, beautiful. I¡¯m sure you will be fine by tomorrow." Ewan couldn¡¯t help the sudden velvety feature of his voice.


    Yet Kathleen made no indication that she had heard him.


    She stared at Ewan keenly, forgetting her godfather who was darting nces between them, his heart hanging on a thin thread, while waiting for the other shoe to drop.


    Meanwhile, Ewan shifted on his feet, not knowing what to do with the little girl¡¯s interest in him. Did Athena tell the girl about him?


    He was about creating an escape from the girl¡¯s onught, when she spoke again.


    "You look familiar, stranger. What¡¯s your name? Do you like children?"


    It was exactly that moment that Athena discovered what her daughter was trying to do, what her daughter knew about the man before her.


    She held back a hiss, drew Kathleen¡¯s hand stiffly and walked to the children¡¯s room, without a word to the males behind her.


    "He didn¡¯t recognize me, mom. Did you see it? He didn¡¯t recognize his own daughter, despite our simr eyes."


    Athena¡¯s anger and zeal to scold her daughter was diffused by that singr statement when they got to the children¡¯s room.


    She sighed, and bent to her daughter¡¯s height; sighing again when she saw the tears cascading her daughter¡¯s cheeks.


    "He doesn¡¯t deserve your tears." She said simply, before wiping the tears and drawing the little one to her bosom.


    "I¡¯m not going to ask how you found out he was your father, but I am going to ask that you stop keeping tabs on him. He might not be worth it. Tell your brother too. I don¡¯t want your heart broken."


    Kathleen made no such promise. She only nodded her head, and walked out of her mother¡¯s hug.


    "Let me get you aspirin, Kate..."


    Kathleen shook her head, before getting on her bed. "I feel better now."


    Athena¡¯s jaw ckened at being yed at. Her daughter had never had a headache in the first ce! She had wanted her father to see her. Why?


    Athena wasn¡¯t sure.


    She looked at her children with their eyes closed, and wondered if they had been awake all this time.


    She walked to Nathaniel¡¯s bed, and ced a finger underneath his nostrils. He was actually sleeping.


    "Mom, stop. I came out because I heard his voice. It was familiar to Nate¡¯s, only deeper."


    Athena jerked, hearing her daughter¡¯s voice.


    When she turned, Kathleen was staring at her boredly. "Just send him away, Mom. I don¡¯t want to see him in this house again."


    Athena was just about to do that. Yet she worried about her daughter¡¯s anger.


    As much as she hated Ewan and wanted nothing to do with him, she didn¡¯t really want him to be at loggerheads with his kids.


    Maybe she would strike a bnceter. She thought, dropping a kiss on Kate¡¯s head. But for now she had to send the brute out.


    However when she returned to the sitting room, Ewan was already gone. Good for him.


    "He left immediately you went in with Kathleen. Do you think he knows?"


    Athena shrugged. "I¡¯m not sure. But Kathleen is angry that her father didn¡¯t recognize her."


    "I can understand that. They are too simr. Maybe because she¡¯s a girl? Might have been different with Nathaniel..."


    Athena couldn¡¯t agree more.


    "But how does she know he¡¯s the one?" Zane asked after a few beats.


    Athena didn¡¯t answer the question. She didn¡¯t think it wise to let Zane know about Nathaniel¡¯s whiz skills. "So you were saying something about a contract Ewan had with my father..."


    Zane understood the topic had been dumped, and nodded his head, even though he wanted to inquire why she was so secretive.


    "So,plete the story..." Athena said, after waiting for Zane to pick up from where he left off.


    "Well..."


    Another knock dropped on the door.


    Athena swore, got to her feet, and hurried to the door, ready to oust Ewan, but Gianna was the one that stood behind the door this time.


    "Athena, why do you seem tense?" Gianna asked, as she walked into the sitting room with Athena.


    She dropped her bag on the floor, when Athena said nothing, and hugged her friend¡ªa hug that ran cold when she saw Zane a few feet away.


    Before she could speak another word, Zane got up from the sofa, and walked to the door, ardently avoiding Gianna as a gue.


    He muttered a goodnight to Athena and slipped away from her sight through the door.


    Athena¡¯s jaw ckened for the second time tonight. She turned to her friend. Thetter was already heading to the kitchen.


    She flung up her hands dramatically. <i>What the hell!</i>


    As she made to follow Gianna into the kitchen, her phone rang with a text.


    Furrowing her eyebrows, she stopped by the table and collected her phone, thinking it was a credit alert message.


    When she saw the contents of the message however, she hissed, deleted the message and blocked the number, before continuing to the kitchen.


    Meanwhile, back at the children¡¯s room, Kate tapped Nathaniel¡¯s arm softly, waking him up.

 Chapter 21: An Emergency

    <h4>Chapter 21: An Emergency</h4>


    Ewan was a few miles away from his house when he received a call from the operations manager of hispany.


    Ewan looked at his wristwatch. Why was the man calling thiste? Annoyance reared its head, but he pushed it aside. This was a first. It must surely be an emergency.


    He finally conceded, and picked the call. "Mr. Suarez, what is the issue?"


    There was so much heavy breathing and tension at the other side of the phone that Ewan sat up on his seat and asked his driver to increase the car¡¯s speed so that he could get home on time. There was trouble. He knew it.


    "Mr. Suarez, make a report or get out of my phone. I don¡¯t have time for this." He ordered, after waiting in vain for the manager to speak.


    "I¡¯m sorry sir. I just didn¡¯t know how to break the news to you. As you know, we had fortified our systemsst year, after thest hack-in, with the best tools. But all those efforts were nullified tonight."


    Ewan exhaled roughly. "There was another hack in?"


    "Yes sir."


    Ewan rubbed his face tiredly. "For what? What are the hackers doing?"


    A pause which spoke of an evil foreboding.


    "Are they taking the money in the storage ount?"


    A pause again.


    "It¡¯s worse sir."


    Ewan piqued an eyebrow. What could be worse than rendering him bankrupt?!


    "The hackers are collecting our users¡¯ data, and that of our shareholders. They are sending an anonymous text message to them. The problem is that our team can not decipher the text."


    "What do you mean you can¡¯t decipher the text?!" Ewan shouted, causing his driver to screech the car to a halt.


    Ewan red at him. The middle aged fellow apologized profusely and started the car again.


    "Suarez...if I ask you a question more than once again, you are fired..." Ewan added, after waiting in vain for an answer from his operations manager.


    "I¡¯m so sorry sir, please don¡¯t... !"


    "I don¡¯t care for an apology, Suarez! Give me a report of things at the moment!" Ewan shouted again, annoyed at the manager whom he considered slow.


    He took the phone from his ear and red at it, as if his re could walk past the phone and strike its effect on the man. He didn¡¯t understand why and where Sandro had employed the man from.


    "Okay sir. The text was encrypted. It can only be opened by our clients and shareholders. I¡¯m not sure how it was done, but that¡¯s the case."


    "Is that even possible? Get a hold of one of our shareholders then!"


    A pause.


    Ewan was about firing the man for real this time around, when thetter spoke again.


    "They are not picking their calls."


    Ewan went silent. "How long ago? This hack in? How long ago?"


    "Fifteen minutes ago, sir."


    Ewan hung up the call, and let the phone fall from his hand to the plush car seat.


    Fifteen minutes ago? It corrted with the time he had left Athena¡¯s apartment.


    He balled his fists. Had Athena and Zane put their ns to motion already?


    Fury burned within Ewan. He didn¡¯t know what to do with his fists. There was no wall to punch at either.


    He sped his shaking hands together, such that the knuckles went white.


    Athena and Zane.


    He didn¡¯t care about the connections they had, but they would pay for this. They would understand that he wasn¡¯t known as the best for nothing.


    While Zane came from old money, he had struggled to build his empire up from the pieces that his father had left it at. He won¡¯t let it go because of a woman and herp dog.


    They had made the first y, right? He would make his own y soon, right after he stopped the hackers.


    He picked up the phone again, and called Sandro.


    "I know, Ewan, I¡¯m on it. I¡¯ve hired the best hackers." Sandro spoke, without even being spoken to. He already knew why Ewan was calling him.


    "Do you know the content of the text, and why none of our clients are picking our calls?"


    A pause.


    "No. But I¡¯m heading to the home of one of our shareholders. And I¡¯m not leaving without an answer. Don¡¯t worry, Ewan. But did you offend anyone? The higher ups?"


    Ewan red at the phone. Higher ups? He was a higher up too! But no. He hadn¡¯t offended anyone, except Athena.


    "No. I think Athena and Zane are working together to make me bankrupt."


    A significant pause.


    Ewan allowed it. Sandro wasn¡¯t the operations manager.


    "Are you sure? Zane is your best friend."


    "I¡¯m justing from Athena¡¯s house, Sandro. They were both cozy there, before I walked in. And when I told him about the shares Athena wanted, he sided with her. Can you imagine that?"


    "No, I can¡¯t imagine." Sandro replied, after another silence.


    Ewan understood the reason for the silence. Yet, it didn¡¯t mean he would sit and let his hardbors go to waste.


    "I¡¯ll wait for you at home. Be quick! Deal with those hackers while at it!" He ended the call, and came down from the car. The driver had arrived at his ce a few minutes ago.


    When he stepped into the sitting room, Fiona was sitting on a sofa in the sitting room, tapping her feet erratically.


    When she saw him, she jumped to her feet like an insane person, ran to him furiously, and stabbed his chest with her index finger defiantly.


    "Where are youing from, Ewan?"


    Ewan frowned, not understanding when Fiona had the audacity to touch him that way, or ask him irresponsible questions.


    However, he ignored her due to their shared past, and tried walking past her to the passageway, but she blocked him.


    "You went to her house right? My friends saw you! What were you doing there alone?" Fiona was beyond reasoning. All she could see was Ewan being intimate with Athena again.


    When she moved closer to Ewan to perceive his shirt, Ewan angrily pushed her away. Shended on the <i>sofa</i> roughly... <i>lucky for her.</i>


    Fiona was gobsmacked.


    "How dare you, Ewan?" She gingerly got up from the sofa. "Why are you frolicking with Athena? What does she have that I don¡¯t have?"


    When Ewan said nothing, she screamed in anger. "Tell me, Ewan! Why are you so obsessed with her?!"


    Ewan inhaled sharply, hating to be called obsessed. Instantly, he mped his hand around Fiona¡¯s neck and squeezed.


    Fiona¡¯s eyes bulged in unbelief and difort.


    She hit Ewan¡¯s offending hand, pleading to be released, suddenly remembering the coldness that was Ewan.


    "No fighting spirit again eh?"


    But Fiona couldn¡¯t speak. Her throat was closing up, just as her eyes would soon be, if Ewan didn¡¯t release her.


    Fortunately, he did.


    He pushed her back to the sofa.


    But he didn¡¯t let her go without a warning.


    "If I hear Athena¡¯s name from your lips again, the engagement is off."

 Chapter 22: Coping Mechanism

    <h4>Chapter 22: Coping Mechanism</h4>


    The white-washed wall seemed to be bleeding profusely like Ewan¡¯s right fist when Sandro stepped into Ewan¡¯s home office.


    He stood as he always did¡ªwhen Ewan got this way¡ªand watched his friend.


    Ewan was sitting miserably on the floor with his head in his hands; hands stained with blood.


    Sandro didn¡¯t bother to ask for a first-aid kit or hurry to get one because this imagery right here was as consistent as business in Ewan¡¯s life; a side of Ewan, many people didn¡¯t get to see.


    This was the only way Ewan got rid of frustration and unexinable feelings.


    Yet Sandro was observant to note that it had increased since Athena¡¯s banishment six years ago.


    And with her return, Sandro feared for his friend¡¯s knuckles.


    Sighing tiredly, he shut the door behind him.


    Ewan showed no indication that he knew someone was in his office with him, until Sandro sat down beside him.


    "What do you have for me, Sandro?"


    Sandro had a lot, but he just didn¡¯t know how to get into it without pushing Ewan to punch his office walls again and again.


    He didn¡¯t want that to happen, because he wouldn¡¯t be able to bear it. He would rather choose to be the punching bag.


    "Did the shareholder speak? Which shareholder did you visit?" Ewan continued, breaking into Sandro¡¯s thoughts.


    Although he understood Sandro¡¯s silence, he wanted the truth, so that he could process things better and put this bad day behind him.


    He knew Sandro was holding back on the reports, because thetter believed making the reports now would trigger him to punch the walls again.


    He knew his friend and assistant was avoiding the gue of guilt.


    Ewan wanted to tell him that he was okay now, that there wasn¡¯t anything to trigger, but he kept silent.


    Sandro understood him, even more than Zane did. And the former knew that the punching activity was a coping mechanism for him.


    Sandro knew he would go crazy with the riotous feelings and thoughts in his head if he didn¡¯t punch walls. The pain helped him to focus.


    "I visited Ethan. He was the only one that agreed to meet us." Sandro finally said, stretching his legs before him. This might be a long night.


    "And what did he say?"


    Sandro sighed. "He showed me the decrypted text. The long message exined in detail the closing down of thepany, citing that our creditors are on our necks. It also painted the picture that we are down on funds, that everyone should find their way out of thepany. Worse, there were curse words to ungrateful clients and entitled shareholders, written in italics, and attributed to you. Basically, it was a nasty text."


    Ewan exhaled harshly, his mind concocting the best way to retaliate against Athena and Zane.


    "I don¡¯t exactly know how Athenaes to y in this, considering she¡¯s just a doctor..."


    "She¡¯s a counselor too. She¡¯s many things. Who says she can¡¯t even be a hacker?" Ewan interrupted, lifting his head.


    Sandro opened his mouth at Ewan¡¯s frustrationdened statement, then finally settled on a question. "She¡¯s a consultant? Medical, I presume?"


    Ewan shook his head. "General consultant, especially on financial issues, to Zane¡¯s father. I did a little research. He¡¯s not the only one. She counsels many wealthy people, consorts with them. I won¡¯t be surprised if she¡¯s in government too."


    Sandro¡¯s jaw ckened.


    "But Sandro, my question is: who is backing her up? We both know Athena for god sake!"


    Ewan¡¯s eyes were alight now.


    "Yes, she had striven for education after the banishment, yet covering the grounds she has in six years is almost impossible! Did you find out who her husband is?"


    Sandro shook his head.


    Ewan turned to Sandro when he heard nothing.


    Sandro shook his head again. His tongue was heavy.


    "I saw her daughter today. Very beautiful, innocent, unlike her. She had startling blue eyes..."


    Sandro jerked. "Blue eyes??"


    "Yes. Must be from the father."


    <i>What if you are the father? </i>Sandro wanted to ask, but kept quiet.


    He would need to confirm first, before raising Ewan¡¯s hopes up. They already have enough problems on their hands as it stands.


    "So, who could be backing her?"


    The million dor question with no reply.


    But Sandro was sure that Athena had something to do with the cyber attack.


    The first time the hack-in had urred wasst year, after Ewan had publicly announced Fiona as his fianc¨¦e.


    A message had been dropped in his email¡ª<i>¡¯Unfaithful man.¡¯¡ª</i>after they had survived the cyber attack and the resulting consequences.


    Now, a yearter, a more serious hacking had urred on the same day the ex-couple met to talk over an issue.


    Did Ewan threaten Athena? Was it because of the shares?


    "Why did Athena demand that amount of shares?"


    "She just wants it. It¡¯s part of her payment for epting to treat our people."


    "Athena really asked for that?" Sandro couldn¡¯t believe it.


    The Athena from six years ago wouldn¡¯t hurt a fly, not to mention putting the lives of innocent citizens at risk because of an old feud!


    Ewan was right. The new Athena was something else.


    Sandro didn¡¯t like it.


    "So, will you give it to her?"


    He got his answer when Ewan red at him.


    "Did Ethan tell you anything else, like why he agreed to meet you?"


    "Not really. I think it¡¯s because he came from the States. He doesn¡¯t pay attention to our media."


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows. "When did he step into our city?"


    "A few weeks ago."


    Ewan nodded, "I see. A new rich person who loves investments. I will thank him specially, after this blows over. What¡¯s the situation now?"


    "Well, the media is blowing it out of proportion as usual. By tomorrow we should have a better handle of things. I promise."


    Ewan nodded his thanks, and stumbled to his feet.


    "What do you have in mind for Athena and Zane?" Sandro mirrored Ewan¡¯s movements.


    A pause.


    "I¡¯m not sure. I have to meet Zane¡¯s father first. I have to know if he knew about this setup. If he knew about it, I would decide my next step from there." Ewan responded, noticing a frown on Sandro¡¯s face the next second.


    "What¡¯s the matter?"


    "The hackers, I just remembered... they couldn¡¯t be traced. We lost them again."

 Chapter 23: A Plot

    <h4>Chapter 23: A Plot</h4>


    "Fiona, what are you doing here this early in the morning?"


    Elder Alfonso rubbed his eyes fitfully to bade sleep goodbye, before staring at his daughter again, not totally believing she was at his doorstep.


    Did anything go wrong? Did Ewan chase her away?


    But that was impossible. Ewan would never do that.


    Something must be wrong then, as usual. He thought.


    His daughter only visited when there was trouble.


    Fiona¡¯s answer to her father¡¯s question was to break down in tears.


    Alfonso was startled. He forgot his grudges toward her in a heartbeat, pulled her into his arms¡ªmuttering sweet nothings into her ear¡ªand led her into the sitting room.


    He used his right leg to kick the door close.


    "Talk to me, Fiona. What¡¯s the problem?"


    Yet Fiona kept crying.


    Her tears and hups tore at her father¡¯s heart. She was his only child after all, and he never wanted her to be in pain. He could do anything to make her happy.


    Nevertheless, he stole a nce at the grandfather¡¯s clock in his sitting room. It was just four a.m.


    He sighed, and patted Fiona on her back softly. "Stop crying, my beautiful girl, and tell me what the problem is. You don¡¯t want to wake up your mom now, do you? She only managed to sleep two hours ago..."


    Fiona immediately stopped crying, knowing that if she didn¡¯t, her father would get irritated with her¡ªhis wife was the only one ced above her in the hierarchy of value.


    Fiona didn¡¯t like it, especially now that her mother was bedridden. The woman has sessfully confined her father inside the house, but she had to deal with it if she needed her father¡¯s help.


    "Dad, do you know Athena is back?"


    Alfonso inhaled deeply, and exhaled harshly. Of course he knew that his daughter¡¯s nemesis had returned.


    He had seen the ssh of news on the socials a few days ago. It was still raving.


    There were conflicting opinions about it too¡ªjust like it had been six years ago. Only that now, Athena¡¯s good ratings were on a high side. An underdog bing a boss woman.


    Those kinds of stories usually appealed to the masses, notwithstanding the belief of some; that Athena was a leech, using her beauty to dupe rich men of their wealth.


    He wondered if it was a strategy. Cause a stir and make an increase in social ratings...


    Howbeit, he had known it was only a matter of time before Fiona came running. Yet he hadn¡¯t expected it to be this early.


    What was the function of Ewan then?


    "I thought Ewan would take care of her, especially after that party. Didn¡¯t he?"


    Fiona scoffed. "As if. He¡¯s obsessed with her, father. Do you know he almost killed mest night because I asked him why he had gone to Athena¡¯s house alone?"


    What Fiona was talking about right now didn¡¯t really interest her father, not with his wife on a sick bed, but he had no choice but to listen.


    He wished though that he could tell her to get straight to the point where she asked for his help.


    Still... "Really? Did you see it?"


    Fiona scrunched her face in annoyance. "No, but my friends did."


    Alfonso shook his head, rested it at the apex of the king chair specially made for him, and sighed. "Your friends could be lying, Fiona. They all want Ewan to themselves, both the married ones. I don¡¯t think Ewan is unfaithful. Afterall, from the videos released on the e, Athena is with Zane."


    Fiona gazed at her father steadily like he was crazy, andughed. "You think I would meet you without confirming my suspicions. I did, beforeing here. He really went there!"


    Alfonso rubbed his face tiredly. "Maybe he went to plead with her concerning your mother¡¯s case. Didn¡¯t you tell me this morning that she had declined the case, and not just that, but the case of everyone in our town? You should trust him."


    Fiona was speechless. What was wrong with her father?


    "Dad, the time waste, around 8pm. Athena doesn¡¯t ept clients after her working time..."


    This was stated in a calm voice, as if her father was slow to hearing.


    Alfonso ignored her implication.


    "Did you ask him about your mother¡¯s treatment? What did Athena say?"


    Fiona¡¯s mouth dropped open in shock. "Dad!"


    Alfonso wasn¡¯t deterred. "Fiona, Athena is the only one that can cure your mother, and the many that have gotten this god-forsaken disease. Before you start plotting any strategy again, I would like you to remember that..."


    "Is that why you are not syncing with me?" Fiona cut in sharply.


    Alfonso nodded. "There are more important cases on ground now, than an old feud. I know you both have a history, me included, since I aided you to oust her six years ago, but it¡¯s water under the bridge."


    A pause.


    "Even if she came back for trouble, let¡¯s keep that aside and make sure your mother is hale and hearty first. When that¡¯s achieved, we can work on ways to oust her again. You should know that¡¯s not a problem for me, Fiona. But first things first."


    Alfonso smiled slyly. "So, my beloved daughter, you will apologize to Doctor Athena, and convince her to treat your mother, and the town. When she epts and goes about the work, we will attack her from diverse angles. She won¡¯t be able to dodge the bullets, I promise."


    Fiona became happy, for the first time since Athena came back. She finally understood her father. They would use Athena for her services, and then oust her again.


    But Fiona didn¡¯t have banishment in mind for her nemesis.


    No, she nned to kill Athena.


    That way there won¡¯t be a return mission again.


    Just then her father¡¯s phone rang.


    Suddenly, there was a furrow marring the old man¡¯s forehead, a furrow which marred hers too. Who could be calling by this time?


    Fiona watched her father answer the call tentatively, watched him listen attentively to whoever was on the other side speaking.


    She couldn¡¯t hear what was being said, had no iota on the scope of the topic since her father was only listening, but from the way her father¡¯s face got paler and paler, she knew there was a problem.


    What happened now?


    After five minutes of watching her father age twenty years before her eyes, the phone fell from his hand, as he clutched his chest in pain.


    Fiona was first immobilized by the turn of events and didn¡¯t know what to do.


    Not until her father pointed with a shaky finger, to the cab right opposite him.


    Quickly, she hurried to the cab, opened it, and saw two bottles of pills.


    She read the inscription. Heart problems? When did her father start with this? Why didn¡¯t he tell her?


    Her father¡¯s heavy breathing cut short her thoughts. She rushed back to him, and dropped two pills into his mouth, ording to the prescription.


    Ten minutester, he was stabilized.


    "What the hell, Father! What¡¯s going on? Do you want to kill me?"


    Alfonso shook his head, and ruffled his hair, increasingly frustrated.


    "What¡¯s the matter, Dad? What happened?"


    "I don¡¯t know, Fiona. The call was from my assistant. Ourpany¡¯s stocks just plunged this morning."


    Fiona¡¯s mouth dropped open in shock.


    "That¡¯s not all. Zack Moore, Athena¡¯s father, is suffering the same. Ewan has it worse..." Alfonso continued, feeling his eyes tearing up. How can he go bankrupt at this age?


    Fiona slowly sat down, not believing what she was hearing.


    "Fiona..."


    She looked at her father.


    "What did you do? Did you offend Athena again?" <i>Who is backing her up??</i>

 Chapter 24: Wretched

    <h4>Chapter 24: Wretched</h4>


    Athena didn¡¯t know what to do when she walked in on Gianna drinking.


    She had woken up to use the restroom, and then had gotten thirsty.


    On her way to the kitchen just now, she had found Gianna drinking heavily, like her life depended on it.


    From the speed and haphazard way Gianna drank, Athena could tell that her friend had downed more than eight sses.


    She sighed, and rested her head on the door post, still watching her friend. What could she do?


    She had seen Gianna in this condition only twice.


    The first was three years ago, when her parents died in a car crash.


    Athena had drank with her, they had drank till they passed out.


    That had been understandable.


    The second time was on the night she had introduced her to the children¡¯s godfather, Zane, almost two years ago.


    That hadn¡¯t been understandable, and neither was this one.


    What was the history between them?


    Athena didn¡¯t know, but she believed it was too dark¡ªGianna drank heavily whenever there was a chance meeting with Zane.


    Athena also knew she should investigate the matter, but her best friend would go crazy with anger if she ever found out about the investigation.


    Athena had found out how angry Gianna could get, when she had tried investigating the ident of thetter¡¯s parents¡¯ and their death.


    Athena hadn¡¯t believed it was a mere ident. Gianna had believed it was.


    Since then, she steered away from Gianna¡¯s private matters, only doing something if her friend asked for it.


    This matter with Zane was such a matter, so she couldn¡¯t investigate it¡ªeven though she really wanted to, even though she wanted to understand why her friend became miserable after every meeting with Zane.


    Once, she had forbidden Zane froming, and had almost stripped thetter from being her children¡¯s godfather, but Gianna hadn¡¯t let it either.


    Athena was beyond confused and tired.


    When Gianna stretched her hand down, and grabbed another bottle, Athena detached her head from the doorpost, and stepped into the sitting room proper.


    Her mouth fell open consequentially, when she saw three empty bottles of alcohol on the floor.


    The one Gianna was holding was the fifth bottle!


    The fourth bottle was empty, but was still on the table.


    Quickly, Athena hurried over to her friend, and grabbed the bottle away from her.


    "What are you doing, Gianna?! What¡¯s the meaning of this? What would you have done if Kate or Nate had walked in on you?"


    But Gianna was far too gone. "Let me be, Athena! Those daredevils are very asleep! I checked before drinking..."


    Athena shook her head. That wasn¡¯t enough. Her children were unpredictable.


    Surely, Gianna would understand that, being their godmother... Having heard what Kathleen had donest night...


    Watching Gianna reach for the bottle for the second time, Athena shook her head.


    No. This wasn¡¯t enough. She had to do something.


    She pulled her friend to herself, and dragged thetter to her bathroom, where she was sure there would be no interruption.


    Once in there, she stripped Gianna of her clothes, leaving the underwear, and led her under the shower. Then she shifted away, and turned the shower on full st.


    Athena expected her friend to run out, or make a noise, any form of it at all, but Gianna remained immobile under the very cold shower, as if her skin was unfeeling.


    This made Athena anxious.


    She resolved to ask Zane today, about the matter.


    She had to know the truth. Her friend looked like an empty shell! Damn their secrets!


    Obviously, working from morning to night had been Gianna¡¯s way of coping.


    Athena shook her head. She couldn¡¯t let her friend continue like this.


    She waited for a while, for the alcohol to lose its effect, before turning off the shower.


    After that, she left Gianna in the bathroom to get some clothes from the wardrobe, and arge towel.


    When she returned, Gianna was sitting on the bathroom floor, with her legs positioned at ny degrees to the floor. Her head was bowed and centered on her knees.


    Athena stopped at the wretched sight; her heart turning over the next second, when she heard the almost quiet sobbing. It rose with every passing minute.


    Was she mourning her parents again? Did Zane have anything to do with it?


    Athena abandoned the questions on the waysideter, and hurried to her friend.


    She pulled a crying Gianna to herself and led her out of the bathroom, before throwing the towel over her.


    When Gianna was dry, she gave her a nightdress, and led her to the bed.


    On the bed, she hugged Gianna until the tears subsided. And when that was achieved, she rushed to the kitchen to make two cups of hot chocte for the both of them.


    Sleep was past tense now.


    When she came back, Gianna was sitting cross-legged on the bed.


    Athena hoped she was ready to talk.


    "What is the matter, Gianna? You know you can tell me anything, right?"


    Gianna nodded and epted the cup of hot chocte. "I know, Athena, but this isn¡¯t exactly your concern. Or rather I don¡¯t want it to be yours yet. Can you let me have it alone?"


    Athena¡¯s hand tightened on her cup; she hated this part of Gianna.


    She had forgotten that Gianna could be stiff-necked when she chose to be.


    "If you say so." Athena finally muttered, through gritted teeth.


    Gianna sighed. "Thank you."


    She settled in, and took a sip of the hot chocte.


    "Tell me something, Athena... to rx." Gianna requested, after three sips of the hot chocte. She was already feeling better.


    Athena cocked her head to the side in thought. She chuckled when she remembered something. "Zack texted me today. He also called."


    "Really? What did he say?"


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "I ended the call before he could say something. The text came inst night. He was asking for a meet up. I deleted the text, and blocked the number."


    Gianna smiled thinly. "He deserves it. Anything else?"


    Athena shifted closer to her friend, knowing thetter would love this piece of information. "I think Luca and Fiona have a child."


    Gianna had just taken a sip of hot chocte. Hearing Athena¡¯s words however, the liquid escaped from her mouth, andnded on Athena¡¯s dress.


    "Yuck!" Athena whispered, squishing her nose. "You couldn¡¯t control your excitement?"


    Giannaughed. "Sorry."


    But Athena wasn¡¯t annoyed. She was rather happy that she had managed to lift Gianna¡¯s mood.


    "Why do you think so? How did you find out? Where did you see her?"


    Athena chuckled softly. Her friend was back. "At the children¡¯s school. She asked to be Kathleen¡¯s friend. But I need your help in confirming it..."


    Gianna bobbed her head, and kept her cup on the bedside drawer. She palmed her hands, and rubbed them, a smirk coated her lips. "With all pleasure, my love..."


    Athena¡¯sughter was caught short by her phone¡¯s ringtone, indicating an iing message.


    She picked her phone, frowning when she opened it. "It¡¯s from Ewan."


    "How did you know?"


    "My brain recalls his private number. He still uses it." She whispered, and opened the message.


    <i>¡¯Expect my y, Athena. You and Zane made the first move. Mypany¡¯s stocks just plunged, thanks to you.¡¯</i>


    "What¡¯s the matter, Athena?" Gianna covered the distance between her and Athena when she saw her friend¡¯s countenance failing. "What did he send?


    Athena had no words. She showed Gianna the phone.


    "What y is he talking about?"


    "I don¡¯t know..." Athena collected the phone from her friend and hurried to the e, instantly paling when she saw the raving news.


    Gianna snatched the phone from her a few secondster.


    "What the hell! Athena, you promised!"


    Athena shook her head vigorously. "I didn¡¯t do anything, Gianna. I didn¡¯t break the promise."


    But she knew who did.


    Athena quickly stood up from the bed and started walking out of the room.


    She needed urgently, a cup of hot ck coffee, and a long discussion with her children.

 Chapter 25: Bad To Worse

    <h4>Chapter 25: Bad To Worse</h4>


    Ewan was absorbed in thoughts until the beep from the coffee machine went off.


    With renewed focus, he collected the ready cups of hot ck coffee and briskly walked to his home office¡ªwhere he and Sandro had spent the whole night in, working and trying to find a way out of the pit Athena and Zane had dug for him.


    Ewan rxed his hold on the cups when their hot temperature became unbearable on his knuckles.


    Once he handed a cup to Sandro, his assistant bowed his head in appreciation.


    He continued to watch, appeased thereafter, when Sandro let out a happy sigh after a sip of the coffee.


    "You still make the best coffee, Ewan. The only unfair thing is that you won¡¯t show me how to do it."


    Ewan chuckled softly. "Not me. Not any special recipe. It¡¯s just the quality of the machine."


    Sandro scoffed and shook his head. "Your new lie? Thest time, you mentioned it was magic transferred from your lineage."


    Ewanughed, the hurt in his chest abating a little.


    Not giving Sandro a response, he sat down near his friend, in between a pile of documents.


    Just then he heard movements in the house.


    Fiona must be back from wherever she had gone to. He thought, picking a file.


    But he didn¡¯t actually care to know where she had been. He wasn¡¯t ready for her tantrums this early morning. He wanted to resolve this matter first.


    Aboutst night, he knew he had gone overboard grabbing her by the neck like that.


    Whatever her shorings, she was a woman, and he shouldn¡¯t have manhandled her. His mother wouldn¡¯t be proud of him now.


    He sighed, and picked another file, noting somewhere in his mind to get her something lovely today.


    For at one time in this life, she had been his savior, hence the reason he was alive today.


    Thirty minutes into resolving the issues Ewan thought Athena had kick-started, he noticed a pattern with a particr presspany.


    "What presspany is that? KN presspany? I have never heard of it."


    Sandro peered at the system, and shook his head in disbelief.


    "What¡¯s the matter, Sandro? Do you know them?"


    "I¡¯m not sure, since I didn¡¯t find much on themst year."


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows. "Last year?"


    "Yes, they are thepany that had released the article of the hacking in ourpany then. Remember that we had suspected a spy in our midst, and had fired a lot, even without evidence. Yet we never did find out how the presspany had gotten the intel; we never found out who their source was."


    A pause, where Ewan rested on the wall, and fixed his sight on the ceilings.


    "I did a personal investigation. What I found out was that the presspany had no physical location¡ªonly an online presence¡ªand they have a huge following. I also found out that they didn¡¯t report every news, except the hot ones; hot truths that threaten the copse ofpanies and governments."


    A pause.


    "I found no report on their workers, backgrounds, or whatever. Once, I even hired hackers to break into their system, but they couldn¡¯t get past the surface. They had met a blockage of sorts, and a warning." Sandro sighed, looking at the article Ewan had brought up on hisptop.


    "Obviously they are behind this instant spread of news, and it¡¯s the reason why we can¡¯t totally buy the silence of other presspanies. All those I met and spoke with, mentioned convincing the KN press first. It¡¯s known as unshakable now. Last year¡¯s attack had suddenly been taken down, we can only hope for the same now."


    Ewan drummed his fists on the hard floor, causing Sandro¡¯s chest to ache; he wasn¡¯t ready for his friend to rpse into the coping mechanism again.


    "Sandro, I hate leaving my life to chance. You know I have never been that kind of person."


    Sandro nodded. But there was no choice this time around.


    The same moment, Ewan received a call.


    "Hello Suarez, what¡¯s the update? And please don¡¯t waste my time, get straight to the point."


    Sandro sat up straight, and gestured that the phone be put on loudspeaker.


    Ewan obliged.


    "I¡¯m sorry sir, I won¡¯t waste your time. Thetest update is that the hackers contacted us. They are demanding money to stop the matter, to clear the rubbish, and also to stop the press..."


    Ewan and Sandro exchanged furtive nces. This could only mean that the KN media was working together with the hackers.


    That would exin a lot!


    "How much are they asking for?"


    A pause.


    Sandro sighed perceptibly. The money must be huge.


    "They are asking for two billion dors."


    A thick silence descended in the room.


    What could be heard only was the deep heavy breathinging from both the two males in the room, and the third male on the other side of the phone. Itsted for a full minute.


    "Two billion dors? That would create significant damage to thepany." Sandro finally spoke.


    Ewan was too rippled with shock and anger at the turn of events.


    Suarez concurred. "I told them, Mr. Sandro, but they threatened to hack into our storage unit if we don¡¯tply."


    Ewan inhaled sharply. Things were going from bad to worse. The only way to turn the tides was to convince the hackers.


    "Can you patch the call to me? Can I speak with them?"


    "Hold on, sir."


    A shuffling ofwork and feet.


    "Here sir, you are patched in."


    Ewan took his lips in, and centered his mind. He was talking to his attackers.


    "Hello, I¡¯m Ewan Gietti, CEO of the Giettipany. Can you state your name, and why you are attacking mypany?"


    No response greeted him, except static.


    Ewan looked at Sandro. His assistant and friend shrugged his shoulders.


    "Were you hired by Athena Caddell and Zane Patterson?"


    Silence greeted him again.


    Ewan was angry now. "Why did you agree to the transfer of call when you won¡¯t speak!"


    Static greeted him still.


    He decided to wait it out. He didn¡¯t have to wait long.


    "You are a bad man, and you will pay for your crimes."


    He heard some struggling in the background, even cusses, before the line went dead.


    But that wasn¡¯t what stopped Ewan cold.


    What made him immobile for a minute was the voice he had heard. It was a child¡¯s voice.


    Was that a tactic of the hacker to disarm him?


    "Ewan, I think you should call Zane¡¯s father. Let¡¯s hear what he would say. These people are bent on toying with us."


    Ewan nodded soberly to Sandro¡¯s advice. He was still hung up on the voice that was familiar, yet his mind was too full to remember where he had heard it.


    Howbeit, he grabbed his phone and dialed a number.


    Zane¡¯s father answered immediately. "I just wanted to call you now, Ewan. Come to my house as soon as possible!"

 Chapter 26: An Advice

    <h4>Chapter 26: An Advice</h4>


    Ewan watched absentmindedly as the butler kept a tray of cookies and tea on the table.


    Opposite him was Zane¡¯s father, Herbert, reading a newspaper.


    Ewan didn¡¯t bother to ask how the older man had gotten his hands on today¡¯s paper, when it was barely six a.m. The man had his ways.


    What grasped his attention however, was the headlines of the first page.


    ¡¯Ewan Gietti at the brink of deterioration?¡¯


    Ewan balled his fists. If the news was already on papers, then everyone in the city would see it soon, everyone would know of his ipetence.


    His fists flexed and then rxed. At this rate he won¡¯t be surprised if his heart gave up on him.


    He let himself inhale and exhale softly. <i>This too shall pass away.</i>


    Then he continued checking out the paper. It was in the process that he discovered the owners of the paper. It was the KN press!


    Why has he never seen the paper before? He wondered, taking note of the special effects of the pages and the quality of its paper.


    It was unlike whatever paper he had seen and read. Howe he has never seen it, not to mention read it, before?


    "How did you get this paper, Uncle Herbert?"


    Herbert peered at Ewan from the apex of the paper.


    He held Ewan¡¯s gaze for a while, and then shook his head. "Ewan, you really have to undo whatever wrong you did."


    Ewan stifled his response. <i>He hadn¡¯t done anything wrong! </i>


    Herbert closed the papers and kept it close to him. "The papers are rarely avable. But whenever it is, they are distributed to thepany¡¯s subscribers."


    Ewan couldn¡¯t help the widening of his eyes. "Subscribers? What does that mean?"


    He has never heard of subscribing to a newspaper. Blog, yes! But not newspapers! How¡¯s that even created?


    "It means that some slots are created every month for whoever wants to join the subscription¡ªfor people who are not satisfied with their online website. Those, whose requests are epted, are sent copies in the morning, whenever there¡¯s a release."


    Ewan wondered if he had been under a rock all this while. How could he not have known about this opportunity?


    Did Sandro know about this? He didn¡¯t think so. But he would have to ask.


    "Who delivers the papers? Isn¡¯t it too early?"


    Herbert bent forward and took a cookie from the te, also collecting a cup of sweetened tea. "No one knows. We just see the paper at our doorstep."


    Ewan¡¯s hand suspended in the air¡ªhe had been about to collect a cookie from the te. He hated too much mystery. "And no one has dared to stay on the watch?"


    Herbert bit into his cookie. "No one knows when they areing. They are very secretive. But I heard a gossip once, of a certain rich man who had studied their arrival patterns, and had set up watches for them for an entire week..."


    Herbert paused, and took a sip from his cup.


    "And then?" Ewan asked, when Herbert showed no sign of continuing the story.


    "He did see them, the delivery agents, but he never spoke about it, not after hispany went under. No one else bothered to do the same after that. We just renew our subscriptions and collect our papers whenever theye."


    That was the full confirmation Ewan needed. Thepany was surely working hand in hand with the hackers.


    Ewan ate a biscuit, but it won¡¯t go down. He drank tea, to help the swallow process. He was restless. This situation was perilous.


    "So, you don¡¯t know them? You don¡¯t have much information on them?"


    Herbert shook his head. "As I said, they are mysterious."


    "How much is their subscription? What¡¯s their website? Can you send the address to me?"


    Herbert nodded, picked his phone, and immediately sent a text, so he wouldn¡¯t forget. "Their subscription is twenty thousand dors a month. I¡¯m not sure they would ept you though, seeing as they have a vendetta with you."


    Ewan¡¯s hand hovered over his screen as he struggled to process the name he was seeing on the screen, and the amount Herbert had just called for him.


    In the end, thetter won. "Twenty thousand dors for a monthly subscription? Where¡¯s that done?! Are they reporting the end of the world?!"


    Herbert broke out in boisterousughter. "Calm down, Ewan. You will understand why when you read their papers."


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows and stared at the finely decorated and orderly paper.


    Sure, the paper¡¯s design might cost a lot, but was the news in there worth that amount in a month?


    "Can I have yours?"


    Herbert hesitated.


    Ewan hoped the older male wouldn¡¯t spring a policy of not sharing.


    "Sure, but you have to be careful about it. It is rumored that they have eyes and ears everywhere. If they see a non subscriber with their paper... I don¡¯t know. But I heard the repercussions aren¡¯t good. I¡¯ll let you have it, when I am done."


    "Thank you, Uncle." Ewan muttered, reclining into the sofa.


    KN media. What were they hiding? How can Herbert be afraid of them?


    "They have something to do with Athena, right?"


    Herbert stared at him keenly, but Ewan didn¡¯t break.


    "Most likely. She has changed... in many ways. She is as secretive as them. I won¡¯t be surprised if she is involved."


    A pause.


    "She is not someone you should have as an enemy, Ewan. I won¡¯t advise it."


    Ewan had to cut in. "I didn¡¯t do anything, Uncle. I just asked for her help concerning my town¡¯s problem with the disease. But she asked for twenty percent of my shares! Can you imagine that, Uncle?"


    Herbert sighed tiredly. "What did you do next?"


    Ewan blinked in astonishment. Was Herbert in on the n? Why wasn¡¯t he talking about the cruelty?


    "Ewan, I have no part to y in yourpany¡¯s issues. I called you here to give you an advice. My little research has shown that Athena has backings. It was confirmed when we had a scuffle once. I lost. I came out battered and beaten down."


    Ewan couldn¡¯t believe what he was hearing. A scuffle? Loss? Why didn¡¯t Zane tell him?


    "Apologize to her, Ewan. And if possible be her friend." Herbert concluded.


    Ewan exhaled softly. "But she is working with Zane to bring me down..."


    Herbert shook his head slowly. "Zane might love Athena, but he would never do that. I think you should talk to him about this..."


    Ewan¡¯s phone rang then, stilling the ufortable emotions that had spread across his chest. Zane loved Athena.


    He picked the call. A frown masked his face immediately. Athena?


    He knew she was the one because he had saved her number earlier, just as he had done for her address.


    He looked at Herbert.


    "Who is calling?"


    "Athena."


    "Well boy, hurry up and pick it. This might be your chance to save yourself and yourpany. I¡¯ll tell the butler to prepare you a proper breakfast. You might be needing it."

 Chapter 27: Truce

    <h4>Chapter 27: Truce</h4>


    Athena looked at her wristwatch, and seeing it remained just a few minutes before Ewan appeared before her, she inhaled calmly to quell the erratic pulsation of her heart.


    She had fixed the meeting by nine a.m, but had arrived at the restaurant by thirty minutes past eight to gain an advantage.


    Yet, her heart wasn¡¯t cooperating as she wanted.


    This would be the first time they would be having a civil conversation since her return. It was all the fault of her children. Those precious brats!


    Earlier this morning, after she and Gianna had discovered the mishap that had wrecked Ewan¡¯spany in mere hours, she had been gobsmacked, literally.


    Even so, she hadn¡¯t confided in Gianna about her suspicions because her friend believed her children were the most innocent creatures in the universe.


    But Athena knew better.


    After tucking her friend to bed, and making sure thetter was asleep, she had brewed a cup of strong ck coffee for herself, and conducted her own research.


    Was she a global hacker for nothing?


    Knowing the possibility of her children denying their involvement in the matter, she had gotten evidence first, straightened her findings, before heading to the children¡¯s room to wake them up.


    When they sat up after her taps on their thighs, pretending to rub sleep away from their eyes, she had known they hadn¡¯t even slept at all.


    She had wondered how long this had gone on.


    <i>¡¯Did you do it? The defaming of Ewan¡¯spany, did you do it? I¡¯m sure Kathleen told you he came here. I¡¯m sure you know he is your father.¡¯ </i>


    Nathaniel hadn¡¯t bothered to deny it. <i>¡¯He has to pay for troubling you, for not recognizing my sister. She was traumatized by it!¡¯ </i>


    Athena had ignored the puppy look Kathleen gave her.


    Rather she had scolded them and tasked them to return every information to Ewan; to hack into the presspanies and to take down the news about Ewan.


    She had also told them to keep away from her business with her father.


    They had grudgingly epted her decision.


    She wondered how long the eptance wouldst.


    She sighed and took a sip from the drink a waiter had served her some minutes ago.


    She wished her children would listen. She didn¡¯t want them involved in her revenge ns. She wanted them to live their lives as children.


    <i>Hopefully, they will listen.</i>


    She didn¡¯t want to tag them with cameras, in order to follow their movements, or hack into theirptops and phones. They won¡¯t be pleased with an invasion of privacy.


    She also wanted a leveled battlefield with Ewan, with no interruptions.


    She looked up, breaking away from her thoughts, when she heard mutterings around her.


    And when she saw Ewan, she understood.


    The people weren¡¯t happy with him. It will take a while before this matter blew over.


    She sighed again.


    Ewan hadn¡¯t really done anything to her this time, so she couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for him.


    She watched him walk to her, confident and stoic, and marveled at the simrities he shared with Nathaniel.


    Zane was right.


    If Nathaniel had been the one that had walked into the sitting roomst night, Ewan would have recognized him as his son.


    "Ewan, good morning." She greeted first, refusing to be dazzled by his handsomeness that hadn¡¯t been deterred by the dark circles surrounding his eyes.


    She knew he had been awake all night. She felt guilty. A little.


    "Athena, good morning. Or rather, Doctor Athena..."


    Athena smiled thinly. They were already off on a bad foot.


    "Please sit down, Ewan. Let¡¯s be done with this. We both have busy days."


    She watched Ewan trail his eyes all over her face and upper body and flushed. Why did he look at her like he was ravishing her?


    The looksted for barely a minute, before Ewan was back to ice.


    When he pulled the chair and sat down, Athena took note of the strength of his biceps.


    Instantly, her mind brought back those crazy nights of hot intimacy with him.


    She felt herself be red.


    "Are you okay?" The ice has disappeared again. There was now worry in his eyes.


    Athena hated it. She didn¡¯t want anything to change her perception of Ewan.


    He had never worried about her when they were married!


    "Yes, I¡¯m fine."


    "If you say so. Why did you ask for this meeting? To gloat?"


    Athena said nothing at first.


    She met Ewan¡¯s cold gaze¡ªthe worry had disappeared from his blue eyes¡ªand inhaled softly. Will he believe her?


    Then she licked her lips, out of habit.


    A flurry sweet feeling instantly developed in her lower belly when Ewan¡¯s eyes darkened with pleasure as he followed that singr emotion.


    However he looked away seconds after, cleared his throat, and reverted to her, waiting.


    "I¡¯m not here to gloat, Ewan. Why would I do that?" Athena finally managed to ask.


    Ewan chuckled humorlessly. "I don¡¯t know. Maybe because you were behind the attackst night?"


    In a way, she was. Athena thought. But Ewan didn¡¯t need to know that.


    "I wasn¡¯t. But I know who was behind it. The person did it out of blind loyalty. And I¡¯m here to apologize. Zane isn¡¯t involved too. He is still your best friend, never mind his funny antics."


    Ewan didn¡¯t know what to say; fight or ept? He wasn¡¯t sure. So he waited.


    "If you check the socials now, the news have been taken down, and the data has been returned to you. Your clients and shareholders have also been apologized to. You won¡¯t incur much loss, except a little of your client¡¯s trust."


    Ewan didn¡¯t believe Athena, didn¡¯t believe the thumping matter had suddenly disappeared in a space of three hours.


    He thought she was exaggerating.


    "You can call Sandro or your operations manager." Athena continued, having noted the disbelief on Ewan¡¯s face.


    Ewan obeyed, without hesitation.


    Two calls and five minutester, he was speechless.


    Athena had meant her word.


    He even checked the socials. All posts had been taken down.


    The shareholders were responsive now, ording to Sandro.


    The hackers had even left a tip for his technical team: on system fortification.


    Ewan couldn¡¯t believe his luck.


    Yet he couldn¡¯t help but wonder who the mystery person was.


    Her husband? It would exin the ¡¯blind loyalty.¡¯


    Ewan felt the pain again right at his chest. He strove to push it aside with a deep breath in. "Thanks Athena. I¡¯m sorry for everything."


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "It¡¯s okay. In addition, you won¡¯t need to pay me twenty percent of your shares..."


    Ewan broke out in a wide smile, almost blinding Athena, but she held on andpleted her statement.


    "You will give me ten percent. With my normal payments."


    Ewan nodded. It was a better deal than thest. "I can work with that. Thanks again, Athena."


    He paused, wondering if his next suggestion will be epted. "Can we call a truce?"


    A truce? Athena was okay with it, so long as he stayed out of her business, and didn¡¯t interrupt her ns.


    <i>Oh, a truce won¡¯t stop her ns! </i>


    She shook the hand he stretched out.


    "Truce epted. But we are not friends, just business partners."


    Ewan smiled. "I can work with that, partner."

 Chapter 28: Lies

    <h4>Chapter 28: Lies</h4><subtxt> "You know, Athena, when I saw your message a few hours ago, that you wanted to see me by this time, I didn¡¯t believe it. You don¡¯t permit morning meetings. To you, it is a sacrilege. What changed?"


    Athenaughed, stood up from her seat and gave Zane a side hug. "You are exaggerating again, Zane. Good morning. How was your night?"


    Zane pouted. "I¡¯m not sure. I woke up to this morning to trouble. Ewan¡¯spany was going under, and then all of a sudden, everywhere was bright and clear. You had anything to do with it? My father thinks you do."


    Athena sipped from her second cup of orange juice.


    Ewan had left thirty minutes ago, after she told him she was expecting a client.


    She had avoided mentioning Zane, knowing it would trigger the male.


    Now, she didn¡¯t understand why she did that.


    Was she having a soft spot for him again? She forbade it!


    "They met this morning?"


    "Yeah." Zane answered, before calling a waiter.


    Athena¡¯s eyes glistened with awareness.


    Zane¡¯s statement exined why Ewan had been so sure that she had been behind the attack, why he had advocated for a truce.


    Herbert must have told him of their past.


    She wondered whether the old man told Ewan about the details, and the deal.


    She didn¡¯t think so. The proud man won¡¯t strip himself like that. He didn¡¯t even tell his son.


    "So, what do you think, Zane? You believe your father?"


    "About you being involved? I don¡¯t think so. It must be someone else with a vendetta against Ewan. You aren¡¯t that vindictive."


    Athena smiled.


    Zane still had a lot to know about her.


    But he was right at least; she didn¡¯t do it. Her children did.


    "But the media and press, especially the KNpany, really beat him to pieces. They did far more damages to him."


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows. "KN media? I haven¡¯t heard of thepany."


    <i>Except this morning during my research on the attack.</i>


    Zane nodded in understanding. "Quite expected. They aren¡¯t exactly consistent. But they are good press, with a huge amount of subscribers. Twenty thousand dors for monthly subscription. You can afford that easily, right?"


    Athena¡¯s mouth fell open. "That¡¯s extortion!"


    Zane smiled. "Maybe. But they give crazy news and tips. You should try applying for it. I think I have a newspaper at home. Remind me to get it for you. You know I usually forget these things."


    Athena nodded slowly, not believing her ears.


    Twenty thousand dors per month for a newspaper? It was surely for the rich then!


    She didn¡¯t exactly like it. But she will check them out before making her judgements.


    "So, you have been here for a while?" Zane pointed at the cups on the table. "You had someone over?"


    "Yeah, Ewan."


    It was Zane¡¯s turn to be speechless.


    "Ewan Gietti?"


    Athena nodded.


    "Athena Caddell, you are really set on springing up surprises on me today! What¡¯s next for me, on the list?"


    Athena chuckled softly, and took a sip of her drink. "It was necessary. He had the notion that you and I had been behind the attacks on hispany...he sent me a text..."


    "Yeah, I received it too. I thought it was a joke though." Zane epted the drink served by the waiter, and took a sip.


    "You met him for that?"


    "Yeah, I knew who had attacked hispany... had to set the records straight."


    Zane dropped the drink on the table. "My father was right?"


    "Partly. It was done out of blind loyalty. That¡¯s why everything has been cleared up, I convinced the person to take it down."


    "Who¡¯s the mystery person?"


    But even as Zane asked this question, he knew Athena wouldn¡¯t give him an answer.


    When he saw her look away while drumming her fingers on the table, he wondered why he had bothered asking.


    "So, what did he say? Ewan, I mean..." He had to let the matter go.


    "He was grateful, especially since I epted to treat his people and reduced my request of twenty percent of his shares to ten percent..."


    Zaneughed. "You were never really going to abandon his people, were you?"


    "No. I¡¯m a doctor, Zane. Patients¡¯ lives matter to me so much, no matter who they are. I was just doing business, checking to see how far he could go for his people, while getting some profits in the process."


    Zaneughed louder this time, shaking his head. "You are really crazy, Athena. I can see who Kathleen and Nathaniel take after."


    Athena squished her nose.


    Zane tapped it fondly.


    She shook off his hand. "We called a truce; Ewan and I. We are partners now, seeing as I hold ten percent shares in hispany."


    Zane¡¯s jovial mood immediately plunged to a sadness he didn¡¯t understand.


    "Will you tell him about the twins now?"


    Athena shook her head. "He will find out by himself."


    Zane swallowed. "Will you get back to him, considering your past. You loved him at that time right?"


    "No, I never did." Athena lied, knowing that¡¯s what Zane wanted to hear.


    She couldn¡¯t afford to break her friend¡¯s heart. After all, she was done with Ewan now. Her love for him in the past mattered no more.


    She held back a smile when Zane sighed in relief.


    <i>What will I do when he finally asks me out? </i>


    Athena let the thought go. She would cross that bridge when she got there.


    "So, we never talked about the contract Ewan had with Zack... you never finished the story." Athena started, after a few minutes of silence.


    Zane nodded, and gulped down the entire juice in his cup.


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows, worried now.


    Did Zane not believe her answer? Would he tell her the entire truth now, or would he be swayed by his fear of her and Ewan getting back together?


    "Yeah. Zack wanted a son to bear his name, in exchange for thend. He even told Ewan that he could divorce you when he got the son he wanted. So, technically, your father offered you to Ewan as a breeder, for his own gain. He needed a son that will inherit his properties. A son that won¡¯t know you."


    Athena was appalled by the sudden speech, its implication, and the crass way it was delivered.


    She knew Zane wasn¡¯t okay.


    "So, Ewan followed through, not caring for your feelings, thinking that you were in cahoots with your father. The longer the marriage took, the more irritable he became. He had budgeted a year with you."


    Athena remained motionless, refusing to reveal her hurt and pain to Zane. She knew he was searching for it.


    "That¡¯s why he hated you. That¡¯s why, no matter how you followed him blindly like a puppy, seeking his approval, he despised you. That¡¯s why he was impervious to your gift of selfless love and rich goodness. That¡¯s why he saw you as a whore. An uneducated cheap whore."


    Athena felt ufortable. Was Zane insulting her for <i>lying</i> to him?


    "But I¡¯m d you proved them wrong, Athena. I¡¯m d you proved your father wrong." He beckoned on a waiter.


    Does this changes things now? Does the truth change the way you see him now?"


    It did. Athena knew it did, in some way.


    "No, it doesn¡¯t. It doesn¡¯t excuse his behaviors, his rejection, or abandonment when I was used. I still hate him."</subtxt>

 Chapter 29: Playboy

    <h4>Chapter 29: yboy</h4>


    Athena knew Zane¡¯s mood was ruined.


    It was evident in the change of his demeanor, in the monotone replies he gave her concerning her questions on his father, and in the way he openly flirted with the female waiters.


    He never did that when they went out.


    His focus was entirely on her and their discussion whenever they went out.


    He respected her enough, to put a hold on his yboy activities till they parted ways.


    Yes, she had lied about her love for Ewan during their marriage. So what?


    It was six years ago! Things were different now. Why couldn¡¯t he see that, and behave appropriately in public?


    She watched, in tired disgust, as he gave a sleazy smile to a female waiter.


    Does she need to indulge this too? She was tired.


    At least he should have believed herst statement. She concluded. She could never go back to Ewan.


    Yet Athena couldn¡¯t believe that Ewan had thrilled Zane with her foolish submission to him during their marriage.


    Egocentric brat! He must have been so full of himself, so full of gloating!


    She held back vomit when she remembered the way she had followed Ewan like a lost puppy all through their years of marriage, the things she had put up with; his coldness, his infidelity.


    She shook her head, pushing the painful memories.


    Leaving the marriage had been the best decision of her life.


    Maybe, she should be thankful to Fiona, for helping her get free from the bondage that was her previous marriage.


    If not, how could she have been enlightened now?


    How could she have been educated and emboldened?


    How could she have been this rich and influential?


    Athena gazed at Zane again. He was staring at a woman¡¯s ass this time around.


    She knew it was a pretense though. These brash actions of his.


    She knew he was baiting her. She knew he wanted to confirm her feelings about him.


    Howbeit, she felt nothing for him, other than friendship.


    Should she remain aloof, or should she call his attention to his stupid acts?


    She sighed. She didn¡¯t want to give him false hopes. Yet she didn¡¯t want the weird atmosphere too.


    "Zane, what¡¯s the problem?"


    Even though she knew the problem, she wanted him to speak, to smile, to not act as the yboy he was, because she was with him in public.


    She had a reputation to uphold.


    Zane, on the other hand, didn¡¯t understand his feelings, or rather didn¡¯t want to understand them.


    He already knew he was attracted to Athena, but he didn¡¯t know the depth of the attraction till the likelihood of her returning to Ewan came up.


    Would he give her up?


    "Nothing, Athena. I¡¯m just processing things."


    "Things like what?"


    "Your partnership with Ewan. What does it entail? Would you both be going out?"


    Athena scrunched her face. "Not if I can help it."


    Zane sighed. He wasn¡¯t satisfied with the answer. "I think I love you, Athena..."


    Athena kept her cool, while her mind ran helter-skelter.


    She had thought Zane¡¯s deration wouldeter, not today.


    She inhaled softly, and toyed with her fingers. "Zane, you already know my position. I¡¯m a single mother."


    "I don¡¯t care for that, Athena. I see them as my own children, you know that..."


    Of course Athena knew that. She sought for another straw to grasp.


    "You are a yboy, Zane. You¡¯ve flirted with more than ten women since we spoke about the contract..."


    Zane sighed. "I was angry, I was baiting you. I should have known that you wouldn¡¯t bite it. You can be chill when you choose to be."


    Athena resolved to take that as apliment.


    "I love you."


    Athena shook her head.


    Zane didn¡¯t love her, not like she had loved Ewan once.


    She knew love, and knew what it looked like. And that¡¯s how she was sure that Zane didn¡¯t love her.


    "You aren¡¯t sure of that yet, Zane. And personally, I don¡¯t think you do. You are attracted to my personality, and the fact that I have my game cards and life in order. You are attracted to my carriage andposure. If there is someone I believe you love, it is Gianna..."


    Now that Athena was on a roll, she could see things more clearly, and she wondered why she had been so blind to it before.


    "Even though you treat her as the scum of the earth, it¡¯s a kind of hate thates from a deep kind of love..."


    Athena chuckled now, her eyes as sharp as ever.


    "You both have a history, a dark history, that has to do with you being together for a while. What happened? Where did you two meet for the first time? Gianna won¡¯t speak about it. Can I trust you not to do the same?"


    Athena stilled when she saw the deathly calm on Zane¡¯s face.


    There was it again! The coldness that he relinquished to the background whenever he was with her!


    Had she crossed a boundary?


    "You can trust me to do the same, Athena. I don¡¯t want to talk about Gianna."


    Athena noticed that Zane¡¯s lips had turned up in disgust when he pronounced her friend¡¯s name.


    She got defensive.


    "What did you do to Gianna?"


    "What did I do?" Zane cackled in unbelief. "The question should be what did she do to me... that wretched.."


    "Shut up, Zane! I won¡¯t have you insult my best friend..."


    Zane chuckled snidely, his anger unfurling at a great speed. "That¡¯s the only reason why she and her stupid parents are not in jail! ...because she is your best friend, and the children¡¯s godmother..."


    Athena nched. Had Gianna really wrecked Zane¡¯s life?


    "Her stupid parents... I would have put them in prison if they had shown up around my property...for any reason."


    "They won¡¯t be able to do that.."


    Zane stopped, and scowled. "And why is that? Are they crippled? Because that won¡¯t be enough to stop me if they cross the line."


    Athena¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears. "Because they are dead."


    It was delivered in a soft tone, but it had the desired effect on Zane.


    His anger suddenly dissipated, and for a moment Athena glimpsed the man that had been in love with her best friend at one time.


    This was the love. She thought, mesmerized. Not the one he had professsed to her earlier.


    But the imagery onlysted for a second.


    "They deserve it then!" Zane gritted his teeth. "Yet why did they die? They haven¡¯t paid for their crimes!"


    Athena was done hearing this evil side of Zane speak.


    She stood up from the chair, picked her bag, and strolled out of the restaurant.


    However, when she got to her car, her arm was grabbed from behind.


    "What do you want, Zane?"


    Zane stared at Athena keenly, still angry that she had brought up his past with Gianna, yet knowing he had to keep their rtionship afloat, at least for his father¡¯s sake, for his feelings about her, and for his godchildren.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Athena. I just..." He paused, staring down at her with eyes now void of fury.


    "Does this change things between us?"


    Athena shrugged his arms off. "I don¡¯t know, Zane. Let me be for now."


    She ignored the remark he was about to make, and walked into the car.


    Her driver had left the door open, while watching them keenly.

 Chapter 30: Boss Woman

    <h4>Chapter 30: Boss Woman</h4>


    "How was Gianna this morning?"


    Athena opened her tablet, as she questioned Aiden, her driver and bodyguard.


    To the outsiders, he was a mere driver with lean muscles, but Athena had trained with him in the same martial arts academy, and knew what he was capable of.


    She was actually honored to have him, even though he imed that he was the one honored to serve her.


    "Gianna looked downtrodden this morning. She tried covering her dull face with make-up, and an earnestness to work, but I thought she still looked sad. I think she will also be workingte today; she told me to let you know that you should pick up the kids after school."


    Athena sighed, and looked up.


    Gianna and Zane.


    Could she hold back her thirst for the knowledge of their history? How long will she be able to hold on?


    "And the twins? How are they?"


    "Just the same. Only that they seemed sad about something."


    A pause.


    "Did something happenst night or earlier this morning?"


    "They used their skills again." Athena muttered, swiping through pages on her tablet.


    Aiden chuckled softly, smoothly moving the car through edges. "You know you shouldn¡¯t begrudge them, they are only looking out for you."


    "But it should be the other way around..." Athena cut in frustratingly.


    "I want a level battleground with Ewan... I don¡¯t want my kids having their childhood tainted with crisis. They should leave that to me."


    Aiden sighed, and parked the car by the side of the road.


    Athena came down immediately and joined him in the front seat.


    This was like a ritual for them.


    Whenever Aiden parked the car by the roadside while on a journey, it meant he wanted to talk with her.


    Aiden was like the father she never had, the father Zack never was.


    They had met at the martial arts academy, and through a series of events, have be in some way, inseparable.


    When he turned forty-eightst year, she had thrown him a little retirement party, but he had been adamant about staying to protect her and the children after thest mishap they survived.


    She wondered when he would finally retire. She would miss him.


    He also knew about her past with Ewan, her children¡¯s skills, and her capabilities, to an extent.


    "Athena..."


    Athena reclined deeper into the car seat, facing straight ahead, waiting for the sage advice that Aiden was always known for, even back then.


    "Do you really need to get back at Ewan? You know, we can up and leave the continent. I know you will mention the disease, but you can leave your research to some doctors..."


    "I don¡¯t trust a lot of people, Aiden. You know that. And my research is very precious. Who knows what one of those greedy doctors can do with it? You know how money can be controlling..."


    Aiden tapped the steering wheel in thought. "That¡¯s right. So, the only option is to stay and fight."


    Athena nodded simply. There was no need to scowl or rage at Aiden. He was different.


    Aiden clucked his tongue. "Having lived a life of violence and war for the longest time, I crave peace, and see it as a pricelessmodity."


    A pause.


    "Athena, I¡¯m not asking that you forgive Ewan¡ªhe did something very stupid, I¡¯m asking that you crave peace too, for the sake of your children."


    "We are partners now." Athena dropped, trying to show Aiden that she was trying at least.


    Aiden piqued his eyebrow. "He was the one you met up with earlier, before Zane?"


    Athena nodded. "We had an agreement of sorts."


    "So what is this about, getting back at him?"


    "Aiden, even though Zane exined to me the reasons for Ewan¡¯s behavior during our marriage, it doesn¡¯t excuse his misdeeds against me." Athena inhaled softly.


    "If I was cunning as he had thought, why would I have followed him around like a lost puppy for three years? Which girl would agree to be a breeder for her father? Which reasonable girl would want her son to be raised by her cold father?"


    Athena scoffed bitterly. "He ims to be wise and business minded. Why then hadn¡¯t he questioned some things? Why had he readily believed I was a whore, despite knowing how crazy I was about him, despite knowing I was still a virgin when we married?"


    Athena¡¯s eyes watered, before she could help it.


    "Why hadn¡¯t hee for my mother¡¯s burial when she had been so good to him? Why hadn¡¯t he stayed faithful? Why did he tear my reputation to shreds and banish me out of the city? All because of his anger at my father?"


    Athena shook her head. "He is wicked. He has to pay for his wrongs."


    Aiden nodded. "I know, Athena, but I assure you, being partners is best for everyone, including the kids. As a matter of fact, I think you have already gotten your revenge..."


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows, and looked at him, waiting for an exnation.


    "Your kids. The worst thing to befall a prideful man is being an unknown factor in his children¡¯s life." Aiden chuckled softly. "But it isn¡¯t enough, is it?"


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "You and Gianna are the same. Nevertheless, I won¡¯t get back at him, not in the way you guys think, but in the business sense..."


    "That¡¯s the sense I am actually talking about, Athena. You are trying to shut down hispany?"


    Athena pouted. She could never get something past Aiden.


    "It had been the first n, but knowing his earlier situation with my father, I¡¯ve settled on just having a strong hold on thepany, like getting at least forty percent of shares."


    Aidenughed, and started the car. "You will never change, will you?"


    "No, I¡¯m done changing. I¡¯ll be securing my children¡¯s future from now on. I¡¯ll think of them first. Thanks Aiden. Just pray Ewan doesn¡¯t provoke me first."


    Aidenughed, as Athena opened the door, and returned to the back seat.


    "I hope for his sake that he doesn¡¯t. How about Zack and Alfonso..."


    Athena smirked. "The ns are the same."


    Aiden nodded, and drove into the road.


    Just then, Athena¡¯s phone rang. It was Ethan.


    She fixed her Bluetooth in her ear and picked the call. "Ethan, where are you?"


    "At home. Did Gianna tell you of my visit?"


    "Yes, she did. I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t call you back. But she passed your message. Did you get mine?"


    "Yes boss, I did. The n is going fine, they trust me now. About thepany, how many percent should I put up for sale?"


    "Two percent."


    There was silence over the phone.


    "Only two?"


    Athena nodded. "Yes, know how to share it between them."


    A pause.


    "Give Ewan one percent. Give Zack 0.1 percent.


    "Okay boss, as you wish. He actually visited today..."


    Athena piqued her right eyebrow.


    "He was asking for an increase, from the earlier five percent to twenty percent..."


    Athena chuckled. They must have started seeing the potential of herpany.


    "Let him have the 0.1 percent. If he is not interested, he can go."


    "Okay boss, I will document them."


    "And Ethan?"


    "Yes boss..."


    "If I see you in my apartment again, I will skin you alive..."


    Ethanughed. "Of course boss. I¡¯ll keep my distance."


    Athena smiled and hung up.


    They couldn¡¯t know that Ethan was in any way rted to her. It would spoil her wellid ns.

 Chapter 31: Bruised Knees

    <h4>Chapter 31: Bruised Knees</h4>


    The smile on Athena¡¯s lips tinkered on oblivion when she walked into the office and saw who was waiting for her at Ciara¡¯s desk.


    Fiona.


    She was about to call for the security men when she saw the tears in Fiona¡¯s eyes.


    She stopped in her tracks. Had the mother died? Athena almost felt guilty.


    But then her eyes wandered to the basket of flowers on the ground, to the variety of items in another basket beside Fiona, and she let out a chuckle.


    She knew this part of the y. Fiona hade to beg.


    Didn¡¯t Ewan inform her of the truce?


    "What are you doing here, Fiona?"


    Fiona, who had been facing the calendar in false misery, who had pretended not noticing Athena¡¯s presence, turned to Athena and started sobbing.


    Ciara darted her eyes to Athena in confusion.


    "Let her in, Ciara. Get us two cups of chocte."


    Two can y the game. Athena thought as she strode into the office, without sparing Fiona a nce.


    Fiona sniffed, and flexed her fists, wishing she could drag Athena by the hair and give her the beating of her life.


    How dare she ignore her pitiful state? What was puffing her shoulders? The tag of ¡¯Doctor¡¯?


    She bit her lips in anger. Soon, Athena will regret treating her with disdain.


    For now, however, she will let her nemesis gallivant.


    After all, her recent role of submission was temporary. She believed she would have thestugh.


    With that thought ingrained in her senses, she gingerly got up from the chair, and carried the gift items which her father had procured for her role.


    When she got to the office, Athena was standing by therge ss window with an overview of the beautiful city.


    "Have a seat, Fiona, and start talking. Is your mother dead?"


    Fiona wished so, but for her father¡¯s sanity.


    "No, but she¡¯s barely hanging in there. We need your help."


    "Reason for the gifts?" Athena turned as she spoke, crossing her arms on her chest.


    Fiona nodded meekly.


    She stood up gently, carried the two decorated baskets and dropped it by Athena¡¯s feet.


    Then, she knelt down before her nemesis, subtly pinching herself hard so that the pain and tears coulde.


    "I¡¯m sorry Athena, please forgive me for all my wrong doings."


    Fiona really looked so pitiful and remorseful that if Athena hadn¡¯t known her from nine years ago, she would have fallen for the trap.


    Just then Ciara stepped into the office with a tray.


    She kept it on the table briskly and walked away, unable to stop herself from sparing Fiona a gloatful nce.


    Fiona, aware of this disy, gritted her teeth in displeasure.


    When her mother was finally well, the first person she would deal with would be the secretary.


    "Have a cup of chocte, Fiona? Do you still like chocte?"


    Athena smiled as she stared down at Fiona.


    She knew Fiona hated chocte drinks.


    Fiona swallowed. Chocte made her stomach upset.


    However, for the sess of the n, she nodded meekly. "Yes, I do. I want some. Is there milk?"


    Athena shook her head. "The milk has finished."


    Fiona attempted to stand up and get the chocte drink, but Athena snapped her fingers, indicating that she should remain kneeling.


    "I didn¡¯t tell you to get up, Fiona. If you want the chocte drink, get it while kneeling. Or aren¡¯t you strong for that?" Athena sneered, remembering the many times Fiona¡¯s mother had left her kneeling outside in the rain because of unnecessary matters.


    The first time it happened, her marriage had only been a month old.


    The woman had sent her to kneel outside at night, on hard marble, when there was a heavy downpour, just because she hadn¡¯t cleaned thetter¡¯s shoes.


    And because she had known that Fiona and her family were important to Ewan, she had endured it; she had done everything to please them, yet it hadn¡¯t been enough.


    They had tortured her every time, even in Ewan¡¯s presence.


    Athena clenched her fist, and hid it in the folds of her gown.


    Meanwhile Fiona nched at Athena¡¯s request, thinking of how bruised her soft knees would be.


    However, she remembered her father¡¯s n.


    The thought of Athena being out of this world finally, gave her the strength she needed to kneel and move to the table.


    As she moved, the hatred in her heart increased, both toward Athena, and toward her mother who had given in to the sickness.


    If the witch hadn¡¯t been ill, she wouldn¡¯t have been in this position. No. She would have gone straight to plotting Athena¡¯s demise with her father.


    She sighed harshly in relief when she finally got to the table.


    Her knees were sore and quaking. Bruised even. But she dared not stand. Not until Athena agreed to treat her mother.


    When she grabbed the cup and took a sip, she forced herself to swallow, feeling Athena¡¯s gaze on her.


    She downed the drink the second time, eager to get it over with.


    When she was done, she turned to Athena. "Can I stand now?"


    Athena shook her head. "I never asked you to kneel in the first ce... But since you wanted to do that, you will continue kneeling, until we are done with the meeting. However, if you think otherwise..."


    "No, it¡¯s okay! I will kneel..." Fiona shouted, amusing Athena.


    For the future. Fiona consoled herself.


    Immediately Athena sat down, and took her cup of chocte, Fionaunched into her mission here.


    "I¡¯m sorry Athena. These gifts are from my father and I. We are sorry, for everything."


    "If he is, why isn¡¯t he here? Too proud?"


    Fiona shook her head erratically. "He has to take care of my mother. she is bedridden."


    "Too poor to hire a caregiver?"


    "Too in love, rather..." Fiona answered, with a shy smile.


    "Like you are in love with Ewan?"


    The smile disappeared instantly.


    Fiona fisted her hands again, remembering the event ofst night.


    Ewan had dropped an apology gift this morning, but she wasn¡¯t satisfied with it.


    And she won¡¯t be until Athena stayed dead!


    "Yes, just like that." She smiled sweetly, while her knee thrummed with pain, and her stomach started rumbling in difort.


    When a call came in, Athena abandoned the discussion and answered it.


    Fiona cussed out loud, at the implication of this.


    Athena piqued an eyebrow, daring her to speak nonsense again.


    Fiona bowed meekly. "I¡¯m sorry."


    Athena smiled, and returned to her call,ughing inwardly.


    How long will Fiona¡¯s maskst while kneeling?

 Chapter 32: Bruised Ego

    <h4>Chapter 32: Bruised Ego</h4>


    The phone call took fifteen minutes.


    Athena made sure of that.


    She smiled when she saw Fiona¡¯s red scrunched face and hard eyes, when she noticed Fiona¡¯s quaking limbs.


    She wondered if she should fake a call, maybe stretch it for twenty minutes, to see how long Fiona¡¯s facade wouldst.


    Fifteen minutes didn¡¯t seem long enough again.


    After all, hadn¡¯t she knelt for hours in the rain, under the strict orders of Fiona and her mother?


    So, she had the right to make another long call!


    However, she had some work to do. She also had to pick her children from school.


    "How are you feeling, Fiona?"


    Fiona stamped down the urge to re and cuss. She rather sighed, as if she was near the gates of death.


    "Athena, I feel sick, to be honest. I¡¯m sorry for kneeling in the first ce. I should have asked for your permission. Can I stand? I think I will die if I stay in this position longer."


    She ced her shaking hands on Athena¡¯s table as she spoke.


    When Athena red at her, she took it down.


    "Please, Athena, I¡¯m sorry. Have mercy on me, please. Forgive me of my wrong behaviors. I had only been an overzealous youth then..."


    "So, you are a mature woman now?"


    Fiona bobbed her head.


    "So why did you cause a ruckus thest time you were here?"


    Fiona stayed silent, having no defense anymore.


    Instead, she started sobbing very loudly, a few secondster.


    Athena was mildly startled at the swift change of events.


    She snickered when a knock sounded on her door, and Ciara popped her head in.


    "The doctorsin that the woman is noisy."


    "Did you hear her, Fiona? You are noisy. You shouldn¡¯t be that, especially when you are seeking a favor."


    Fiona nodded submissively. "I¡¯m sorry for that." Still weeping. "I¡¯m sorry. Please have mercy."


    Ciara shook her head in derision, and closed the door.


    "It¡¯s okay. I have heard you. I have received your gifts and flowers too. Let the past remain in the past." Athena finally spoke, tired of the charade. She had work to do.


    Fiona held back a smile of victory. "So, will you treat my mother?"


    She felt a little faint, but she needed Athena¡¯s approval.


    "Yeah. I already agreed with Ewan after all, for twenty percent of his shares."


    Fiona allowed herself to fall to a sitting position on the floor, not believing what she was hearing.


    "What did you just say?" She murmured, her voice almost a whisper.


    Tears fell from her eyes.


    This time, they weren¡¯t false, but real.


    They were tears borne out of deep anger and hatred, of frustration and humiliation.


    Yet, Athena didn¡¯t bother with a reply, knowing how crazy that would make Fiona.


    She was right.


    Fiona saw red at Athena¡¯s subtle dismissal.


    Anger rippled through her so much that she searched the office, with her eyes, for a weapon, any weapon at all, to end Athena¡¯s life.


    But her phone rang then, breaking her thoughts.


    It was her father.


    This daunted her mission. She already knew why he was calling.


    When she looked up at Athena, thetter was already going through some documents.


    Fiona didn¡¯t know what to do with her hands.


    <i>¡¯Till mother is well...¡¯ </i>She mused intermittently, as she ignored her father¡¯s call and got up on her feet, as she bowed to Athena and wished her well, as she walked out of the office, feeling lesser than she was.


    At the doorpost though, she turned to look at Athena. Her nemesis was still poring over her documents.


    "When are youing to treat my mother?"


    "Anytime I want." Athena didn¡¯t bother looking up.


    Fiona grabbed the door for support, for her knees were still shaking. "She might die before the week runs out. You have toe as soon as possible." <i>So that I can put my ns to work.</i>


    "If she dies, her treatment goes to another sick person. Go away, Fiona. You are disturbing me."


    "You promised..." Fiona tried again, through gritted teeth, knowing that if her mother died, her father would be too grieved to partake in anything.


    "I didn¡¯t make any promise, Fiona. I said I wille. Now, go. Don¡¯t make me talk too much."


    Fiona wondered then how things had degenerated to this extent.


    How had she gone from ruling Athena to begging for mercy from the uneducated bitch?


    Nevertheless, she consoled herself with the knowledge of Athena¡¯s uing death, and walked away from the office space, without giving Ciara a nce.


    Outside the hospital, she rested on a pir, opened her bag, and brought out a cigarette and a lighter.


    She, Fiona Adams, had knelt for more than twenty minutes, before Athena?


    She barked out a sarcasticugh, before cing the cigarette on her lips.


    She will make sure Athena went through worse, before she died.


    Fiona let herself imagine the different torture techniques she will use on Athena.


    The fantasy brought a smile to her face, and an energy for the next phase of a n that just dropped in her head.


    Since Athena already made a deal with Ewan, she would surely treat her mother right?


    Then since she couldn¡¯t kill thetter now, she will work on sowing more tares between her and Ewan.


    With that, she stomped the cigarette under her shoe, hailed a cab and headed to Ewan¡¯spany.


    When she got to the gates, she entered a dark corner, tore her dress to an extent, and roughened her hair, so that it looked untidy.


    She took a red lipstick from her handbag and dabbed it on her knees, her legs, and around her lips before forcing tears to fall from her eyes.


    Then she donned a pitiful look of misery, and hurried into thepany.


    The unbelieving gasps that fell from people¡¯s lips as she headed to Ewan¡¯s office gave her joy.


    Surely Ewan will believe her!


    She pretended to cry when a security guard rushed to her.


    "Miss Fiona, what¡¯s the problem? Who did this to you?"


    But Fiona wouldn¡¯t say. She kept sobbing.


    The guard had no choice but to lead her to Ewan¡¯s office, after ordering the workers not to video anything.


    However, when they got to the office, Ewan was in a meeting with Sandro, and some other male in the adjoining room.


    Fiona didn¡¯t care. She couldn¡¯t help it when her ego had been so bruised.


    Hence, she badged into the room, causing an interruption.


    Sandro was irritated at the act of selfishness and brash disregard.


    Ewan felt the same, but Fiona was his fianc¨¦e.


    "Gentlemen, I will see you bothter."


    He ended the meeting.


    Sandro and the male stood up and left the conference room.


    "What happened Fiona?" Ewan frowned when he saw the disorderly state of Fiona. Did she fight?


    Fiona fell on the floor and started crying, in response.


    Her sobs tore at Ewan¡¯s heart. He hated seeing his saviour in pain.


    He immediately rushed to her, and lifted her in his arms gently.


    "Shush, my dear... Everything is fine now." He took her to the sofa, andid her down tenderly.


    When he saw the state of her knee, and the scattered streaks of blood on her face, his jaw ticked in anger.


    "Who did this to you?"


    Fiona sobbed harder, even letting mucus flow from her nose.


    Ewan didn¡¯t care. He hugged her to himself.


    "Please stop crying, Fiona. Just tell me who did this. Tell me... I will surely make that person pay."


    Fiona sniffed, "It was... Athena.."

 Chapter 33: Bruised Ego II

    <h4>Chapter 33: Bruised Ego II</h4>


    Ewan¡¯s heart burned first with confusion, then anger, especially when his eyes wandered to the terrible bodily state of his fianc¨¦e again.


    Hadn¡¯t he made a truce with Athena? Why was she then humiliating him this way?


    Didn¡¯t she know that this was a p to his face?


    What would people think when they see his almost naked fianc¨¦e on the streets?


    His hands clenched in anger as his mind gave answers to his questions.


    Fiona, noting Ewan¡¯s change in demeanor, smiled in satisfaction.


    Her ns were working. Yet she maintained the pitiful facade.


    Surely he will fight for her!


    Surely now, Ewan will hate Athena!


    Fiona didn¡¯t care for her father¡¯s sanity again, since she believed Athena¡¯s deal with Ewan had covered her mother¡¯s treatment.


    She also didn¡¯t care about her father¡¯s possible withdrawal from her, should Athena make a ruckus; she had Ewan on her side. He was angry for her.


    "What did you do, Fiona?"


    Sandro dropped a bucket of ice on Ewan and Fiona.


    He had been standing at the doorpost for a while, watching the annoying disy.


    Ewan¡¯s anger dissipated a little, at Sandro¡¯s question, and he stared at Fiona, hoping for a good answer.


    How soon had he forgotten that the Athena he had spoken to today had been civil? Or was that a cover up?


    He sighed tiredly, as Fiona started sobbing again.


    He darted a nce at Sandro.


    His friend was cold, nonchnt even; an always mood whenever Fiona was around.


    Sandro just couldn¡¯t stand Fiona.


    Ewan often wondered about the reason for this stale mood, especially since Zane, who wasn¡¯t always around, tolerated Fiona¡¯s presence.


    And although Sandro had opened up to him six years ago, about Fiona¡¯s attempt at seduction, attributing his hatred to that moment, Ewan hadn¡¯t believed his friend.


    He still didn¡¯t believe it now. He only thought Sandro was being Sandro. Cold.


    Fiona was one of the most innocent girls he has ever seen. She was still a virgin! She was still waiting for him to be ready. She was waiting for their wedding night.


    Never mind that he wasn¡¯t exactly excited about it.


    Afore time, he had thought that his body¡¯s unwillingness to sleep with her had been because of the virginity matter.


    Not until Athena¡¯s return, not until her dismissal of him in the restroom of the party hall, did he realize that his body just wasn¡¯t attracted to his fianc¨¦e.


    This realization had dampened his morale, but he had knew that the show must go on. Fiona had waited enough.


    The uing marriage now was just a duty to him, as it had been nine years ago.


    "Fiona, stop crying..." He weed Fiona into his arms again, not caring for the red mark she bore almost everywhere.


    But Fiona refused to rest her body on Ewan¡¯s. After all, it wasn¡¯t blood all over her, but lipstick.


    "Talk to me. What did she do? I can¡¯t punish her if you don¡¯t speak..."


    Sandro piqued an eyebrow at Ewan. Punish? What was his friend nning to do?


    But Ewan was set in his ways.


    Yes, Zane¡¯s father had admonished him not to be at odds with Athena. Yet, why should he be humiliated this way?


    Athena should at least apologize!


    "Okay, my love..." Fiona started tearfully.


    Ewan cringed at the word of endearment. They never used words like that.


    "I went to plead with her to treat my mom. I brought gifts from my father too. I even knelt before her to apologize for thest turbulent years, but she abused me repeatedly; both with her words, and with her hands. She also had the security guards manhandle me, before throwing me out."


    Immediately, Fiona pretended to faint, putting Ewan¡¯s heart in a frenzy.


    "Fiona!" He called out, when she became int in his arms.


    "Sandro, quick! Get the car around! We need to take her to the hospital. I think her body is so weak to stand!"


    Sandro scoffed, getting Ewan¡¯s full attention.


    "What¡¯s that supposed to mean?"


    Sandro said nothing.


    He rather took a bottle of cold water from the conference table and walked up to the couple.


    Before Ewan could say anything again, he emptied half of the water on Fiona.


    Fiona shouted as the cold water touched her face. "What the hell!"


    The shout was so loud and sudden that Ewan didn¡¯t know when he released her, and she plunged to the floor with a grunt.


    "Sandro!" Ewan red at his friend.


    But Sandro wasn¡¯t in the least concerned. "She¡¯s better now. Isn¡¯t she?"


    He was amused as he watched the water clean the red hue on Fiona¡¯s cheeks and lips.


    He knew it wasn¡¯t blood!


    Ewan noticed too, but before he could confirm that, Fiona started screaming again.


    She had noticed Sandro¡¯s n.


    "My back! My arm!" She writhed on the floor, holding her stomach.


    Ewan didn¡¯t know what to do.


    In confusion, he grabbed Fiona and lifted her up gently. "Shush..it¡¯s okay..."


    But Fiona sobbed the more, annoying Sandro.


    "She humiliated me, Ewan...she bruised my ego... see where she pped me in front of her assistant and the guards!"


    Ewan noticed the red cheek then. And his heart hardened against Athena.


    Fiona showed him her bruised knees too.


    Now, even Sandro was confused.


    But the red hue had been a fake! Had it just been applied to solidify Ewan¡¯s anger?


    Sandro watched as Ewan grabbed Athena¡¯s hand and started walking out of the door.


    "Ewan, wait!"


    He wanted to remind his friend about Herbert¡¯s advice, but Ewan was gone past hearing his friend¡¯s plea.


    How could Athena bruise Fiona¡¯s soft knees?


    He had seen Fiona¡¯s knees, and knew how neat and supple they were.


    How could Athena spoil that? Didn¡¯t she know that hurting Fiona was hurting him?


    Didn¡¯t she know his ego would be bruised too? How could she neglect that after the deal they made?


    Why was she so proud?!


    When he reached his car, he gently ushered Fiona into the back seat, and followed her in, sitting right beside her.


    Fiona utilized the opportunity to snuggle closer to him.


    Ewan didn¡¯t mind.


    He ordered Sandro to drive; Sandro who had only ran after them to stop his friend from doing something he might regret.


    Yet watching Ewan fuming as he finally drove, he wondered if he could stop it.


    When they got to the hospital, everyone was busy.


    But Ewan didn¡¯t need their help. He beelined to Athena¡¯s office.


    No one stopped the trio, to ask them what the problem was.


    They couldn¡¯t afford to cross Ewan Gietti.


    However, one of the nurses, knowing how important Athena was to Zane, called Zane on the phone, and filled him in on the tense visit.


    Their doctor was too important to the city. She couldn¡¯t be touched.

 Chapter 34: Trouble

    <h4>Chapter 34: Trouble</h4>


    Athena was talking to a patient when her door was rudely kicked open.


    Her patient, whom she was counseling, shouted apprehensively, startled out of his bones.


    He was an aged man, about sixty five years old.


    The tension on his face caused Athena great difort.


    She hated her patients being disturbed in her space, especially when she was talking to them or treating them.


    Every time, she made sure they werefortable, yet Ewan and his stupid fianc¨¦e had broken that streak now.


    Athena flexed her fists while apologizing to the old man who kept staring at Ewan.


    "I¡¯m sorry for the intrusion, sir. You can take your leave now. We¡¯ll discuss more in our next meeting."


    "Will you be okay?" The patient asked, darting nces between the intruders and his doctor.


    "Should I send in the security guards? I don¡¯t want you to be hurt."


    Sandro was amused, yet pleased about Athena¡¯s reputation among her patients.


    It spoke of her goodness, never mind Fiona¡¯s cheeks.


    If Athena pped Fiona, then thetter deserved it!


    "I¡¯ll be fine, old man." Athena giggled yfully, tapped the patient¡¯s arm, and dropped a kiss on the man¡¯s wrinkled cheeks.


    "You don¡¯t have to worry about me."


    The old man smiled as if he had won a lottery, bobbing his head intermittently.


    Ewan was unsettled.


    The imagery before him was disintegrating fast, the motion that Athena was wicked.


    Nevertheless, he hase too far to return home without demanding an apology.


    As the patient walked toward the open door, he red at Ewan and Sandro.


    Sandro still found it funny.


    "If you touch her, I will make sure you regret it."


    Ewan didn¡¯t know when he nodded. The fierce look on the old man¡¯s face was terribly serious like an aristocrat!


    He looked at the old man¡¯s clothes. It was simple.


    And for that, he discounted thetter, and wondered why he had been so affected in the first ce.


    Immediately the patient left and shut the door behind him, Athena drew back her shoulders, and lifted her chin and nose like an annoyed Queen.


    "How dare youe in here, Ewan?"


    She paused, and looked at Sandro, as if noticing him for the first time. "Good morning Sandro..."


    A little smile adorned her lips.


    "Good morning, Athena. It¡¯s been a while."


    Ewan¡¯s mouth quaked with annoyance at the informal greeting, void of tension.


    He turned and red at his friend, but thetter was too smitten with Athena¡¯s grace to notice him.


    Ewan didn¡¯t understand how every male around him was hoodwinked by the female.


    Was she using charms?!


    He shook his head, not believing himself.


    Since when did he start entertaining superstitious nonsense in his head?


    His mind gave an ufortable answer. Since Athena!


    He watched in annoyance at Athena¡¯s demeanor shift, as she asked Sandro how he had been all this while.


    He inhaled sharply as Sandro released a flirtyugh before answering.


    When Sandro inquired about Athena¡¯s well-being and work, Ewan couldn¡¯t take it any longer.


    "Will you both stop chattering like monkeys?! You both can continue flirting in my absence!"


    Athena snickered at the rebuke.


    "You¡¯re in my office, Ewan. You have no audacity demanding what should be done or not done here. Do you understand?"


    Ewan kept quiet, but maintained the heated re¡ªnever mind that Athena wasn¡¯t moved at all, by it.


    He had almost forgotten how easily this new Athena could unsettle and humiliate him, just with her words.


    So he didn¡¯t bother answering the question, rather he pulled a sulking Fiona forward.


    "Why did you p her? Why are her knees bruised? When we made a deal this morning, I thought we agreed to be civil to each other? So.."


    "You are not the same as Fiona. You both aren¡¯t married yet. The deal didn¡¯t cut her in. And after all, if she would have minded her business, she wouldn¡¯t have been in this mess..."


    Athena¡¯s eyes roamed the entirety of Fiona¡¯s body, glistening with amusement at the re-creation thetter had done in order to bring Ewan here to make trouble.


    She was amused at Ewan¡¯s stupidity too.


    He still hasn¡¯t changed. He still hadn¡¯t learnt the power of investigation when it came to Fiona. He was still under her thumb and whims.


    For Ewan, he couldn¡¯t believe that Athena had admitted causing harm to Fiona.


    If he had known she would be this open, he would have brought a recorder!


    He looked at Sandro, to tell him ¡¯I told you so¡¯, but his friend was smiling and walking to one of the seats in the office.


    He would deal with Sandroter. Ewan concluded, before returning his attention to Athena, a smirking Athena.


    Trouble. He thought.


    That¡¯s what she looked like now. Trouble.


    "Athena, hurting Fiona is like hurting me. And I don¡¯t like that. The truce we made earlier covered Fiona and her family. But I will let this slide if you apologize to her. You don¡¯t have to pay for damages, for the injuries."


    Athena raised an eyebrow beforeughing boisterously.


    Sheughed until a tear slipped from her left eye.


    Sandro was embarrassed on behalf of his friend.


    "She told you I pped her?"


    Ewan nodded curtly.


    "What if I say I didn¡¯t? Will you believe me?"


    Ewan ignored the restlessness in his chest. "Stop with the games, Athena, and apologize."


    Athena scoffed. It was still the same as six to nine years ago.


    Fiona will misbehave, but she will be the one to apologize for the misbehavior.


    Once, when Fiona had tried cooking for him, she had burnt the kitchen in the process, almost burning the house too.


    However, when he came back, the witch had lied, iming that the culprit was her.


    He had believed Fiona over her, not minding that she had left earlier in the day for a meeting with her mother.


    To punish her, he hadn¡¯t given her money or food for a week.


    And because she had a cold father, she had to rely on Gianna for help.


    Athena chuckled snidely. It was ying out again.


    "I should stop my games, and apologize right?"


    Ewan nodded again, clenching his fists.


    Athena smiled thinly, before walking up slowly to Fiona, who was brimming with excitement at the prospect of Athena apologizing to her.


    Yet, when Athena stood before Fiona, she smirked.


    She opened her mouth to speak, but Ewan cut her off.


    "You have to kneel too." He stated, hating and needing to wipe off the smirk on Athena¡¯s lips.


    He raised Fiona¡¯s skirt, past her knee. "See what you did to her knees? Kneel and apologize to her."


    Fiona shook her head meekly. "No, Ewan. Stop, please. I think that¡¯s overboard."


    Ewan looked at Fiona gently, pleased at her benevolence.


    "No, it isn¡¯t overboard. I think it is the perfect way to solve this issue."

 Chapter 35: Trouble II

    <h4>Chapter 35: Trouble II</h4>


    Sandro was greatly aggrieved, watching the spectacle before him.


    How could Ewan tell Athena to kneel and apologize?


    Did he forget who she was, and what had happened thest time he had tried upsetting her?


    If Athena knelt, then theirpany was as good as done!


    He couldn¡¯t let that happen.


    "Ewan, what are you doing? Have you forgotten..."


    "Shut up, Sandro! This doesn¡¯t concern you." Ewan dered hotly, folding his arms across his chest.


    His ego bruised by Athena¡¯s antics, especially by that smirk that still yed on her lips and grated him further, he didn¡¯t care about the past.


    After all, hadn¡¯t he offered her ten percent of hispany¡¯s shares?


    If she was distressed, he would add an extra one percent.


    Surely that would pacify her.


    The shares of hispany were much sought after; people paid to have them, considering their potential!


    But that smirk??? It had to be wiped off!


    "Athena, kneel and apologize..."


    Athena decided Ewan was mentally deranged.


    Did he think he could control her now, because they were civil, because he offered her ten percent of shares?


    Did he forget that she was the only doctor that can treat hismunity?


    She chuckled, and looked at a pitiful Fiona. "You mentioned that I pped you?"


    Fiona whimpered, lowered her head, and stepped back like Athena was bullying her.


    Ewan hated it. He red at Athena. "Apologize!"


    But Athena would never do that.


    Instead, with an insane speed, before Ewan could know her intentions, shended a p on Fiona¡¯s face; a Fiona who had stupidly lifted her face then, thinking Athena had been about to apologize.


    Pin-drop silence arrived in the office.


    Ewan, for one, was astounded.


    Yet, while he tried recovering from the shock, Athena gave Fiona another hot p.


    Fiona screamed this time around, sagging on Ewan¡¯s stiff body, actually feeling pain. Tears burned in her eyes.


    Sandro held back a chuckle.


    Ewan was utterly speechless.


    What gave Athena audacity to p his fianc¨¦e before him? Her backers?


    Nevertheless, Athena watched in satisfaction, as her hand¡¯s form was imprinted on Fiona¡¯s cheeks.


    Letting out a sigh of aplishment, she took a step back, and gazed at Ewan, whose lips had thinned in hate.


    "Since you mentioned apologizing for a pping I knew nothing of, I thought I should make the usation true."


    Sandro chuckled then, unable to hold it in again, annoying Ewan further.


    "Get out, Sandro!"


    "Why should he? You don¡¯t want him to witness you being stupid the second time?" Athena was on a roll now.


    "Six years ago, you banished me from the city for an usation with no legible evidence, because Fiona was behind it, and now you¡¯re still doing the same?!"


    A pause.


    A humorless cackle.


    "Kneel down and apologize to your mistress? You must be the joke of the century! Get your filthy self out of my office. And about our deal, you can¡¯t consider it nullified!"


    Sandro exhaled harshly, and sank his head in his hands.


    There were no words to say.


    He didn¡¯t even bother looking at Ewan, who was still fuming at being put down by a woman.


    Ewan, who now stepped closer to Athena, with balled fists.


    Athena didn¡¯t step away in fear, instead she smirked.


    "What do you want to do, Ewan? Grab me by the neck like you did six years ago when I asked for a divorce?"


    Sandro was ignited by those words.


    He stood up from the chair, walked up to the couple, and with his palm on Ewan¡¯s chest, pushed thetter backward.


    He will deal with the consequencester.


    "Ewan, let go of your pride for a minute and think clearly..."


    Then he turned to Fiona, who squirmed under his gaze.


    Sandro has never hated anyone like he hated Fiona at that moment.


    He retrieved a white handkerchief from his back pocket, and sharply cleaned her face before she could understand what he was doing.


    Then he showed Ewan the handkerchief.


    "This isn¡¯t blood, but lipstick. Yes, her knees are bruised, but from what? You should have asked Athena for an exnation, instead of using her."


    Sandro inhaled softly. "What about your business sense, my friend? Are you ready to lose yourpany, the lives of your people over a woman¡¯s lie?"


    Ewan gritted his teeth, and darted nces at the three people in the room.


    He didn¡¯t know what to feel. His head had started <i>pounding. </i>


    It wasn¡¯t a mere headache, but a kind of <i>pounding</i> that had him passing out for days. He has not had one in a while.


    Right now his eyes were heavy.


    He staggered away from the trio, needing to be away from them all, needing to get his bearing.


    Confusion and frustration were the chief emotions running through his mind.


    He dumped himself in the seat that Sandro had sat on.


    When he bowed his head, blood flowed from his nostrils.


    He was fast enough to wipe it, before raising his head up, but two people in the room had already seen it happen.


    Athena and Sandro, who have been watching him as a hawk.


    Athena, who had noted Ewan¡¯s pale face while he staggered, knew that this was more than an effect of the scuffle.


    Was Ewan unwell?


    It had been proved by the blood flowing from thetter¡¯s nose.


    Her heart quivered a little, before she could help it. What was wrong with him?


    She looked at Sandro.


    Thetter was still besotted with his friend.


    Right now, he was walking up to Ewan.


    Then, she nced at Fiona, who had started all this nonsense.


    Thetter was looking down, still maintaining the pitiful pose, still ying the victim party.


    Athena let out a sarcasticugh.


    Fiona has always been selfish.


    Herugh attracted Ewan¡¯s attention.


    "Athena, I¡¯m sorry. Sandro is right. I should have made inquiries before making a conclusion." He paused, and rested his head at the sofa¡¯s head.


    "Can you tell me what happened?" His voice was tired, almost nonexistent.


    Athena held back from calling Ciara, from calling the doctors working with her to get a stretcher.


    Ewan had Sandro and Fiona to take care of him.


    On an ordinary day, she would have ignored his question, she would have baited him, but today wasn¡¯t ordinary.


    Today, Ewan was sick.


    She has never seen him this way, even though she remembered days, during their marriage, when he locked himself up in his room.


    She had thought he was meditating, or working.


    Now, she wasn¡¯t sure.


    "I didn¡¯t p your fianc¨¦e. She came bearing gifts, yes, but she knelt on her own ord to plead. I didn¡¯t do anything wrong."

 Chapter 36: Crushed Pride

    <h4>Chapter 36: Crushed Pride</h4>


    Fiona, who had lifted her head after Athena¡¯s sarcasticugh, opened her mouth to contradict Athena¡¯s words, but Sandro shut her up with a re.


    She turned to Ewan, seeking for solidarity.


    It was then she saw the sorry state of her fianc¨¦.


    How hadn¡¯t she noticed?


    She had heard him implore Athena to tell her truth, yet she had been so concentrated on maintaining her own ¡¯truth¡¯ that she hadn¡¯t looked at him.


    She hurried up to him now, but Ewan raised his hand, stopping her from getting closer to him.


    "Is she telling the truth?"


    Fiona hesitated, wondering how fast things had deteriorated.


    "No, she is lying..." She vehemently denied.


    She red at Athena for a second, before returning her attention to Ewan.


    "There is CCTV to check..." Sandro piped in then, causing Fiona¡¯s mouth to quiver, causing her eyes to water with frustration.


    She has really done it this time. She thought, noting the cold glint in Ewan¡¯s eyes.


    She should have returned home, and licked her wounds there.


    She should have humbly epted her humiliation, consoling herself with Athena¡¯s future death.


    Now, her father will kill her! Now, Ewan might punish her!


    What should she do? How could she save herself from Ewan¡¯s wrath?


    "She gave me chocte...I ...you..." She stuttered, halting when she saw Athena¡¯s notable smirk.


    She had consented to the chocte drink. So, she couldn¡¯t me Athena for that.


    Yet what choice did she have when Athena had ced the chocte drink as a bait?


    Fiona hated Athena at that moment, a hundred folds.


    She had thought herself a game yer, but it was obvious that Athena was a better one.


    She needed to up her game!


    Fiona pinched herself in trepidation as the air in the room got colder with tension. Her game was up!


    With no other option, she bowed her head in false remorse. "I¡¯m sorry."


    Ewan, seeing this, shook his head.


    Had Athena been innocent six years ago?


    Had Fiona really been behind the set-up with her father?


    Could Sandro be right?


    His heart trembled with pain, thinking about it.


    Had he been a fool all these years?


    Had he yed the fool, been stringed along by Fiona and his father?


    Ewan¡¯s pride suffered a blow at the thought of being used as a puppet.


    <i>But when had the innocent girl that had grown by his side changed? </i>


    Ewan felt his senses be clouded with pain again, and knew he would be unconscious soon.


    Yet he held on; he had to solve the matter now.


    He faced Athena, his pride absolutely crushed.


    His shoulders drooped, and his eyes kept fluttering. Sorrow lurked within the twin blue orbs.


    "Athena, I¡¯m sorry." He inhaled quietly.


    "I apologize for my foolishness, and I apologize on behalf of my fianc¨¦e too. This situation will never happen again. I promise you. You will never be used without concrete evidence again..."


    However, Athena didn¡¯t care for all these shenanigans.


    She just wanted Ewan to be treated.


    She couldn¡¯t afford to have a dead man in her office!


    "Sandro, lift him...."


    Ewan shook his head, disrupting Athena¡¯s sentence. He was not done.


    "The twenty percent shares you demanded earlier, you can have it. But please, don¡¯t cancel your treatment ns for my town. Please, don¡¯t take into ount my foolishness and my ugly pride. I¡¯m sorry."


    A lone tear slipped from Ewan¡¯s right eye then, numbing Athena.


    She has never seen Ewan cry, or this emotional. He was rarely emotional.


    Was it the apology or the pain she knew he was feeling?


    Beside Ewan, Sandro stood stiff¡ªknowing that his friend would refuse to be moved until this matter was concluded.


    "Please, am I forgiven? Will you treat my people?"


    Athena nodded immediately. "I will treat them, Ewan. Now, allow Sandro to pick you up!"


    Sandro moved ahead to do so, but Ewan raised his hand and stopped him. "I¡¯m not done yet."


    He coughed harshly, and looked at Fiona.


    Fiona didn¡¯t know what to do with her hands.


    She couldn¡¯t believe her actions had resulted in this.


    She knew of Ewan¡¯s health problems, but she hadn¡¯t considered it happening now, since the illness appeared once in a blue moon!


    Her heart was pricked with guilt.


    She tried reaching out to him again, but Ewan hissed in annoyance.


    "From today, Fiona, the engagement is off. Get your belongings out of my house and return to your father¡¯s house, with immediate effect..."


    Fiona copsed to the floor, shaking her head intermittently in unbelief.


    With her bruised knees, she knelt before Ewan, when he ignored her again.


    "Ewan, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t know this would happen."


    Ewan gestured to Sandro to take Fiona away.


    "Ewan, I¡¯m sorry.." Fiona recited, holding Athena¡¯s desk, refusing to go anywhere.


    This irritated an already tired Ewan.


    "Leave her be. I want to ask her one more question."


    Fiona paused in fearful anticipation.


    "Six years ago, did Athena really cheat on me? Did you and your father conspire to wreck my marriage?"


    Athena would haveughed, remembering the contract marriage, but for the somber atmosphere.


    "No, we didn¡¯t conspire. She really did sleep with Luca!"


    This would have been a perfect time to bring Kendra. Athena thought. A perfect time to acquit her reputation in Ewan¡¯s eyes.


    She still believed that Kendra was Fiona¡¯s daughter.


    "Okay then. You can leave." Ewan was tired of talking.


    He looked at Athena, needing to take in her presence one time before he lost consciousness.


    "I¡¯ll investigate the matter of six years ago, Athena, even if..."


    He coughed at the same moment that Zane opened the office door, and walked in hastily.


    Zane perused the atmosphere, his eyes perching on Athena first.


    Happy that she looked fine, his gazended on Fiona.


    His mouth turned up in disgust, when he beheld her state.


    Why was she begging Ewan?


    Or rather, why was Ewan angry at her?


    This was a first.


    He, however, nched when he finally saw the state of Ewan.


    Immediately, he forgot about his grievances against his friend.


    Without wasting time, he rushed to his friend, and knelt at his feet.


    "Ewan...what¡¯s happening..."


    But Ewan¡¯s eyes were closed now, only his breathing showed he was still alive.


    He looked at Sandro. "What are you doing? Take him to the ward for treatment!"


    Sandro didn¡¯t hesitate this time around.


    He hoisted Ewan up, cursing himself inwardly.


    Earlier, he had been so fixated on Zane¡¯s appearance that he hadn¡¯t been aware of Ewan finally slipping out of his consciousness.


    He was about carrying Ewan away, when Athena spoke.


    "Please take him to my ward. I¡¯ll treat him myself."

 Chapter 37: An Old Dream

    <h4>Chapter 37: An Old Dream</h4>


    Ewan was dreaming.


    He saw his young self happily hopping along a grassy path, toward a young girl, of the same age with him.


    The young girl was squatting close to a river, throwing small stones into the calm water body, unaware of his approach.


    When he noted that the girl was oblivious of his presence, he stopped hopping, and tiptoed toward her.


    Standing right behind her, he covered her eyes with his small palms.


    The girl didn¡¯t shriek as he had presumed. Rather, she smiled and called his name. <i>¡¯Ewan</i>.¡¯


    He sighed dramatically, and dropped his hands.


    ¡¯What took you so long?¡¯ The girl turned to face him.


    Ewan was startled by her blurred face.


    Yet he heard himself speaking. <i>¡¯Mother sent me on an errand. I¡¯m sorry.¡¯</i>


    <i>¡¯It¡¯s okay. You are here now. Do you want to y?¡¯</i>


    Young Ewan smiled widely, bobbing his head. <i>¡¯It¡¯s a pleasure, Princess...¡¯ </i>


    He bowed his head, causing the young girl tough, before getting on her feet.


    As he yed with the girl, he noted their ages to be around twelve or thirteen years old.


    The sound of herughter brought joy to his younger self.


    At the moment, they were dancing without music. He was holding her hand up, and causing her to swirl as they watched in movies.


    As theyughed and danced around, they didn¡¯t take notice of their distance to the river.


    He was swirling the girl, turning with her, when all of a sudden, his feet hit arge stone.


    Before he knew what was happening, he was falling into the river headlong.


    As he struggled to live, he heard the girl shout in fear and panic, heard her sobs when no one came to their aid thereafter.


    She knew he couldn¡¯t swim.


    He was about to shut his eyes, about to wee death, when he heard a ssh.


    The girl had jumped in to save him!


    Yet he knew she also couldn¡¯t swim.


    He opened his mouth to tell her away, but swallowed water instead.


    He felt her grab his clothes, and pull him toward the shore.


    However, his mind was too befogged to understand how she was afloat, how she had managed to save him from drowning.


    When he opened his eyes again, he was on drynd.


    He didn¡¯t see the girl hunched over him, neither did he feel her around him.


    It was then that he heard the shouts from people running toward him.


    Assured of his safety, believing the girl had sessfully called for help, he sumbed to the darkness.


    Ewan¡¯s eyes slowly opened in the real world.


    He breathed in softly, and became instantly aware of his dry tongue and parched lips.


    He needed water.


    He tried calling for Sandro, but what came out of his mouth was a squeak.


    His throat was irritated too. He lifted his hand to scratch it, hoping to quell the irritation, but then his gaze met his right hand, which had a pin sticking on it.


    Ewan exhaled harshly, ring at the offending pin.


    He would have shouted at the act of inhumanity, but for the fact that he felt nothing; right before his brain brought to his remembrance, the process.


    Acupuncture.


    It was then that he looked around him.


    He recognized therge space as one of the private rooms in the Whitman¡¯s hospitals.


    The room contained two big beds, a television, a refrigerator, two sofas, and three cabs.


    Ewan tried sitting up to survey his surroundings much better; surprised when he did so without feeling any pain.


    Not even in his head.


    He remembered, without hassle, what had transpired in Athena¡¯s office, what had led him to this point.


    He sighed, reminded of his foolishness again.


    He furrowed his eyebrows, however, when he became aware of his nakedness.


    Who did this? Where was Sandro?


    Noting the pins on his body, he couldn¡¯t but wonder who his doctor was.


    Who was skilled in acupuncture in the city?


    No answer met him. He sighed again, and looked around the room, searching for a way to contact Sandro.


    Where was the bedside bell used to alert visitors of a patient¡¯s awakeness?


    He saw none.


    But he spotted his phone by the bedside table.


    He picked it, and called Sandro.


    There was no answer, but he heard the shuffling of feet outside the room.


    A few secondster, the door to his ward opened and Sandro stepped into the room with Zane.


    Ewan noticed that Zane remained by doorpost, probably wondering if he would be allowed to stay.


    He sighed, and gestured that thetter shoulde in.


    Zane instantly obeyed.


    When the two males reached him, there were perceptible smiles on their lips.


    "You look better, Ewan. She did a better work than your doctors, I think. Your mind is clearer, no?"


    Ewan nodded slowly, already knowing who the ¡¯she¡¯ was.


    Athena.


    She had treated him, after he had brought trouble to her doorstep.


    He sighed in regret. She was a better person than he would ever be. How could he ever repay her? Had his foolishness lost the partnership he had suffered to get?


    He cursed Fiona mentally, only stopping when the dream he just had, resurfaced vividly.


    He exhaled wearily.


    Why did he have that dream? Did the fates not want him to stay away from Fiona?


    He had nned to do so, to cut off all contact with her, only endeavoring to transfer to her ount every month, money for her welfare.


    Ewan hated liars.


    He hated being treated like a fool.


    Yet his dream had sessfully put a stop to his ns. He had to take care of Fiona.


    But surely the engagement will not hold. Or should it?


    The dream had showed him again the sacrifice Fiona had made for him.


    Should marrying her not be the least he could do?


    "Ewan, you seem lost in thoughts..." Zane cut in. "Is your head paining you?"


    Ewan shook his head. "I feel better than ever."


    He pointed at the bottle of water near the table, remembering his thirst.


    Sandro hurried and brought it over.


    He took a sip, then gulped down the entire bottle.


    When he was done, he asked Sandro to get rid of the pins on his body.


    Sandro obliged.


    After all, Athena had shown him how to do it.


    He removed the pin meticulously, to avoid injuring Ewan.


    When he was done, he helped Ewan sit properly on the bed.


    "Are you hungry?"


    Ewan nodded.


    "I¡¯ming. Let me get you food from a nearby restaurant..."


    Sandro hurried out of the ward, expertly leaving the two friends to talk¡ª he has always liked Zane, especially since he was someone that could call Ewan¡¯s bullshit.


    There was a notable tense silence in the room after his departure.


    Zane finally broke it.


    "How are you doing?"


    Ewan stared at him keenly, but Zane wasn¡¯t ufortable because he was sure he hadn¡¯t done anything wrong to his good friend.


    "I¡¯m fine. I feel like I¡¯m free, to an extent." Ewan finally answered, rubbing his forehead tiredly.


    His stomach grumbled then, and he farted before he knew it.


    There was a pinch of silence before both males dissolved in boisterousughter.


    Ewan was surprised not to feel any pain in his chest and stomach as he indulged himself. Was he really cured totally?


    "A sign that you are fine then."


    Ewan nodded. "What happened after I passed out?"


    Zane shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing much. Athena decided to treat you. Her fees are outrageous though..."


    He winked at an Ewan who was already chuckling softly.


    "It¡¯s okay. I deserve it."


    "Yes, you do." Zane concurred.


    "But why are you so gullible when ites to Fiona?"

 Chapter 38: An Old Dream II

    <h4>Chapter 38: An Old Dream II</h4>


    At Zane¡¯s question, Ewan sighed tiredly and rested his head properly against the headboard, his eyes choosing to focus on the ceiling.


    "You already know the answer to that, Zane. She was my savior, all those years ago. She was also a good friend of mine too... before the ident... from what I can remember."


    "Remember?" Zane¡¯s eyes widened in incredulity.


    "Ewan, you lost both the memories of that unfortunate day and the years before that. Practically, you have no memory of your childhood. So, how are you sure Fiona was your friend?" Zane took a seat on the soft yet firm hospital bed.


    "You are right, Zane. I don¡¯t remember anything really... but sometimes, the memory of that day pops up in my dreams." Ewan inhaled softly, before meeting his friend¡¯s gaze.


    "That¡¯s how I know what happened, and the sacrifice she made."


    Zane was nonplussed.


    He trailed his eyes over Ewan. What was his friend talking about?


    "You can¡¯t be serious, Ewan. How do you know the dream is the real deal? It might be a hallucination. It might just be a mere dream."


    Ewan shook his head. "It isn¡¯t. I just know it isn¡¯t." He paused. "Even if it was, how can it show up this morning, clearer than before...?"


    Zane frowned.


    "Please don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s a sign for you to let Fiona go unpunished, after what she had done; after she had almost cost you thepany and the health of your people?"


    Ewan looked away.


    Of course, he knew what his friend was talking about...


    If Athena finally cancelled the deal they made, hispany will return to that restless state it had been a night ago¡ªat the verge of closure¡ªand he will have to bury a lot of his people.


    Ewan knew what Fiona might cost him, but the dream...


    "Fiona will be punished for her actions. I already called the engagement off. I¡¯ll also reduce the money I give her, at least for two weeks, so that she can talk to herself and repent..."


    Zaneughed in disbelief. "You will engage her again right?"


    Ewan said nothing.


    His silence though,municated just enough.


    However, when Zane threw up his hands in frustration, he spoke then.


    "She saved me, Zane. I won¡¯t be here, if not for her. Yes, she has made mistakes, but should I rule her out because of that? This is the first. I¡¯m sure it won¡¯t be happen again. I¡¯ll make sure of that."


    Zane cackled humorlessly this time around.


    "You are naive, Ewan. When ites to Fiona, you are so naive. It¡¯s like you be a different person, a shallow person¡ªsomething you aren¡¯t on a normal day."


    A pause.


    "I understand that she saved you... Wait..."


    There was a twinkle in Zane¡¯s eyes now.


    "Since you are a lover of evidence, what evidence did you have that Fiona saved you? Dreams aren¡¯t enough. What informed you of Fiona¡¯s authenticity as your savior..."


    "Her bracelet." Ewan didn¡¯t waste time this time around.


    Zane furrowed his eyebrows. "A bracelet?"


    Ewan nodded. "In the dream, although the face of the girl that had saved me was blurry, the bracelet on her hand wasn¡¯t. When I woke up from thea, I saw little Fiona sitting close to me, weeping. She was wearing the same bracelet. That¡¯s how I knew she was the one."


    Zane sighed, seeing things from Ewan¡¯s perspective. "But still, it doesn¡¯t mean that you owe her your life, or marriage."


    He shook his head with conviction. "Ewan, you have done enough. You have been good to her and her family for the longest time. You even established Alfonso¡¯spany. I think that¡¯s enough!"


    Zane was restless with anger. "People that donate blood and organs to dying people don¡¯t even make such stupid demands! Personally, I don¡¯t think she is a good person! She is maniptive!"


    Ewan ruffled his hair. "That¡¯s far-fetched Zane. Fiona is a good person. Just a bit misguided." <i>Jealous. </i>


    Ewan knew Fiona was jealous of Athena. He wasn¡¯t blind to that at least.


    But why should she?


    Athena wasn¡¯t nning on returning to him, nor was he nning on chasing her.


    He would exin this to her after the punishment, then she would understand things better. He concluded. He would give her a second chance.


    Zane shrugged his shoulders. His friend was bent on being a man controlled by Fiona, therefore he couldn¡¯t do much, apart from speaking the truth at every turn.


    "So, when did Athena leave?" Ewan asked, after some beats.


    "Some hours ago, when she was done with the acupuncture. She had to pick her children up from school. She went home from there; however, she left instructions for Sandro."


    Ewan imagined Sandro and Athena, heads together, talking about his health, and took his lips in¡ªtheir informal greeting from earlier was still fresh in his mind.


    He didn¡¯t like it. It made him feel angry, then sad.


    He didn¡¯t understand it either; hasn¡¯t even understood himself, since Athena left him, and since she returned again.


    "When will she be back?"


    Zane frowned. "I don¡¯t know. Tomorrow? The time is eight p.m."


    It was then that Ewan looked outside, through the window. Everywhere was ck and still.


    "How long did she take to treat me?"


    "Quite a while. You should buy some gifts and thank her. She isn¡¯t the best doctor for nothing."


    Ewan nodded. He will surely do that.


    Yet..


    "How is she a doctor in many fields? Six years ago, she was uneducated..."


    Zane shrugged again. "I¡¯m not sure, Ewan. But that should be the least of your problems."


    Ewan was aware of that, yet he was just so curious.


    He had never seen anyone as Athena; her aplishments still blew his mind!


    Or had she pretended to be uneducated those years ago?


    "Before I forget, Athena promised Sandro that the deal is still on, between the both of you..." Zane said, breaking into Ewan¡¯s thoughts.


    "She said it was business first, before anything else. Although I can¡¯t believe that you thought I wanted to destroy yourpany..."


    Ewanughed then, his freeness surprising him still.


    "You can¡¯t me me. You both painted the picture yourselves!"


    "No, we didn¡¯t. You just saw what you wanted to see. If Athena really wanted yourpany to go down, it would have happened already."


    Ewan was tired of hearing people say that all the time.


    Just who was Athena Caddell?

 Chapter 39: Maker Of Bad Decisions

    <h4>Chapter 39: Maker Of Bad Decisions</h4>


    Athena looked at the strand of light brown hair in her hand with a cursory contemtion.


    The hair strand was simr to Luca¡¯s, yet she had to confirm.


    She picked her phone from her dresser and called a colleague, whom she trusted enough to be discreet and fair about the matter.


    "Hello Chelsea, I need a favor..."


    When she was done with the call, she ced the strand of hair into a small transparent polythene bag, and put it into apartment of her drawer; where she was sure her children wouldn¡¯t bother trespassing¡ªshe didn¡¯t need any form of contamination.


    After that, she walked out of the room and headed to the kitchen to bake a chocte cake for the children.


    Cakes were Friday rituals.


    Because the day preceded the weekend, Athena had slotted it in for diverse cooking and baking experiences, as it helped her to spend more time with her children in the kitchen.


    Today was different though, her children had a visitor.


    Thirty minutester, while she waited for the oven to do its job, the twins entered the kitchen.


    "Where is Kendra?"


    "We got her busy with Legos." Nathaniel answered. "But she¡¯s slower than we are..."


    Athena red at him, but he didn¡¯t cower, instead heughed with his sister, Kathleen.


    "Don¡¯t worry, mom. We¡¯ve decided to give her private lessons, for she seems to be struggling in algebra too. Is that okay?"


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows. Was that a good idea?


    Private lessons meant Kendra spending more time at her house.


    However, when Kathleen gave her the puppy look, she nodded, powerless against the attack.


    And when the twinsughed at herck of willpower, she shook her head exasperatedly and turned away.


    She hoped she wasn¡¯t making a mistake.


    Earlier in the day, when she had arrived at their school to pick them up, after treating Ewan, she had seen them waiting with Kendra already.


    Immediately after the exchange of kisses and hugs, Kathleen had pleaded with her to let Kendra follow them home since the little one¡¯s aunt was yet toe and pick her up.


    Athena had refused, never mind that she had wanted a strand of Kendra¡¯s hair.


    They had waited together until the aged aunt had arrived to pick Kendra up.


    Yet Kathleen hadn¡¯t been deterred.


    She had hurried to the woman and pleaded her case earnestly.


    The tired looking woman had readily agreed, without a simple fuss.


    It was in that moment of watching her daughter plead with the woman that Athena had noticed that the woman had the circting disease.


    Her passion as a doctor had instantly taken over.


    She had immediately offered to treat the woman, while requesting to take care of Kendra, until the woman was okay.


    But the woman had vehemently refused to be treated, citingck of money as the reason.


    Athena, surprised, had offered a free treatment for the woman, in exchange for a favor.


    The woman had been wary, since Athena hadn¡¯t mentioned the favor she wanted, but she had finally conceded after the twins announced their mother was the best.


    Right now, the woman was upying another section of her wards.


    Athena had made sure of that, after they had gone to the former¡¯s house, to take Kendra¡¯s clothes.


    She had told Aiden to drop the woman off, and hailed a cab to take her and the children home.


    The dpidated house though, which Kendra and her aunt lived in, had troubled her mind.


    How was the girl studying in the prestigious school then?


    Who was footing the bills?


    Couldn¡¯t the same person move them to a better home?


    Athena decided to wait until the woman was well enough to answer her questions.


    Yet, noting the child¡¯s pleasant countenance intermittently, caused her to ponder on Fiona¡¯s likely presence in thetter¡¯s life.


    Seeing as Kendra would be staying with them for a while, she wondered if Fiona would cause trouble.


    Did she keep tabs on the child?


    Just then, she felt a soft tap on her thigh.


    She looked down. It was Kathleen. Behind her was Nathaniel.


    "You both are still here? Go and y with your friend..."


    But her children stayed.


    Athena knew then that they wanted to talk to her.


    "What¡¯s the problem?"


    She walked to a stool and sat on it, so that she could be closer to their height.


    Kathleen and Nathaniel exchanged nces, making Athena wonder what the problem was.


    Did they notice something about Kendra already? She wouldn¡¯t put it past them!


    "It¡¯s about our father. How is he feeling now?"


    Athena was shocked!


    She didn¡¯t know what to reply at first, until the implication of their knowing dawned on her.


    "You both were spying again!" She screamed, however, whispering the spy part, for the sake of Kendra.


    The twins shook their heads, looking fraught at the usations. "No, we didn¡¯t do that, mom."


    But Athena didn¡¯t believe them.


    "Nathaniel, how did you do that when I confiscated your phone andptop? You used Kathleen¡¯s phone right? Go and bring it now!"


    Kathleen paled. If her mother seized her phone, how would she and her brother have a hold on things?


    No, she couldn¡¯t let that happen. So, she shouted above her mother¡¯s anger.


    "Mom! We didn¡¯t do it! Uncle Zane had been with us when the call hade at first, the call from the nurse."


    A pause.


    "At first, we thought that something had happened to you, so we kept tabs with Uncle Zane, checking in every thirty minutes. He let us know some hourster, when you took time in returning, that you were treating a patient, a Mr Ewan. You didn¡¯t tell him that we know he¡¯s our father?"


    Athena shook her head. She hadn¡¯t deemed it necessary.


    Still didn¡¯t...


    "So, how is he? Is he getting better?"


    She nodded. "He is."


    Looking at her kids, she was proud that they hadn¡¯t let their dislike for their father ruin their humanity.


    Nathaniel noticed this.


    "Yes, we don¡¯t like him, but he¡¯s still our father. He is just a maker of bad decisions."


    Athena nodded with a smile. Her son had exined it perfectly.


    Ewan was the maker of bad decisions.


    Would he right himself before it was toote?


    The oven dinged then, alerting Athena to her cake.


    Quickly, she got up from the stool and hurried to the oven.


    Making sure to wear gloves, she carried the cake out of the oven and kept it on the top of a cab.


    The children shouted for joy, attracting Kendra to the kitchen.


    The shy girl stood by the doorpost, watching the trio fuss about the cake and its color, wishing she had something like this; a resemnce to family.


    At that moment, Athena looked up. Catching sight of the longing on Kendra¡¯s face, she beckoned on the little girl gently.


    "Kendra, join us. Come have a taste."


    *******


    Hello dear readers!


    I¡¯m excited to invite you to join me on the win-win mission!


    By purchasing privilege Chapters, you¡¯ll get to read ahead of the curve, earn badges and gifts, and help me continue to create engaging Chapters for you!


    Your support means the world to me! Let¡¯s keep the story going and make this journey unforgettable!


    Thank you for your love and support!

 Chapter 40: Selfish Daughter

    <h4>Chapter 40: Selfish Daughter</h4>


    Fiona ignored her mother¡¯s painful grunts for help, choosing rather to sit and stew in her own sorrow.


    The woman should just die, and stop stressing me. She thought, as she tore another tissue and wiped her running nose.


    When Ewan dismissed her earlier in the hospital, she had thought it a joke, she had thought she was dreaming.


    She had pinched herself to awaken from the nightmare, yet she had retained the same position, had remained in the reality where Ewan shunned her.


    It had never happened before!


    He had never shunned her that way in public!


    He had even annulled their engagement!


    That one tore at Fiona¡¯s heart the most.


    An engagement she had waited for, sought for, killed for, and now she was being cut away by Ewan himself?


    No! She couldn¡¯t take it!


    Ewan couldn¡¯t do this to her, not after her manybours!


    She wouldn¡¯t ept his decision! She just couldn¡¯t, no matter what!


    Fiona stood up from the sitting room sofa and started pacing.


    How could she avert this? How could she change Ewan¡¯s mind?


    The more she thought about it, the more apprehensive she became.


    So when her mother¡¯s grunt for help came again, she paused and red at the staircase leading to the upper room where her mother was kept.


    <i>Just die, woman!</i>


    Fiona was d that her father wasn¡¯t around.


    She didn¡¯t know where he had gone, abadoning his precious wife, and she didn¡¯t really care.


    If he had been around when Sandro had dumped her rudely at the front porch, he would have raised a storm.


    Not that Sandro would have cared...


    Sandro was another person she had added to her list to deal with it, when she finally became Ewan¡¯s wife, but the dream too had fallen like a pack of cards.


    Fiona shook her head. Her story just couldn¡¯t end like that.


    No, something had to be done.


    Right then, she heard the sound of her father¡¯s caring into thepound.


    Quickly, she opened the front door a little, left it like that, and hurried upstairs to her mother¡¯s room.


    In the dimly lit room where her mother was kept, she held back a hiss of disgust as she saw her mother writhing on the bed like a wounded snake.


    When her mother saw her however, the woman stopped writhing and smiled widely, and a tear escaped from her right eye.


    "You... finally... visited... me?"


    Fiona nodded meekly. "I heard your painful sounds. Do you need anything?"


    She held back from vomiting the next second, when she saw discolored spittle dripping from the right corner of her mother¡¯s mouth, which was temporarily misshapened by the disease.


    The woman¡¯s face was like an ugly artwork filled with gray patches; and she was as skeleton¡ªthere was not a single flesh on her body.


    Fiona couldn¡¯t wait to leave.


    "I..." The woman couldn¡¯t speak again.


    She pointed, with a shaking finger, at the cab where the drugs were kept.


    Fiona hurried over to the cab, hearing her father¡¯s footsteps.


    She wanted to be in her father¡¯s good books, before delivering the bad news to him.


    However, when she opened the cab, and saw the drugs, she almost fainted out of fright.


    The drugs in the cab was simr to the one her father had taken yesterday!


    Fiona¡¯s hand sped her cloth tightly, around her chest region.


    Her father had the disease?


    Does it mean she has it too?


    Fiona shook her head. She couldn¡¯t believe what she was seeing.


    Her hands shook as she collected the medicines.


    When she turned, she noticed her father watching her.


    She hadn¡¯t even heard hime in, nor had she heard the door¡¯s sound.


    The sadness in his eyes told her that he knew of her knowledge about his sickness.


    "I¡¯ll fight it."


    Fiona started crying again.


    If her father died, how would she survive?


    How would she take revenge on Athena?


    No, he couldn¡¯t die yet!


    Alfonso sighed weakly, hearing his daughter¡¯s almost silent sobs.


    He walked up to her, and hugged her...


    Or rather he tried, but Fiona backed away.


    "How is it that you both have the disease? Is it contagious?"


    Alfonso, slightly peeved that his only child had treated him like a gue, said nothing at first.


    He said nothing until his wife grunted a response.


    Fiona didn¡¯t understand it, but seeing her father breathe out harshly then, she knew he understood what her mother had just said.


    Did the diseasee with a seperatenguage for those it afflicted?


    "We are not actually sure. They im it isn¡¯t contagious, but I¡¯ve seen people get it by means of contact. You need to return to your house. Onlye here when Athena arrives..."


    This brought Fiona back to her problem.


    "There¡¯s a problem, Dad."


    Alfonso¡¯s heart fell. Had Athena refused to treat them?


    His hands quaked, and he stared at his wife in utmost sorrow.


    When he noted his wife weeping silently, only evident by the tears streaming past her eyes, he hurried to her side.


    "I¡¯ll beg her, my love. I¡¯ll kneel if I have to..."


    Fiona balled her fists, hearing her father¡¯s words which she thought was pathetic.


    Athena has caused this. She thought, walking to the door.


    The whore had made her father be like a dog.


    Before she left though, her father called her back.


    "Where are you going? You haven¡¯t told me the problem?"


    For a second, Fiona thought of running away without giving her father an answer.


    She knew how he might react to the news, and she wasn¡¯t exactly in the mood for his tantrums.


    But she needed his help...


    "Ewan cancelled the engagement. Sandro dropped me off with my bags some minutes ago."


    Pin-drop silence echoed in the room.


    Alfonso, who had sat on his wife¡¯s bed to console her, stood up and walked to Fiona, in confusion.


    Fiona took two steps back, in fear.


    Her mother grunted again. And she wondered what the woman was talking about.


    When she saw calmness descend on her father¡¯s face, she concluded the woman had just pleaded her case.


    It didn¡¯t lessen tte disgust she felt for thetter, but she was d.


    "Let¡¯s meet in the sitting room... start talking now..."


    Fiona obeyed instantly. She started with the gifts basket as she and her father left the room.


    Fifteen minutester, Fiona was done narrating her experience, in a way she believed would bring her father to her side.


    They were standing in the front porch, each lost in their own thoughts.


    She watched her father sigh intermittently, and wondered what he would do next.


    What he finally did next, shocked her.


    He pped her, before she could say jack!


    "Dad..."


    He pped her again.


    His face was a board of fury, and Fiona knew she had really done it this time.


    Yet, she hadn¡¯t expected a p...


    "You are so selfish! Get out of my house!"


    Fiona shook her head, letting tears flow past her eyes again. "I can¡¯t! Where will I go?"


    Alfonso red at her. "Did you know that our stocks has plunged to zero value now? After our meeting this morning, did you check things out?"


    She shook her head, aware of the evil foreboding that now clouded her.


    "Did you know that only Ewan¡¯s stocks has risen back to almost normal, after the mishap of this morning that even affected Zack. One of our workers mentioned that he saw Ewan in a restaurant with Athena this morning... reason for the swift change of his stocks¡¯ status..."


    Fiona kept silent. She didn¡¯t know about that too.


    Her father hissed in disgust.


    "You¡¯re a sorry excuse for a daughter and a wife! You don¡¯t know anything about your fianc¨¦, nor do you know anything about ourpany. Of what use are you? Apart from spending money recklessly?"


    Fiona gritted her teeth in anger and balled her fists.


    What had Ewan offered Athena in exchange for the restoration of hispany? Marriage?


    "I sent you to plead with her, for the sake of our family andpany, and yet you couldn¡¯t do such a simple thing. Now, you¡¯ve lost your fianc¨¦ too."


    Alfonso shook his head in unbelief.


    "Leave here, Fiona. I don¡¯t want to see your face."

 Chapter 41: Beggars

    <h4>Chapter 41: Beggars</h4>


    When Ewan woke up again, he discovered the time was one p.m, the next day.


    But it was okay, because Sandro had informed him of the possible deep sleep yesternight, after giving him the cup of bitter vegetable juice Athena had provided for him to drink.


    Ewan could see the reason for the bitter juice which had also served as medicine.


    If he felt better yesterday, he felt at his best today.


    His muscles were not weary, nor was there a carpenter striking a hammer in his head.


    His mind was clear and sharp, and his heart was in pristine condition.


    Ewan inhaled calmly and deeply.


    When was thest time he breathed this freely? When was thest time his lungs epted oxygen without emitting pain?


    He had a lot to thank Athena for.


    Where would he start? What gifts would she ept?


    He looked around his room. There was not a sign of anybody.


    Ewan, however, already expected that.


    He had told Sandro not to return to the hospital again, except if necessary.


    He wanted his friend to focus on the running of thepany in his absence, since Athena prescribed adequate bed rest for him.


    A knock sounded on his door right then.


    Ewan half hoped it was Athena, so that he could speak with her, but wondered if it was Zane all the same.


    Yet when the door opened, his visitors were Alfonso and his daughter, Fiona.


    Were they here to beg? Perhaps for him to revive thepany and engagement again?


    Ewan debated closing his eyes, to pretend he was asleep¡ªnot in the mood for the antics of the Adams¡¯ family¡ªbut Alfonso, with his sharp bird eyesight, had already seen he was awake.


    Ewan had no choice but to sit up.


    Propping enough pillows behind his back, he rested properly on them and watched the people he considered family approach him.


    Just like yesterday, Fiona was looking pitiful.


    Ewan was beginning to see it as a facade, considering how things had turned out yesterday.


    Still, he kept quiet until they were standing at the foot of the bed.


    "Good afternoon, Alfonso..." He greeted, his respect still staying for the older man.


    Alfonso sighed tiredly, before dragging the nearby tall stool to himself. He sat on it and gazed steadily at Ewan.


    Fiona remained standing, with her head bowed, and her hands sped in front of her.


    "Good afternoon, Ewan. How are you doing? I heard from Fiona what had transpired yesterday..."


    "I¡¯m fine, Alfonso. Thanks for asking. Did she tell you everything that transpired? The truth?" Ewan cut straight to the chase.


    Alfonso red at Fiona, before nodding. "Yes, she did. And she is truly sorry about that. You know women and their jealous tendencies..."


    Ewan nodded curtly.


    Jealous tendencies that had almost gotten him killed, that had almost caused hispany to fold up, that had almost caused the death of his people?


    He held back a scoff. Jealous tendencies indeed.


    His unamused state was caught by Alfonso immediately.


    The older male got down from the high stool, and pleaded with his knees on the ground.


    Fiona followed him immediately.


    "We are sorry, Ewan. Please forgive my daughter¡¯s foolishness. I promise it won¡¯t happen again."


    A pause.


    "You know she loves you very much; that has been proven many years ago. You also know how innocent she is, and how supporting she has been all these years. Will you cut her off just because of one mistake?"


    Ewan said nothing.


    "Please, tender mercy, my son. Please forgive your fianc¨¦e. This mistake won¡¯t repeat itself again."


    Ewan looked boredly at the two people kneeling before him. For some reason, he felt no pity toward them, no haste to tell them to stand up either.


    "Six years ago, did you join Fiona to set Athena up?"


    Fiona¡¯s hands twitched in nervousness.


    Why was Ewan asking the question?


    For Alfonso, he was befuddled. He hadn¡¯t expected the question.


    "How can you ask such a question, Ewan? How can you think I fooled you then? Athena was a whore six years ago... there was evidence..."


    These words irritated Ewan¡¯s ears. He gestured that they stand up.


    Even if they had set Athena up, they would never admit it.


    Yet he had just wanted to get their answers onest time, before hemenced investigations again.


    "Okay Alfonso, I have heard you..." He started, without apologizing for the earlier usation. "But Fiona is not my fianc¨¦e any more..."


    Fiona¡¯s lips quivered in anger.


    "I¡¯ll restore her to the status though, if I notice a positive change in her behavior."


    Fiona¡¯s hope soared. A smile broached her lips. She could still win Ewan¡¯s heart, if she yed her cards right.


    "So, for now, she will be staying with you..."


    Alfonso shook his head. "She can¡¯t, Ewan."


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows, daring the man to repeat his statement.


    "My wife and I have the disease. I can¡¯t have Fiona getting the same..."


    Ewan saw things clearly then.


    This must be why the older man had sent Fiona to plead with Athena! Only that thetter had chosen to be stupid.


    His anger lessened. He hadn¡¯t expected Alfonso to catch the disease, but then this kind of disease wasn¡¯t a respecter of people, no matter who they were.


    "I¡¯ve heard you, Alfonso. But she won¡¯t be staying in my permanent residence. I¡¯ll send her to one of my ts. She can stay there, and be tested too. After all, I don¡¯t want to be contaminated either."


    Fiona nched.


    She would live alone, and take care of herself?


    She had never experienced that since she met Ewan. Could he at least hire a help for her?


    However, she said nothing, not in a hurry to receive another p from her father.


    They were not on good speaking terms yet.


    Alfonso wasn¡¯t pleased with the new arrangement, but having no choice, he nodded and stood up from his kneeling position.


    Fiona deftly followed him. Her knees have really seen the worst these days.


    "Thank you, Ewan." He sat on the stool again. "I have a question, and then a favor to ask..."


    Ewan shut his eyes, feeling dizzy. He knew that sleep would overtake him soon.


    He was more than happy to wee it, needing his visitors to leave him alone.


    <i>Still...</i>


    "Go ahead."


    "Your stocks? How are they going up again? The same night they plunged, mine did the same, even Zack¡¯s. How were you able to save yourself and yourpany? Can you do the same for mine?"


    "Athena." Ewan¡¯s voice became a whisper as sleep toyed with his senses.


    "I pleaded my case with her and bargained with her. You should do the same."

 Chapter 42: Beggers II

    <h4>Chapter 42: Beggers II</h4>


    Alfonso tried and failed to quell the irritation in his heart as he stepped out of Ewan¡¯s ward.


    Before Ewan had sumbed to sleep, Alfonso had tried convincing him to speak to Athena on his behalf, but Ewan had been so adamant; that he wouldn¡¯t do such a thing, that Alfonso should plead with Athena by himself.


    Fiona had been right. Alfonso thought, at ease in the well lit hallway.


    Leaving Athena around Ewan was a ticking time bomb. The male was bound to be besotted with his ex wife again!


    Alfonso shook his head. He couldn¡¯t let that happen, even though he wasn¡¯t on good terms with his daughter.


    He still hasn¡¯t forgiven her for disobeying his orders.


    As a result of her impatience, he would be begging Athena for mercy too.


    Alfonso exhaled harshly in annoyance. How had things gotten this bad?


    He red at Fiona.


    Fiona took a step back, in fright. "I¡¯m sorry, Dad. It won¡¯t happen again. Next time I will follow your orders to the fullest..."


    Alfonso didn¡¯t bother giving her a listening ear. "Lead me to Athena¡¯s office. It seems we have some groveling to do too."


    Five minutester, Alfonso was standing in Athena¡¯s general office space.


    He tried walking straight to the private office, but Ciara stopped him.


    "I¡¯m sorry sir, but you have to wait till I get a confirmation from the chief doctor..."


    Alfonso frowned in distaste. "Do you know who I am?"


    Ciara nodded.


    She knew of Alfonso Adams, the owner of apany who ranked amongst the top thirtypanies in their city, and who ranked well enough in the list of people you shouldn¡¯t annoy intentionally...


    Never mind that his sess was much attributed to the contribution of Ewan Gietti.


    It was rumored that a marriage alliance between the twopanies was the best there is, because it would lead to the further growth of thepanies, and consequently, increase the growth of the economy.


    Yet, her boss came first to her.


    If Ewan Gietti respected her boss, then Alfonso should do the same.


    "I¡¯m aware of your status, Mr. Alfonso, but I have to go through the protocols. I¡¯m still under the chief doctor. You can take up your grievances with her." <i>Although I wouldn¡¯t dare do that if I were you. </i>


    She pointed at the chairs to the other side of the office space. "You can have your seat there while I confirm..."


    Alfonso opened his mouth to argue again, but Fiona tapped his arm softly.


    "Let it go, Dad. The assistant knows what she is saying. Athena is that strong headed. You will see when you meet her, and perhaps you will understand the reason I was impatient with you and your ns."


    The whispered advice stopped Alfonso on his tracks.


    He nced at his daughter. She looked homely and respectful. Could she be right?


    He huffed and walked to the seats, his ear attentive though, to the call Ciara was making.


    "Hello Doc, some people are here to see you..."


    "Yes, they are Mr Alfonso Adams, and his daughter Fiona..."


    When the assistant looked at them then, with an unexinable look, Alfonso felt ufortable.


    His daughter might be saying the truth, this time around. He thought, while he waited for the assistant to speak. The call was over.


    "She¡¯s busy at the moment. She¡¯ll let you know when you shoulde in." Ciara said to them, after dropping the telephone


    "When you say busy, what do you mean exactly?" Fiona smiled humorlessly. Athena was at it again.


    Ciara shrugged. "I¡¯m not sure, ma¡¯am. Perhaps doctoral duties?"


    Alfonso scoffed, and reclined deeper in his chair. If Athena wasn¡¯t out in the next five minutes, he was going to stride into that room, and damn the consequences!


    Ten minutester, Alfonso was literally emitting smokes of fury from his nostrils.


    His feet made impatient tap dances on the floor, and he kept darting nces at Athena¡¯s door.


    "Can you call her? It¡¯s been ten minutes!"


    Ciara shook her head slowly, a movement that annoyed Alfonso greatly.


    He felt like holding her and shaking her ruthlessly till she pleaded for mercy.


    "She mentioned that she would call when she was done."


    Fiona couldn¡¯t help the snide chuckle that escaped her lips this time around. This attracted both the attention of her father, and Ciara.


    "Didn¡¯t I tell you, father? Athena is a witch."


    Ciara pretended not to hear them.


    She returned to her tasks dutifully, hoping that her boss won¡¯t be calling anytime soon.


    Meanwhile, Alfonso couldn¡¯t sit pretty and wait.


    He stood up from his seat and sauntered over to Ciara¡¯s desk.


    "Call your boss, and tell her to wee me appropriately! What form of disrespect is this!"


    Ciara pretended she couldn¡¯t hear him again.


    She busied herself with the tasks Athena assigned to her, sighing at intervals when theputer in front of her disyedwork congestion signs.


    When Alfonso couldn¡¯t take the ignorance again, he stamped his palm on the files in front of Ciara. "Call your boss now!"


    "If you don¡¯t take your hand away from my documents and return to your seat now, I¡¯ll call security to take you away from here, sir."


    Alfonso¡¯s hands shook with anger. He has never been disrespected in such a manner since his rise to stardom! How dare Athena?


    Behind him, Fiona held back augh.


    "Dad,e sit down. It¡¯s as I told you before. You can¡¯t change Athena¡¯s mind this way. You are actually making the situation worse."


    Fortunately, Alfonso obeyed.


    Twenty five minutester, and a million cursester from both Adams, Athena called Ciara.


    At this point, Alfonso was brimming with hatred and anger.


    When Ciara gestured however, that he could enter the office, he instantly donned a facade of humility.


    Ciara, seeing this change, said a word of prayer for the safety of her boss.


    She believed thetter was in danger from the two people who could easily murder someone and pretend to be innocent.


    Meanwhile, Fiona was tired.


    Watching her father wear his mask of pity and sorrow, she hated Athena the most, especially since she didn¡¯t have the strength to keep up with thetter¡¯s antics.


    As they approached the door though, she kept working on her mask, knowing that if she failed her father this time around, he might not forgive her.

 Chapter 43: Beggars III

    <h4>Chapter 43: Beggars III</h4>


    When Alfonso and Fiona finally stepped into Athena¡¯s office, they were grieved as soon as they understood why Athena had kept them waiting for so long¡ªshe had been eating.


    They watched with increasing loathing as Athena gracefully cleaned her lips with a serviette.


    They were more incensed when she ignored their presence, rather focusing on the apple she brought from her bag then.


    They still stood and watched, as she stood up elegantly from her chair and walked into the en-suite bathroom.


    They believed she had gone to wash her hands, and probably the apple too.


    Fiona looked at her father. He was red with anger.


    "Dad, she hasn¡¯t even started with her antics, so I will advise you to put more bricks on the mask you are wearing. I can already tell you are angry. Athena is very sensitive."


    Alfonso almost snapped at his daughter but for the timely arrival of Athena back into the office.


    Still ignoring them, she sat down on her chair and bit into the washed apple.


    As she chewed, she opened her drawer, and got a document. She started reading it afterwards.


    It was then it dawned on Alfonso that Athena wouldn¡¯t speak to them until they stated their case.


    He opened his mouth to speak, but a croak came out instead.


    Was he now lost for words?


    Alfonso couldn¡¯t believe himself, couldn¡¯t believe the audacity of his tongue to disappoint him at that critical time.


    Howbeit, he inhaled deeply, and with a voice akin to sorrow, he spoke clearly:


    "Good afternoon, Doctor Athena. I¡¯m here to apologize on behalf of my daughter. Her actions yesterday had been disgraceful. I¡¯vee to seek your forgiveness."


    "Why?" Athena finally raised her eyes to meet the pitiful ones of Alfonso and his daughter. "Why are you apologizing?"


    Alfonso pinched his inner palm for control. "Because it¡¯s the right thing to do. I just came from visiting Ewan. He had been a victim too of Fiona¡¯s foolishness, and he has forgiven us."


    Of course, he would. Athena mused, folding her arms across her chest.


    When it came to the Adams¡¯ family, the great and cold Ewan Gietti was a coward, a puppy at most.


    "And because he forgave you, you believe I will do the same?" Athena smiled innocently.


    "I¡¯m not exactly forgiving, Alfonso. Especially since your daughter has crossed me four times. I think we¡¯ve passed the level of second chances..."


    Alfonso instantly pushed himself to kneel before Athena.


    "Fiona is easily jealous, and battles with insecurity issues. She is selfish too, and self centered. Even now, she doesn¡¯t really realize the fullness of the stupidity she hadmitted. As her father, I¡¯m ashamed and embarrassed at her shameful acts. But she is sorry, just as I am. Please forgive us. She won¡¯t cross you again..."


    <i>She would rather kill you. I will make sure of that.</i> Alfonso vowed, not believing that he had knelt before two people today, people he was older than.


    But Ewan¡¯s was understandable.


    Athena, however, was a different case.


    She would pay dearly for the disrespect she was ording to him.


    Athena cocked her head to the side, looking at father and daughter.


    Her eyes centering on Fiona the most, caused Alfonso to look at his daughter.


    He nched when he saw that she was still standing. Ungrateful brat!


    He drew her sharply to the ground, causing her knees to knock heavily on the floor.


    The cry of pain that emitted from her lips stopped Alfonso from delivering a p to her cheeks.


    He almost asked if she was okay, but for Athena watching them amusedly.


    So, he held Fiona¡¯s ear instead and drew it, pretending that her cry of pain hadn¡¯t touched his heart.


    "Why were you standing? Don¡¯t you know how to apologize?"


    Fiona was in so much pain that she didn¡¯t respond.


    Additionally, she didn¡¯t know whether the deep rooted hatred that suddenly roared in her heart was against Athena, the beginner of all these things, or against her father, with his overzealous methods of getting Athena to forgive them.


    It was like she had told her father; Athena wouldn¡¯t be moved by their antics if she noticed a foul y.


    And she must have really noticed foul y then, for her to be amused.


    It was why Fiona hadn¡¯t bothered to kneel, coupled with the fact that her knee was still healing.


    When she felt her father¡¯s pull at her ears again, she deftly shook his hand away from her ear, and smartly prostrated on the floor.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Doctor Athena. Please forgive my shorings."


    Athena shook her head in amusement, wondering how far the Adams would go.


    She knew that the reason Fiona prostrated was because of the pain in her knees. Yet she didn¡¯t call attention to that. She wasn¡¯t in the mood for their sheininghans.


    She continued to watch, however, as Alfonso red at his daughter before returning his attention to her. "Please forgive us. To show us how sorry we are, you can ask us for anything..."


    "Don¡¯t make promises you can¡¯t fulfill, Alfonso." Athena interrupted calmly. "If it¡¯s about your wife¡¯s treatment, you don¡¯t have to worry about it. I already have a running deal with Ewan. So, I suggest you get up on your feet, and get out of my office."


    Alfonso¡¯s heart stilled. Was he the one Athena was speaking to this way?


    Well, hadn¡¯t his daughter warned him?


    He immediately felt sorry for begrudging his daughter.


    When he got to his feet, he helped her up.


    "Thank you for giving us the audience."


    Athena didn¡¯t pay them attention, not until they paused at her doorpost.


    "What do you want, Alfonso?"


    Maybe finally, they could get to the reason they hade here in the first ce.


    At the doorpost, Alfonso fell to his knees again, as if he suddenly remembered something.


    Athena didn¡¯t buy the act.


    "It¡¯s about mypany. Its stocks had plunged the same night as Ewan¡¯s, after he wronged you. He mentioned there was a change after he spoke with you. Can you help me too?"


    Athena shook her head. "I can¡¯t help you, Alfonso. Please leave."


    But Alfonso couldn¡¯t give up on hispany.


    He started crawling to Athena¡¯s desk.


    "Please, help me, Doctor Athena. I¡¯m ready to do anything."

 Chapter 44: Beggars IV

    <h4>Chapter 44: Beggars IV</h4>


    Athena pretended to be in thought, at Alfonso¡¯s request, whereas she was brimming with satisfaction at her nsing together beautifully.


    Taking her eyes away from a pleading Alfonso, who was now kneeling in front of her desk, she nced at Fiona.


    Fiona was finding it hard to maintain her sorrowful mask.


    When her father had suddenly crawled to meet Athena, she had been numb for a second; only reverting to reality, when her father made his plea again.


    Athena smirked in victory, baiting thetter.


    But Fiona refused to fall into the trap this time around.


    To help her cause, she hurried to her father¡¯s side, and prostrated before Athena.


    Athena chuckled softly. Fiona was learning quickly.


    "Do you have yourpany documents with you? Or an article detailing the state of yourpany?" She finally spoke, needing to be free of their pestering presence.


    Alfonso nodded fast, even though he wondered the reason for her interest.


    Shouldn¡¯t she be calling her backers, maybe the man, whom she was leeching money from? The man, who was behind the attack on Ewan¡¯spany?


    With his right hand, however, he gestured to Fiona to get the ckptop bag he hade with to the hospital; the ck bag they had abadoned at the doorpost.


    Aforetime, he had brought the documents to beg for Ewan¡¯s favor, but Ewan had sidelined him!


    His son inw hadn¡¯t even cared to ask him how hispany thriving, nor had he agreed to speak with Athena. The egocentric brat!


    If his sickness didn¡¯t move thetter, would it move Athena then? Impossible! The girl was the worst!


    Meanwhile, Fiona got up from her prostrating position, walked quickly to the door, and retrieved the bag.


    When she returned and handed the bag to her father, she remained standing, suddenly tired of groveling at Athena¡¯s feet.


    At her father¡¯s re however, she held back a tired sigh and sat on the floor.


    That¡¯s all she would do!


    She wouldn¡¯t hurt herself again to please Athena, when she knew thetter won¡¯t help them.


    While Alfonso handed the documents to Athena, he couldn¡¯t help but voice his opinions after she opened the brown envelope and brought out the important papers.


    "But what are you doing, Doctor?"


    He didn¡¯t believe Athena understood business.


    Athena¡¯s gaze on him just then, pronounced him a fool.


    She looked at him like he was crazy.


    "Alfonso, are you mentally okay?"


    Alfonso nodded meekly, while his fists clenched tightly.


    "Forgive me, Doctor. I¡¯m just curious. Do you intend to go through them?"


    Athena frowned. "Of course. How else will I know how to help you? Didn¡¯t Ewan tell you that I¡¯m the financial counselor to Herbert Whitman?"


    Alfonso paled.


    He looked at his daughter for an exnation, but she had the same look on her face.


    Hadn¡¯t she known? And why didn¡¯t Ewan mention this important piece of information?


    At least if thetter had done so, he wouldn¡¯t have made a fool of himself now!


    "No, he didn¡¯t tell me. I apologize for the error in judgment."


    Athena ignored him and continued swiping the pages of the thick document.


    She pretended to go through it, while mentally going through her alreadyid ns.


    She used up ten minutes for the document, during which Alfonso, tired of kneeling, sat on the floor like his daughter.


    When Athena looked up from the document, she thought they looked like dogs. How the mighty had fallen!


    "So, what do you think?" Alfonso asked, even as he felt an evil foreboding, seeing the grave look on Athena¡¯s face.


    "Well, the statistics aren¡¯t great. As a matter of fact, it is totally poor."


    Fiona gritted her teeth.


    What else could the statistics be? Who was the stupid person causing this?


    "I¡¯m aware of that. What could be done to salvage this situation?" Alfonso prodded, barely hanging onto his patience.


    Athena shook her head. "Nothing really. The only option is that you sell yourpany. I think Ewan will pay a lot for it..."


    Alfonso cussed out loud, his facade finally breaking. "What the hell, Athena! Who do you think you are?"


    Fiona palmed her face. Her father¡¯s love for hispany was next to none.


    Sometimes, she believed that he even cherished thepany more than he valued her, or even her mother.


    She watched him now as he stood up energetically from the floor, and started pacing from one end of the office to the other.


    She turned to Athena. Thetter had arge smile on her face.


    Fiona had a feeling that they had just walked into her trap, especially as Athena pped her hands then, bringing her father to a halt.


    "Finally, Alfonso, your facade is off."


    Alfonso gritted his teeth in anger. His daughter had been right again. Athena was a better game yer.


    "There¡¯s nothing as a facade, Doctor Athena. Mypany is like my child, more important to me than my health. Yet, you told me to give it up. What other reaction did you expect from an old man?"


    Alfonso tried to salvage the situation wisely.


    Athenaughed. "Whatever that will float your boat, Alfonso. But my analysis is correct. You can check other consultants and confirm from them. It¡¯s better you hurry though. Yourpany will soon go under, and be worthless. It¡¯s better you sell out now."


    Alfonso exhaled harshly. "You are right, Athena. Very right. But I came to you to see if you can talk to your... backer? Wasn¡¯t that what you did about Ewan¡¯s situation?"


    Athena pretended to be surprised, before breaking into a boisterousughter. "You are not serious, are you?"


    Alfonso kept quiet.


    "There¡¯s no backer anywhere, Alfonso. Even if there was, there¡¯s no help for your situation, other than what I¡¯ve offered. Ewan¡¯s case is different too."


    Alfonso¡¯s eyes twitched in annoyance. How could she lie to him?


    Yet Athena met his gaze steadily as she drove the final nail to the coffin.


    "Honestly, Ewan can¡¯t help you either. He¡¯s barely hanging on, considering he experienced the same downfall as you did. If he decides to buy yourpany, he will pay at most a million dors. But I can offer you a much better price."


    Alfonso piqued his right eyebrow in unbelief.


    "I will offer you a hundred million dors for thepany... That should cover a lot, at least."


    Alfonso sneered at Athena. "See you talking as if you can even afford that..."


    He chuckled snidely, shaking his head. "I see your ns, Athena, but it won¡¯t work. I won¡¯t sell out a product of my blood and sweat!"


    Athenaughed and dismissed him. "Get out of my office then."

 Chapter 45: Hale And Hearty

    <h4>Chapter 45: Hale And Hearty</h4>


    Ewan thinned his eyebrows as he read the text message from his favorite shareholder.


    The male was checking in on him and inquiring if he was healthy enough for a meet up.


    Ewan looked at his finished drip, and rang for the nurse.


    Sandro had made sure the bell was putst night, for emergencies.


    When the nurse arrived, he asked her if he could leave the hospital.


    She shook her head. "Not yet. The doctor prescribed adequate bed rest for you. You also have another drip to take in the next ten minutes."


    Ewan believed it wasn¡¯t necessary.


    The deep sleeps he had enjoyed at intervals had rejuvenated his body system totally.


    Even though thest sleep hadsted for just two hours, he believed it was a finishing touch to his perfect health.


    He was hale and hearty now!


    "I can¡¯t wait for that, ma¡¯am. I have somece to be now. Please, can you discharge me?"


    The nurse sighed, and checked his vitals.


    Satisfied with the readings she got a few minutester, she told him to meet Athena for the discharge letter.


    "Thank you, very much..." Ewan earnestly appreciated the nurse.


    The nurse, middle aged, blushed to her roots.


    Although it was known that Ewan was engaged, he was a very handsome man, with a more handsome smile... should he bother to smile.


    "You¡¯re wee, but I think the person deserving of your thanks would be Doctor Athena."


    Ewan nodded. That was a given.


    After the nurse left, Ewan got up from the bed, stood on his feet, and surveyed the room from his standing position. It was nicely groomed.


    He arranged his bed thereafter, collected the overnight bag and change of clothes Sandro had brought for him earlier, and walked to the en-suite bathroom.


    Twenty minutester, he was looking like himself again, in a three piece suit, and finely polished Oxford ck shoes.


    He folded his hospital wear meticulously and kept it on the bed, before carrying his work bag and walking out of the room.


    His first stop was at Athena¡¯s office.


    "I¡¯m here to see Doctor Athena..." He spoke gently to Ciara, who was engrossed in the file she was reading.


    Ciara jerked, partly from the surprise intrusion, and partly from Ewan¡¯s tone of voice.


    "Good afternoon Mr Ewan..." She finally found her voice, after drinking to her fill, the sight of Greek god before her.


    She even tried to ce the enthralling scent oozing from him, but gave up, because she was sure the perfume¡¯s cost was out of her reach. She could never guess it right.


    Ewan was amused at her disy, yet he said nothing, showed nothing too.


    "I¡¯ll let her know you are here."


    "Is that necessary?" His voice dropped to that honey tone, which people rarely said no to.


    Ewan believed there was no need to hassle the assistant to do things his way. It was better this way.


    Ciara seemed at crossroads, but her rxed instinct won atst, over her logical sense of duty.


    Having watched what had transpired between the infamous man and her boss, she could easily tell that the man had been humbled, and wouldn¡¯t make trouble again.


    "Okay, you can go in."


    Ewan shed his megawatt smile, and Ciara was blinded for a moment.


    Before she realized herself again, Ewan was already opening the door to Athena¡¯s office.


    When Ewan stepped into Athena¡¯s office, the first thing he saw was Athena reading a file, and writing something on a notepad.


    From the sheen of sweat that shined on her forehead, despite the wonderful venttion in therge office, he could tell that she had been at work for a long time, without stopping.


    He respected her for that. She hasn¡¯t even noticed his presence.


    This gave him ample time to drink in her beauty.


    His eyes wandered from her thick ck hair tied up in a ponytail, to her beautiful small nose; and then to her well shaped lips, and her...


    He held back a groan of appeasement when he noticed that her shirt hadn¡¯t been buttoned to the neck. It had stopped somewhere near the chest.


    The exposure of the glowing skin area caused insane arousing feelings to ride him again.


    He thought of Fiona¡¯s bad recent act to kill the sexual urge that woke his little man up .


    It didn¡¯t work, however.


    Hence, he cleared his throat to alert Athena of his presence.


    <i>He refused to be a mess before his wife again!</i>


    When Athena heard that throaty sound which only belonged to one person she knew, she inhaled softly and closed the file she was reading.


    "Good afternoon, Doctor Athena."


    Athena sighed, sped her hands on the table, and looked at Ewan. "Good afternoon, Ewan. Please, have a seat."


    Ewanplied immediately.


    Grateful to have his little man out of Athena¡¯s sight, he sat down and met Athena¡¯s gaze.


    "Thank you, for treating me despite my foolishness..." He started, surprising Athena, who was about to ask him how he had gotten past Ciara.


    "Please don¡¯t penalize Ciara too. I told her not to inform you of mying. I couldn¡¯t bear being turned down..."


    Athena nodded slowly. That would exin that. Still, how could Ciara let him in? Did he promise her anything?


    "I can be very persuasive."


    The small smile on Ewan¡¯s lips hit her fair and square. She swallowed, and cussed Ciara for not giving her a heads up at least.


    "And I¡¯m sorry for bringing you trouble these past days. I will try not to make it happen again."


    Athena nodded again, yet remained silent, unsettling Ewan.


    "Sandro mentioned the bill, and the deal we made earlier. Thanks for not canceling out..."


    Athena nodded again.


    Ewan took his lips in. "Aren¡¯t you going to say something? Are you still angry?"


    Athena shook her head. "I¡¯m not angry with you, Ewan, just tired. I¡¯ve heard all you said, and they are all okay. I¡¯m also d that you are doing well..."


    She paused, and cocked her head to the side, wondering if the topic she was about to talk on was necessary.


    "Please, go ahead..."


    Despite the fact that Ewan had been an asshole six years ago, Athena couldn¡¯t fault him in his ability of reading her inly when he chose to.


    "There¡¯s still some unresolved issues in your brain, Ewan. There¡¯s a blockage of sorts around some of your memories. Is there something I should know? Do you have amnesia?"

 Chapter 46: Diagnosis

    <h4>Chapter 46: Diagnosis</h4>


    From the ambivalent look on Athena¡¯s face, Ewan knew his <i>wife</i> hadn¡¯t been aware of his lost memories afore time, and it stomped his heart on how lifeless their marriage had been, how lifeless he had made it.


    If only he could go back in time, he would have changed a lot of things.


    Because if Athena was truly innocent of the usation six years ago, there was a possibility she hadn¡¯t been aware of her father¡¯s n.


    Considering this possibility almost dampened his hearty spirit.


    Ewan had to let go of the matter for now, in order to focus on his discussion with Athena.


    He didn¡¯t think she would appreciate him being distracted.


    "Yes, I do have amnesia. I can¡¯t remember my childhood." He finally answered. "I had an ident when I was around twelve years old..."


    Athena consciously kept her face nd, while her mind ran helter skelter.


    Hearing the confirmatory truth from Ewan unsettled her.


    Why had she been kept in the dark about this?


    Hadn¡¯t Zack been aware of it, or had he kept it out of her reach as usual, believing it wasn¡¯t necessary information for her to digest?


    Getting the brain scan had been really numbing. She had theb expert run it three times before epting it!


    She furrowed her eyebrows, and rested on her chair squarely. "You don¡¯t remember a singr thing?"


    Ewan nodded. "Apart from a singr memory that keeps popping up in my dream."


    Athena¡¯s curiosity was piqued. "Is it something you can share? It will help understand the results from your brain scan."


    Ewan inhaled softly. "I think so."


    "Let me hear it then."


    Ewan syed his hands on his thighs, preparing himself to recount the dream from a day ago.


    "It¡¯s about the ident, how it actually happened." He paused, and looked at therge window that allowed him to see the bustling city and sky.


    "In the dream, I¡¯m hurrying to meet a friend. When I got to our meeting point, near a river, she¡¯d been waiting for a while. I apologized for myte arrival, and then we got around ying. While y-dancing, I missed a step and fell into the river..."


    A pause, where he reverted his gaze to Athena.


    "I can¡¯t swim. She couldn¡¯t swim either. Yet she jumped into the river to save me. She pulled me out of the deep waters despite the strange current. But when I was woken up by shouts, she was nowhere around me... I deduced that she had left to call for help. When I woke up again, she was by my bedside weeping."


    Athena folded her hands across her chest, drafting Ewan¡¯s attention to her chest region.


    Ewan instantly reverted his gaze to the window.


    "The girl, who is she?" Athena asked, picking another note pad from her drawer.


    Ewan hesitated before answering the question. A secondter, he decided to say the truth as he knew it.


    "In the dream, her face was actually blurry. So I couldn¡¯t know for sure who she was. But when I finally woke up from thea, I saw Fiona beside me weeping. I concluded she was the one because she wore the same bracelet as the girl who saved me."


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows again, not understanding a singr concept.


    Yes, she could finally see why Ewan was blind and dumb when it came to Fiona, but still...


    "If she didn¡¯t know how to swim, how was she able to pull you out? How was she able to remain unaffected, even staying by your side while you were in aa?"


    While thinking, Ewan bit his lip gently.


    Athena¡¯s eyes widened a little at the sight. She quickly looked at her notepad and pretended to write something down.


    "Honestly, I don¡¯t know Athena." Ewan finally replied. "I asked her about it when I got healthy, but she imed she had been treated too."


    Athena shook her head. "That¡¯s not possible, Ewan. If Fiona had really jumped into the river, braving the current to save you, she would have either drowned, or been in the same shape as you, if not worse..."


    Athena took her lips in. "Nevertheless, that¡¯s your problem to handle. I only asked because of your brain scan results. The acupuncture had done a great job, but you might need some more treatments, probably a surgery too¡ªdepending on the oue of those treatments¡ªto correct some things, so that you can gain ess to your full memories."


    Ewan opened his mouth to speak, then shut it, not knowing what to say exactly¡ªboth to Athena¡¯s deduction about Fiona, and the case of his brain¡¯s recent state.


    He would have attributed the former to Athena¡¯s jealousy, but he knew she wasn¡¯t petty as Fiona.


    And for thetter, he couldn¡¯t afford to be bedridden now. He had a business to run, manage and expand.


    He had a meeting with Ethan too.


    "I¡¯ll think about it..."


    Athena didn¡¯t bother to confirm which of the statements Ewan would think about. She only nodded, and went back to writing in the notepad.


    She tore out a piece of it and gave it to Ewan a few secondster.


    "This is the contact of one of the best doctors I know. Call him and let him know about the problem; he will be happy to treat your case..."


    Ewan wasn¡¯t pleased with the news. "Are you discarding me, Athena?"


    Athena frowned. She didn¡¯t understand what her ex husband was talking about.


    "I want you to be my doctor, Athena. You are the one I trust."


    Trust? That was a big word. Athena thought, folding her arms across her chest again.


    "I can¡¯t be your doctor, Ewan."


    "Why is that? I can pay any amount."


    "I¡¯m just not interested."


    Ewan sighed. "I¡¯ve had doctors check me out a couple of times, and none of them have discovered or done what you have done in just a day. Why will I spend money on any other doctor then, when I have found you?"


    Athena rested squarely on her chair again, as her mind reeled with questions and probabilities.


    She, however, met Ewan¡¯s gaze steadily, making sure tomunicate that she didn¡¯t want to be his doctor.


    Yet, for the sake of the twins, she made the ufortable decision.


    "Whenever you are ready to be treated, Ewan, let me know."


    She ignored the smile of victory and appreciation that perched on his lips, and dismissed him.


    "You can leave now. I have a meeting to attend."

 Chapter 47: Negotiations

    <h4>Chapter 47: Negotiations</h4>


    Ewan ordered food as he waited for Ethan to arrive at the restaurant he had picked for the meeting.


    While he ate in his private space usually reserved for meetings, he ruminated on the conversation he had with Athena in her office, especially about the identity of his savior.


    Could she really be serious with her diagnosis?


    Was it possible that Fiona hadn¡¯t been his savior from years ago?


    Then how could the presence of the bracelet be exined?


    The bracelet he had seen in his dreams was the exact one Fiona had worn when she waited on him.


    Or was it only a mean coincidence?


    Did Fiona just happen to be wearing the right thing at the right time?


    Thinking of these theories brought a headache to Ewan, so much so that he left the theories alone, choosing to deliberate on themter.


    He had an important meeting with Ethan, and didn¡¯t want his mind to be messed up during it.


    So, he resolved to make do with the facts he had straight: Athena believed that the recurring dream was a memory, she had agreed to be his doctor, and they were civil to each other again¡ªhence hispany was in pristine condition.


    Ewan downed a ss of water after he was done eating, and cleaned his mouth with a napkin, before beckoning the waiter to clear the table in preparation for his meeting with Ethan.


    His favorite shareholder would soon arrive.


    Ten minutester, Ethan strolled confidently into the private space Ewan had reserved for the meeting.


    Ethan was a young handsome man in his mid-twenties, with thick blond hair and striking brown eyes.


    Standing at six feet and five inches, he was easily a sight for sore eyes.


    Ewan was surprised.


    Having not seen Ethan before, he had been expecting thetter to be middle aged, considering the expertise of thepany and the awesome growth it had experienced in just one year.


    "Good morning, Mr. Ewan..." Ethan greeted first, when he stopped by the table.


    Ewan stood up, shook Ethan¡¯s outstretched hand, and returned the greeting.


    "Good afternoon, Mr. Ethan. How do you do?"


    Ethan shrugged his shoulders and took his seat. "I¡¯m fine. How¡¯s your health? You actually took me by surprise when you agreed to meet me in a restaurant. Shouldn¡¯t you be in the hospital?"


    Ewan, good with reading business fellows, noted the keenness in Ethan¡¯s gaze and readily concurred with Sandro that their favorite shareholder was an astute businessman, like him.


    "My doctor cleared me earlier, and said I was good to go. Thanks for asking. Do you want to order something?"


    Ethan paused. "Just water will be okay. I¡¯m not hungry."


    Ewan nodded and beckoned to a waiter.


    "So, before we discuss the reason for this meeting, I want to appreciate you for being avable and helpful when mypany was in crisis..."


    Ethan smiled. "That¡¯s not necessary. I¡¯m a shareholder; I had to help. My money was on the line too; I had to be open to resolving the situation, so that my investments won¡¯t waste, not minding the incriminating text."


    Ewanughed. "Spoken like a true businessman. Thanks all the same. As you can see, ourpany is back to normal..."


    Ethan nodded, and collected the ss of water from the waiter.


    "That is right. Personally, I was surprised on how the issue had been resolved quickly and fastidiously. Some otherpanies would have been as good as closed. They would have sold out. Yourpany¡¯s recovery rate goes a long way to show you have a good grip on things."


    Ewan epted the praise humbly with a nod, before throwing the well packaged praise to Athena, mentally.


    If she hadn¡¯t done what she did, to salvage the situation, he wouldn¡¯t have beenughing with Ethan now. He would have been in a miserable state.


    He let his mind ruminate on what to get as a gift for her and her children.


    "So, about the offer I made concerning yourpany, what do you think about it?" He asked Ethan, after a few beats.


    Ethan hesitated, however, making Ewan curious.


    What now?


    "Well, that¡¯s why I asked for this meeting. Thepany¡¯s shares which are up for sale are not much. A lot of people are interested too, including Zack Moore... although considering the state of hispany now, I doubt he would be interested in the shares."


    Hearing about Zack¡¯s predicament brought Ewan no small happiness.


    Over the years, he had maintained a cold civility with the man as their towns shared boundaries, and had avoided whatever that would bring up any matter between them.


    So, hearing the wicked man was struggling was good.


    Never mind that Athena was behind it.


    Yet seeing as Ethan was going around in circles instead of answering his question, he knew he might not like the young man¡¯s final answer.


    "I can have Zack¡¯s portion, if he is not interested. How much is up for sale?"


    Ethan brought out a file from his work bag. "Just two percent."


    Ewanughed, only stopping when he saw that Ethan was still maintaining his earnest business expression.


    "You are serious? But how can that be? How much are you willing to offer me then?"


    "One percent."


    Ewan shook his head in unbelief. "As much as yourpany has great potential, it needs money to grow. How can that happen when only that amount of shares are up for sale?"


    Ethan smiled thinly. "Money is not an issue for me, Ewan. After all, there are organizations channeling money into my start up. I just want to have partners for growth¡¯s sake, to fulfill all righteousness. That¡¯s all there is to it."


    Ewan inhaled deeply.


    One percent? That¡¯s too small!


    "There¡¯s no way I can get more? Let¡¯s say ten percent?"


    Ethan shook his head. "If you need some time to think about it, we can leave it for next week."


    But Ewan didn¡¯t need any time, he only needed more shares in thepany.


    "For Zack, how much was to be allocated to him, before hispany¡¯s problems?"


    "0.1 percent."


    Ewan¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment.


    "Wow, you really do mean business. Let me see the documents then."

 Chapter 48: Shenanigans

    <h4>Chapter 48: Shenanigans</h4>


    Athena contemted the final consequence of the results she had in her hand, concerning Ewan¡¯s brain issues, and sighed resignedly.


    There was no way around it. She thought sadly, having made calls to various brain specialists around the globe.


    She deliberated telling the news to Ewan, but changed her mind.


    From the way he had responded earlier, she was sure he would refuse to be tested and treated now, citing thepany as an excuse.


    Exhaling softly, she rested her back squarely on the chair, and let it swirl her.


    What should she do?


    Her mind chose that moment to tease her. <i>Why was she worrying about Ewan?</i>


    Athena pouted. It was a doctor¡¯s sense of duty. <i>Nothing more. Nothing less.</i>


    Just an insistent, passionate sense of duty.


    Her phone dinged with a text.


    She quickly reverted the chair to its center position, and picked her phone from the table.


    It was a text from Kathleen.


    <i>¡¯Mom, when are youing back? We miss you!¡¯ </i>


    Athena smiled, her sad countenance lifting immediately.


    Pushing thoughts of Ewan aside, she quickly got up from her seat, after checking therge minimalist clock on the wall opposite her.


    She had spent more time at work today than she had promised her children!


    Because it was the weekend, she had promised she would return earlier, but being the president of the entire Whitman hospitals wasn¡¯t a joke.


    Her time was easily swamped with duties here and there.


    She even brought work home sometimes!


    She didn¡¯t like the development at all.


    She would need to have another sit down with Zane and his father.


    They needed to go through the uses in the contract again.


    As she packed her stuff into her work bag, she texted her friend, Chelsea, to know if thetter had got the hair strand in one piece¡ªshe had a courier do the job.


    She received a text right away.


    <i>¡¯I did! See you soon, my love!¡¯ </i>


    Athena was amused.


    See you soon? Chelsea made it seem like they were in the same country!


    Well, if there was someone unpredictable, it was her close colleague¡ªone of the good friends she had made during her time in exile.


    Athena shut down herptop, closed the drapes of therge windows, and slung her bag across her shoulder.


    She was already walking toward her door when she heard the first shout.


    She stopped, wondering what was going on. Did Alfonso and his reckless daughtere back again?


    Athena frowned, and continued walking. If they came back to make trouble, she would make sure that the security men showed them no mercy.


    However, as she neared her door, she discovered that the male shouting wasn¡¯t Alfonso. It was Zack Moore!


    Athena halted for the second time.


    Sighing tiredly, she rubbed her forehead weakly,ying mental curses on the male behind the door.


    At least Alfonso was wise enough to pretend, and fast to scurry away when she told him to because he knew she owed him nothing, but Zack Moore was a different case.


    He believed she owed him something.


    He felt entitled to her attention and help.


    His sheer arrogance was sickening!


    Normally, Athena would love to put him in his ce, but she was so tired that she only wanted to see her children, eat and then sleep deeply.


    She had no strength to entertain shenanigans!


    Her mind made up, she opened her phone, about to text the security team herself, when a harsh knock dropped on her door.


    Right at the same moment, Ciara¡¯s call came into her phone.


    Athena didn¡¯t bother picking the call. There was no need.


    She inhaled deeply, seeking to quell the anger that was rolling over her, so that it wouldn¡¯t show on her face¡ªshe didn¡¯t want Zack to think he had power over her.


    When she was sure her feelings were under wraps, she opened her door.


    Zack was standing right at the doorstep, his hand raised to drop another harsh knock.


    "There you are!" He yelled with a frown, staring at her distastefully.


    Athena didn¡¯t bother giving him attention, neither did she wee him into her office.


    She stepped out fully from her office, locked the door, and walked past him to Ciara.


    "I¡¯ll be heading out now, dear. You can finishter. But try heading home earlier today; it¡¯s the weekend."


    Ciara nodded with a smile, and bid her goodbye, without making reference to Zack who was watching the spectacle in disbelief.


    If her boss had ignored the male, who was she to pay him attention? After all, wasn¡¯t hispany in shambles?


    Ciara was curious though, on why these big men were searching for her boss recently.


    Were they infected with the prevailing disease or was there something else?


    She exhaled softly, letting it go. None of it was her business.


    She watched in pride as Athena strolled out of the office space, and wished to be like thetter soonest.


    She held back augh when she heard Zack croak out indiscernible words.


    He was lost for words?


    Oh, he should have been around when Alfonso Adams had visited then!


    She huffed in annoyance, watching Zack hurry after Athena as he called her name intermittently.


    Hoping her boss would put the arrogant male in his ce, she returned to her duties.


    Meanwhile...


    "Athena! Stop there..."


    Athena kept moving.


    She refused to be ordered anymore by a man with no shame.


    When Zack finally caught up with her and held her by the arm, she shook him off instantly, and told one of the nurses, who was watching them, to call the security.


    "Athena, please...listen..."


    Athena frowned, and turned to Zack then; a Zack who stomped his anger down as he finally understood something.


    So, she was waiting for him to use the ¡¯please¡¯ word? She must be so full of herself!


    "What do you want, Zack?"


    Zack scowled, still not used to being addressed rudely by his name.


    Worse, it was done by a girl who had been his daughter at one time.


    But he ignored it.


    He had something important to ask for.


    "I want our rtionship back..."


    Athenaughed. "There was never a rtionship between us, Zack. Stop deluding yourself. If this is what you came here for, I suggest you run along. The security team will be here soon, and I doubt you will want to be dragged out of the hospital, considering your reputation."


    Zack fisted his palms in anger, then syed them on his thighs when he remembered what was at stake.


    Temporarily pushing the remnant of his dignity away, he slowly knelt down before Athena¡ªmentally invoking hail and brimstones on her as he did so.


    "Please, Athena, forgive me..."

 Chapter 49: Shenanigans II

    <h4>Chapter 49: Shenanigans II</h4>


    Athena chuckled slyly, seeing the disy Zack Moore was enacting in public.


    Did he think doing this would sway her into helping him? He must be a joker!


    Already she was hearing murmurs from people, both hospital workers and patients alike.


    Most of them thought her proud for letting an old man kneel before her.


    But she wasn¡¯t moved.


    She chuckled more instead, when Zack, seeing the desired effect of his act on people, wrapped his hands around her legs and started bawling uncontrobly.


    Zack concluded that if Athena wasn¡¯t moved by his pleas, then she would surely be moved by the opinions of others.


    He didn¡¯t know how his stocks had suddenly plunged, but they had suffered that sad fate after that night¡¯s party.


    Hence, Athena must have something to do with it!


    "Athena please! Don¡¯t forsake your aged father because of a little scuffle six years ago! Please let the past remain in the past, and help me! I¡¯m at the point of my death! Won¡¯t you forgive my mistakes still?!"


    He artfully checked the faces of people around him.


    Seeing they were moved, he intensified his groanings.


    "Remember how I took care of you, my dear, when you were younger and sick. Remember how Iforted you, on nights when you were gued with nightmares. Would one mistake forever taint me in your eyes, because you are a doctor now?!"


    Zack also refused to be separated from Athena¡¯s legs when a concerned male tried lifting him.


    The male in question gave Athena a bombastic side eye, before shifting away from them.


    Athena wondered if the former knew who she really was, considering he had the prevalent disease, notwithstanding it was still in its earliest stage.


    However, she knew she wouldn¡¯t hold it against him, or the people murmuring about her; they were only hearing one side of the story.


    <i>Maybe she should fill them in on the second side of the story, her own side. </i>


    Since Zack wanted drama, she would give him drama.


    Therefore, when the security men arrived and tried to interfere, she held her hand up, telling them to wait. She would deal with this herself.


    The murmurs were fast bing loud talks as she could hear them vividly now.


    <i>¡¯Who does she think is; letting her father kneel before her like this? This new generation of youths needs to be taught a lesson!¡¯ </i>


    <i>¡¯Yes, we should petition her case to the chief doctor. I¡¯m sure this one is just a new doctor, considering her age. She should be sacked for being a nuisance in such a pristine organization!¡¯</i>


    <i>¡¯I agree with you. But why aren¡¯t the doctors and nurses doing anything? Why are they just watching, knowing that she is in the wrong? Are they afraid of her?¡¯</i>


    <i>¡¯I think so. I remember seeing her with Zane Whitman in the papers. They are probably lovers.¡¯ </i>


    <i>¡¯Really? That would exin her status in the hospital, and why the others are afraid of her. They aren¡¯t ready to risk their jobs!¡¯</i>


    <i> ¡¯But is that fair? I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll return to this hospital again!¡¯</i>


    <i> ¡¯I would have agreed with that, but I have the unfortunate disease... and from what I hear, only this hospital can treat it!¡¯</i>


    <i>¡¯She is so full of herself! Do you see her chuckling? Someone has to call her to order for god sake! Or else she will spoil the lesser generation, allowing them to think that disrespecting an elder is a normal thing...¡¯</i>


    Athena tuned off then; she was tired of hearing the wrong statements.


    Zack, meanwhile, was extraordinarily happy.


    Surely, Athena would listen to him now.


    <i>If only he knew! </i>


    Just then, an aged couple, around sixty-something years approached Athena with their lips turned up in condemnation.


    They were both affected strongly by the strange disease, considering the gray patches on their faces.


    Athena was surprised people amodated them, without discrimination.


    Were they that enlightened?


    Seeing their condescending looks though, she smirked, crossed her arms around her chest, and kicked Zack away from her space.


    Zack, not seeing iting, cried out truly as pain rocketed from his head, where the kick hadnded, to his spine.


    He needn¡¯t be told twice to scurry away.


    The kick, however, caused shouts of disapproval to echo in the hospital¡¯s reception.


    The doctors and nurses, who knew the status of Athena, were surprised at the turn of events.


    They knew Athena as a good boss, the perfect there is, always caring and responsive.


    But this side of her, they didn¡¯t understand. They didn¡¯t know what to think of it either.


    A few amongst them believed there must be a reason, while the rest decided to stay away from her from henceforth.


    But Athena wasn¡¯t bothered at all.


    "What is your name, doctor?" The couple asked Athena, at the same time, revealing their marital status.


    "I¡¯m Athena, the president of all Whitman hospitals,"


    A hush silence permeated the reception space instantly, as the patients and visitors understood what the title meant.


    The people, who came to be treated for their strange diseases, swallowed their resentments and took steps away from the spectacle.


    Athena lifted her chin, and pointed at Zack, who was kneeling with his forehead to the ground, still pretending.


    "And that man right there, is not my father. He is a fake."


    Murmurs broke out in the crowd that had gathered for the spectacle.


    Some brought out their phones to record the happening.


    Zack, hearing camera shes, hearing the people be unsure of their earlier stand, lifted his head in fake anguish and cried out, determined not to lose face for nothing.


    "Athena, please stop, you are hurting me! Yes, I made a mistake a few years ago, but won¡¯t you forgive me? How can you deny me in front of these people?"


    The couple sighed, and reverted their attention to Athena.


    "Sometimes, we aged people make mistakes, but it doesn¡¯t mean you younger ones should deny us in public. You are disgracing your father, youngdy." The husband spoke.


    His wife concurred. "Forgive your old man, and settle your issues at home."


    That the couples¡¯ attitude toward her improved, considering her title, wasn¡¯t enough for Athena.


    Zack thought he could tarnish her reputation again? He should think better!


    "I appreciate your advice, ma¡¯am, but that is not the case." She smiled at the couple who became instantly disarmed by her innocent smile.


    "You see, six years ago, I was used of something I didn¡¯t do. I was used of adultery..."


    Athena knew this might drag Ewan¡¯s reputation to the mud again, but she was on a roll now, and couldn¡¯t stop.


    Ewan could me Zack for his troubles. She didn¡¯t care.


    Being forced to remember the past and speaking about it eroded her sense of guilt... should it appear.

 Chapter 50: Backfired

    <h4>Chapter 50: Backfired</h4>


    Athena calmly surveyed the faces of the people in therge reception space, listening to her speak.


    Noting their overflowing curiosity, she vowed to totally quench their thirst with the truth.


    "Some of you here might have seen the ruckus that had taken ce at Zane¡¯s party a few days ago, a ruckus where I had been the center of attention..." She started, looking down at Zack in disgust.


    "For those of you who remember, I wasbeled an adulteress by my ex-husband, who without due investigation, had believed the words of his mistress over my own words..."


    Athena noticed some people typing voraciously on their phones, probably to check out the old news.


    "There¡¯s no need to search for it. It was taken down by him, after he suspected the truth."


    Zack, feeling the tides has turned for his bad, tried raising his voice to protest, to bring the people back to his side, but he was shushed by the old couple.


    "Stop that. Let her speak!"


    Murmurs of agreement broke out in the crowd.


    Athena smiled and continued her tale to the chagrin of Zack, who already regretted crossing her, who wished the ground would open up and swallow him immediately.


    He knew there was no recovery for hispany after this. With his hand, he had hit the final nail into the coffin.


    His n has backfired!


    "As I mentioned earlier, there was no concrete evidence to support the usations, yet I wasn¡¯t believed because my father..." Athena pointed at Zack.


    "Didn¡¯t bother to investigate or hear my side of the story. His negligence of the matter prompted the council to close my case in my disfavor. But that was not all..."


    The murmurs in the room have gotten louder at this point.


    Zack, knowing where this was heading to, kept his face to the ground, not wanting the camera to catch his expressions.


    It was in vain.


    The people were very determined.


    One of them prostrated on the floor, directed the phone¡¯s camera at him, and continued filming.


    Athena, seeing this, smiled satisfactorily, before continuing her tale.


    "This man here disowned me, threw me out of the house, and banished me out of the town. While at it, he told me that I was dumped at his barn, that I wasn¡¯t his daughter, that he regretted listening to his wife¡¯s plea to take me in.


    Fast forward to six yearster, I¡¯m better off, I¡¯m educated and sessful, and now he wants to fix a rtionship with me because he thinks I¡¯m rich and affiliated with Zane Whitman?"


    Athena chuckled drily, and shook her head to answer her own question, aware of people cussing Zack out already.


    "Everyone! He is only here because hispany is falling to pieces and he needs my help! Daughter? He has never treated me as a daughter! For what father would arrange his daughter¡¯s marriage to a man so that she can be a breeder?"


    Commotion broke out in the increasing crowd, as people tried to understand Athena¡¯s crazy point.


    But Athena wouldn¡¯t make them sweat for it.


    "Six years ago, my ex husband¡¯s mistress had called me an illiterate breeder, but I hadn¡¯t understood the term till a few days ago, when I finally heard the truth from a family friend who knew of the contract."


    She pointed at Zack again.


    "This man here, because he didn¡¯t deem me worthy to inherit his assets, contracted Ewan Gietti to marry me. He threatened to sell out the Gietti¡¯s property under his jurisdiction if Ewan refused the contract. Why? So that he can get a son through me, the unworthy daughter. He wanted to control Ewan too. It made me understand to an extent, Ewan¡¯s unfaithfulness and hatred for me during our short marriage."


    Athena pointed at Zack, who was now sitting on the floor, utterly defeated.


    "This wicked man here wrecked my life six years ago. So, how can I forgive him?"


    <i>¡¯Don¡¯t forgive him! He doesn¡¯t deserve it!¡¯</i>


    <i>¡¯Hispany is in pieces, so we should petition the government to shut it downpletely! Such a person shouldn¡¯t be rendering services to the public!¡¯</i>


    <i>¡¯Oh my God, I can¡¯t imagine what she has suffered all this while! She is so strong that she has risen to stardom! She is my idol!¡¯</i>


    <i>¡¯We should petition Ewan Gietti too! He disgraced her at Zane¡¯s party. I watched the video before it was taken down!¡¯</i>


    <i>¡¯Really?! But I don¡¯t think it¡¯s his fault. He was only acting on one-sided knowledge.¡¯</i>


    <i>¡¯It still doesn¡¯t exempt him. He should have investigated it!¡¯</i>


    <i> ¡¯Would you have done the same if you were in his shoes? I¡¯m sure he wanted to get rid of her as soon as possible, and marry his childhood sweetheart, Fiona. You can¡¯t really me him!¡¯ </i>


    Athena tuned out then.


    She would have loved to sink Fiona and her father to the mud, but she didn¡¯t have the evidence she needed yet.


    And about Ewan, she believed he could take care of himself since her children would sit out on this. She would make sure of that.


    Noting Zack¡¯s pitiful state, she scoffed and beckoned on the guards. "Take him out of here, and don¡¯t let him into thispany again!"


    The security men nodded, pulled Zack roughly to his feet, and started to take him away.


    Insults followed him as he went, but his hardened eyes never left Athena.


    He would deal with her. He promised, clenching his fists. He would make sure she regretted destroying his reputation and hispany.


    After Zack left, the people crowded Athena; some shaking her hands, others tapping her shoulders gently in solidarity; all apologizing for speaking harshly against her earlier; all praising her for emerging victorious amongst all odds.


    Some even said her story had given them hope to press on despite their difficulties.


    In all these, Athena maintained a beautiful smile as she greeted all of them, till they were dispersed by the doctors and nurses, whose heartiness had recovered in the face of the truth.


    Athena was thoroughly pleased.


    Her smile didn¡¯t even waver as she left the hospital.


    She hadn¡¯t nned on repairing her bad reputation so soon, but since fate has thrown help on herp, she epted it wholeheartedly.


    Outside, Aiden was already waiting.


    It solidified the fact that the news was already on the socials. Her driver was looking so serious!


    <i>Let the games begin</i>. She thought, just before Gianna¡¯s call came into her phone.


    "I¡¯ming home..." She spoke, before Gianna couldunch into one of her worry talks.


    She knew thetter had heard the news too.

 Chapter 51: Damage Control

    <h4>Chapter 51: Damage Control</h4>


    Ewan was in his car, en-route to hispany, when he saw the news.


    With his iPad, he had been going through the document he had signed with Ethan¡¯spany when, suddenly, the news icon had shed across his screen.


    At first, he had thought to ignore it. But when he saw the headlines <i>¡¯Ewan Gietti in the mud again...¡¯</i> he hadn¡¯t been able to hold back the curiosity anymore.


    After he opened the news page, which he noted came with a video, Sandro called him.


    Without picking his phone which was right beside him, Ewan already knew the reason for the call.


    His friend must have seen the news too.


    The phone stopped ringing.


    Ewan checked the time of the news release; it was just a few minutes ago.


    He scanned the first two paragraphs, and understood the article already: Zack Moore had visited Athena, and it hadn¡¯t ended well for both the arrogant male and his reputation.


    Ewan wasn¡¯t sure how to feel, especially since his own reputation was also dragged to the mud.


    His phone rang again.


    "Hey, Sandro..." He finally picked, still scrolling through the news page.


    "Have you seen the news on the socials?"


    "Yes, I have. It seems hot..."


    Sandro scoffed. "It¡¯s more than hot, Ewan. It is terrible. Where are you?"


    "On my way to thepany." Ewan answered, before tapping the y button on the video file.


    "That¡¯s great. We are waiting for you. Hurry up!"


    The call abruptly ended.


    We? Who else was waiting?


    He paused the video and tapped the console.


    The driver slowed the car, and lowered the divide, so that he could listen to his boss¡¯s orders.


    "Drive faster. There¡¯s an emergency in thepany."


    Ewan ordered stoically, before returning to the interesting video.


    Once again, hispany had been thrown into the gutters.


    What gives now?


    Twelve minutester, Ewan arrived at hispany.


    During this time, he had read the raving news, which had over a million hits, from three different sources.


    These sources had reported basically the same thing, as if they had been given a temte to work with.


    Yet, Ewan, having watched the video which clearly recorded what had transpired in the headquarters of the Whitman hospital, understood the reason for the simrities.


    Zack had pushed Athena to the wall in a straightforward way.


    Ewan gritted his teeth.


    He would make sure that what remained of Zack¡¯spany was torn to shreds.


    That¡¯s if Athena¡¯s backer wasn¡¯t on that already...


    Athena.


    Did she think of him and his reputation when she did this?


    He shook his head at the selfish thought. She hadn¡¯t budgeted doing this to him. She had only done this because Zack had cornered her, thinking he could manipte her.


    Ewan almost wished he and Zack had spoken prior to this; he would have informed the arrogant male not to bother with the coy n.


    This new Athena would not bend to maniption, to threats, or to violence.


    Didn¡¯t he know firsthand?


    As he walked into thepany, he noticed that most of his workers were leaving, so he checked his wristwatch.


    It was closure time. Perfect.


    He nodded to their greetings, while ignoring the looks of uncertainty on their faces. They must have seen the news.


    He sighed. Would the KN press jump on this?


    If they did, should he prepare to beg Athena again?


    Ewan slowly shook his head as he entered his private elevator. He couldn¡¯t believe he was depending on Athena now.


    However, remembering the KN media resurrected the memory of his discussion with Herbert Whitman.


    Hesitating for only a second, he opened his phone and created a reminder tab.


    He had to apply at the KN website by tomorrow.


    A minuteter, he walked into his office space, halting as he noticed that Sandro wasn¡¯t truly alone.


    He was with Zane.


    They were lounging on the long plush brown sofa, busy with theirptops.


    When did thettere?


    When the duo noticed his presence, they stood to their feet immediately.


    "Ewan, how do you do?" They asked simultaneously, causing Ewan to chuckle softly.


    "I¡¯m fine, thanks for your concern."


    Zane snorted, and folded his arms across his chest. "What are you going to do about this matter? It¡¯s spreading like a virus."


    Ewan shrugged his shoulders. "I¡¯m not sure. Let¡¯s head into the private room. I don¡¯t need any disturbance."


    Zane and Sandroplied immediately.


    "Zack has dragged us into the red arena again..." Sandro started, after they all sat on sofas, with serious expressions on their faces.


    "The man is an idiot. Worse than Alfonso if I should say. Alfonso, at least, is wise enough to know what games to y, and when to y them..." Zane concurred.


    Ewan inhaled and exhaled gently. "It¡¯s the entitlement mentality. He thinks Athena owes him for being his daughter. Sadly, that¡¯s not the case."


    He paused.


    "Zane, did you know she wasn¡¯t his real daughter?"


    Zane nodded slowly, knowing more truths were about to be dropped, knowing also how much the video had affected his friend.


    He liked Athena, but Ewan was important to him.


    Hence, the truth must be told, no matter how he felt about Athena.


    "Yes, she confided in me, after the night party that almost tore her reputation apart. Why do you think I stopped the revenge n I conceived specially for her? Why do you think we are still friends?"


    A pause


    "She is innocent, Ewan..."


    Ewan buried his face in his hands.


    "Even about the contract?"


    "Yes, that too. When I told her about it, she had been shocked, so shocked that she had lost her hatred for you for a few seconds."


    Ewan sharply lifted his head, understanding the implications of Zane¡¯s statement.


    Zane sighed, and rested his head at the apex of the sofa. "Don¡¯t get me wrong. I like her. Yet, I can¡¯t spoil your name or lie, just to curry favor with her. She wouldn¡¯t like that..."


    He ruffled his hair. "Ewan, I don¡¯t think she hates you. If she did, hearing the truth had lessened that considerably. Although, as she statedter in anger, your ignorance doesn¡¯t excuse the atrocities youmitted against her during the marriage."


    Ewan shut his eyes in shame. He understoodpletely.


    He had broken Athena during their marriage.


    He had relegated their lovemaking into a biological imperative, made her feel less at every turn, and had not cared for her wants or the way she had been treated by people, especially Fiona¡¯s family.


    Never mind Zack¡¯s ploy, he had been a wicked husband.


    "Sandro, turns out you were right at the very end..." He muttered sorrowfully.


    Sandro didn¡¯t like this taste of victory, so he didn¡¯t gloat at all.


    "But was unfaithfulness part of your crime against Athena? During your marriage with her, did you sleep with Fiona?"


    Ewan shook his head slowly. "I¡¯ve never slept with Fiona, even now. But I¡¯m sure the way we interacted, the way I catered to her every whim, made Athena think so."


    "I suspected the same." Zane murmured. "So, what are you going to do now? Should we pull down the news?"


    Ewan shook his head again, to the surprise of the other two males.


    "Not yet. Let it make the rounds, let it totally clear Athena¡¯s reputation. Then, announce a press conference concerning it tomorrow. It¡¯ll be happening on Monday."


    "A press conference? What are you talking about? What about the damage it would cause to thepany?" Sandro queried, his eyes shing with incredulity.


    He understood that Ewan felt guilty for the way he handled things six years ago, but wasn¡¯t the damage controlte already?


    As much as Athena had forgiven him, she has clearly moved on!


    Ewan shrugged his shoulders. "The press conference is damage control. I believe the truth will make things better. It¡¯s been a long timeing after all. Ourpany would have to hold out."


    Then he picked up his phone and sent a text to Athena.

 Chapter 52: Night Out

    <h4>Chapter 52: Night Out</h4>


    "Is this necessary?" Athena asked Gianna as she spritzed perfume on her wrists and dabbing it around her neck.


    She looked stunning in a short red gown that made her legs seem to stretch on forever¡ªdefinitely a weapon fashioned against men tonight.


    "Is what necessary?" Gianna bent to slide her feet inside her red open-toe heel.


    "The night out. The dress... especially the dress..."


    A pause.


    "I look like..." Athena gestured to her outfit, ncing at her reflection in the full-length mirror.


    "You look like a beautiful woman ready to have a st at a club tonight!" Gianna replied, admiring the view. "It¡¯s the weekend after all, and if you end up with a hangover, guess what? Tomorrow isn¡¯t a work day!"


    Athena scoffed.


    Gianna had no idea what her work entailed. It wasn¡¯t like her jewelry gig, where you could take a breather between days.


    In her line of work, anything could happen!


    Howbeit, she kept that to herself, intermittently adjusting the gown that stopped just above her thighs.


    Worse, it even had a slit.


    Athena sighed. How was she supposed to sit down? Wouldn¡¯t people think she was desperate for a man?


    "Stop overthinking it, Athena! Just rx and have fun. You¡¯ve never let people¡¯s opinions get to you before, so don¡¯t start now!"


    Athena grimaced, watching her excited friend make finishing touches on her makeup.


    They haven¡¯t gotten to the club yet, and thetter was already hyperactive.


    Did she clutch a new deal?


    Athena sighed, letting the matter go.


    "What about the kids? It¡¯s weird leaving them alone at home, just to have fun. Work is understandable, but a night out? Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s too much. What if there¡¯s an emergency?"


    "Athena, you worry a lot! The children have been tucked into bed, and I¡¯m sure they¡¯d understand their mom needing a little fun now and then. You need a break, especially after the rollercoaster of a week you¡¯ve had," Gianna winked at her.


    Athena snorted. Rollercoaster week? That was an understatement!


    It had been a series of chaos, from one ruckus after another; the worst been the one that had just happened hours earlier.


    ording to Gianna, even though a few devils were trying to negate her truth online and tarnish her reputation, her te was cleaner than ever.


    Zack had tried to smear her name, but it spectacrly backfired!


    Still, her mind was elsewhere¡ªon the text Ewan had sent her a few hours ago.


    <i>"Hi Athena. I¡¯m truly sorry for the trouble I seem to cause at every turn since your return. About today¡¯s events, don¡¯t worry about me. Just take care of yourself; it¡¯s your truth too, and that¡¯s okay. But there¡¯s one thing I need to rify... I never cheated on you during our marriage, not even in my mind. I never slept with Fiona, and I still haven¡¯t. I also didn¡¯t know you were unaware of the contract. I¡¯m not hoping it would change anything, but I thought I¡¯d put it out there, since truths are floating around now. I¡¯m sorry, Athena. I¡¯m truly sorry." </i>


    Athena could recite that text by heart at this point. But how could she believe it?


    Thoughts raced through her mind, recalling countless moments where Ewan had chosen Fiona over her, how they had stood together against her.


    How could he say they hadn¡¯t been intimate?


    "Gianna, can I ask you something?" She turned to face her friend, smiling as she took in the full view of Gianna.


    If she was a weapon tonight, Gianna was the very object of desire, bound to make men rave with selfish need.


    Looking edible in a silvery short gown, with the same design as hers, Athena knew they would be the center of attention in whatever club they entered tonight.


    "Go ahead. What¡¯s on your mind?" Gianna queried, picking her sling bag.


    "Do you think Ewan was unfaithful during our marriage? Do you think he slept with Fiona?"


    Gianna furrowed her brow. "Where is thising from?"


    Athena shrugged, collecting her purse from the dresser. "Nowhere. Just curious. Since the reveal this evening, I¡¯ve been doing a lot of thinking."


    Gianna grunted. "I can understand that..."


    "So..." Athena prompted when Gianna¡¯s pause dragged on longer than she¡¯d hoped.


    Gianna sighed. "Personally, I don¡¯t think he was unfaithful in the traditional sense. Sure, he was unfaithful in the way he didn¡¯t treat you right, but I don¡¯t think he slept with Fiona then. Honestly, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he hasn¡¯t slept with her yet..."


    "And why do you think so?" Athena tried to keep her face neutral while her mind went on an overdrive.


    "Well, he doesn¡¯t have that look in his eyes¡ªthe look of deep, burning love¡ªwhenever she is around. If I dare say, he tolerated her whims out of a sense of duty. You know Alfonso raised him as a teenager, right?"


    Athena blinked. "Wait, what? I didn¡¯t know that."


    "Yep. His parents died mysteriously when he was around sixteen, forcing him to grow up fast and take over the familypany..."


    Wow. A double whammy for Ewan. It made sense why he tolerated Alfonso and Fiona, especially if he believed Fiona had saved him at some point.


    "So, you don¡¯t think he loves Fiona?"


    "No. I think he keeps her around out of obligation."


    A pause.


    "Does this change anything?"


    Athena shook her head. "No, it doesn¡¯t."


    "Good! Enough of the boring talk, girlfriend. Are you ready to move?"


    Athena chuckled lightly as Gianna entwined their hands together. "Yes, I¡¯m ready. Let¡¯s go have some fun!"


    As they stepped out, the night was young and full of possibilities.


    Aiden, who was their designated driver, kept darting nces at them, as he drove them to the address Gianna had given him.


    "Are you sure about this, Athena?"


    "Oh, cool off... old man... all work and no y makes Jack a dull boy..."


    Athena chuckled at the old line. Maybe Gianna was right.


    Maybe she needed this; a scene where the only thing she needed to worry about was how many drinks it would take before Gianna started dancing on the tables.


    Who knew, maybe a little chaos was exactly what they both needed to cool off!


    And if Ewan thought a text could erase the years of doubt...


    Well, she¡¯d show him just how wrong he was.

 Chapter 53: Night Out II

    <h4>Chapter 53: Night Out II</h4>


    "Ewan, take it easy! The night is still young, and you¡¯re already on your third ss of wine. Do you n on being carried out of here?" Zane asked, shooting a nce at an amused Sandro, who chuckled before chiming in.


    "If that¡¯s his n, then he can forget it. I don¡¯t have the will or the capacity to carry anyone out of this club tonight. So let¡¯s all be responsible. Remember, some of us are driving tonight! We are not like Ewan that moves everywhere with his driver..."


    Ewan ignored them, taking another sip from his ss. Athena hadn¡¯t replied to him yet.


    He inhaled deeply, trying to quell the growing hurt in his heart.


    <i>What¡¯s happening to me? </i>He thought weakly, downing more wine, oblivious to the resing from his friends.


    "Ewan, you didn¡¯t hear what we just said?" Zane pressed, reaching for Ewan¡¯s drink.


    But Ewan was faster.


    He snatched his drink away, before Zane could touch it.


    This caused Sandro tough boisterously this time around. His friend was really acting up tonight.


    "Let him drink." He quipped. "Let him drown his sorrows. Isn¡¯t that the essence of this meeting in the first ce?"


    Zane snorted, shook his head and took a sip of his drink.


    Ewan followed right after. He needed to forget for a while.


    After Sandro had announced the press conference on their official website a few hours ago, things had taken a turn for the worse.


    People had believed that the press conference had been fixed to debunk Athena¡¯s truth, and as a result, hispany¡¯s stocks had plunged again.


    Ewan had been tempted to call the press team and ask them to take down the news, but his conscience hadn¡¯t let him do so.


    Yet, it was saddening to watch hispany crumble before his eyes.


    Hopefully, things would get better by next week after the press conference.


    But what was the guarantee? People might not be as forgiving as Athena.


    Ewan sighed tiredly. The only silver lining was that the KN Media hadn¡¯t jumped on the bandwagon.


    That spelled hope for him.


    Maybe Athena was looking out for him¡ªmaybe she didn¡¯t want hispany to go down like Zack¡¯s. And for that, he was very grateful.


    He checked his phone for the umpteenth time.


    No texts from Alfonso, who imed to be a dependable senior.


    No messages from Fiona either, the one he would have married next week.


    He never told her the date, wanting it to be a surprise wedding. However, he had told the wedding nner yesterday to put everything on hold.


    Would he ever go ahead with it again? He wasn¡¯t sure.


    Hearing those truths from Athena had changed everything.


    "Hey, I think we should go and dance, you know, meet some people of the opposite gender..." Zane suggested, causing Sandro tough.


    "Spoken like a true yboy..."


    Zane threw up his hands in mock frustration. "When was thest time either of you had fun?"


    Both males knew what kind of fun he was talking about but chose to keep quiet.


    "Sandro, when was thest time you enjoyed thepany of a woman?"


    Sandro shrugged. "I don¡¯t see how that¡¯s your business."


    Zane scoffed, muttering "uptight fellow," before turning to Ewan. "What about you? Since you haven¡¯t slept with Fiona, who¡¯s been taking the heat off you?"


    No one, Ewan thought, feeling a wave of sadness wash over him.


    Thest time he had sex was with Athena, six years ago, on the day she had demanded a divorce.


    Back then, he had been so angry and restless¡ªboth at himself for not understanding his emotions and at her for being so unpredictable.


    He had thrown the words "give me a son" at her with more venom than he intended, just to spite her.


    If he had been smart, he would have taken his restlessness as a sign to pull back and reevaluate their rtionship.


    If he had, he would have realized that he never wanted to lose her in the first ce.


    Ewan¡¯s eyes widened at this sudden revtion. He shut his eyes, trying to push away this truth, longing to return to a blissful state of ignorance.


    But it was no use; the truth had beenid bare.


    He had started the marriage feeling resentful, but somewhere along the line, he had lost that resentment without even realizing it.


    His hands shook as he reached for the wine bottle to refill his ss.


    Even now, trying to be civil with her, he thought he was merely making amends and trying to live peacefully. But that wasn¡¯t the real truth, was it?


    His hands trembled so badly that wine spilled over the ss, drawing Zane and Sandro¡¯s attention.


    All this time, he had been uneasy and restless because deep down, he liked her¡ªhe never wanted to lose her. When had that change happened?


    Just as his mind began to drift back in time, Sandro yanked him to his feet.


    "I¡¯m not sure what your problem is, Ewan. One minute you¡¯re sober about thepany, the next you look like some woman just broke your heart. Zane is right; let¡¯s go dance."


    Ewan allowed himself to be pulled away from their private corner of the club and into the public area downstairs, where loud music thumped through the speakers and bodies were grinding against each other.


    Zane led the way and stopped them at the bar.


    "Let¡¯s check out some chicks..." He said, a mischievous grin stered on his face.


    Sandro chuckled, but Ewan said nothing.


    Maybe he needed this. He thought, ordering a scotch to the chagrin of his friends.


    Maybe he needed to bed a woman. Perhaps that would make his frustration disappear.


    But even as he thought that, he knew it was impossible.


    He could now understand why his body had been unresponsive to Fiona; his body wanted only Athena.


    He had just been too slow to follow through.


    As he lifted the ss of scotch to his lips, his eyes caught sight of a woman in red, who stood at the opposite bar, with her back to him.


    Instantly, his little man (ahem, penis) jerked to life.


    He cursed loudly before he could help it.


    <i>Speak of the devil! And there she appears, wearing red!</i>

 Chapter 54: Night Out III

    <h4>Chapter 54: Night Out III</h4>


    "What¡¯s the problem, Ewan?"


    "Why do you look like you just saw the devil?"


    Zane and Sandro asked simultaneously, darting nces between Ewan and the throng of bodies in his line of sight.


    Did he see a foe? Sandro thought, peering at the many faces before them, checking to see a familiar face.


    But what foe would make Ewan look like that?


    "Ewan!" Zane tapped his friend on the thigh when Ewan ignored them and downed the scotch in one go.


    "Talk to us..."


    "Athena is here," Ewan finally answered, striving to calm his racing heart as his eyes darted back to where he had seen Athena just moments ago.


    Only now, she was gone.


    His heart drummed in panic. He stood up from his seat, unable to sit still. Where did she go?


    He was about to push through the crowd when he spotted her dancing with Gianna, surrounded by a gaggle of men staring at them with lustful eyes.


    How had she gotten to the dance floor so quickly? What was she doing here in the first ce? Shouldn¡¯t she be resting after the eventful week she¡¯s had?


    What about her children?


    <i>¡¯Is that your business?¡¯</i>


    Ewan sighed at his mind¡¯s tease. It was definitely not his business. He shouldn¡¯t be bothered about another man¡¯s children.


    So, he turned to point the two women out to his friends, but the dazed looks on their faces¡ªparticrly Zane¡¯s furious expression¡ªtold him they were already aware.


    "Seems we aren¡¯t the only ones who came to unwind..." Sandro muttered, clearly drooling.


    Ewan could see why.


    The two women were easily the hottest in the club, especially Athena.


    Athena¡¯s gown hugged her curves like it was painted on, shimmering under the strobe lights. The way it red at her thighs made it seem as if she were a goddess descending from the heavens, ready to steal every man¡¯s breath away.


    His heart started racing again, as he watched her dance amorously to the slow music sting from the speakers.


    What was the universe trying to tell him?


    Maybe this night wasn¡¯t just about drowning his sorrows and regrets...


    Maybe it was about facing the truths he had avoided for so long.


    His heart, however, clenched with pain, when a strange man ced his hand on her waist.


    Ewan saw red.


    He was about sauntering to the dance floor to stop the man who was dancing with her, to ask her for a dance too, when he heard an angry grunt.


    Immediately, he nced at Zane. His friend was practically burning a hole in the dance floor with his fiery eyes.


    Ewan recognized that look; it was the kind of anger thates from watching a woman you love being surrounded and touched by other men.


    It was the same feeling churning in his gut when he had watched the guy casually ce his hand on Athena¡¯s waist.


    It annoyed him that Zane was looking at her, too. But hey, he had made his own bed, so he might as well lie in it.


    However, when he turned back to Athena and saw her arguing with a couple of guys, all rational thought fled his mind.


    He hurried toward them, aware of his friends trailing behind.


    As he got closer, he could hear the heated exchange.


    "How dare you touch me? Did I give you permission?"


    One of the guysughed at Athena¡¯s words, clearly underestimating her. "Baby, you gave me permission when you wore that sexy gown to the club tonight."


    Athena scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "You are sick! Touch me again, and I¡¯ll make sure you pay your dentist a visit tomorrow."


    The men roared withughter, and Ewan felt the anger boiling inside him.


    Without wasting a second, he stepped in, hitting the guy¡¯s hand away just as he reached for Athena again.


    The sudden presence of Ewan and his friends caused both parties to look their way.


    Ewan noted the shock on Athena¡¯s face before he caught Gianna¡¯s surprised expression.


    "Who the hell do you think you are..." The man started, but the words died on his lips as he realized who stood before him.


    Who didn¡¯t know Ewan Gietti and his crew, especially Zane Whitman?


    The male staggered back, and started apologizing profusely.


    The other men hurriedly apologized too, their bravado evaporating. "We¡¯re sorry, sirs! We didn¡¯t know the women were taken..."


    They didn¡¯t bother to listen to Athena¡¯s protests as they scurried away in fear.


    <i>What bad luck had almost visited them tonight! </i>They thought as they ran out of the club, without looking back.


    Meanwhile, as the men departed, Ewan stood face to face with Athena, the air thick with unspoken words.


    Silence enveloped them for a full minute until Sandro awkwardly broke it.


    "Uh, since we¡¯re all here, can we take a table and sit... and probably talk?"


    Silence greeted his suggestion.


    He looked at both Zane and Ewan, both wearing unreadable expressions.


    He understood Ewan¡¯s look but was puzzled by Zane¡¯s, who seemed more focused on Gianna than on Athena.


    Didn¡¯t Zane say he loved Athena? What was with the tension hanging between him and Gianna then?


    Sandro was at a loss. But he made the offer again.


    This time, Gianna found her voice. "No, I¡¯m not interested. I¡¯ll be heading home now..."


    Zane didn¡¯t let her finish. "Why? Because we cut your games with a potential bed partner for the night?"


    Instantly, a p echoed through the air.


    Sandro assumed Gianna was behind it until he saw Athena¡¯s fist clenched, still hovering in the air. Gianna hadn¡¯t moved.


    "How dare you, Zane?"


    Sandro watched as Zane¡¯s cold mask slipped away.


    "I¡¯m sorry, I just..."


    "Couldn¡¯t control your lips? What did I tell youst time about upsetting my best friend?"


    Zane hung his head in shame.


    "I don¡¯t want to see you around for now..."


    Sandro observed as Athena turned, letting out a sharp cry when she didn¡¯t see Gianna behind her.


    "Where¡¯s Gianna?" She asked, her voiceced with worry.


    She turned back to Zane, still ignoring Ewan entirely. "If something happens to her, I will kill you!"


    ________


    To my lovely readers, support this work by purchasing privilege Chapters!

 Chapter 55: Night Out IV

    <h4>Chapter 55: Night Out IV</h4>


    "We¡¯re sorry, Athena. We will surely find her," Ewan said, struggling to calm the fire shing in Athena¡¯s eyes, struggling to be visible to her.


    Athena shot him a nce, sharp enough to cut through ss, before turning away. "If you¡¯re going to help me find her in this chaos, then let¡¯s hob with it..."


    She started moving toward the bar area, hoping her friend had stopped there for a drink.


    Behind her, Ewan and his friends watched, lost for words¡ªnot just at her sharp dismissal but also at the enthralling sexiness radiating from her.


    Ewan, though, didn¡¯t like the fact that other men were gaping at her.


    Despite the conflict with the men from earlier, the admirers weren¡¯t giving up


    Ewan didn¡¯t me them.


    "Go with Zane and search," He instructed Sandro, ignoring Zane, who was still sulking.


    "I¡¯ll go with Athena."


    He wasn¡¯t about to let anyone else appreciate her... assets.


    Sandro raised an eyebrow, clearly sensing the underlying tension. "Take your mind out of the gutters, Ewan, and focus on the search. I doubt she¡¯ll want to talk about anything other than finding her friend."


    Ewan nodded resolutely and quickly took in Athena¡¯s fiery demeanor. It was somewhat hypnotic, honestly, but now was not the time to lose focus.


    "Look, if you find her, we¡¯ll meet at the parking lot," Ewan said, almost like a trainer at a race. "Check out the whole downstairs area, the storage houses, and the private bars..."


    Sandro nodded, and with a grumpy Zane in tow, they marched off.


    Ewan hurried after Athena, who, upon noticing he was alone, transitioned from fiery to confused. "Where are the others?" she asked, her brows furrowed slightly.


    "We decided to divide so we can cover more ground."


    Athena nodded, dismissing her difort.


    She would have loved to continue the search with Sandro, but it was time for serious matters. Besides, she could totally ignore how ridiculously handsome Ewan was, right? Sure...


    When she had seen him at first, she had thought she was dreaming, wondering if her unsure thoughts about him had finally conjured him up.


    Now walking side by side with him, she hoped he would stick to the task at hand.


    "Did you see my message from a few hours ago?" Ewan asked, breaking the silence five minutester.


    Athena stiffened but opened her mouth to demand they focus on their search.


    Unfortunately, Ewan wasn¡¯t done. "We can talk while we search. It¡¯ll dispel the tension between us and help us focus on our duty."


    He opened the first door and peeked in. "Looks like this room is empty."


    He shut the door gently.


    "There are a lot of doors on this floor," He continued, trying to hide his eagerness. "So I suggest we talk to make this bearable for both of us."


    Athena sighed. "I¡¯m notining, Ewan; I can make do with this."


    "Well, I can¡¯t. The tension is driving my vocal cords dry. It¡¯s like something heavy is wedged against my throat."


    Athena opened her mouth and then shut it, contemting her life choices.


    She threw open a door, wanting to die the conversation, only to quickly m it shut again at the unsightly sight of an orgy happening inside.


    With a shudder, she reverted to Ewan, only to find him grinning like he¡¯d just spotted an old friend. "What¡¯s funny?"


    Ewan shrugged. "Your facial expression when you saw what was behind the door was priceless."


    Athena looked away and pouted, a rosy flush creeping up her cheeks.


    Sure, she was advanced in many areas of life, but her sex life? It was as lively as a sloth on a hot day!


    However, she couldn¡¯t say that to Ewan. She would rather the earth open up and swallow her whole.


    "It was unexpected, that¡¯s all..."


    "In a club like this, I think you should prepare your mind for worse things," Ewan quipped as he pushed open another door.


    This time, Athena didn¡¯t even bother to peek in.


    Instead, she cursed the shrieking partygoers for not being more considerate about shutting the door.


    After five doors, and with the silence of their growing awkwardness intensifying, Athena finally answered Ewan¡¯s earlier question.


    "Yeah, I saw your message from earlier today. I just didn¡¯t know what to think about it. What¡¯s your game, Ewan?"


    Ewan froze mid-step and turned to face her, and for a moment, he could practically feel the electric tension in the air.


    He sighed, ruffled his hair, and prepared for battle. "There was no aim, really, Athena..."


    "If there was no aim, then why are you asking me if I saw your message? Why did you send it if it meant nothing to you?" She shot back, determination etched across her features.


    Ewan blinked, speechless. Then heughed, noting the fierceness in her eyes.


    How could he have forgotten that this woman was theplete opposite of the woman he married nine years ago? She kept him on his toes, and then some.


    "You¡¯re right. I wanted you to see the message because I wanted you to know my truth¡ªjust as I had known yours in the news today. I was blind six years ago, but I refuse to be blind anymore. It may not change anything between us, but I wanted our partnership to go smoothly without any hitches. I wanted you to stop seeing me as the man who also cheated on you during our marriage."


    He paused and gazed into the distance, lost in thought. "Technically, I cheated you out of the marriage feelings, but I never had another woman, not even in my mind."


    Hearing Ewan¡¯s earnestness made Athena look away, overwhelmed.


    Not interested in speaking about the message anymore, she turned to another room and gently pushed open the door.


    This time, she met a worser sight!


    "Ewan!" She squeaked, letting out a light scream as she staggered back,nding right in his arms.


    Ewan was more than happy to catch her gentle self, feeling a thrill rush through him.


    "Ewan, we have to save that woman... she is in pain," She dered, looking horrified by the exuberant disy of human enthusiasm happening in the room.


    Ewan, who had also seen the spectacle, could barely hold back a chuckle. His wife was still an innocent to these matters.


    "No, we can¡¯t, my dear. It¡¯s consensual¡ªit¡¯s a form of sexual pleasure," he exined, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.


    Athena inhaled sharply, freezing for a moment before pushing herself away from his arms as if he were suddenly on fire.


    Ewan couldn¡¯t help but feel like a giddy schoolboy at her reaction. Maybe Zane was onto something; maybe his wife didn¡¯t despise him after all.


    He was about to ask her something monumental when his phone buzzed with a text that calmed his raging emotions:


    <i>¡¯We have found her. Come to the parking lot.¡¯</i>

 Chapter 56: Night Out V

    <h4>Chapter 56: Night Out V</h4>


    "Where did you find her?" Athena asked Sandro as she and Ewan arrived at the parking lot.


    Her eyes widened in incredulity when she saw her friend in the arms of a subdued Zane.


    What the hell had happened?


    She looked at Sandro for an exnation, aware that she wasn¡¯t the only one in this perplexing mix.


    The reactions of Ewan and Sandro back at the club, when Zane insulted Gianna, made it clear that they too weren¡¯t in the loop about the history between Zane and her best friend.


    "Right there." Sandro pointed to a shadowy corner of the parking lot. "It turns out that before she came out here, she collected more bottles of alcohol from the bar. She¡¯s really out cold now. The only stroke of luck we had is that none of these ridiculous men followed her or spotted her. It would have made for an entirely different story."


    Didn¡¯t she know? Athena looked at her friend pitifully. What had Zane done to wreck her this way?


    Worse yet, what was Gianna doing in his arms?


    She scowled at Zane.


    Zane, looking almost innocent¡ªif he didn¡¯t have that "I-just-gobbled-a-box-of-choctes" expression¡ªlifted his hand in defense. "She wouldn¡¯t let Sandro touch her. I had no choice but to step in."


    "And why is that? Aren¡¯t you her attacker?" Athena shot back, raising her eyebrows so high she might as well haveunched them into orbit.


    Zane opened his mouth, then shut it as if he was suddenly at a loss for words.


    "It got me surprised too. Sheshed out when I touched her, but when he did, she was calm as crystal. What¡¯s the history between you two? Tell us..." Sando inquired, folding his arms across his chest.


    Ewan too was curious about his friend¡¯s rtionship with Athena¡¯s best friend.


    Although, he was happy to see Zane strung up by another woman, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder why his friend, a yboy, had suddenly lost his cool.


    It just never happened!


    But Zane remained tight-lipped, apparently unfazed by being the center of attention.


    "Just take her home,"He said after a few beats, causing Athena to scowl in disbelief.


    A thick pause.


    "You know what... I don¡¯t have time for this. I¡¯m leaving." Pulling out her phone, she was about to call Aiden for a rescue, but Ewan stopped her.


    "Don¡¯t worry about that. I¡¯ll drop you both home. I came with my car."


    Athena furrowed her brows, unsure what to make of this Ewan, who seemed determined to invade her personal space at every turn. Yet she needed a ride, and it was a bit toote to disturb Aiden, even though thetter wouldn¡¯tin.


    "Alright, then. Where¡¯s your car?"


    Ewan pointed to his vehicle a few feet away from them.


    He hurried over to it, and just as he peered into the window, he noticed his driver was sting music like it was thest day of summer.


    Ewan knocked on the window, and the driver instantly jerked, scrambling to roll it down.


    "Good evening, sir. Are you ready to go home?" He asked, as he stepped out of the car.


    "Don¡¯t bother yourself..." Ewan pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket. "Take this and go home. I¡¯ll be driving my friends."


    The driver hesitated for a moment, weighing his options like a game of poker, but seeing that Ewan was serious, he humbly epted the cash and waved goodbye after greeting the people with his boss.


    "I¡¯ve never seen you drive. Are you sure I and my friend will be safe with you?" Athena queried, checking out the car.


    Ewan chuckled at her snide jab. "Well, we will have to find out now, won¡¯t we?"


    He opened the door, letting Zane gently ce a still-passed-out Gianna in the back seat.


    Zane stood erect, watching Athena, afterpleting his mission, but Athena ignored him entirely.


    She wished Sandro a goodnight, and hurried into the back seat¡ªto Ewan¡¯s chagrin.


    He had assumed she would be sharing the front seat with him...


    When Sandro shut the door after Athena, he turned to Ewan andughed. "Chop chop, driver! Make sure thedies get home safe and sound."


    Ewan cussed under his breath before shooting Sandro a re.


    He then turned to Zane, who looked lost in thought, as if he was deciphering the meaning of life itself.


    "Are you okay?" Ewan asked, trying to pry into Zane¡¯splicated psyche.


    Zane shrugged. "I will be fine. I¡¯ll just miss the twins."


    He started walking away from them, which left Sandro waving goodbye and a bewildered Ewan wondering what ¡¯twins¡¯ Zane could possibly be talking about.


    Was Zane drunk? Or had he just inadvertently joined a secret club of two-headed beings?


    The drive from the club to Athena¡¯s ce took less than fifteen minutes.


    Coming down from the car, Ewan rushed over to help Athena with Gianna, who was still passed out.


    But when he touched her, Gianna screamed andshed out again¡ªas if he were merely a fly buzzing irritatingly near her face.


    Ewan stood stupefied, looking at Athena, who wore a simr expression of confusion. "Can you try talking to her, like whispering into her ear that she¡¯s safe?"


    Athena nodded and leaned closer to Gianna, whispering sweet nothings into her ear like she was auditioning for the role of a sleep fairy.


    This time, when Ewan tried lifting Gianna up, she made no sound. If anything, she threw her arms around Ewan¡¯s neck and settledfortably, as if he were her personal teddy bear.


    Athena and Ewan exchanged relieved nces before walking into the building.


    "Which floor do you stay on?" Ewan asked, ncing at the impressive structure as though he were mapping out a vacation itinerary.


    Athena chewed her lip, considering. "The first floor."


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows. "You¡¯re staying on the first floor of the most expensive building in the city? Athena Caddell, you are really something. Your husband must be rolling in it!"


    Athena coughed, taken aback by his assumption.


    He thought she was married?

 Chapter 57: Sexual Tension

    <h4>Chapter 57: Sexual Tension</h4>


    "Come in, Ewan... I don¡¯t think I have the strength to carry Gianna myself..." Athena spoke as Ewan hesitated at her doorstep after she opened the door.


    Aiden had assured her through a text some hours ago that her children were fast asleep, so she believed she was in the clear to bring her ex husband, now business partner, into her home.


    When Ewan finally stepped into the room, he walked straight to the sofa to drop Gianna but Athena stopped him.


    "Please, her room is this way..." She led the way to Gianna¡¯s room, knowing that she couldn¡¯t pull it off as she was dead on her feet.


    She also knew that Gianna would be more than cranky in the morning if she woke up tomorrow and found herself on the sofa.


    Athena pictured the scenario, and shuddered. She wasn¡¯t ready for it.


    Hence the risk she was taking, bringing Ewan past the living room space.


    "Thank you very much, Ewan." She spoke after they left Gianna¡¯s room, and headed to the exit door.


    Ewan paused, and turned to Athena. "You¡¯re wee, Athena."


    There it was again. Athena thought, as she managed to stay clear-headed in front of this gentle Ewan.


    Why did he go about pronouncing her name like a Greek god beckoning his goddess wife?


    What was that lingering gaze, that tilt to his voice, that honey caress? What was he aiming to achieve with it? Seduce her?


    As if!


    Yet, when Ewan stepped closer to her, she didn¡¯t move an inch, instead she stood and watched him.


    She med it on curiosity.


    She wanted to know what Ewan was gunning for; she wanted to know his intentions if left alone.


    So, ignoring the sudden ring of the nerve endings in her belly and skin at his approach, she remained rooted at the spot, her gaze fixed on his.


    When he touched her cheek, and his eyes warmed with heat and apology, she still didn¡¯t say a word or walk away. She watched him as if he was an interesting dream character.


    But when he caressed her cheek with infinite gentleness and muttered her name huskily again, Athena knew she had to break away, or else her resolutions would have been for nothing.


    She was done being curious.


    "What are you doing, Ewan?"


    Ewan¡¯s hand fell from her cheek. "I don¡¯t know, Athena.."


    "Stop calling my name like that... address me the way you did when we were married..."


    Ewan¡¯s eyes med with sorrow as the earlier heat in them disappeared.


    "But how can I address you the same? With the power you possess now, you might lock me up for good!"


    (.....)


    Athena wasn¡¯t sure if Ewan was joking with her right now.


    Her silence though, rubbed Ewan the wrong way.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Athena..."


    Athena shut her eyes for a microsecond, hating the increased flutterings in her belly. What the hell!


    "Do you want me to call you something else? Like including the Doctor tag?"


    Would that stop the buffet of feelings assailing her body? Athena didn¡¯t think so.


    "What I want is for you to leave now. Thanks for the ride and for your help with Gianna."


    Ewan hesitated, wanting to say something, but on a second thought, he let it go. "Alright then. Thank you for tonight..."


    He turned and strode to the exit door. However, just as he opened it, he stopped and reverted to Athena.


    "You know if time travel was a thing, I would have returned to nine years ago, and I would have done things better. I would have..."


    A pause, where he inhaled and exhaled tiredly. "I just wish things can be different."


    "Would you have wished the same if I had returned as an illiterate? As a nobody?"


    Ewan sighed tiredly. There was no need. He thought. No need at all.


    Without another word, he walked out of the house, and shut the door.


    Athena let out a harsh breath. Good riddance!


    She cussed the next minute however, when she remembered the text Aiden had sent her concerning the doormen downstairs.


    Quickly, she hurried out of her apartment, stopping short when she saw Ewan.


    He was standing right by the wall, outside her apartment, looking down and lost.


    "Ewan, what are you still doing here?"


    Ewan said nothing. His gaze, however, lingered on her.


    Athena shook her head. She didn¡¯t want to be caught in a staring match with him again.


    "Come on, let¡¯s go. They will soon lock up the building."


    She hurried to the elevator, with Ewan right behind her.


    When they entered the elevator, Athena felt it suddenly be smaller.


    It was like Ewan was sucking up the whole air and space!


    Hadn¡¯t shee up with him earlier? What changed?


    But even as she asked, she knew the answer.


    Gianna had been with them in the ride up, and so the tension had been next to null.


    But being alone in the living room, and now in the elevator, the tension was sparking all over.


    Athena wished the elevator would go down faster.


    But fate had other ns.


    The elevator instead malfunctioned. It crumbled and stopped totally.


    No no no. Athena mentally chanted, ruffling her hair. She couldn¡¯t have this now.


    d she was with her phone at least, she tried the phone number of one of her workers who stayed downstairs, hoping the issue was a minor one, but the line wasn¡¯t going through.


    What was the meaning of this? What silly game was fate ying with her now?


    She turned to Ewan, to apologize for this matter, only to see him hunched on the floor shaking and gasping rapidly.


    What the hell! He was ustrophobic? Why wasn¡¯t she aware of this?


    But hadn¡¯t he ridden the elevators before? Was it because the machine suddenly stopped working?


    Athena hurried to him, when the hyperventtion became worse.


    "Ewan, breathe..."


    She allowed him to drag her to himself, to wrap his arms around her as she knelt before him.


    "Breathe Ewan, you will be fine."

 Chapter 58: Sexual Tension II

    <h4>Chapter 58: Sexual Tension II</h4>


    Athena¡¯s doctor instincts kicked in as she watched Ewan hyperventte the more, as he squeezed her sides so tightly that she lost her breath for a second.


    What should she do?


    Her brain ran frantically with millions of thoughts. How long could Ewanst like this?


    She didn¡¯t want an unconscious fellow in her hands tonight. She was barely sober herself!


    She picked up her phone again, and tried to reach the doormen downstairs, hoping fervently that they hadn¡¯t slept off.


    But the calls kept ringing without an answer.


    Had they shut down the elevator thinking that Ewan was spending the night at her ce,, considering it was morning already?


    The more the thought took root, the harder she tried reaching the doormen.


    So far, none was picking her calls.


    Athena was so frustrated.


    Throwing caution to the wind, she deftly freed herself from Ewan¡¯s tight grip, shifted away, and looked at him keenly.


    "Ewan!" She tapped him on his arm.


    His only response was the bobbling of his head, and the sharp intake of rapid breaths.


    Athena inhaled deeply, temporarily letting go of her resistance to Ewan, and slithered into his arms.


    This time around, her gown rose to her waist, as she threw her legs around his back, and pulled his head to rest on her neck.


    She drew slow circles on his neck and kept muttering <i>¡¯breathe. breathe, Ewan.¡¯</i>


    At first it seemed like the act wasn¡¯t working, but as time went on, Ewan¡¯s breathing pattern gained a steady rhythm just as his hands tightened around her waist.


    Yet Athena didn¡¯t stop. Not until Ewan¡¯s breath around her neck became sharp, and a different kind of irregr.


    Cussing again at being roped into this situation, assuming that Ewan might be ufortable with how she had straddled him, she tried disengaging from him, but Ewan held her still.


    "Please, stay. If you move, I might hyperventte again. The elevator isn¡¯t functioning well yet."


    Athena cursed her doormen mentally.


    Where did they keep their phones?!


    "I¡¯m sorry for inconveniencing you again. If there¡¯s a way I can pay you for this..."


    Athena exhaled harshly. "I¡¯m a doctor, Ewan. Don¡¯t make me feel bad for helping you. I¡¯m not too conscious about money."


    Ewan was speechless.


    Not money conscious?


    Who was the one that had charged him a hefty sum for treating his people? Who had collected twenty percent of hispany shares for free?


    He wisely remained mute.


    He chose rather to breathe in Athena scent, to let it remind him of the past where he had shared her bed; never mind that he had trivialized those special moments.


    He let himself feel the strength of her thighs around him, and was tempted to feel the curve of her buttocks.


    He lowered his hand, unconscious of this fact¡ªfor his mind had its own wants¡ªuntil Athena spoke.


    "Don¡¯t be misguided, Ewan. If your hand goes any lower, I¡¯m leaving you to deal with your shorings."


    His hand instantly shot up to its previous position.


    "I¡¯m sorry... I didn¡¯t ..."


    "Save it, Ewan."


    Ewan wondered why Athena was suddenly curt.


    Athena, however, was dealing with her heart which was jumping, with her body which was reacting in sexual excitement, as if meeting an old lost friend.


    They were too close. She thought. Too close.


    She could even feel the strength of his little man, which she was sure he was struggling to keepx.


    When he mentioned that he hadn¡¯t slept with Fiona, did it include other women?


    "Athena.."


    Damn that honeyed voice. Athena cussed, as her nipples peaked, like soldiers standing at attention at an admiral¡¯s presence.


    Her lips felt dry, and she licked them instinctively.


    Her awareness of his body, strong and vulnerable beneath hers, sent a shiver down her spine. Her skin prickled with goosebumps, a mix of adrenaline and unwee anticipation.


    Even though she felt a strange sense of control, of being the anchor he needed in that moment, she was bing needy.


    To douse her needy self, she let herself remember the various ways he had treated her six years ago, the various ways he had broken her spirit.


    It worked.


    She didn¡¯t sessfully hate him, but she sessfully became cold.


    Ewan noticed the instant change, but he understood.


    After all, hasn¡¯t he been aroused all this while, not minding his hyperventting spree?


    "So when did this start? I don¡¯t remember this aspect of you..." Athena questioned, needing a distraction to help her cause.


    But Ewan decided it was time to see her face.


    With his hands on her head, he gently pushed her face from the crook of his shoulders.


    Up close, he was hit by her stunning beauty again.


    How had he been so stupid six years ago?


    "You okay now?" Athena asked, straining to maintain a cool facade, under his intense gaze.


    "Not really. I just thought we should have the discussion, facing each other..." He replied, as his gaze darted from her almond eyes to her heart-shaped lips, as his mind, without his permission, brought up insane erotic pictures.


    He had wanted to talk face to face...


    What then was this insane urge to kiss those plump lips, which seemed to be beckoning on him?


    "Ewan..." Athena managed to steady her voice, knowing that any slight crack, and her hardwork of six years would go down the drain.


    She couldn¡¯t let that happen!


    "Sorry, I lost my train of thought while watching your lips..."


    Athena¡¯s mind instantly went nk, under Ewan¡¯s very heated gaze.


    His blue eyes had darkened with a familiar emotion she only saw when they were in the bedroom, about to make children.


    Her breast strained against the thin gown she was wearing. And because she was wearing just a bralette too, her hardened nipples broke past the barriers easily, their orb-like shapes bing very visible.


    She knew because Ewan¡¯s gaze dropped there, and held.


    When he looked up again, his eyes flooded with primal sexual urge, Athena¡¯s lips parted of their own ord in remembrance of their remarkable sex life in the past.


    Ewan had been skilled in the art of sex, and he knew her body¡¯s weak points.


    Could she escape this?


    Meanwhile, Ewan, stringed by a force greater than his will, moved closer to close the gap between their lips, feeling that if he didn¡¯t, he might just die at this point.


    This is what he has been waiting for... He thought weakly.


    All these years, this was it; the part of him that had been missing.

 Chapter 59: Sexual Tension III

    <h4>Chapter 59: Sexual Tension III</h4>


    As Ewan¡¯s lips brushed against Athena¡¯s, a spark of desire red, and for a fleeting moment, Athena let go of the remaining restraint tied to the past.


    The rush of arousal clouded her judgment, and she surrendered to the sensation, to the need for release, for relief down there.


    Her thighs clenched, instinctively trying to contain the building tension. But straddling Ewan, she couldn¡¯t quite manage it.


    His lips brushed hers again, sending shivers down her spine. Anticipation coiled within her, as his gentle touch on her waist ignited a fire that burnt past her clothe.


    But the shrill ring of her phone shattered the spell, jolting her back to reality.


    She quickly pushed Ewan away, her hands trembling with a mix of lingering desire and revulsion.


    Confusion and shame swirled inside her, like a maelstrom.


    How could she betray herself like this? How could she forget the pain he¡¯d caused?


    As she stood up, the elevator¡¯s confines felt suffocating. She needed space, air, and rity.


    Her heart racing, she snatched the phone, her voice firm butced with a hint of desperation.


    "Where have you been? I¡¯ve been calling for hours!"


    She dumped her frustration on the innocent doorman, who for a few seconds was at loss.


    Luckily for him, he got himself alright to respond on time. "I¡¯m sorry, Ma¡¯am. Is there a problem?"


    "Yes, there is! The elevator is not working. Did you shut it down?"


    A pause. "Not at all. ma¡¯am."


    Athena was confused, but she wanted to be out of the space so bad that she left the thinking forter.


    "Okay, it shut down mid way. Can you get it up and running? I¡¯ve been stuck here for the longest time."


    "Okay ma¡¯am. I¡¯m sorry for the troubles."


    Athena ended the call, but refused to face Ewan. She was still trying to keep a lid over her renegade feelings.


    "Are you also the caretaker of the building?"


    She bit her lips at Ewan¡¯s words.


    "And how is that your business, Mr Ewan?"


    Her words were a mask, hiding the turmoil happening within her.


    She turned to show him that she hadn¡¯t been affected from moments ago, but couldn¡¯t meet his gaze still, fearful of revealing the vulnerability she¡¯d just exposed.


    Worse, the memories she had pushed just to have a taste of sinful pleasure, resurfaced again in full force, making her loath-full of herself.


    She felt the sting of betrayal ¨C not just from him, but from herself.


    How could she kiss the man who¡¯d hurt her so deeply? The same man who¡¯d shattered her trust, leaving scars that still lingered?


    The shame and anger mingled, forming a toxic brew that threatened to consume her.


    Suddenly tired of wanting to prove herself, she turned away, her eyes fixed on the elevator doors, willing them to open, to escape this ustrophobic space and the treacherous emotions that came with it.


    "I¡¯m sorry..."


    Athena jerked, not because of the apology, but because it sounded closer than usual.


    She turned aside.


    Ewan was merely a foot away from her.


    "I¡¯m sorry for crossing a boundary, I was just..."


    He threw his hands in frustration, his eyes so clear that Athena wondered if he had faked the hyperventtion in the first ce.


    "Did you fake the hyperventting?"


    She had to know.


    Ewan looked like she had just pped him, but recovered in record time. "No, I didn¡¯t. As to why I¡¯m not hyperventting now, I believe it¡¯s because the emotions riding on me outweighs my fear of stagnated enclosed spaces."


    A pause.


    "To your earlier question, the doctors think it¡¯s part of the consequences of the drowning experience. What do you think?"


    Athena could see what he was doing, he was trying to make her think less of what had just happened between them a few minutes ago.


    She decided to flow with it; it was better for everyone.


    "I think they may be right. Did they say something else about the brain injury?"


    Ewan shook his head, looking to the ceiling. "Not exactly. Did you find something else?"


    Athena wondered if now was the best time to deal him the news.


    "Lay it to me, Athena, no matter how thick it is. I can handle it..." Ewan spoke, his arousalpletely fading away in the face of Athena¡¯s uncertainty.


    Was his issue that serious?


    Athena inhaled and exhaled calmly before meeting Ewan¡¯s strong gaze which was back to normal.


    "Some parts of your brain are quite...not good...likely a tumor...you need some treatments, and perhaps surgery, if my methods don¡¯t work."


    "Your method has to work. I¡¯m not undergoing surgery, Athena. Please..."


    Athena looked away from the pleading gaze.


    Ewan was just like Nathaniel and Kathleen. She thought.


    Remove the history between them, and she would easily do his bidding, anything at all to make him happy.


    "I¡¯m not sure, Ewan. So, I won¡¯t make promises. But we can try, the earlier the better."


    Ewan bobbled his head. "When do I start?"


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows. She had thought Ewan would want to wait it out, considering the reputation of hispany wasn¡¯t exactly in its best form.


    "Next week perhaps. I have to get some materials ready..."


    Ewan nodded, and grasped her hand before she knew it.


    "Thanks Athena. I might not have been the best person six years ago, but I will try my best now."


    And of what use is that now? Athena thought bitterly.


    Just then the elevator started moving smoothly.


    She sighed in relief and stepped closer to the door.


    Ewan, noticing this, closed the distance, to the chagrin of Athena.


    "What do you want, Ewan?"


    "I don¡¯t know, Athena. For the life of me, I don¡¯t know. I know you are married, but..." He paused, looking for the right words to exin himself.


    Athena didn¡¯t bother to help, or correct him on the statement, rather she believed it was for the best that he believed so.


    "Let this not happen again, Ewan." She finally said, right before the elevator door opened.


    "I intend to stay faithful to my husband."

 Chapter 60: Declined Cards

    <h4>Chapter 60: Declined Cards</h4>


    Fiona stood in the center of the living room, and surveyed the properties of the t Ewan had given to her.


    The properties were high ss; very expensive. The t was beautiful too and tastefully furnished; with the artistic designs on the wall, with the vintage throw pillows on fitting sofas, with the two master bedrooms and a good view of the city,


    But there was no Ewan. The t wasn¡¯t Ewan¡¯s mansion either. And for that, she was unsatisfied.


    Scratching the inside of her palm, she screamed, again and again¡ªsomeway to transfer the aggression she was feeling concerning the chaos she found herself in.


    Then she looked at her bags on the floor, and sighed angrily, remembering the cab she had taken.


    Her father hadn¡¯t even helped her to drop them, knowing she had no car of her own! As a matter of fact, he hadn¡¯t spoken a word since their return from Athena¡¯s office.


    Hispany has fallen into a worse state since then.


    She had checked, and although she didn¡¯t understand much about the market, she understood thements she saw from theizens¡ªthat if care wasn¡¯t taken, her father¡¯spany would fold up.


    Still, is that why he should ignore her? Didn¡¯t he care about her own feelings?


    She slumped into one of the sofas, sighing in relief at thefort.


    At least Ewan had cared enough to give her the best furniture.


    However, how will she go about getting him back?


    She couldn¡¯t let him go. Over her dead body!


    Her stomach grumbled then, alerting her to her hungry state.


    Standing up, she checked the refrigerator first, believing that Ewan had stocked it up with food at least.


    But she met the shock of her life.


    The fridge was totally empty. There was not even a bottle of water inside it!


    Fiona shut the refrigerator in anger.


    She marched to the kitchen, to check for the same.


    She only stopped at the door, to notice that the kitchen was bare except for pans and pots, which were still in their cartons.


    She balled her fists. Was Ewan expecting her to work with her neatly manicured fingers?


    She stamped her foot on the floor in frustration. She hasn¡¯t worked since Ewan took over her welfare!


    <i>What was the need, when you had a billionaire by your side¡ªbetter, as your future husband?! </i>


    But the tides have turned now. What should she do?


    She returned to the living room, and seeing her five bags on the floor, she screamed again.


    Couldn¡¯t Ewan had gotten her a nanny in the very least? Someone who knew her way around a home.


    She was made to be served, not to serve, not even to serve herself.


    Moving angrily, she picked her wallet from the center table, and walked out of the apartment. She needed to eat first, before thinking of anything first.


    She stopped at an expensive restaurant and walked in, head high.


    Ewan hadn¡¯t announced to the public that they weren¡¯t engaged. So, till then, she intended to make full use of the window she had.


    As she took a seat and ordered the most expensive dish on the menu, she decided to go to the shopping mall after eating.


    Ewan was unpredictable. Who knew if it will be announced tomorrow, considering the state of her father¡¯spany.


    As the food arrived, she ate to her full, utilizing the waiter assigned to her, because of her status, to the fullest.


    The poor waiter girl kept running errands, bringing more side dishes, one after the other. She couldn¡¯t wait to be free from the arrogant fianc¨¦e of Ewan Gietti.


    When Fiona was done, she was presented the bill.


    Without thinking much of the thousands of dors she had just spent on just food alone, she took out the card that Ewan had personalized for her and gave it to the waiter.


    The waiter, absolutely relieved that her woes for the evening hade to an end, swiped the card, but it was declined.


    A frown appeared on her face as she swiped again, and the same result urred. The card has been blocked.


    She looked at Fiona, who was gracefully cleaning her lips with a napkin, and tried again. But the issue persisted.


    She sighed, and gave back the card to Fiona. "The card is being declined. Do you have another?"


    Fiona red at the waiter. Thetter shrank.


    "What did you say, you stupid waiter? Where¡¯s your boss? How dare you disgrace me?"


    The waiter, tired of Fiona¡¯s antics, didn¡¯t bother replying. She hurried to call the chief waiter.


    The chief waiter, who had been busy, left all he had been doing¡ªafter hearing that their esteemed guest was having troubles¡ªand hurried over to an impatient Fiona.


    "Forgive my worker, ma¡¯am. Can I have your card?"


    Fiona confidently handed the card to him with a sneer.


    The man tried, but the card disyed declined.


    He exchanged a furtive nce with the waiter behind him. Thetter shrugged her shoulders.


    The man reverted to Fiona. "Do you have another card? This one has been declined..."


    It was then that Fiona started feeling the onset of a panic.


    She took the card and looked at it as if it would tell her why it wasn¡¯t working.


    There should be millions in this ount, so what was happening? Did Ewan forget to...


    She stopped cold as a certain thought urred to her then. Did Ewan block her cards as a punishment for lying?


    Fiona shook her head. She wasn¡¯t Athena!


    She fished inside her wallet, and brought out two more cards. She gave them to the head waiter with her heart beating erratically.


    When she heard the beeping sound of declined cards, her heart plummeted to the floor. What had Ewan done to her?


    "Madam... do you have another card?"


    She shook her head, and opened her purse to retrieve her phone.


    Her hands shook as she dialed Ewan¡¯s number. It rang and went into voicemail. It happened three times.


    "Ma¡¯am, you can give us the ne as coteral. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s worth more than thousands of dors. I have a sister who¡¯s a jeweler. When you resolve your issues, you can collect it back..."


    But Fioja ignored the male. She called her father next. He didn¡¯t pick either.


    She hit the table out of frustration, before turning to the head waiter.


    "You know who I am right? I will make the payment tomorrow. It¡¯s probably some bankwork."


    The head waiter shook his head. "We don¡¯t operate that way, madam. Can we have your ne?"

 Chapter 61: Stranded

    <h4>Chapter 61: Stranded</h4>


    Can they have the million dor ne Ewan had given her as a birthday giftst year?


    No! How could she make such an unfair trade?!


    She shakingly dialed her father¡¯s number again. Fortunately for her, he picked.


    "Hello Dad..." She exhaled harshly in relief as she turned her back to the chief waiter and his subordinate.


    "What is the problem, Fiona? Why have you been calling consistently?"


    Fiona sighed at the irritation in her father¡¯s voice. It informed her of how crazy he would get when he finally heard what happened.


    But Fiona was banking on the fact that he would never leave her hanging dry in trouble, that he would never leave her stranded.


    "Dad, I¡¯m in a fix."


    "You¡¯re always in a fix, Fiona. What exactly is the problem this time around?"


    Fiona inhaled deeply before narrating the story of the evening to her father. When she was done, the other side of the line was quiet.


    Why? Did something happen?


    "Dad?"


    There was no response.


    She turned to look at the waiters, and noticed that it was only the head waiter waiting, that he already looked impatient, and that the other waiter was already attending to the next table.


    "So, Fiona, in the current state of things, you squandered thousands of dors just to eat for one night?"


    A pause.


    "Don¡¯t you have a conscience? Don¡¯t you ever think about somebody other than yourself? Why are you so selfish?!"


    Thest statement was basically so loud that Fiona removed the phone from her ear, stared at it for a second, before returning it to her ear.


    "So now, you want me to send you the money, since Ewan has blocked your cards?"


    "Yes Dad..." She replied meekly, only because her father¡¯s voice was now lower.


    "You are a fool..."


    Fiona staggered under the weight of that insult. Her father had never treated her that way.


    "All the years you have spent with Ewan, and you don¡¯t have a spare ount where you keep money since you refused to work?"


    Fiona had no answer for her father.


    "You are a fool, Fiona, and for the first time in your life, I¡¯m d you¡¯re stranded. Maybe, it¡¯s time for you to be taught a real life lesson."


    Fear gripped Fiona. She knew that whatever wasing next won¡¯t be good.


    "By your efforts alone, thepany is already folding up. Athena was right. I have to sell out, if I have any chance of seeing some amount of money. In essence, the money you are looking for isn¡¯t with me. So, for once in your life, Fiona, sort yourself out."


    Then the call ended.


    Fiona shook her head in unbelief, and tried the number again. This time around, it went straight to voicemail.


    Did her father just block her number?


    Fiona was eroded with shock, so much so that when the chief waiter tapped her impatiently on the shoulder, she didn¡¯t feel it.


    Not until he grasped her roughly, and turned her toward himself.


    "Are you stupid?! How dare you touch me like that?! Do you know who I am?"


    The chief waiter sneered at her. "Just pay up, madam. You¡¯re wasting my time."


    "Give me a minute more!"


    The chief waiter stomped his foot on the floor in irritation, and sat on the seat. "You have two minutes. Subsequently, I¡¯ll call security on you, after collecting the ne."


    Fiona ignored him. Who else could she call?


    She reverted to the phone to call her friends, but stopped. If her father didn¡¯t help her, was it then her friends?


    She shook her head. They would ask her why her status had suddenly plunged, and then they would spread the gossip around their circle.


    She knew because she had, each time, spearheaded the gossip about ady friend of theirs that was suddenly not doing well.


    Surely, they would return the favor when it came to her.


    Was there really no one to help her?


    When has things deteriorated to this miserable state?


    When did her life start changing?


    Working the mental calctions, she saw that her miserableness had started since Athena¡¯s return.


    Athena!


    She will surely kill that woman who had sessfully downturned her life!


    When she heard the chief waiter¡¯s harsh knock on the table, she knew her time was up.


    She fixed a beautiful smile on her face and turned to him. "Is there anything I can do, maybe tonight, to pay a part of the money, so that I can be free to go?"


    The chief waiter hissed in disgust and stood up. "You can take a waiter¡¯s uniform and serve for the rest of the night. It wouldn¡¯t take much off your payment, but it can be enough to let you off for the night."


    Fiona shook her head. Waitering was too stressful, worse she could easily be spotted by someone who knew her.


    If that happened, it was all over for her!


    "Is there something else?"


    The chief waiter was tired of these problems. When he had heard that Fiona was here, he had expected the extravagant disy, but not this.


    "There¡¯s washing of tes..."


    Fiona grimaced. But she had no choice.


    "Lead me to your kitchen..."


    She carried her purse and followed the male out of the dining hall, into the kitchen area of the restaurant.


    It was so terribly busy that she had to keep her head bowed, to prevent people from recognizing her.


    "There..."


    Her eyes followed where the male was pointing at.


    When she saw the stack of tes with leftovers dripping all over, she shook her head. She couldn¡¯t do this either.


    Without saying a word to the waiter, she walked out of the kitchen.


    "What exactly is your problem madam? My patience is long gone!"


    Fiona sighed, "Is there nothing else? I can¡¯t do that."


    The middle aged waiter stared at her lustfully then, creeping her out. "You are a beautiful woman. We can settle in my bedroom tonight."


    Fiona couldn¡¯t believe her ears. Is this what Athena has reduced her to?


    "How much would it take off my bill?"


    "Five hundred dors."


    Fiona held back a scream; people were watching them.


    "That¡¯s too small."


    "No, it¡¯s perfect for a night. I need to know what Ewan¡¯s fianc¨¦e tastes like... I need to know what he is enjoying..."


    The chief waiter smacked his lips, as his eyes widened in anticipation. He couldn¡¯t believe the jackpot he had just hit.


    "Are you in?"


    Fiona gripped her gown tightly. Just for tonight. She thought. Tomorrow, she will be better.


    She would also make sure the waiter paid dearly for the insult too.


    "I¡¯m in."

 Chapter 62: Lost In Thoughts

    <h4>Chapter 62: Lost In Thoughts</h4>


    "Mom, we are back." Kathleen and Nathaniel announced as they stepped into the living room with Aiden and Kendra, donning red hats and red clothes, with red masks in their hands.


    But Athena said nothing. She didn¡¯t even realize she was being spoken to.


    She was lost in her thoughts. Has been since the asion where she had been stuck with Ewan in a malfunctioning elevator.


    It wasn¡¯t the situation that bothered her really, but her shameful body reactions in the elevator.


    Being science inclined, she was prone to analyzing situations from ground up. And she was sure her stupid reactions had started manifesting since Zane¡¯s truth about Ewan.


    Without knowing, she had started making excuses for the male!


    Each truth had brought a wall crumbling down, and now she had almost disintegrated her hardbor of six years!


    She stared at her body in disgust. Was there no way to tame the body?


    Her mind knew what to do, knew that Ewan wasn¡¯t worth it, but her body, which has only been ravished thoroughly by one man in her entire life, just knew how to respond to that particr man alone.


    She weighed Ewan¡¯s actions, and shook her head.


    His ignorance didn¡¯t excuse his wicked actions of six years ago, and she was going to make sure her body understood that, whether it liked it or not.


    Was it not her own body after all?


    She will subdue it!


    "Mom!"


    Athena jerked, at the piercing scream that had been delivered into her ears.


    What the hell!


    Angrily, she turned aside,ing face to face with Kathleen. "Do you want to kill my ear drums?!"


    Kathleen pouted in response.


    When Athena continued ring at her, waiting for an answer, she crossed her small arms across her chest and sulked.


    Nathaniel came up, sat beside her and threw his hand across her shoulders. Yet, she shrugged it off.


    Athena knew what her daughter wanted, but she wasn¡¯t ready to give it to the little one yet.


    Rather, she switched her attention to Aiden. "You knew what she was about to do, and you couldn¡¯t stop her?"


    Aiden smiled, and crossed his legs on the sofa he had been sitting on since their arrival.


    "You can¡¯t me them, Athena. We have been trying to grab your attention for a while, yet to no avail. What¡¯s the matter?"


    Athena sighed at Aiden¡¯s question.


    What was the matter? Her body¡¯s resolve crumbling was the matter.


    "Nothing. I¡¯m just tired..."


    It was then she took in their outfits.


    "Where are you peopleing from, dressed like that?"


    Her nose scrunched, as she appraised her children and Kendra, who were looking too <i>reddy</i>, with the touch of red everywhere.


    Red socks too? She couldn¡¯t believe her eyes.


    She red at Aiden for the wardrobe malfunctions.


    Aiden threw up his hands to plead his case. "Athena, you know how curious they can be, when you aren¡¯t around to monitor them. They wanted to check out a few ces on a Sunday, including the church... I had no choice but to let them have a fill of their wants..."


    Athena was befuddled. She looked at Nathaniel for an exnation.


    Nathaniel didn¡¯t waste any second, knowing how temperamental his mother could be, especially now that no one knew why she was distracted.


    "Well, mom, you know we are in the Christmas season. And even though you aren¡¯t fond of the season, our school is; and the three of us were casted for the school y. So, since the church is the source of that y, we decided to check out their designs and stories. We saw a few of our ssmates there..."


    Athena¡¯s mouth dropped open in shock. Her children could be so random!


    "So, what do you think?" She finally decided to entertain their interests.


    Kendra beamed a smile.


    Kathleen and her brother looked up, with their hands folded beneath their jaws. "Overall, it was a pleasant experience."


    Athena nodded, and thanked Aiden for keeping an eye on them.


    "You¡¯re wee. I¡¯m surprised you were hungover. Or at least, you looked like that when I stepped in earlier..."


    Athena scoffed. As if she could ever be hungover.


    Gianna though, was a different case altogether. Thetter was still sleeping.


    "Well, there¡¯s food that can be microwaved, in case you¡¯re hungry. Also, I¡¯ll be traveling soon. My daughter wants me to spend Christmas with her..."


    Athena smiled then. "How¡¯s she doing?"


    "Great!" Aiden chirped, showing his entire teeth.


    Athenaughed and waved him off. "You can go anytime you want, Aiden. I¡¯ll be okay. Thanks for the food."


    Aiden nodded, stood up, and took a bow. "Compliments of the season."


    Heughed when Athena scrunched her face and muttered: "So what? It¡¯s just the first week of December..."


    After Aiden left, Athena sat down and listened as the children regaled her with stories of their adventure.


    They had visited many ces; they were also very hyperactive. Aiden must have fed them plenty of sweets. She thought, looking at the time. One p.m.


    "Mom, did we have a visitorst night?" Nathaniel asked, bringing Athena up short.


    "Not really. Why do you ask?"


    "I overheard the doormen talking about it earlier. They also mentioned the elevator malfunctioning or stopping..."


    Athena wondered if she could pull off the lie. Her children were too curious. Have they checked in their system?


    "As you know, your Aunt Gianna and I went out for fun yesternight. So, someone had dropped us off after the night out. The friend had also helped me bring Aunt Gianna into the house. She was... asleep."


    "Do we know this friend?"


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "I¡¯m not sure. Are you three hungry?"


    Kendra nodded first.


    Athenaughed and got to her feet. At least Kendra was putting a mild stop to her children¡¯s bickering.


    As she walked into the kitchen to warm the food, she heard the doorbell ring.


    Thinking it was Aiden,ing back to get something he forgot, she told Nathaniel to get the door.


    She furrowed her eyebrows, however, when she heard nothing, after hearing the door open and shut.


    Putting a jar of juice on the tray with some cakes¡ªsomething to serve as an appetizer before the main meal¡ªshe carried the treat to the living room.


    Athena almost dropped the tray in shock, when she walked in and saw the visitor.


    Ewan?

 Chapter 63: Bringing Gifts

    <h4>Chapter 63: Bringing Gifts</h4>


    For a full minute, there was deafening silence in Athena¡¯s living room.


    The twins stood together, with Kendra behind them, as they darted nces between Ewan and their mother.


    Ewan was befuddled, staring at the twins¡ªenamored by their resemnce, especially the male child.


    He almost smacked himself on the head when a realization suddenly dawned on him.


    When Zane had said that he would miss the twins, he was talking about these kids. Athena¡¯s kids.


    Ewan hadn¡¯t known they were twins, because Sandro¡¯s report hadn¡¯t rified that.


    Who was the kid behind them?


    Ewan tried to make out the features of little girl behind the twins, but for some reason, his eyes kept returning to the twins, especially the male one.


    The male one, who had the demeanor of someone familiar...


    Ewan cocked his head slightly, to his right side. Who did the boy remind him of?


    Maybe if he could remember the person, then he would be able to figure out who Athena¡¯s husband was.


    Thinking of Athena¡¯s husband made him look at Athena.


    She was staring at him, thoroughly startled, while remaining immobile with the tray in her hand.


    Was she that surprised to see him? Was this an after effect of the time they had spent in the elevator?


    Ewan refused to let his smile show. And here he was, thinking he was the only one that didn¡¯t sleepst night.


    "Hey... sorry for dropping in like this, I just had to do it, to thank you for a whole lot... for..." His words kickstarted Athena into motion again.


    She hurriedly kept the tray on the center table, and walked up to Ewan with a no smiley face.


    She looked at the gift bags he was carrying, and frowned.


    "What¡¯s all this?"


    Ewan has since stopped talking.


    He shrugged his shoulders now. "Gift items. To thank you for epting to be my doctor, for helping mypany stand, and for not hating me...totally..."


    Nathaniel coughed dramatically, causing Athena to take her lips in. She needed to get Ewan out of here.


    Quickly, she took the four gift bags he presented to her, and dropped it on the table too. "Thank you."


    "There are some for the children too... although I wasn¡¯t aware you had a third one. She looks different from the twins..."


    Athena was stomped. Why was fate straining to rain on her parade?


    "She is the children¡¯s friend. Thanks again for the gift." She turned to the children. "Children, thank Mr. Ewan for the gifts..."


    Ewan noticed the twins re at him, instead.


    He piqued his eyebrows at the show of wee. Seeing as they weren¡¯t receptive, their friend wasn¡¯t too.


    They didn¡¯t like him? Were they thinking he was making a pass at their mother?


    He sidestepped Athena, who suddenly became stone, and knelt before them.


    "I¡¯m sorry, children. I¡¯m not sure for what, but I¡¯m sorry..."


    Ewan didn¡¯t understand himself either. Why was he apologizing?


    Although looking at the twins made his head hurt, he was prepared to be on their good side, just as Zane was.


    Maybe he could be their deputy godfather?


    Ewan was immediately stupefied at his thoughts. What was he talking about now?! Why did he want the children to like him?


    The more the twins looked at him, as if trying to decipher his act, the more his head hurt.


    He tried to look away, but their eyes beckoned on him.


    Who did they remind him of? He thought, inhaling sharply when Athena tapped him on the left shoulder impatiently.


    "You can leave now, Ewan. It will take a while for them to ept your presence as my business partner. Why are you even apologizing?"


    "Beats me..." He sighed, got to his feet, and sat on the sofa, inhaling sharply when the sound of stic breaking was heard.


    With widened eyes, he looked at the children.


    The twins were ring at him again.


    "You just broke our toys, Mr Ewan..."


    Ewan nodded sheepishly, and gingerly got up from the sofa.


    And when he looked down at the sofa, he noticed the green broken toy. How hadn¡¯t he seen that?


    "I¡¯m sorry. I will get a new one tomorrow."


    The male child waved him off. "Don¡¯t bother. I¡¯m not sure you can afford it."


    Ewan was gobsmacked. What the hell!


    He tried to decipher the moods of the children, but his head kept thrumming with aches. He gave up. He could think of themter.


    He turned to Athena, and furrowed his eyebrows, having noted her restlessness.


    She was acting weird. He thought, like a deer caught in the headlights. Why was that?


    "Children, eat your snack. Mr. Ewan will be going now..."


    The children obeyed, but they kept giving him side nces, especially the female twin.


    "Your children are very beautiful..." Ewan went for apliment, ignoring Athena¡¯s dismissal, as he tried sitting down again.


    This time around, he checked to be sure there were no toys in the space.


    He sat down when he found none. But Athena chose then to terminate his visit.


    "Children, say goodbye to Mr Ewan. He will surely be going now..."


    This time around, the children were more responsive.


    "Thank you. Goodbye."


    Ewan looked at Athena. But she wasn¡¯t giving him any ground. She wanted him gone.


    He stood up again from his seat, waved at the children, and sauntered to the door.


    He paused by the doorstep and turned, aware that Athena was right behind him.


    "Why are you in a hurry to see me go? Is it because of what happened this morning? We can pretend that it never happened."


    "But it did happen, didn¡¯t it? Let¡¯s just work towards never making it happen again. As you can see, I have my hands full with three children, I don¡¯t want a fourth..."


    Ewan ignored the snide jab. "Who is she, the third one?"


    "A daughter of a sick patient. The woman is bedridden, so I had to take care of the children till she ispletely okay."


    Ewan bobbled his head. "That¡¯s nice of you."


    Athena forced a thin smile on her lips, and gestured to the door.


    "Why are you in a hurry to see me leave though? You don¡¯t want me near your children?"


    "No, Ewan. I don¡¯t. My children are off limits."


    Ewan nodded slowly, before ncing at the children one more time.


    Watching themugh over something, brought another ache to his head.


    He turned away, held his head, and managed to hold back a scream. But the pain brought with it the sh of his constant dream, the one with a memory of his ident.


    Yet it wasn¡¯t what stopped him short.


    What called him to a halt, was seeing that the boy in the dream, his little self, resembled little Nathaniel so much that they could easily be twins!


    Could it be?


    He tried turning toward the children again, but Athena gently pushed him out of the open door.


    "Thanks for visiting, Ewan. Thanks for the gifts. Goodbye..."


    _______________


    Hey lovely readers! Happy new week!


    Today¡¯s update will be 4 new Chapters.


    This will be the norm till Sat, Nov 30th.


    BUT, there¡¯s more!


    On Thurs/Fri, get ready for a MASS RELEASE of 6-7Chapters!


    To make this happen, let¡¯s work together:


    -Let¡¯s hit 1000 opened privilege Chapters by Friday. (We are already at 810!)


    -Vote with your golden tickets. Vote again and again with your power stones!


    -Add my book to your library.


    -Send gifts my way.


    -Leave a review & share your thoughts!


    Wow, it¡¯s really gonna be a busy week. But we can do this! Xoxoxo>>


    Btw, thanks DaoistnW2WYW for the golden tickets!

 Chapter 64: Suspicious

    <h4>Chapter 64: Suspicious</h4>


    Athena exhaled harshly, after she shut the door on its hinges.


    Had she confirmed Ewan¡¯s suspicions when she had deftly pushed him out of the apartment?


    But what could she have done?


    She knew the look that had suddenly appeared on his face after he had turned to the children and seen them smiling and eating.


    The look of remembrance.


    What happens now?


    She red at her shaking hands.


    Snap out it! Shemanded, hating her sudden weakness.


    Hadn¡¯t she nned for this? So, why was the thought of battle over her children making her sweat?


    Athena shook her head. She needed to submit her body to an intensive work out, to remind it of what she had gone through the first year, after her exile¡ªwithout help from anyone, apart from the friend Gianna had directed her to.


    When she turned to the children. They were all looking at her mysteriously.


    "What?"


    They shook their heads, and returned to their food.


    Nathaniel, however, looked up again.


    "Does this mean he will be visiting from now on?"


    He tried the cool-as-a-cucumber face facade, but Athena knew that her son was terribly confused by his father.


    "No. This was just a one time thing..." She paused. "Do you want him to?"


    Nathaniel shrugged his shoulders in response. "I don¡¯t know, mom. I would only choose what you want."


    As much as Athena was pleased with the loyalty of her children, she knew they needed the presence of their father.


    However, she wouldn¡¯t make the introduction until she was sure Fiona and her family won¡¯t trouble her children.


    That was the one thing she wouldn¡¯t be able to take. She didn¡¯t want to kill the woman already.


    Speaking about Fiona and her family, Athena brought out her phone and set a reminder for next week¡ªshe would be including Ewan¡¯s town to the list of towns she will be treating.


    She walked up to her children and ruffled their hair. "Don¡¯t worry, everything will be fine."


    She narrowed her eyes on them thereafter. "And don¡¯t do anything dramatic. Don¡¯t involve Kendra in your antics too."


    "Yes, mom." The children chorused, including Kendra.


    Meanwhile, Ewan staggered out of the elevator in unbelief.


    He kept taking deep breaths to calm himself, but it was not working. His head was aching terribly too.


    He took out his phone from his pants¡¯ front pocket and ced a call to Sandro.


    "Sandro, I need to see you now. Meet me at the mansion." He spoke, when Sandro finally answered, after two rings.


    He hung up the phone, without waiting for his friend¡¯s response, and started moving to the exit of the high rise building.


    As he neared the exit, he heard a doorman yelling at another. "Why did you shut down the elevatorst night? Did you know your ipetence almost cost me my job?"


    The offending employee kept bowing and apologizing.


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows.


    Out of mere curiosity, to satisfy his instincts, he walked up to the doormen.


    "Who is the owner of this building? I¡¯d like to rent a t?"


    The doormen exchanged nces.


    "Didn¡¯t you know? You were with the bossst night when I saved you from the elevator crash..." The yelling one answered.


    Ewan was speechless. Athena owned this building?


    "Did her husband buy it for her? Do you know her husband?"


    The doorman frowned. "Husband? I don¡¯t think Madam is married. If she is, I¡¯m not aware. The only men I¡¯ve seen her with are Mr Zane and you, sir."


    Ewan¡¯s heart clenched and unclenched. He rubbed at his chest, to ease the growing difort. Then, he thanked the doorman, and hurried out of the building.


    As he walked into his car, he opened his phone to call Zane, but thought better of it.


    He didn¡¯t want to ce his friend at a crossroads. It was better he worked at this with Sandro, with someone whose loyalty was not divided yet.


    When he arrived at his ce, Sandro was already in the living room, waiting.


    "What is the matter, Ewan? You sounded urgent."


    Ewan removed the thick sweater he had worn to the mall and consequently Athena¡¯s house, dropped it on the sofa, and fell into the same sofa.


    But sitting wasn¡¯t enough.


    He stood up and started pacing the room.


    Sandro was nonplussed. Did something happen? Where was his friending from?


    "Where did you go?"


    "Athena¡¯s house. I went to drop off gifts at her ce, to thank her for epting to be my doctor, amongst other things."


    Sandro nodded. "Did something happen?"


    "I met her children..."


    Sandro¡¯s heart fell as his thoughts beelined in one direction. "And..."


    "They are twins. Your report didn¡¯t say that. Striking twins with striking blue eyes..."


    When Ewan turned to Sandro, and saw his friend with an epting look, he frowned. "You suspected?"


    Sandro wasn¡¯t sure what to say. "When you told me you met the daughter with striking blue eyes, I was suspicious, but chose to confirm first, before delving into conclusions. Anyone could have blue eyes..."


    Ewan shook his head. "I would have thought the same, if I hadn¡¯t seen the boy..."


    A pause.


    "I don¡¯t have a recollection of my childhood, but I kept having headaches when he met my gaze. And then, while Athena hurried me out of her apartment, that particr dream suddenly shed in my mind. I was amazed when I saw that my little self and Athena¡¯s boy have a striking resemnce."


    Ewan sped his hands tightly. "If this..."


    He shook his head, and muttered <i>¡¯this can¡¯t be happening¡¯ </i>intermittently.


    Sandro syed his hands on his thighs.


    "I suggest you do a test first, before jumping into conclusions."


    Ewan nodded in agreement.


    "Strive then and get one of the necessary requirements from them." He spoke, even though he knew what the results might be.


    Somehow, his heart had confirmed it, but his head was taking its time to process and then believe it.


    However, as Sandro had said, it was best he had evidence, before taking the next step.


    Just then a text dropped on his phone.


    It was from Alfonso.


    <i>¡¯Fiona just attempted suicide.¡¯</i>

 Chapter 65: Suicide

    <h4>Chapter 65: Suicide</h4>


    As Ewan hurried to the hospital¡¯s address, which Alfonso had texted him earlier, he hoped for their sake they weren¡¯t ying around, just like before, because he was not in the mood for their antics.


    However, when he walked into the ward, and saw Fiona in a miserable state, with an oxygen mask over her nose, and her slit wrist in Alfonso¡¯s hands, he stopped short, as his heart began another troubling beat.


    He ced his hand on his chest to calm it down. What was with these women trying to give him a heart attack? Did he wrong a woman-god in his past life?


    "How is she doing?" He finally asked as he stepped into the ward fully, and stood by Fiona¡¯s bedside.


    "ording to the doctor, she will survive this. But that¡¯s not my problem, Ewan. My problem is knowing what had caused this in the first ce? What would cause a young vibrant girl tomit suicide?"


    Alfonso shook his head tiredly, wondering why he was hit with bad news at every turn.


    But Ewan didn¡¯t bother answering the question. He only took a seat on a nearby empty chair, and stared at Fiona in deep thought.


    What had she been thinking of beforemitting the act?


    Did she think about her parents? About her sick mother who favored her so much when the woman had been healthy?


    Did she think of him?


    "Do you think canceling the engagement was too harsh?" Alfonso asked, breaking into Ewan¡¯s thoughts.


    (....)


    Ewan hoped not, because with the number of unanswered questions hanging over him now, he didn¡¯t think he would be reviving the engagement anytime soon.


    If the DNA results came out positive, he would be a father to two children. He didn¡¯t think Fiona would want to raise another woman¡¯s children, especially if that woman was Athena.


    "Ewan, you are not saying anything. What are you thinking about?" Alfonso folded his arms across his chest; pain etched in his facial features.


    When he had received the call from the doctor at first, he had thought it a prank call, until the doctor had given him Fiona¡¯s details and the address of the hospital.


    And when he had seen her, he had forgotten all her misdeeds, and had regretted being mean to herst night.


    Had shemitted suicide because he had abadoned her too? Or was it because of Ewan?


    He frowned at Ewan.


    Why did he block her cards? Was that punishment too? Wasn¡¯t cancelling the engagement enough punishment?


    "Ewan..." He called tiredly, when Ewan remained mute. "Say something."


    "I don¡¯t know what to say, Alfonso. I¡¯m as speechless as you are."


    "Do you think you can revive the engagement, and unblock her cards to speed her recovery? You have to."


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows, annoyance shing in his eyes. He hated being ordered around.


    "If cancelling an engagement and blocking her cards had been a trigger for this, then I suggest you take her to a psychiatric hospital for some checkup. She can¡¯t be..."


    "Ewan Gietti! How dare you?! You must feel so high and lofty after she risked her life and saved you from the deep waters! If she hadn¡¯t, would you be here talking about a psychiatrist?" Alfonso shouted, getting to his feet.


    Ewan sighed, and rested his back on the wall; both men unaware of Fiona¡¯s other hand which was clenched tightly in anger.


    "I¡¯m sorry Alfonso, but you should try to see it from my side. If all you mentioned is the reason for her attempted suicide, then her mental state isn¡¯t in a good ce. If she needs money so much, she should work for it. If she needs the engagement revived, she should prove that she¡¯s had a repentant heart. Why suicide? It just doesn¡¯t make sense..."


    Alfonso gritted his teeth, while ring at an Ewan who refused to be moved.


    "I don¡¯t me you, Ewan. It¡¯s because you¡¯re alive, that¡¯s why you¡¯re making such baseless statements..."


    Ewan exhaled gently, tuned the man off, before returning his gaze to Fiona.


    In this state, she looked almost innocent, pitiful even.


    As he heard the monitor regr beating, he wondered if he had pushed her far with the punishment.


    Had she been embarrassed yesterday because of the card blockage?


    Ewan sighed weakly. He had pampered Fiona too much, and now he was wondering if it had been the best of ideas.


    But what else was there to do for a woman who had saved his life? He thought, not minding Athena¡¯s spections¡ªthere wasn¡¯t proof of any other woman.


    The reports Sandro had submitted to him too, didn¡¯t mention the presence of any other girl in his life, apart from Fiona.


    Maybe she had been lucky, getting away without any brain damage. Some people were fortunate that way.


    He sighed again, and took her hand in his. She might be a troublemaker, but she had been his saviour at one time; and for that reason, he would give her the benefit of the doubt.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Fiona. Just be fine and get up."


    Alfonso sighed in relief at the sight. Perhaps his son inw was getting back to his senses. For a moment there, he thought thetter had lost it.


    They both didn¡¯t take notice of Fiona¡¯s hand unclenching and sying on the bed, or the smile that stretched her lips thinly.


    "That¡¯s about right. Speaking of help and remembrance, what are you going to do about mypany? Are you really going to watch it crumble like Zack¡¯s? I heard he is in debt too..."


    Ewan ignored the matter at first. But Alfonso wasn¡¯t one to be ignored.


    "If you are going to save Fionapletely, you should save her inheritance too..."


    Ewan shook his head, absolutely tired. "Drop it, Alfonso. I won¡¯t be helping yourpany because that won¡¯t be a wise decision on my part. Haven¡¯t you seen the news? The rate of my stocks today?"


    Ewan scoffed when Alfonso looked away.


    "I¡¯m..."


    "Don¡¯t bother Alfonso, I know you¡¯re selfish, but this is a new low. For yourpany, the only way out is for you to sell. Considering the state of mypany, I won¡¯t be in a position to buy it, unless you are okay with a couple of millions."


    "How much is that?" Alfonso asked, hoping the amount would be better than Athena¡¯s offer at least.


    "Forty million dors."


    Alfonso paled, stood up from the chair, and walked out of the ward without a word.


    <i>He will sell his business to Athena?</i>

 Chapter 66: Suicide II

    <h4>Chapter 66: Suicide II</h4>


    While Ewan waited for Fiona¡¯s doctor toe and give the final analysis as thetter had promised, he checked out the KN press¡¯ website.


    Beside him, Fionaid as if dead.


    After her father, Alfonso, had left, she had gotten paler, as if there was some thread of connection between them.


    He had to keep checking her vitals to confirm she was still alive, not ready to be bereaved again.


    He looked at her again, sighed tiredly, and dropped his iPad on hisp.


    The money he had offered Alfonso was the best he could really offer at the moment, considering hispany¡¯s stocks which had kept declining, even without the interference of the KN mediapany.


    He only hoped Alfonso would understand. Thepany was very important to him. It was the only thing left of his immediate family. He couldn¡¯t risk it folding up.


    Alfonso would have to be satisfied with his taking care of Fiona properly.


    These few hours he had spent with Fiona¡ªwatching her struggle at times, as if she was fighting a demon¡ªhe felt guilty for being too harsh on her.


    After all, it was just this once that she had disyed foolishness. And hadn¡¯t everything been sorted out?


    During those few hours, he had also chosen to let her shorings go. Already, he had sent Sandro to pick her things from the t and return them to the mansion.


    He would give her another chance. He would restore her cards too.


    But the engagement was the one he refused to be moved on.


    He picked up his phone again, and continued scrolling through the KN website, looking for a cheat code, for a way in.


    There was not much news, but the website was very organized and the news were all detailed with sources, both names and unnamed, with undeniable proof.


    Secondly, they were highly scandalous, never mind they reported true news.


    When he had tried to ess more news, totally engrossed in their methods of reporting, he had been stopped by a red notice¡ªhe had to register to ess more news.


    So, all this while, he has been trying to register at the website, to subscribe to their newspaper, despite the outrageous fees, but he has been barred at every turn.


    For some reasons unknown to him, he couldn¡¯t register sessfully.


    He called Herbert, Zane¡¯s father.


    "Ewan, how are you doing?"


    "I¡¯m fine, Herbert, thank you."


    "Is there a problem?"


    "Yes there is..." Ewan paused. "It¡¯s about the KN media. I¡¯ve been trying to register, but to no avail. My ount keeps getting gged down. I¡¯m not permitted to register."


    There was a significant pause on the other side of the phone.


    "Well, it¡¯s safe to say that they don¡¯t want your membership."


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows. "And why is that? I have the money to foot their bills. Why am I not epted then? I¡¯m also an influential figure..."


    Another pause on the other side.


    "I guess it must have something to do with Athena too. As I said, the owner of KN media might be someone rted to her. Zack and Alfonso too weren¡¯t epted, no matter how much they tried to bribe their way through. That¡¯s something they still envy me for enjoying. Hope you won¡¯t join their boat, Ewan?"


    Ewan chuckled heartily, while annoyance simmered within him. "Not at all. Does Zane have an ount?"


    Herbert paused. "I¡¯m not sure. He usually reads my own papers."


    "Okay then, talk to youter..."


    "Wait..."


    Ewan ced the phone back in his ears.


    "I saw the press conference scheduled to happen tomorrow. What¡¯s it about? I hope you know what you are doing..."


    Ewan sighed tiredly. Did he?


    "Thanks for your concern, Herbert. But everything will be fine."


    He hoped so.


    Herbert wished him well, and ended the call.


    After the call, Ewan deleted the KN tab on his phone. There was no need to worry over something unnecessary at the moment.


    He nced at Fiona. She remained the same. He sighed, and called the doctor.


    There was no answer, but he heard the phone ringing right outside the ward.


    The doctor¡ª a young male in histe twenties¡ªcame in then.


    "Apologies, Mr Ewan. The tests were taking time."


    Ewan waved the apology away.


    He had wanted to admit Fiona into one of the Whitman¡¯s hospitals around, since she might not fancy Athena¡¯s workce, but Alfonso had vehemently refused, citing that he preferred this.


    Ewan didn¡¯t know if it was trauma speaking.


    Athena must have really dealt the male a hard card when he had gone to plead with her.


    "So what¡¯s the analysis?" He asked as the doctor was done checking her temperature.


    "She will be fine. She just needs extensive care..."


    A pause.


    "When I spoke with her father earlier, he mentioned that she was living alone. Since you are her fiance, I suggest that she stay with you. Also, refrain from doing whatever that will make her angry. For her to opt for suicide, she is in a precarious state."


    Ewan nodded his head. "I will certainly do that, thank you."


    He stood up. "I¡¯ll be going home now, to make arrangements for her return. She will be okay, right?"


    The doctor nodded.


    "That¡¯s good. Inform me when she wakes up. My driver will being to pick herter. She knows him already."


    The doctor nodded again, watching keenly as Ewan strode out of the ward.


    A few minutes after he was gone, the doctor tapped Fiona on the thighs.


    "Wake up, beauty. He is gone."


    Fiona inhaled sharply, opened her eyes, and threw the nose mask out of her face. "That took longer than expected..."


    The doctor said nothing at first.


    "But you went to the extreme, Fiona. What if your father hadn¡¯t arrived on time?" He finally asked.


    Fiona smiled thinly. She had timed it perfectly.


    After getting that miserable message¡ªcontaining her nudes and a threat¡ªfrom the chief waiter, despite paying her debt, she had been so frustrated and angry that she had decided to take charge of the game herself.


    So far, it was working perfectly well.


    She smiled again. Everything was perfect now.


    "So, my payment?"


    "You will be getting it soon. I¡¯m sure he has unblocked my cards."


    The doctor gave a mock bow.


    "You are still as cunning as you were in school, Fiona. But I¡¯ll see you around."


    Fiona said nothing to him, instead she stared into space.


    The doctor, noting this, took his lips in, and walked out of the ward.


    Right then, Fiona¡¯s phone rang with a message.


    She took it from the bedside drawer, and opened the text.


    <i>¡¯Phase one is done.¡¯ </i>


    She smiled, thenughed until tears came out from her eyes.


    She did it.


    Finally, she was free.

 Chapter 67: Kidnapped

    <h4>Chapter 67: Kidnapped</h4>


    Athena swung the mall¡¯s white polythene bag in her hand, containing her children¡¯s favorite cereals, as she walked the remaining distance home.


    The cab driver, whom she had patronized after shopping, had suddenly developed a fault with his car while on their journey; and because she felt the urge to walk, she had epted his apology, refused the cash he handed her, and started walking home.


    After all, there was nothing like an evening walk, to cool one¡¯s head. And her head, for one, really needed cooling.


    She had been recovering from Ewan¡¯s visit when she had seen the news of the impending press conference.


    Was that why he had left the press to tear hispany apart? What was he going to say at the conference? She had wondered, after seeing the news.


    Even now, the thought hasn¡¯t left her mind.


    Just then, she saw a crowd of people gathered around a famous restaurant.


    What was going on?


    She saw people taking pictures and cussed.


    From the reactions of people around, she knew that someone might have been injured.


    Shouldn¡¯t they be calling 911?


    Athena looked left and right, left again, before crossing the road to the crowd which was increasing by the passing second.


    When she got there, she pushed her way through the crowd, until she was standing in front of the object of attention.


    It took the rigorous years spent in training for her not to turn around, run to a corner, and vomit on the ground.


    She could see and hear people doing the same.


    The spectacle was a middle aged man, who from the whispers of people, was the chief waiter in the said restaurant.


    He waspletely naked from head to toe. His fingers have been cut off, and his face brutally squashed in as if pounded in with an iron pestle. His total features were disfigured.


    His stomach was slit open too. Flies and maggots were already visiting.


    Athena knew that the body had been killed somewhere else and then dumped here.


    Why? To make a statement? Had thepany offended anyone?


    But who would do this brutally? She thought, noting the absent penis, and squashed balls.


    She stopped short however, when she noticed the scar on the man¡¯s chest.


    Not wanting to believe what she was seeing, yet needing to confirm, she stooped to the disbelief of people around her, to check out the details.


    <i>¡¯Is she a cop?¡¯</i>


    <i> ¡¯Is she in the forensics department?¡¯ </i>


    For to them, that was the only reason a beautiful woman wouldn¡¯t be moved by an ugly corpse.


    But Athena wasn¡¯t bothered. She checked the mark that had been carved on the man¡¯s chest.


    It was them! She screamed mentally.


    Hands shaking, she picked up her phone and snapped some pictures, which she sent to Aiden, and then on a second thought, to another contact on her phone.


    When she was done, she stood up, took onest look at the dead man in pity, and walked away, hoping he would find rest wherever he was going.


    As she headed down the path to her house, she wondered about the mark, and what it entailed.


    For it only meant one thing. The gang was in her city.


    Who had called them here? She wondered, as she looked at her phone beeping with a text.


    It was from the second person.


    <i>¡¯Where did you see this? We haven¡¯t seen their sightings in a while...¡¯ </i>


    She replied. <i>¡¯Right down my street. Heard the victim is a head waiter at a popr restaurant. Will probably make the news soon...¡¯</i>


    A reply came in immediately. <i>¡¯Should I send in the Calvary..¡¯ </i>


    Athena was about to respond when she shed with an old woman.


    Thoroughly horrified at her careless act, she dropped the phone inside her pocket, and her bags on the floor, and rushed to the woman, who had fallen with her walking stick.


    "I¡¯m so sorry." She apologized as she helped the woman, who kept grunting, up.


    "I¡¯m so sorry.." She continued, bending down again to pick the walking stick from the ground.


    She never got back up.


    For as she bent to pick the walking stick, the old woman deftly injected her neck with a syringe.


    And before she could react, she felt a blow to her head, bing unconscious immediately.


    <i>¡¯Good job, Heronica...¡¯</i> was thest thing she heard before she passed out.


    When she woke up, she was tied stiffly on a chair. Her mouth was gagged, and her eyes were shut with a dusty rag.


    Athena¡¯s tongue touched the material in her mouth and recoiled. It tasted of faeces and blood. She held back the nausea that pushed to her throat.


    This was not the best time. She thought. She would worry about her hygier.


    She felt for her hand. It was abnormally tied well, too tight.


    She felt parched, and worried for her kids.


    How long has she been here? What time is it? How would they feel?


    She knew they would be safe with Gianna and Aiden, but knew it wouldn¡¯t do anything about the mental attack.


    Who were her abductors? Could it be the gang?


    They had attacked herst year, almost killing her and the children, through a hired cab.


    It was the reason why Aiden had be her driver; so that she would stop patronizing cab drivers.


    But she was too stubborn. And now, she hasnded into trouble.


    Had the cab driver from earlier been among the kidnappers?


    If the gang was behind this, what was the corrtion between her and the chief waiter? What was going on?


    She didn¡¯t know who had ced the order of her death years ago, and she didn¡¯t know who had done the same now.


    But maybe, this wasn¡¯t the gang. Hopefully.


    She heard a door opening. Then a shuffling of feet¡ªthree pairs, she guessed¡ªfelt the wave of a hand, before the rag tied around her eyes were removed.


    "Wake wake beauty..."


    Athena¡¯s eyes met with the face of the man that had haunted her children¡¯s dreams for a year.


    Her heart plummeted to the ground, but she kept her cool, waiting to see the remembrance that would spell her death.


    Luckily for her, there was none.


    The male rather bent to her height and sneered at her, with his brownish teeth.


    She looked behind him. He was with the old woman, or rather a young girl who had perfectly yed the role of an old woman.


    "Wee to hell, baby. As you know, seeing the faces of your kidnappers only means one thing.."


    Didn¡¯t she know? She had been lucky the first time. She hoped she would be now.


    They removed the gag on her mouth.


    "Anyst words..."


    "Who sent you?" Athena muttered, still getting around the ugly taste in her mouth.


    The male stood erect and shrugged his shoulders. "Mydy Morgana."

 Chapter 68: Trackers

    <h4>Chapter 68: Trackers</h4>


    "Aunt Gianna, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s weird that Mom isn¡¯t back by this time?" Kathleen questioned, looking at therge living room clock.


    Beside her, on the sofa, was Nathaniel and Kendra. Their hands were sped on their thighs. They were like sitting ducks. Worried sitting ducks.


    Gianna, who was sitting on the opposite sofa, sighed, and looked at the clock again. It was almost seven p.m.


    She was beginning to get worried too. What was holding her friend up?


    She refused to think that the event ofst year was repeating itself again.


    Surely, it wasn¡¯t possible. She thought. She didn¡¯t think her heart would be able to bear it.


    Athena was the only family she had left, her and the twins.


    Just then, her phone rang. It was Aiden.


    "Hello, Aiden..."


    "Gianna, have you been able to reach Athena since two hours ago? I¡¯ve been waiting for her reply to a certain message, but she¡¯s not avable online. I¡¯ve tried calling, but her phone is switched off. I can¡¯t track it either."


    Gianna¡¯s hands started shaking. "I¡¯ve been unable to reach her too."


    A pause.


    "Do you think something has happened to her? She hasn¡¯t returned to the house since she left for the mall three hours ago. Surely, getting children¡¯s cereals shouldn¡¯t take much time. Or did she branch somewhere else?"


    A significant pause on the other side spelt doom to Gianna.


    "Aiden... you... are not saying ..anything. Is Athena okay?"


    The twins exchanged anxious nces, and nodded.


    Immediately, they stood up from the sofa, and walked toward their bedroom, with Kendra in tow.


    As they moved, Nathaniel turned and gave Gianna a wink, after darting a nce at Kendra.


    Gianna widened her eyes, then calmed down, then nodded in understanding, just as Aiden spoke:


    "I¡¯ming. Sit tight with the children."


    As soon as the call ended, Gianna hurried into her room.


    Opening her drawer, she took out the bottle of sleeping pills she uses, on nights when she shouldn¡¯t sleep.


    She took a pill, broke it into two, and hurried out of the room with the half pill.


    In the kitchen, she brought down three sses and a tray from the cupboard, retrieved a juice can from the refrigerator and filled the sses with the orange liquid.


    In the third ss however, which she kept slightly separated from the others, she put in the pill that had been crushed earlier.


    Then she carried the tray and headed to the children¡¯s room.


    When she stepped into the room, the children were ying Leggo.


    Kathleen saw her first.


    The little girl shouted in joy, and hurried over to her.


    Before she took a ss however, she exchanged a perceptible nce with Gianna, who gestured with a shake of her head at the one to take for herself.


    Kathleen downed the one that was hers, took the drugged one and handed it over to Kendra.


    The unsuspecting kid drank the juice, just as Nathaniel sipped his.


    Five minutester, she passed out cold.


    Gianna carried her to the bed.


    The twins apologized profusely to their friend, as they watched Gianna tuck her into the bed.


    "How long will she sleep?" Nathaniel asked, holding his sister¡¯s hand.


    "A couple of hours. Hopefully, the matter will be resolved before then. Did you regret it?"


    Nathaniel shook his head. "It had to be done. We have to save our mother."


    Gianna nodded, and left the room first.


    "Whichptop should we use?" Kathleen asked, as she opened their cabs.


    "Mine. It¡¯s faster."


    Kathleen nodded, retrieved theptop, and sauntered out of the room with her brother, meeting Gianna in the living room.


    "What did Uncle Aiden say?" She asked, as she sat close to Gianna.


    Gianna opened her mouth and shut it. Then she settled on saying, "I¡¯m not sure. He¡¯ll be here soon."


    Right then, the doorbell rang.


    Gianna ran and opened the door, heaving harshly when she saw Aiden.


    She dragged him by the arm, into the apartment, and shut the door. "You have to find my friend!"


    "Calm down, Gianna." He looked at the twins. "Any way to trace her phone?"


    Nathaniel shook his head. "Mom is quite protective of her phone. But luckily, we gave her a trackable watchst week."


    Aiden sighed in relief, calming his racing heart. "Track it then."


    The adults hurried over to the sofa where the children sat with theptop on theirps.


    But Kathleen shooed them away.


    "Nathaniel doesn¡¯t like to be crowded when he works..."


    Aiden and Gianna dutifully obeyed.


    Meanwhile, Kathleen and Nathaniel worked hand in hand to locate the watch, whistling when they found a location.


    "Do you know this area? It seems like an abandoned warehouse?"


    Aiden hurried over, and peered at the screen. "I think so, we can follow the coordinates. But if it is the gang, we need backup."


    He looked at the twins, who were staring at him curiously.


    "Mine is far off. They can¡¯t get here on time. Do you have any ideas? The gang doesn¡¯t work alone. We just have to be on the safe side, in case they are the kidnappers."


    Gianna furrowed her eyebrows, not understanding why Aiden was asking the twins that sort of question.


    What did they know about backups?


    Meanwhile, Kathleen nodded her head. "What about Mr Ewan, and Uncle Zane? They are mom¡¯s friends. Surely, they can help."


    Aiden and Gianna exchanged nces.


    "No, don¡¯t call Mr Ewan, I don¡¯t think he will help." Nathaniel huffed. "Aunt Gianna, call Uncle Zane..."


    Gianna fidgeted. Call Zane? He won¡¯t pick her calls!


    But seeing as she was the middleman, with both contacts, she had to try. She had to save her friend.


    So, she inhaled deeply, scrolled through her contacts, unblocked Zane¡¯s contact and called him. It rang and went into voicemail.


    She called three more times, but there was no answer.


    Kathleen looked at her brother. "We have to call Mr. Ewan..."


    Nathaniel sighed, and waved at Gianna, finally agreeing.


    Gianna quickly called Ewan.


    Immediately he picked the call.


    "Hello, who am I speaking with?"


    Gianna halted at the question she thought strange, before remembering that she only had Ewan¡¯s contact because she had saved it from a website just for emergencies.


    "It¡¯s Gianna, Athena¡¯s friend."


    A pregnant pause.


    "Gianna, is there a problem?"


    "Yes. We think Athena has been kidnapped. We need your help."

 Chapter 69: Calling For Help

    <h4>Chapter 69: Calling For Help</h4>


    Ewan was nonplussed.


    For a second, he thought Gianna was pranking him.


    Beside him was Sandro. They had been working on thepany¡¯s reports, noting ways to improve the stocks, and how to make the conference be a trigger for the growth of theirpany.


    "What is the matter?" Sandro asked, dropping the pen in his hand on therge file before him, as he noticed Ewan¡¯s pale face. "What happened to Athena?"


    On the other side of the phone, Gianna was impatient. As were her otherpanions.


    "What¡¯s the matter? Is he not saying anything?" Aiden queried, eyes shing with intolerance.


    Gianna shrugged her shoulders. She didn¡¯t understand Ewan¡¯s silence either.


    Kathleen huffed, tired of waiting, and collected the phone from Gianna.


    "Hello...Mr Ewan..."


    Ewan was stomped for the second time in a row.


    This was the voice of the hacker; the hacker he had spoken to when hispany had been in crises.


    Was this a joke of some sorts?


    He heard a shuffling static, and then a deeper timbre of the voice he just heard.


    Without question, he knew it was the twins. They had been behind the hack? But how? Was Athena using them?


    His thoughts were caught off by Nathaniel¡¯s voice.


    "Hello, Mr Ewan, we need your help with backup. Can we borrow your bodyguard system, with Mr Zane¡¯s? We tried reaching him first, but to no avail. Can you check in with him, ande with him now? My mother¡¯s life depends on that. I¡¯m trusting you on this one, this time around..."


    <i>What six year old speaks this confidently?</i>


    Ewan opened his mouth, but a croak came out first.


    "Hello.."


    The impatience that underlied the voice of the boy that might be his son jerked Ewan away from his thoughts.


    He can sit with his thoughtster. He thought. For now, he had to rescue Athena.


    "Do you have a location? Do you have a suspect?"


    A pause.


    "Yes, we have a location. We were able to track them down. But we suspect it¡¯s the gang that had conspired to kill us sometimest year. So, we need backup. Can you be at our house in the next five minutes, with the back up? Can I trust you on this? And please don¡¯t keep silent again..."


    Ewan nodded, swallowing his pride before speaking again. "I¡¯ll be there."


    He hung up the call and stood up agilely from the chair. "Call our security team, the trained ones, and reach out to Zane too. Athena has been kidnapped. Her children were calling for help."


    Sandro was speechless.


    "Sandro! Work now, thinkter. Time is ticking!"


    <i>The boy was counting on him.</i> Ewan hastily pushed the files into the cabs.


    Even though he suspected their innocence, he had to deliver this one time. He couldn¡¯t lose face in front of the children.


    As he hurried out of thepany, he called Zane.


    Zane, who had been debating on the reason for Gianna¡¯s call, picked immediately.


    "Zane, organize your security details and meet me at Athena¡¯s house in the next five minutes. Athena has been kidnapped."


    Before Zane could say anything, in respect to what he had just heard, the call ended.


    He looked at the phone, at the call log, and cursed loudly when he finally realized why Gianna had been calling him.


    "Damn it!" He kept shouting intermittently, as he sought for clothes to wear.


    His father, hearing his shouts, came into the room. "What¡¯s the matter, Zane?"


    "Athena..." He spoke as he wore his trousers.


    "What happened to Athena?"


    "She has been kidnapped! Please organize the security detail, let them meet me downstairs."


    Herbert hurried out of the room with shock, knowing how precarious the situation was.


    Immediately he left, Zane tried Gianna¡¯s phone again.


    It rang and went to voicemail.


    He called again, three more times, but there was no response.


    He cussed, punched the wardrobe, and hurried downstairs to meet his father.


    But who would dare kidnap Athena?


    Meanwhile, back at the kidnappers¡¯ den, Athena was screaming.


    Heronica, the woman who had deceived her, was creating lines oftitude on her thighs with a knife.


    Athena was naked, safe for her bra and her panties.


    She felt so exposed, so dirty and helpless.


    At first she had borne the pain without as much as a grunt, but the evil woman who couldn¡¯t be more than twenty years old, was more bent on breaking her.


    "So, you can scream, beautiful. Well, let¡¯s go again my love..."


    Athena screamed as the knife dug deeper into the same sh point.


    If the girl continued, she might lose her life. She was losing a lot of blood.


    "Heronica, stop!"


    Athena exhaled harshly in relief at the reprieve from pain.


    Heronica got to her feet, and red at the male who just stepped in. They looked like twins.


    "What is it, Heron?"


    Heronughed, and nced at Athena¡¯s bloody state. "If you continue doing that, how can I have a taste of her? We men are hungry..."


    Athena inhaled sharply, as a tear pushed past her eyes. She held her tongue from pleading for mercy. There was no use. She just had to escape.


    But how?


    She looked at herself, noting for the umpteenth time, her bareness, except for the panties, and then...


    She furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at the cartoonish watch her children had given herst week.


    A thought nagged at her as she stared at the watch.


    Deciding to satisfy her curiosity, she bent her wrist to the side, aware of the twins arguing by the door.


    A red light was beeping at thetter edge of the watch.


    Athena held back a scream of joy.


    <i>Hurry, my children!</i>


    She had never been more pleased about being tracked by her children.


    For this, they could track her as long as they wished, when all this was over.


    She deftly returned her wrist to its former position, and maintained her cool facade.


    Help wasing.


    She only needed to stall her kidnappers from killing her.


    When Heron finally left the room, Heronica reverted to her.


    "Do you know how many men are in thepound? How many are waiting to have a taste of you?"


    Athena shook her head.


    Heronica licked her lips, and chuckled.


    "More than a hundred. You are going to be dead before they are done."

 Chapter 70: The Rescue Team

    <h4>Chapter 70: The Rescue Team</h4>


    Extraction.


    That was the movie that came to Ewan¡¯s mind as he watched Aiden talk about Athena¡¯s security and how her retrieval would take ce.


    Wasn¡¯t this just a driver? How was he so versed in the act of warfare?


    This particr thought was usurped by another; a thought that came with the image of the twins, Nathaniel and Kathleen.


    The thought consisted of the twins entrusting him with the safety of their mother, when he had finally arrived at their house.


    He had just been about to leave with the entire security team, when the twins had held his shirt.


    <i> ¡¯Bring mommy home...¡¯ </i>The girl had admonished, while the boy had dared him with a cold nce to do otherwise.


    The boy was his exact replica.


    The more he thought about it, the more it seemed true to him.


    Sandro had kept quiet about the matter but he was sure his friend knew what was happening. His friend knew the chances of Nathaniel being his son.


    If they were his children...


    Ewan shook his head, shuddering all the same, at the implication that would bring.


    It would exin Athena¡¯s difort around him, yet he wouldn¡¯t be happy with the deceit. He hated lies so much.


    If she had been pregnant six years ago, why hadn¡¯t she let him know?


    Aiden¡¯s steady words droned into his ears again. So, he decided to listen to the driver talk, and think about Athena when she was safe, and think about the children when he had the DNA tests in his hand.


    Standing between Zane and Sandro, he folded his arms across his chest, and watched Aiden point at a drawing on the light wood which had been used as a makeshift board.


    Watching the man speak, and the terms he used, and the way his and Zane¡¯s security detail listened with respect, he couldn¡¯t help but think the man wasn¡¯t a mere driver, but a soldier.


    But why would a soldier be a driver for Athena?


    Ewan shook his head again. Just who was Athena?


    If she was really married, who was her husband? And why was she in harm?


    Who was behind her kidnapping?


    So far, he has heard the man talk about the nature of the people they would be dealing with soon, but thetter hadn¡¯t really spoken on the specifics of their foes or why they were after Athena.


    He hadn¡¯t even give the name of the notorious gang.


    Why was he being secretive?


    Well, Ewan trusted Sandro to do his due diligence after all of this.


    "So...that¡¯s all about it. Let¡¯s gear up. ording to our technical team, the loaction is just a few miles away. Let¡¯s go."


    Ewan tried moving with the security detail, with Zane and Sandro, but Aiden stopped them.


    "I¡¯m sorry, but you three won¡¯t be joining us. I suggest that you return to Athena¡¯s ce and wait."


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"


    Aiden sighed tiredly. "You three aren¡¯t trained in the art ofbat, at least not in the way I know."


    A pause.


    "So that I wouldn¡¯t be tasked with looking after you three too, you need to head out. This way, you can help us to do our work better..."


    Ewan didn¡¯t like this. He could take care of himself well enough! He didn¡¯t need a babysitter.


    He looked at Zane and Sandro to speak up, to quote it as it was in his mind, but the two males rather nodded, and wished Aiden goodluck.


    Ewan held back a scoff. He couldn¡¯t return to Athena¡¯s ce without Athena. How would he face the children?


    He shook his head mentally. But in reality, he nodded, and walked away from the temporary hideout with his friends.


    "Do you know who Aiden is, Zane? Who he really is?"


    Ewan asked, as they approached a lone car by the west wing of the temporary hideout.


    It dawned on him then that Aiden had nned their absence from the extraction for a while.


    Meanwhile, Zane furrowed his eyebrows at Ewan¡¯s question.


    "Not really. I just know that he is a good driver. I¡¯m not sure of their history, but I¡¯ve heard in passing of them being in trouble like a year ago. Athena didn¡¯t go into details. She is quite..."


    There was a pause.


    Ewan threw in a word. "Mysterious. An enigma."


    Zane nodded. "That¡¯s it. She is exactly that. She¡¯s quite protective of the information she holds, and the people she holds dear to her heart."


    Ewan didn¡¯t think he was among the people; he hadn¡¯t earned it.


    The three men entered the car, and started moving toward the city.


    "Is Athena married?" Ewan asked after a while, breaking the silence in the car.


    Zane took his lips in. He had expected this question about Athena when he had seen Ewan speaking with the twins, but he also knew he couldn¡¯t break his promise to Athena.


    "I¡¯m not sure. She hasn¡¯t spoken of it. She doesn¡¯t really talk about her family..."


    "So, you don¡¯t know who the father of her children is?" Ewan asked, staring at Zane intently, gauging every emotion and body movement his friend was expressing.


    Zane shook his head.


    "You don¡¯t feel like they resemble someone you know?"


    Zane shut his eyes for a microsecond, then shook his head.


    But the mini silence was enough for Ewan. His friend suspected the twins were his.


    Were the twins aware too? Was that why they had looked at him earnestly when they made their request?


    He shook his thoughts away. He needed DNA test results, before making any ns. He also didn¡¯t want his hope to soar and crash over nothing.


    When they got to a certain crossroad, he asked to get down.


    "Where are you going?" Sandro asked as he parked the car.


    "I want to see someone that stays around here. It¡¯s important."


    Zane looked out of the window. They were still in the outskirts of the city, but he said, <i>¡¯Okay, be fast and return. The guys may be back soon.¡¯ </i>


    Ewan nodded and got down from the car, ignoring Sandro¡¯s gaze that was burning into his back.


    Trust his friend and assistant to suspect his moves.


    As he watched them drive away, he wished them well, hoping he would see them again, that he wouldn¡¯t fall to the bullets that would be flying right about now.


    The children had given him a charge, and he will not fail them.

 Chapter 71: Bargaining For Freedom

    <h4>Chapter 71: Bargaining For Freedom</h4>


    Athena screamed in pain as red hot nails were left to cool on her naked thighs that were yet to recover from the onught Heronica had unleashed on them before.


    She tried shaking off the nails, but Heron chose to hold the nails in their painful position with a wooden stick.


    "How do you feel?" He asked, smiling like a psychopath having extreme fun.


    Athena said nothing. She rather red at him hotly, as she took in deep breaths to quell the pain ransacking her entire being. She felt lightheaded too.


    But Heron hated to be ignored. He pressed the nails deeper,ughing evilly when Athena hissed, when her eyes burned with unshed tears.


    "I feel okay." She finally managed to say through gritted teeth, still staring at him in anger.


    Heron chuckled nervously then. He has never seen a woman like this.


    For hours they have tried breaking her spirit, yet she had stayed with her fury, with those beautiful eyes shing with anger.


    He stood up from his kneeling position and turned toward the exit door. There was no need to waste time here.


    The boss had been right when he mentioned that the only thing that could break the woman was the rape that would be starting soon.


    Heron brought out an energy drink from his pocket and took a gulp. He had to be ready to do the deed, so that he wouldn¡¯t beughed at by the others.


    "Hello Heron..."


    Heron furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. He knew who he was calling him, the tired pained voice was a giveaway, but still he didn¡¯t believe it.


    She was in pain, and yet she had stored his name in her mind?


    Of course he didn¡¯t care for his safety because she was surely dying today¡ªno one could find them, their location was remote.


    It was her strength that bothered him.


    How did she even have the willpower to speak?


    He decided to humor her.


    He turned around and crossed hisnky arms across his chest. "Did you call me?"


    Athena managed a nod, hoping her strength wouldst till her rescuers arrived. She could literally feel her reserve bing empty.


    "What do you want? Water??" Heron hid his evil smile as he reached for the container of ¡¯water¡¯.


    Finally, she had sumbed. He thought, picking the container.


    Inside the container was a liquid that would make her so horny that she would beg for sex.


    Because, the gang weren¡¯t rapists after all!


    But his hopes were dashed when Athena shook her head.


    "No, I don¡¯t want water. I want your attention.."


    Heron scowled at ns failed again, and walked to Athena.


    He pped her cheek out of frustration.


    "You must drink it, whether you like it or not!"


    Athena chuckled snidely. "It¡¯s not water then..."


    Heron shut his eyes in anger, grasping for control. <i>This woman was really asking for it. </i>


    Inhaling deeply to let go of his fury, because the boss had the final say, he squatted in front of her.


    "What do you want?"


    Athena inhaled sharply, causing pain to intensely rocket her sides.


    Her eyes felt heavy, and she knew it was because of the blood she had lost already. She might slip into unconsciousness anytime soon.


    "How much will you take to free me? Call any amount."


    There was pindrop silence in the room for a few seconds before Heronughed boisterously, clutching his stomach.


    He paused at intervals to survey Athena, beforeughing again. He couldn¡¯t believe it.


    A captive making a bargain?


    "Oh my god! I swear you are the most interesting captive we¡¯ve had. You think you can buy my loyalty with money?"


    Athena shook her head with great effort.


    "I don¡¯t want to buy your loyalty. I don¡¯t need it. I want to buy my freedom. How much does it cost?"


    Heron didn¡¯tugh this time around. He only stared at the woman, whom he thought he would love to know, but circumstances had made the wish impossible.


    If only the woman hadn¡¯t offended the boss¡¯sdy Morgana.


    He finally chuckled, amused. "Do you think you can afford me?"


    "Name a price."


    "A hundred million dors."


    Athena nodded. "I¡¯ll need my phone to make a transfer..."


    Heron¡¯s mouth fell open in shock. Is she being serious?


    He stood up and shifted away, evaluating Athena from head to toe.


    Even though she was naked, embarrassed in the worst way possible, she was still making demands, as if he hadn¡¯t poured nails on her thighs mere minutes ago.


    "You are an enigma..." He spoke, as his eyes searched for her phone.


    Of course, he wouldn¡¯t free her. But who says he wouldn¡¯t torture her to obtain as much money as he wanted?


    The phone wasn¡¯t in the room.


    "Let me get your phone from the other room..." He muttered as he walked toward the exit door.


    He forgot to shut the door however, as he left. And so Athena could hear clearly what was being said in the next room.


    "Do you know where her phone is?"


    "Why are you asking, Heron..."


    "Just humor me, Heronica..."


    "I don¡¯t know. I think boss is with it."


    A pause, where Athena strained to listen, to glean more information.


    Then she heard the voice of another in the room.


    "Is she still awake with that defiant look in her eyes?"


    A pause, before she heard Heron¡¯s voice again.


    "Yes, she still is. She still answers ¡¯okay¡¯, when I ask her how she is feeling."


    Heronicaughed. "She wouldn¡¯t be saying that a few minutes from now anyway. Are you ready?"


    Heron chuckled with the other male. "I¡¯m born ready. She¡¯s just unlucky to have offended the boss¡¯sdy."


    Heronica hissed. "I think the person most unlucky is that man frolicking with the boss¡¯sdy. What¡¯s his name again?"


    "Ewan Gietti." The unfamiliar voice answered.


    Athena¡¯s drooping eyes shut open, as another kind of anger burned within her.


    Fiona?


    Fiona was behind this?


    She tried clenching her fists, but pain wouldn¡¯t let her.


    Was the witch behind the waiter¡¯s death too?


    Athena was just about connecting the dots, when a shot rang out.


    A pinch of silence descended in the room, before another round of shots echoed around the hideout.


    Athena smiled.


    Finally, the rescue team was here.

 Chapter 72: Rescued

    <h4>Chapter 72: Rescued</h4>


    "Uncle Zane, where¡¯s mom? Where¡¯s Mr. Ewan? Where is Uncle Aiden?" Nathaniel asked, as soon as he opened the door, after speeding past Gianna when the knock hadnded at first.


    He asked, because he had smoothly checked behind Zane and the male with him, Sandro, and saw no other person. Not even a security detail.


    Zane exhaled gently, bent to Nathaniel¡¯s height, and tried lifting the boy into his arms.


    But the boy stepped away from his embrace.


    "I asked a question, Uncle Zane. Where is my mother?"


    Zane sighed, and pushed the door wider so that he and Sandro could step into the room.


    Immediately they shut the door after them, Gianna got up on her feet.


    "Sandro, what¡¯s going on? Why are you two here alone?"


    Zane detested the fact that he was being ignored, but he said nothing because there was really nothing to say.


    He had let an old feud almost cost him his friend. He should have known that for Gianna to have called him more than three times, there was actually something happening.


    "Aiden asked us to return, so that he won¡¯t have his hands full, protecting us too. The den looked quite dangerous. So, we had to leave; he wouldn¡¯t move until we did." Sandro finally answered, slumping into a chair.


    He bowed his head in his hands and said a word of prayer for Athena.


    From the earnestness in Aiden¡¯s eyes as he spoke on extracting Athena from the clutches of the kidnappers, he could see how much the woman meant to the man, could also see the camaraderie there; it was like a soldier fighting for his fellow soldier in death¡¯s trap.


    It had made him wonder about Athena and her recent past, but again, her safety triumphed over it.


    They could discuss her past when she was safe and sound.


    "What about Ewan? Was he sent away with you two?" Gianna asked, both for herself and for the sake of the twins.


    Kendra was still sleeping.


    "Yes, he was."


    "Where is he then?" Gianna asked, noticing the irregr tap dance the feet of the twins were making on the floor at the mention of Ewan leaving with the two males.


    She knew why.


    Hadn¡¯t she been there when they had tasked Ewan to bring their mother back?


    Sandro furrowed his eyebrows. "He stopped on the way, citing that he had to see a friend. He didn¡¯t mention the name of this particr friend, and the meeting hadn¡¯t been part of his schedule either."


    When he looked at Gianna and saw the thin smile on her lips, he wondered if Ewan had really stopped by to see a friend.


    Had he returned to the battle they had left?


    He looked at the twins, who looked so much like Ewan that he didn¡¯t need a DNA test to confirm their paternity, and noticed them ring at him.


    "You said Mr. Ewan left you to see a friend?"


    Sandro nodded slowly to Nathaniel¡¯s question, wondering where the boy was getting with the query.


    He piqued an eyebrow when the boy hissed distastefully.


    His sister, though, patted him gently on the thigh. "Don¡¯t give up hope, Nathaniel. He might have returned to save mom."


    "I hope for his sake that he does that."


    Sandro couldn¡¯t exin why that statement unsettled him deeply.


    He found himself hoping that Ewan had returned to the battle, never mind the danger that meant to his family and to thepany.


    Meanwhile, back at the kidnappers¡¯ den, shouts and gunshots rented the air.


    Athena was restless, counting to the minutes when she would be delivered from this hellhole.


    She heard the explosion of the bomb, and wondered who Aiden had arrived with, and where he had gotten an arsenal at such short notice.


    Because surely their group couldn¡¯t get here in such a record time, even if they used a private jet.


    "What¡¯s going on?" She heard Heron ask, when more shots rang close-by, and snickered. Her saviors havee.


    Again, she said a prayer of thanks for her children.


    Her ears peaked when she heard the rough opening and shutting of doors, when she heard another voice speak; one that hade to report the matter happening outside.


    "They havee for her. They are notmon people either, but people skilled in weaponry and the art of welfare. Boss says we should leave. Most of our people have fallen, and he has escaped."


    There were shouts of curses from the people in the room.


    "But how did they get our location? We are off the grid for god sake!" Heronica inquired.


    A pause.


    "I think they utilized the services of a great hacker... but that would mean tracing her phone."


    The same reporting voice answered.


    "Her phone? It¡¯s with the boss, and it is switched off. I think the SIM card was broken too. So, how could they have traced her?" <i>Heron</i>.


    A significant pause where Athena was sure they were considering options.


    When she heard their footsteps marching toward her room, her heart plummeted to her feet.


    She held back a scream when she saw the death on their faces as they finally entered the room. They looked at her contemptibly.


    "How did your people find you? How did you contact them?"


    Athena stayed mute.


    Heronica hissed, walked up to her, and gave her a dirty resounding p.


    She pped Athena again, when thetter made no sound.


    When she saw Athena staring up at her defiantly, her nostrils red. She balled her fists in anger. <i>What was wrong with this woman?</i>


    "You know what, let¡¯s just kill her here and now. Was that not the mission in the first ce?"


    The strange male, hefty and ck, suggested.


    Heronica smiled evilly. "That¡¯s true, Dax. That way, their extraction efforts would be in vain."


    Athena shrunk.


    Heronica brought out a pistol from her back pocket of her cargo pants tomit the deed , but a bomb sounded behind them, shattering the opposite walls and furniture.


    Immediately, they abandoned the quest, seeking to save their lives first.


    But Heron stayed behind, refusing to let go like that.


    His sister shouted at him. "Let¡¯s go, Heron, through the secret spot. They already have the ce surrounded."


    She was looking through the window and speaking, but Heron waved her away.


    "I will meet you there."


    Heronica paused, looked at her brother in unbelief, shook her head in disgust, and ran away with Dax.


    "You think you won?" Heron asked Athena immediately his sister left, grabbing her left breast suddenly.


    Athena gasped, not expecting the invasion, as revulsion burned within her.


    She gritted her teeth in anger, when he roughly pushed the thin brassiere material away, when he frantically fondled her bare breast, when he zipped down his fly.


    "I might not have the time for a quickie, but I will need a blow job. It will be quicker, since I¡¯ve been hard since you were stripped naked."


    Athena couldn¡¯t shout for help. Her voice was barely there, and her throat was too dry.


    So, she shut her eyes, ready to wee the embrace of unconsciousness, when Heron¡¯s penis popped out and pped her face.


    She would rather pass out than watch herself be this.


    The darkness suddenly lifted when she needed it.


    So, she mped her mouth tightly. She won¡¯t go down without a fight!


    She waited, fretfully, for the forceful attempt to open her mouth, but what she heard was a loud thump.


    When she opened her eyes slowly, she saw Ewan with arge stick in his hand.


    Heron was limp on the floor, bleeding from his head.


    "Ewan..."


    She has never been so happy seeing him.


    "Athena, I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll get you out of here..."


    She watched him get to work, freeing her limbs from the tight ropes she was sure would leave marks on her skin for a while, feeling the final thread of unconsciousness stealing her.


    But before she sumbed to the darkness, she told the truth.


    "Fiona..."


    Her voice was so faint that Ewan stopped untying her for a moment, and ced his ear close to her lips.


    "Fiona was behind it."

 Chapter 73: Rescued II

    <h4>Chapter 73: Rescued II</h4>


    "How is she doing?" Aiden asked as he watched Ewan approach him, carrying Athena in his hands.


    He balled his fist, his eyes stinging with tears, as he saw her miserable state with every step Ewan took toward him.


    "Bad. Very bad. She just passed out." Ewan answered, gritting his teeth as he remembered what he had walked into a few minutes ago, as he imagined what would have happened if he had followed Sandro and Zane home.


    He pushed the image out of his head. It was giving him the creeps and a slicing headache.


    "You saw something there?" Aiden queried, having noticed the look of sorrow mixed with anger on Ewan¡¯s face.


    Ewan paused and looked at the man, with a heated gaze. "Let¡¯s just say it would have been a different story if I had left with Zane and Sandro."


    Aiden sighed, and stretched his hands so that he could carry Athena himself. "I¡¯m sorry. I was just doing everything to keep you three safe too. You are from prominent families, with importantpanies too."


    Ewan scoffed, refusing to hand over Athena. "I don¡¯t have a family, Aiden, just people I have to take care of. Most times, I just do what I have to do. And some of those times, I make bad decisions, but it¡¯s for the betterment of those people."


    Aiden furrowed his eyebrows, seeing Ewan in a new light he wasn¡¯t expecting.


    He suspected that Ewan knew how close he was to Athena, but felt no need toment on that. "You aren¡¯t handing her over to me?"


    Ewan swallowed, thinking of an excuse to hold onto Athena. Then he saw the security details watching them, and an idea came to his mind.


    "You have to manage the security detail, and see if you will find any clues. When I stood by the door and waited, the kidnappers talked about a secret spot of escape: you should check for that. Also, there is a guy that is lying in his own pool of blood."


    He paused, his hands tightening around Athena¡¯s weary body.


    "I stopped him midway through an atrocious act, but I don¡¯t think he is actually dead; maybe a brain hemorrhage. You can pick him up for questioning."


    Aiden debated on the matter. Ewan was right. He had to scurry around with the security detail for any clues at all that would be helpful to the team that would be arriving in the country soon.


    "Okay then. Have it your way. Take care of her."


    Ewan nodded his thanks. "I will need a driver."


    Aiden immediately beckoned on one of the men. "Drive Mr. Gietti to the nearest hospital."


    While Ewan was in the car, he looked at Athena, slowly appraising the injuries on her body.


    With each injury noted, his palms fisted and red, as he imagined the pain and torture she had gone through while waiting for help.


    His eyes shut for a full minute, after he beheld the marks the hot nails had left, and the knife scars. He suddenly wished he had killed the abuser.


    How could they be so wicked? He wondered, vowing to catch every one of them that had been behind the matter even if it would lead to his death.


    He touched her hair gently, surprised at himself when a tear fell from his right eye.


    But he didn¡¯t bother wiping it off.


    He let it flow, it and the others, weeping for the pain his wife had endured in his absence.


    Wife, because he never signed the divorce papers, even though he had issued it to her.


    For a reason he couldn¡¯t decipher, the papers were in his private cab, cooling their heels, unsigned.


    His mind had never given him the go ahead to sign, just as he had never stopped looking out for her return.


    His eyes trailed to her frail body which he had covered with a thin material he had seen in the hideout.


    <i>It¡¯s good I came. </i>He mused, rubbing dirt off her cheeks, the tear streaks on them hurting him all over again.


    She had mentioned Fiona as the perpetrator of this issue. But how could that be?


    Fiona was in the hospital. She had attempted suicide. So, how could she be behind it?


    Did Athena think wrong? Or had she just called on the first person that came to her mind?


    That would be it. He thought as the driver stopped him in front of a small hospital he hoped would be able to treat Athena¡¯s wounds properly.


    It was the best option.


    The Whitman hospitals were still far; he couldn¡¯t risk her life.


    Secondly, he didn¡¯t think Athena would be interested in getting this publicized, because doing so would make the kidnappers more attuned to her movements.


    Ewan doubted Aiden would want to make the gamble, not with Athena like this.


    Gently, he stepped out of the vehicle, and walked into the hospital.


    The nurses seeing him, recognizing him, hurried to attend to him.


    He ordered for their best room, and for their best doctor, promising to pay whatever it took.


    They needed to keep her stable. He thought worriedly, feeling Athena¡¯s temperature rising.


    They needed to, before she could be transferred to a bigger hospital.


    Meanwhile, the nurses hurried to do Ewan¡¯s bidding¡ªtelephones kept ringing because of this.


    Few minutester, Athena was settled in a ward.


    Thereafter, Ewan brought out his phone, after speaking with the doctor-in-charge, and called Gianna; in case Aiden had forgotten to call Athena¡¯s best friend, who would be sick with worry, with the children.


    "Hello... Gianna..."


    "Ewan, where are ..." Gianna couldn¡¯tplete her statement.


    Ewan didn¡¯t know why, but when he heard the faux baritone in his phone again, he had a clue.


    "Where are you? Is my mother safe?"


    "Yes, Nathaniel. Your mother is safe. She is with me. We are in a hospital. Give your aunt Gianna the phone, so that I can give her directions... I¡¯m sure you would want to visit."


    "That won¡¯t be necessary... Is she wearing her watch?"


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows, wondering the meaning of the question, but he answered all the same. "Yes, she¡¯s wearing her watch."


    "Then we¡¯ll be there soon. Thank you, for keeping her safe. See you soon, Mr Ewan."


    Ewan didn¡¯t appreciate the ¡¯Mr.¡¯ title, but he muttered "You are wee" before the call ended.


    Watch?


    The realization came suddenly.


    This was how they had traced his wife. He thought, looking at the watch which looked like something gotten from a children¡¯s toy shop.


    Did she buy it herself or had Aiden given it to her?


    Or maybe, the children had given it to her?


    He shook his head at the incredulous thought of children gifting their mother a trackable watch.


    When he scrolled through his phone thereafter, he saw a message.


    "Fiona is finally awake. Come and pick her up."


    It had been sent an hour ago.


    Ewan sighed, texted his driver to do the needful, and hurried into the ward Athena had been kept in.

 Chapter 74: Safe

    <h4>Chapter 74: Safe</h4>


    "Mom!!!"


    Athena jerked, or rather tried to jerk away from the bad dream she was entrapped in.


    Tried, because the pain that shot through her body prevented her from doing so.


    Yet she struggled to aplish the task, because she couldn¡¯t bear to see her children tortured by Heron.


    When her eyes finally fluttered open, she thought she would see the twins, but who she saw was Aiden.


    He was checking her drip, probably gauging how long it would take for the liquefied treatment to be over.


    A soft chuckle broke out from her lips when he scrunched his face impatiently.


    He looked at her, wide-eyed. "Athena! You are finally awake..."


    Athena managed a nod.


    That alone was painful, but she had to exercise her body parts as soon as possible, so they wouldn¡¯t get dull.


    "How long have I been out?"


    "A day and half."


    Athena wasn¡¯t surprised. Her body needed thorough rest after the hell it had been subjected to.


    "So, how do you feel? All over... On the scale of one to ten."


    "Ten." She muttered.


    Aidenughed, shaking his head. "It¡¯s good you still have your humor."


    He sat on the bed. "You know you had me worried back there. Even Ewan has refused to speak on what he had walked into. The young man is traumatized. I doubt you want to talk about it?"


    Athena sighed softly. "Just a man trying to abuse me. Who informed him of my abduction?"


    Aiden piqued an eyebrow. Of course she would try to downy it!


    It was good Ewan had returned!


    He had been so busy dealing with the gang that he hadn¡¯t thought of sending one of the men, at least, to retrieve Athena.


    But... the kidnappers had been more than he had foreseen. It wasn¡¯t entirely his fault.


    "Aiden..."


    Aiden shrugged his shoulders. "I¡¯m sure you must have figured it out already. The watch you wore had a tracker. That¡¯s how we found you. But I¡¯m only one man, and there¡¯s only so much I can do, even with my skills; so Gianna called Ewan and Zane for help."


    Athena nodded in understanding. "What about the children?"


    "They are waiting outside with Gianna and Zane. Should I call them in?"


    Athena nodded. She needed to hold her children, to confirm they were okay. The dream had been so terrible and real.


    However, when Aiden got to the door, she stopped him. "It¡¯s them. The people behind this assault are the gang from before. Worse, Fiona hired them."


    Aiden turned around immediately, shock mixed with anger, visible on his face.


    "Fiona? Ewan¡¯s Fiona? How does she know them? Isn¡¯t she supposed to be some spoiled brat?"


    "Beats me, Aiden. They call her thedy Morgana of their boss. I knew because they mentioned that I was stupid for offending Ewan¡¯s fiancee. They actually pitied Ewan more. It really made me wonder."


    As it should. Aiden thought, not believing what he was hearing.


    Fiona, affiliated with one of the worst gangs in the continent? That was interesting.


    "Do you think she has anything to do with the killing at the restaurant..."


    "I¡¯m not sure." Athena paused. "But it¡¯s an expensive restaurant; so it¡¯s possible a story might be there. Do you mind checking it out? CCTV and all?"


    Aiden nodded. "That will be a pleasure."


    "You can call in my highly esteemed visitors. I¡¯m sure they¡¯re sick with worry."


    Aidenughed and walked out of the room.


    Once he was out, Athena tried sitting up on the bed; she didn¡¯t want her children seeing her this way.


    Pain ransacked her entire frame as she did, but she bit it down and kept pushing herself.


    When she seeded at the task, she sighed heavily, syed her hands on the bed, and waited.


    A smile broke out on her lips when the hospital door was pushed open, and her children with Kendra came barreling inside.


    "Don¡¯t hug her, she¡¯s still sore all over!" Gianna screamed from behind them, causing Athena tough.


    "Don¡¯t fret, Gianna. I think I can handle a couple of hugs."


    But the children didn¡¯t hug her. They each squeezed her hands rather.


    "Mom, how are you feeling?"


    Athena bobbed her head, still smiling. She rubbed Kathleen¡¯s cheek softly before answering her question. "I¡¯m fine."


    She patted Nathaniel¡¯s head,ughed at the faux cold gaze in his eyes, before touching Kendra¡¯s cheek.


    Kendra blushed beet red.


    "I¡¯m d that you¡¯re okay, Aunt Athena. I think the drunk driver should be sued."


    Athena held back augh after she saw the stiffness on the faces of her children and Gianna.


    Knowing them, she knew they were holding back augh too.


    "Thank you, Kendra. Of course, the driver will be sued ordingly." She rubbed thetter¡¯s cheeks again.


    The little one beamed, pleased with being the center of attention.


    Just then Zane stepped into the room.


    Without giving anyone a nce, he walked straight to Athena, and dropped a kiss on her forehead.


    Gianna looked away, pain keeling in her eyes.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Athena. I¡¯m so sorry."


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Zane, you¡¯re not at fault."


    But Zane knew what he was apologizing for.


    He dropped another kiss on her forehead, and asked her how she was doing.


    "I¡¯m fine. Thank you foring around. Aiden mentioned you giving up your esteemed security detail for my sake."


    Zane chuckled bitterly. "But Ewan was still wise enough toe back for you. I should have done the same instead of waiting in the house as Aiden had ordered."


    Ewan had disobeyed Aiden, ande for her?


    A flutter began in her belly before she could stop it.


    "Where¡¯s he? Where¡¯s Sandro?"


    "Sandro returned to thepany to handle some things. They have a press conference in the next two hours. I¡¯m sure Ewan will be there too, after checking on Fiona."


    "Fiona?" Athena¡¯s rising anger at Fiona¡¯s evil scheme promptly killed the flutter in her belly.


    "Yes. She attempted suicide two days ago."

 Chapter 75: Press Conference

    <h4>Chapter 75: Press Conference</h4>


    "Ewan, must you go? The doctor admonished you to stay with me till my fears are subdued...please listen to him." Fiona pleaded, looking very pale and pitiful.


    Ewan frowned, not believing what he was hearing. Stay till she was free from her fears? It meant he wouldn¡¯t go to work again, considering how extreme she was. How impossible was that!


    However, he sat down gently by her bedside. "Fiona, don¡¯t be so dramatic..."


    He tucked her blonde hair behind her ears. "You love being rich right? You love spending money, right? Well, allow me to go and make it, so you can have more to enjoy..."


    Fiona pouted when she saw the smile on Ewan¡¯s lips, never mind it was barely there, just a tug at the end of his lips.


    "But I need you to hold me, to tell me I will be okay..."


    Ewan prayed for patience to deal with this version of Fiona. He didn¡¯t know how much longer his patience would hold before snapping.


    He should have gone this morning to see Athena, but this woman right here had held him down with demands a nanny could easily fulfill!


    <i>"I prefer you doing it for me, it helps me heal faster."</i> She had said, when he asked about the tantrums she kept throwing.


    But Ewan believed he had had enough of the matter, at least for today. He had to attend the press conference.


    "I¡¯ll be back Fiona. You can have me all you want. Just let me make money for both of us."


    Ewan almost guffawed at how strange he sounded to his own self, but he was ready to do that, to be that, so that he was will be free from Fiona¡¯s grasp for a second, and keep her from attempting suicide again.


    "Okay then. I will count the hours till I see you again."


    Ewan nodded, dropped a kiss on her forehead, stood up, and walked out of the room.


    After he was out, Fiona smiled, and pped her hands softly.


    "This was the best n!" She muttered, and she wasn¡¯t doing it with her father¡¯s aid.


    The old man could go to hell for all she cared!


    She smiled, sat up on the bed, and collected from the bedside drawer, the food Ewan had personally cooked for her.


    When was thest time she tasted his meal? She couldn¡¯t remember.


    <i>Oh...</i> She moaned when the food¡¯s vors sank into her tongue.


    This was so worth it.


    Next, she picked her phone and called her friend. And for the hundredth time, there was no response. Did anything happen?


    She had almost asked Ewan about Athena, if the news hade out about the dead doctor, but so far Ewan was just attentive to her.


    Would he smile if Athena was dead? Or wasn¡¯t he just aware?


    She snickered. Thetter must be the case.


    Her personal Morgan must have left Athena¡¯s body in an area where people won¡¯t be able to see it for the meantime, unlike what he had done for the chief waiter.


    The news about the cruel death of the waiter had been the highlight of her day two days ago.


    She tried the number again. Not going. Why wasn¡¯t he picking her calls?


    She shook her negative thoughts away, saying it was impossible. Morgan never missed a target.


    That concluded, she settled to devour Ewan¡¯s food to the finish.


    Meanwhile, at Ewan¡¯spany, Sandro was pacing Ewan¡¯s office.


    Where was his friend? Did he forget about the conference today, while catering for that pretentious Fiona?


    No matter the evidence Ewan had presented to him, including the doctor¡¯s report, Sandro found it hard to believe that Fiona, who loved life so much, would willingly kill herself.


    He just couldn¡¯t bring himself to believe the fact, no matter what she imed to have for Ewan.


    When Ewan stepped into the office, Sandro rushed up to him. "Where have you been?"


    "Sorry, Fiona..."


    Sandro immediately tuned out. "Don¡¯t bother. Just hurry up. The press has been waiting for the longest while."


    Ewan took his lips, refusing toment on Sandro¡¯s interruption. There was no time for that.


    So, taking a deep breath, he strode confidently into the room that had been chosen for the meeting.


    Sandro followed, but he stood by the door side, after shutting it after him.


    "Good afternoon everyone, sorry for keeping y¡¯all waiting, and thanks for your patience with me, I had a business to tidy up... so about the issue with Athena Caddell..."


    In the hospital, Athena was watching the news with Zane.


    Gianna had left with the kids, as she had insisted they attend school, even though half the day was almost gone.


    She didn¡¯t want her children to be treated preferentially or for people to think she was abusing the privileges.


    The school already epted them midterm, and that was enough.


    She scoffed now, as Ewan spoke about a business he had to tidy.


    The mask of frown on her face kept disintegrating however, with every story Ewan told about their marriage, starting with his personal history, which had kickstarted his tonic rtionship with Fiona, down to the contract he made with her father.


    <i>"Of course that doesn¡¯t excuse my unruly actions. Even though I had believed that Athena had been in cahoots with her father, it still doesn¡¯t excuse my actions, or my partnering with Fiona to make her look like a fool. I knew what Fiona was gunning for, while she painted pictures or tried to hold my hands in front of Athena, but I didn¡¯t correct the notion because I wanted to hurt Athena..."</i>


    Athena maintained a stoic face as Ewan paused and evaluated the faces of the people before him.


    <i>"...because I knew she loved me, I wanted to hurt her. I wanted her to feel as I felt when her father requested for a son in exchange for my father¡¯snd. That contract had hurt my pride."</i>


    Athena inhaled softly.


    <i>"For the rumor of adultery... on my side, I never slept with another during our marriage. On her side, I may have jumped into conclusions readily concerning that. I should have pushed my anger aside and did justice to the investigations. But I didn¡¯t. And I apologize for that. However, I¡¯m reopening the investigations. I just hope you all can forgive me." </i>


    "Check thepany¡¯s ratings." Athena said.


    Zane obeyed, smiling afterward. "It¡¯s working."


    Athena was pleased.

 Chapter 76: Investigation

    <h4>Chapter 76: Investigation</h4>


    Athena grunted in pain as Aiden helped hery on the bed.


    Although she hadmented that the previous hospital where Ewan had admitted her was okay, despite its locality, Aiden had insisted on moving her to one of the Whitman¡¯s hospitals¡ªbut not the headquarters.


    She knew though that the ns had been made together with Gianna, and probably Zane.


    "I told you I didn¡¯t want this transfer, now look at how I was handled on the stretcher..." She murmured, arranging the bed sheets over her, in such a way it covered from her breasts down.


    She was wearing a flimsy hospital wear, with no underwear.


    Aidenughed, helping her to spread the tail of the bed sheets to the end of the bed. "Stopining. You are a doctor, and you know that¡¯s how it is done. You weren¡¯t hoping for a different treatment, were you? And besides, this ward is better. Don¡¯t you think so?"


    Athena huffed, refusing to admit the obvious truth. She couldn¡¯t say that the bed was softer, or that the room was neater with better venttion. She just didn¡¯t want to be moved from one ce to another.


    So, she changed the topic. "Any more news about the gang? Were you able to find any clues concerning their whereabouts or hideouts?"


    Aiden knew what Athena was doing, but the present topic was a very serious one, so he didn¡¯t call her to it.


    "Not exactly. The only thing I found out while checking out the hideout was that they haven¡¯t been around in the town for long. They had just moved in. So, there weren¡¯t many clues, but there were pictures... I guess pictures of people they want to kill, or they have killed. Most of them have been burnt. I saw the picture of the chief waiter though, the one whose dead body you had seen on the sidewalk."


    Athena nodded leisurely. "What about him? Did you check him out too?"


    Aiden nodded. "It¡¯s gross really. I was able to get my hands on the CCTV. Turns out that Fiona had dined there a few days ago. She had ordered the most expensive dish on the menu, but when the time came to pay up, her cards won¡¯t work. ording to the waiter I spoke to, the three cards had gotten declined. The waiter also mentioned that Fiona had kept calling someone¡ªEwan, if she should take a guess¡ªbut the number didn¡¯t go through. She called her father too, but the old man shouted at her instead..."


    There was a pause, where Athena righted herself properly on the bed to hear more of this story.


    "Well, the chief waiter appeared then. He tried the cards again, and when it didn¡¯t work, he asked for her ne, for coteral, till she paid her debt. Fiona refused. She opted for something else. I don¡¯t know what, but I guessed it was for kitchen duty, seeing as the man led her to the kitchen, where tes were heaped to be washed."


    A pause.


    "She didn¡¯t wash the tes. So if I should take a guess, the man demanded her body as a payment. She did it, but maybe felt angry with the man¡¯s audacity and ordered the gang to kill him."


    "That¡¯s a wild spection, Aiden."


    Aiden shrugged his shoulders. "I think you will make the same deductions if you watch the CCTV. Do you want to check it out?"


    Athena shook her head. "No. I would rather trust your own deductions. It doesn¡¯t matter really. What matters is that she had a part in the man¡¯s death. What matters is how she knows the gang¡¯s leader. What is their story?"


    Aiden sighed. "That¡¯s what I don¡¯t know. As usual, the gang is very evasive."


    As one of the top gangs in the continent should be. Athena thought, remembering the days and months the team had toiled to find the gang, but thetter had kept eluding them at every turn.


    "So, when will the team be touching down?"


    "Sometime next week. I have submitted the entire reports to them."


    Athena took her lips in, and shut her eyes for a microsecond. Her days were about to get busier.


    "But Athena..."


    She opened her eyes.


    "Did he recognize you?"


    She shook her head. "He didn¡¯t. I¡¯m not sure if it was because it was unexpected or he really forgets faces..."


    Aiden shook his head. "Whichever one it is, it was for your own good. If he had recognized you, that would have been a different case."


    Didn¡¯t she know? The scorpions gang was very dangerous.


    Just then a knock sounded on the door.


    "Are you expecting anyone?"


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows, and shook her head. The kids weren¡¯t supposed to be here until an hourter, with Gianna. Zane might beingter after that.


    "Come in..." Aidenmanded, already taking a defensive stance.


    The door opened, and Ewan stepped in.


    When he saw the defensive pose of Aiden, a thin smile appeared on his lips. He greeted the male. "Afternoon Aiden..."


    Aiden gave a curt nod of greeting, before leaving the two to talk. Athena wasn¡¯t pleased with that.


    "How are you doing?" Ewan asked, taking the seat near the bed.


    Zane had informed him of the change in location after he had gone to the local hospital, and met an empty ward .


    "I am fine. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve thanked you personally for saving me back there..."


    Ewan waved the apology away. "You don¡¯t have to. That¡¯s my job, I would do it again and again, as I¡¯m sure you would have done for me."


    Athena didn¡¯t know what to say to that.


    The silence stretched for a while, with her tapping her bed regrly.


    "So, why were you kidnapped?"


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "Beats me. I don¡¯t know."


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows. "But you know the gang?"


    Athena nodded, seeing no need to deny.


    "How? Have you been kidnapped by them in the past?"

 Chapter 77: Gullibe

    <h4>Chapter 77: Gullibe</h4>


    Didn¡¯t he know the answer to that already? Athena thought. Surely, he must have heard something either from Aiden or Zane.


    Yet she stilled the urge to tell Ewan away. He had saved, not just her physical life, but her mental health.


    By saving her, he had saved her children, and Gianna. Those three, she didn¡¯t know what would have happened if Ewan hadn¡¯te in when he did.


    So, she believed that he deserved some patience at least, as a reward, since she was sure he wouldn¡¯t take anything from her. He hadn¡¯t even taken her ¡¯thanks¡¯.


    "Yes, I¡¯ve been kidnapped before. Don¡¯t ask me why, I don¡¯t know the reason too. It¡¯s what Aiden is still working on... it¡¯s still a mystery to us..."


    Ewan nodded his head slowly, a furrow marring his forehead. He was thinking.


    "Were you..." He stammered, as his neck and cheeks flushed in mild embarrassment.


    Athena saved him from the misery. "We were saved before that could happen."


    She watched as he sighed in relief, right before his eyes widened a fraction.


    "We?"


    Athena cussed mentally. "Yes. The twins and I."


    Athena inhaled sharply when she saw the tightening of Ewan¡¯s fists. This reaction could only mean...


    She met Ewan¡¯s gaze. She wasn¡¯t fast enough to cloak her nervousness on time, but Ewan made no mention of it, rather he asked if she felt pain on her thighs where he had seen the burnt marks earlier.


    Athena shook her head warily. She had seen Ewan¡¯s eyes, knew he was suspicious of the children¡¯s paternity, yet why wasn¡¯t he speaking about it?


    "Can you give me the updates you have on the gang so that I can help with the search?"


    Athen paused, then nodded. The more, the merrier. "I¡¯ll have Aiden send you the detailster. But you have to be careful. I don¡¯t know if any of them had seen you when you saved me... if they did..."


    Ewan waved her worry away. "You worry a lot, I¡¯ll be fine. I didn¡¯t get to this point in my life, by being too careless with factors called enemies. I¡¯ll be fine really. I¡¯m ttered by your concern though."


    Athena huffed and looked away, when he smiled at her widely.


    "I saw the press conference you held a few hours ago..."


    "Yeah, what do you think about it?"


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "Nice move?"


    Ewan chuckled softly, rxing deeply on the chair. "That¡¯s all you have to say?"


    "Basically. I¡¯ve heard it all before."


    "Yeah." Ewan muttered, looking at the windows. "They are all truth though, full ones, not watered down versions."


    "So, when I saw you in the arms of Fiona, both of you sleeping together, it meant nothing?" Athena couldn¡¯t resist making the dig. After all, the picture Fiona had sent her on the day of her mother¡¯s burial had contributed to her divorce request that same day.


    But Ewan looked confused. "What do you mean? What picture? When did that happen?"


    Athena turned up in her lips. "Never mind. It¡¯s not important anymore."


    Yet Ewan wouldn¡¯t let it go. "It might not be important to you, but it is to me. When did you see that?"


    "On my mother¡¯s funeral, Fiona sent me a picture. It was of both of you sleeping together on her bed. You were holding her quite intimately¡ªit looked like a normal scene."


    Ewan tried to remember, smiled when he finally did. "Fiona really sent you that? Do you have the picture?"


    Athena sneered. What was she thinking? That Ewan would believe her over Fiona?


    Ewan, noting this, shook his head. "I just want to see the particr picture, so I can give you the details. If the scene in it happened on the eve of your mother¡¯s burial, then it¡¯s because of the rain."


    Athena was befuddled. Rain? What has that got to do with anything?


    "Fiona is afraid of thunder. It brings nightmares to her. So, sometimes, I help her through it... I think it is a consequence of her saving me from drowning though. She still doesn¡¯t speak about the nightmares."


    Athena tried to hold in theughter, but gave up when Ewan looked at herically.


    "Why are youughing?"


    Athena shook her head, andughed more. "You are just so gullible. Do you really believe anything she tells you?"


    Ewan was speechless. Why did everyone make it seem he was stupid for always believing Fiona? Didn¡¯t they understand the role she had yed in his life?


    "I believe her because she tells the truth, Athena. Fiona isn¡¯t one to lie."


    Not one to lie? The implication Fiona made when she sent the suspicious picture, wasn¡¯t that counted as a lie? Or must a lie be directly spoken for it to be one to Ewan?


    Yet Athena bobbled her head dramatically. "So, it¡¯s safe to say that you didn¡¯t believe me when I told you that Fiona had been behind the kidnap?"


    Ewan paused. This was a tricky question. He didn¡¯t believe Fiona could be behind such a filthy cruel scheme, but he didn¡¯t want to lose this little rtionship he had going with Athena.


    "I don¡¯t know, Athena. It¡¯s ludicrous. I¡¯m sure you already know that, adding the fact she attempted suicide and was in the hospital the same day. So, why would she attempt suicide when she had given the go ahead to kill you?"


    Athena was curious about that too. What was Fiona¡¯s game n? To get Ewan back into her clutches. Of course that would be part of it.


    But what else?


    Athena just couldn¡¯t let go of thetter¡¯s rtionship with the gang. The members had called her the leader¡¯sdy. Did that mean they were sleeping together?


    Athena perused Ewan, who was tucking the bed sheets into the bed corners. She actually pitied him. The man who didn¡¯t know he was dating a beast.


    "I don¡¯t know. But I know what I heard, and I guess I¡¯ll just have to prove it to you."


    Ewan nodded. He could deal with proofs. After all, he was garnering that too at the moment.

 Chapter 78: Not Easily Swayed

    <h4>Chapter 78: Not Easily Swayed</h4>


    Sandro stood at the entrance of the school, which Athena¡¯s children attended, looking hither and thither, for the twins and their friend, because the security personnel wouldn¡¯t let him in.


    ording to the personnel, his name wasn¡¯t among those slotted in the school¡¯s system to pick up the twins.


    So, Sandro had no choice but to hope that the children would see him, recognize him, and beckon him.


    He was lucky.


    Just as he stretched his neck here and there, he caught sight of Kathleen, who furrowed her eyebrow first in confusion when she spotted him.


    The little one thinking her mother had sent the male, dispelled the confusion from her face however, and waved at him with a smiley face.


    Sandro watched with his heart in his mouth, as she beckoned on Nathaniel and Kendra. He saw them talking, knew that they were talking about him, and wondered what exactly they were talking about about him.


    One of the security personnel, who had seen the exchange, beckoned on the children. "Should I let him in?"


    Nathaniel nodded. "He¡¯s a friend of my mother. His name is Mr Sandro..."


    This answer ayed the personnel¡¯s fears.


    He quickly opened the gate, apologized to Sandro for keeping him waiting outside, and let him in.


    Immediately Sandro came inside the school environment, the children walked up to him, making sure to keep a reasonable distance between them and him.


    Sandro noted this but said nothing, relegating it to the fact that they weren¡¯t used to his presence yet.


    After exchanging pleasantries, he followed them to a particr shade, and watched as they sat down on a bench, quite far from the next one. He had no option but to take the next one.


    But if the children kept maintaining these spaces, how would he get their hairs for DNA samples?


    "Who sent you? My mother or Mr. Ewan?"


    It took Sandro a few seconds to get his bearing right, for he hadn¡¯t expected the question. Why would the children think that Ewan had sent him? A feeling of restlessness bloomed within him.


    "Both. I just came to see how you guys were doing, and coping with the recent matter. While on it, your mother has been moved to a better hospital..."


    "Really?" Kathleen asked, exhibiting the first outburst of emotion Sandro had seen on either of the twins since he stepped into the school grounds.


    Sandro nodded.


    "Is it the Whitman¡¯s?" He nodded again, this time to Nathaniel¡¯s question.


    The twins smiled, obviously pleased with the turn of events. The third child, however, seemed to be at loss.


    Sandro understood that was how a six year old should react. Athena¡¯s twins acted way over their age. He had seen that firsthand during the visit to Athena¡¯s house, when he had watched them operate the system like it was nothing.


    He wasn¡¯t sure what they had been doing, since Gianna sat in between them, but it sure looked serious.


    When Gianna had mentioned the coordinates of the local hospital, he had thought her a good tracker, but didn¡¯t understand why the twins were with her.


    Learning? How could they learn hacking with their brains which were still developing? Were they geniuses?


    Their striking blue eyes reminded him of Ewan so much, that he almost forwent his quest for their hair strands. These were his friend¡¯s children, no doubt.


    Speaking of hair strands, how would he get them?


    "So, Mr. Sandro... What exactly is your job?" Nathaniel inquired, folding his arms across his chest.


    "I work as Ewan¡¯s assistant."


    "Like a P.A?" Kathleen piped in.


    Sandro paused. His work entailed more than being a P.A, but he nodded all the same.


    "How¡¯s it like working for him? Is he a bad boss?"


    Sandro shook his head to Nathaniel¡¯s question, while wondering about the twins¡¯ interest in Ewan. Did they suspect too that he was their father?


    His palms became sweaty as he thought of Athena¡¯s role in this.


    If these were really Ewan¡¯s children, then he might have a need to begrudge her.


    No matter their past, she shouldn¡¯t keep a man from his children. That was cruel. They could live their separate lives, but they should work out an arrangement for the betterment of the twins.


    However, even as he thought of this, he negated himself, remembering that Ewan was the one that had banished Athena first.


    If Athena had been pregnant then, she wouldn¡¯t havee to Ewan for help; she would have chosen to suffer alone.


    Sandro shook his head. This was too messed up.


    "Kathleen, I got you something. Kendra, yuu too.."


    He opened the fancy shopping bag he hade with, and brought out a beautiful doll. Surely, six years would love this.


    "And guess what, they sing!"


    He pressed a spot on the doll, and it introduced itself.


    <i>¡¯My name is Charlotte. What¡¯s yours?¡¯ </i>


    Kendra giggled, and walked up to Sandro to receive the doll.


    Sandro was so engaged inughing with the little Kendra that he didn¡¯t notice Nathaniel sneering at Kendra, before ring at his sister who stared longingly at the doll.


    When Kathleen felt her brother¡¯s sharp gaze however, she righted herself and put on a nk facade.


    "Kathleen, won¡¯t youe for yours?"


    Kathleen shook her head. "I don¡¯t like dolls."


    Sandro piqued his eyebrow, more at the cold quality of the voice.


    He reached into the box and brought out an expensive lego set, the one Ewan had told him to get for Nathaniel. "Will you be okay with this then?"


    Nathaniel¡¯s interest was aroused. Seeing it, he was sure that his father had risen up to the challenge, yet his mother came first.


    "Not interested. I have a lot at home."


    Just then, Gianna walked into the shade, startling Sandro.


    "What are you doing here, Sandro?" She asked, suspicion ringing in her voice as she darted nces between the children and the male.


    "I just came to see how they were doing."


    Gianna managed a nod. She knew why Sandro was here.


    "Thanks for your concern. But we¡¯ll be off now. Send my regards to Ewan."

 Chapter 79: Let’s Leave!

    <h4>Chapter 79: Let¡¯s Leave!</h4>


    "I think we should leave the city," Gianna started when she was sure the children had fallen asleep.


    After picking them up from school, she had taken them home to eat and freshen up first, before bringing them to the hospital to see Athena.


    Now, they were fast asleep after filling Athena in on how their day went, including the fact that Sandro had paid them a visit. Kendra was still clutching her doll.


    "Why?" Athena asked, sighing as she righted herself on the bed, making sure not to disturb the children who were lying in different positions on the same bed.


    Gianna¡¯s eyes widened in incredulity.


    "Are you seriously asking that? Look at what happened yesterday! You haven¡¯t spent a month here, and already there are dangerous ruckuses here and there. Yesterday was Alfonso, today is the kidnapper, who knows what tomorrow will bring?"


    She threw up her hands in frustration when Athena maintained a nd countenance.


    "Don¡¯t you understand, Athena? You¡¯re in trouble! Especially from the kidnapper! Aiden hasn¡¯t found him, so he¡¯s still atrge. Who says he won¡¯te for you again?Let¡¯s leave here before things be messy! He could still be inmunication with Fiona for all we know."


    "So?"


    Gianna¡¯s eyes widened again in incredulity. She agilely stood up from the sofa, and started pacing, running her hands through her hair intermittently.


    She paused after a few beats, and intensely stared at Athena.


    "Athena, are you kidding me right now? If not, what do you mean by ¡¯so¡¯? Obviously, you are not safe. There¡¯s no security detail either, unless you want to rely on Ewan and Zane; and worse, you won¡¯t listen to our warnings about not entering any cab..."


    Athena sighed, a crack to her otherwise calm countenance. Her friend was still angry with her for boarding cabs, because if she had waited for Aiden, she wouldn¡¯t have been kidnapped.


    Calcting the timing of events, it was safe to say that her cab driver had been in on the scheme. But did this mean she should run?


    Athena shook her head. There were a lot of sick people who needed her help, including Kendra¡¯s aunt. She just couldn¡¯t abandon them because of a threat to her life. She wouldn¡¯t be a doctor then!


    "I¡¯m sorry about that, Gianna, but I can¡¯t leave. There are people depending on me for survival. I can¡¯t just leave them. My children have just begun to settle in too, I can¡¯t just uproot them again..."


    "Leave them out of this," Gianna interrupted. "The twins would understand. They always do."


    "That doesn¡¯t mean I have to abuse that privilege. Yes, my children are wiser than kids their age, but I refuse to take advantage of that."


    Gianna exhaled softly and looked up, admiring the intricate designs on the ceiling, while thinking about the next route to take. She needed to convince her friend to move.


    "What about Ewan?" She reverted her gaze to Athena. "It¡¯s obvious he suspects that the children are his. It¡¯s also clear that he doesn¡¯t exactly buy your ¡¯I have a husband¡¯ excuse. What are you going to do about that?"


    Athena bit her lip, almost wishing she hadn¡¯t told her friend about the elevator details, as she watched thetter make aical face while mimicking her voice and words.


    "Let hime then. I¡¯m not afraid of him."


    Gianna palmed her forehead in frustration.


    "You are still new to thews in this country, Athena. But Ewan is an old hand; he knows the tricks of the system. Do you think you will win if ites to a legal battle? Or are you hoping he wouldn¡¯t be interested in knowing the children?" Gianna paused to evaluate the emotions on Athena¡¯s face.


    "If that¡¯s what you¡¯re thinking, I suggest you wake up. Ewan is as proud as men are. He would want his children. I doubt he would be happy that you kept them away from him, let alone that you lied to him."


    Athena scoffed. "Angry? He gave me no choice!"


    "The public might not see it that way if he ys that card. You both have been in the news too much already. Are you sure you are up for another bout of publicity? Think about the children..."


    "It¡¯s because of them that I¡¯m hanging on, Gianna. I won¡¯t let Ewan take my children away from me, nor will I be leaving the city."


    Athena didn¡¯t really me Gianna really. Thetter didn¡¯t know all she could do, nor the connections fate had thrown her way, connections which she had utilized in the best possible way.


    She understood her friend¡¯s concerns, but she felt secure enough. She wouldn¡¯t have returned if the reverse were the case. She would never be the helpless girl she was six years ago!


    "But..."


    Athena held up her hand, silencing Gianna.


    "Are you sure you don¡¯t want to leave because of Zane? Is he too close forfort? I can send him away."


    Gianna¡¯s pleading face instantly shifted to one of anger.


    "What brings Zane into our conversation?"


    Athena cocked her head to the right.


    "You im that nothing went on between you two, but anytime his name is mentioned, you get prickly. If you won¡¯t tell me this history to heal, who then will you tell?"


    Gianna snorted in annoyance. "I told you, Athena, I will tell you when the time is right. Don¡¯t mount pressure on me."


    She strolled to the bed. "I¡¯ll take the children home now."


    Athena nodded, having expected this. Gianna¡¯s discussion levels always dropped to absolute zero when Zane was mentioned. She hoped her friend wouldn¡¯t fall prey to excessive drinking again.


    "Alright then. Take care of them."


    The children woke up, when Gianna tapped them on their thighs.


    Awake, and aware they were heading home, they hugged Athena, and said with voices groggy with sleep:


    "Goodnight, Mom."


    Athena smiled, before kissing them softly on their foreheads and sending them away. She didn¡¯t apologize to Gianna for bringing up Zane, an uneptable topic for her friend. She didn¡¯t see the need.


    After they left her ward, she reclined deeper into the pillows behind her, mildly startled when her phone rang out, destroying the quietness of the room.


    She hissed when she saw it was only Zack Moore. There was no need epting the call.


    But on a second thought, she decided to hear what the arrogant man had to say.

 Chapter 80: Cartoon Character

    <h4>Chapter 80: Cartoon Character</h4>


    "Hello, Zack..." Athena spoke, after waiting in vain for Zack to speak first.


    "Helloooo... Athenaaaaa..."


    Hearing the slurs and drawls in Zack¡¯s voice, Athena huffed in displeasure. The man was undoubtedly drunk.


    She removed the phone from her ear, ready to end the call, not in the mood to converse with a tipsy man. However, curiosity stopped her short.


    What could a drunken Zack possibly have to say? She had never seen him like this before¡ªhe was always so uptight. Resuming the call to her ear, she braced herself.


    "Athenaaaaa, are you thereeee?"


    "Yes, Zack, I¡¯m here. Why are you calling?"


    There was a pause on the other end, followed by the sound of shuffling feet. "To tell you that I¡¯m sorry for how I actedst time. It was very foolish of me..."


    Athena remained silent, weighing his words.


    "You know, to be honest, I never thought you would return. I thought you had died during your time in exile. How did you do it? Who is your backer? Your husband? My sources mentioned that you returned to the country with two children. You didn¡¯t tell me I¡¯m a grandfather! That¡¯s wrong of you, bad daughter! You make me look bad!"


    Athena ignored the fact that Zack sounded like a cartoon character and focused on the one matter that concerned her the most. He already knew about her kids. Not that she had been hiding it, but it was clear they had all been investigating her.


    Too bad for them, she thought. They won¡¯t find anything.


    "A warning to you, Zack. If you don¡¯t want to lose the rest of your treasures, keep your distance from my children."


    Zack hissed in anger. "Keep away? You must be joking! I heard one is a male. That one will take over mypany..."


    "Whatpany?" She replied, incredulous. "The one that¡¯s already in shreds?"


    "You can revive it and pass it on to him as an inheritance. Talk to your husband about it¡ªI promise, my grandson will love it."


    Athena shook her head. The opposite was true; Nathaniel despised Zack more than he did Ewan.


    "Just stay away from my children, Zack. Or you won¡¯t like my next steps. Have a nice night."


    "Wait! Please don¡¯t end the call, Athena!"


    Athena sighed in irritation. She shouldn¡¯t have answered in the first ce. "What is it now, Zack?"


    "Thepany. I will stay away from the children if you revive thepany."


    Athenaughed¡ªa full-bodiedugh that sent tears streaming down her cheeks and left her sides aching.


    "Are you threatening me, Zack?" She asked, her voice mysteriously calm.


    Zack was wise enough to keep quiet.


    "That¡¯s a bold¡ªstupid¡ªmove. I won¡¯t be reviving yourpany, and I don¡¯t want to see you near my children for any reason. If I do, I will chop off your tongue first."


    Zack shuddered at the thought, sensing for some inexplicable reason that Athena was speaking with irond seriousness.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Athena. Just help me out here. What can I do to make this easier?"


    "Sell thepany to me. Wasn¡¯t it more of my mother¡¯s hard work than yours? What better way to honor her legacy than to keep thepany running?"


    There was a pause before Zack spoke. "If you want to celebrate your mother¡¯s legacy, then you shouldn¡¯t be asking for a buyout. You should be helping me..."


    "I¡¯m honoring her legacy by buying out thepany. You¡¯re not fit to be the head of her hard work. I pity her, truly, for toiling away for a man who never respected her efforts, a man she lifted to prominence." Athena couldn¡¯t help but snicker. "Isn¡¯t it fitting that a daughter will ultimately bring you down?"


    Zack hissed, indignant. "You are not her daughter!"


    "Oh really? That¡¯s a different tune you¡¯re dancing to now. My offer still stands. Sell thepany to me and retire."


    "I won¡¯t do such a thing! I would rather sell it to a stranger! I would rather sell it to Ewan!"


    Athena chuckled softly, a devious n fermenting in her mind. "Is that so, Zack? Have a good night then."


    She ended the call and burst intoughter. He would rather sell to a stranger? How fortuitous it was that she knew a stranger then.


    She sent Ethan a quick text, instructing him on his next business endeavor. Just as she was grinning at her n, a knock echoed through her door.


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows, peeking at her watch. It was a little past eight p.m. Who could be visiting her at this hour? Ewan? She quickly shook her head. He had his hands full with a suicidal Fiona. So, who was it?


    With the tension mounting inside her, she quickly looked around for a weapon when the knock sounded again.


    "Who is that?" She called calmly, recognizing that she had no means to defend herself.


    "It¡¯s Zane. I¡¯m with my father."


    Athena exhaled sharply, her heart racing momentarily. For a second, she had feared the kidnappers had traced her and hade to finish what they started.


    "Good evening, Herbert, Zane. How do you do?" She greeted after they heeded her e in¡¯ statement and entered her room.


    The Whitmans nodded at her before returning her greeting.


    "I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m justing now. I was held up with work," Herbert exined, settling on the sofa, while maintaining his gaze on her.


    "It¡¯s okay, Herbert. I¡¯m d you¡¯re here." Athena said, righting herself well on the bed. Beside her bed was Zane, checking out the drugs on the tall stool.


    "I¡¯m pleased to hear that. Do you know who was behind the attack?"


    Athena shook her head. "I¡¯m not sure."


    Herbert¡¯s brow furrowed with concern. "It¡¯s okay, at least you¡¯re safe. And I¡¯m sure you have people working on it already."


    Athena nodded.


    "I have a favor to ask,"


    "What is it?" Herbert asked slowly.


    "Can I revisit the contract? I would like to make some adjustments. The position I¡¯m upying is quite stressful."


    Herbert chuckled softly. He had thought the favor was something difficult at first. "Well, that¡¯s because you are stressing yourself. You can hire more assistants, more doctors to aid your cause. I can give referrals if you¡¯d like."


    Athena sighed, stroking her chin as she considered his words. "Okay, let¡¯s set something up. Publicity for employments maybe?


    Zane turned aside, looking between his father and Athena with an undeniable sense of curiosity.


    "What kind of employments are we talking about here?" he asked, his voiceced with intrigue.


    Herbert turned towards Zane. "It¡¯s all about making the work environment more manageable for Athena here. We don¡¯t want to burn out our highly esteemed staff, and I do think we need to establish clearer boundaries."


    Athena nodded, appreciating the sentiment. "Fair enough. Thanks Herbert. Let¡¯s start drafting a new proposal. But first, I need to know exactly how you envision this improved structure."


    As they moved into deeper discussions about the hospital and her position, Athena¡¯s mind flitted back to Zack. She felt a sense of satisfaction and peace settling in her chest.


    Whatever challengesy ahead, she would face them head-on. After all, she had already fought her way through the fire once.


    How hard could it be to do so again?

 Chapter 81: Thoughtful Gifts

    <h4>Chapter 81: Thoughtful Gifts</h4>


    Athena¡¯s eyes diligently scanned Aiden¡¯s report for the second time, her heart weighing heavy with the troubling findings. She wasn¡¯t pleased, not at all.


    Fiona, the elusive figure at the center of this web, couldn¡¯t be traced back to either the murder of the chief waiter or her own kidnapping.


    True, Fiona had left signs¡ªclues that suggested her involvement¡ªbut they were mere whispers, not shouts demanding attention. To the outside world, those whispers were not enough tobel Fiona as evil.


    The investigation team, having entered her city just two days after her abduction, hade up empty-handed. They were unable to find any CCTV footage from the hotel on the night of the waiter¡¯s murder, nor did they find the CCTV footage of the exact time she had been taken.


    Even if some footage had surfaced, Athena doubted it would point directly to Fiona. How could they possibly connect the dots?


    She let out a weary sigh, deliberately letting her phone tumble onto the dresser. The weight of her situation was suffocating, and her mind raced in circles.


    How desperately she wished to involve her children, to let them stand by her side, but this matter felt too close to home. The children still clung to her forfort, their worries lingering even a week after the incident.


    She gazed at her reflection in the long mirror, her eyes trailing over the remnants of what she had survived. Scars marked her thighs, some faded, others still ghastly reminders of the ordeal.


    Each mark whispered of her resilience, but also of the work thaty ahead: the need to eliminate the threat before it found her first, before it could strike again.


    As she fought to steady her slightly racing heart, a knock at her door startled her, pulling her from the spiraling thoughts.


    "Are you still going out today? I¡¯ve been waiting a while..." Gianna¡¯s voice echoed past the door, punctuating the tense air.


    Athena muttered a curse, ncing at the phone and her clothes draped haphazardly around the room. She had submerged herself in work, lost in the reports and her scars¡ªan unsettling routine since the incident.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Gianna. I¡¯ll be with you shortly," She called back, forcing herself to shake off the dark thoughts.


    With hastened movements, she grabbed a blouse hanging on the chair, slipping it over her head. ck pants andbat shoes followed,plementing her ensemble.


    Today was significant; she was heading to Ewan¡¯s town, preparing to face the people of his world.


    When she stepped into the hallways, heading to the living room where Gianna waited, her stride faltered as she caught sight of her children. They were huddled in the corner of their room, surrounded by the gift bags Ewan had sent prior to the incident.


    She hadn¡¯t even checked the items¡ªhadpletely forgotten about them amidst the chaos of recent events.


    Intrigued, she paused and watched as Nathaniel excitedly pulled a hefty LEGO box from one of the bags. His eyes widened in disbelief as he read the price printed on the box.


    A smile tugged at Athena¡¯s lips; Ewan had risen to her son¡¯s challenge, and it momentarily chased away her worries.


    She shook her head, willing the smile away as she turned her attention to the next gift box. A yhouse!


    Her heart warmed as she saw Kathleen¡¯s face light up with delight. No matter his ws, it seemed that Ewan had a knack for being a good dad.


    She watched as Kathleen and Kendra eagerly inspected the yhouse, their excited chatter filling the room. The sound wrapped around her like a warm embrace, momentarily easing the tension in her chest.


    Her gaze drifted back to Nathaniel, who was busy emptying another gift box. His excitement was palpable as he revealed a collection of books authored by Colleen Hoover. Better, they were signed!


    Athena¡¯s mouth fell open. How had Ewan managed to get signed copies? And how did he know that she adored Colleen Hoover¡¯s novels?


    Her heart raced¡ªa mix of disbelief and thrill coursed through her veins. Had he really been paying attention during their marriage, despite being as distant as he often was, despite being a cold fish?


    The thought was both ttering and perplexing. As she sorted through her whirlwind of emotions, a note slipped from one of the books, breaking her train of thought.


    Without thinking, she barreled into the children¡¯s room, catching Nathaniel¡¯s curious nce, and snatched the note before he could reach it.


    "Mom! I thought you were already leaving with Aunt Gianna!" Nathaniel eximed.


    "Yes, I should have, but something else caught my attention," She replied, feigning seriousness as she met his puzzled gaze. "Haven¡¯t I taught you not to take what doesn¡¯t belong to you?"


    Nathaniel shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "I was just checking to see if it was something dangerous."


    "Of course," Athena replied, her voiceced with amusement. "I¡¯ll be out now. Take care of the girls." She picked up the second gift bag.


    With a nod, Nathaniel waved her off.


    She kissed him on the forehead and leaned over to nt kisses on the girls¡¯ heads too. As she turned to leave, a sudden pause gripped her.


    Rather than seeking out Gianna, she found herself returning to her own room, her heart full yet puzzled.


    Once inside, she reached for the collection of books again. She inhaled theforting scent of fresh pages, an aroma she had always cherished.


    As she checked the signatures once more, her initial thrill faded to confusion; the date etched in one of them was from a year after she had left Ewan. She found herself frozen, struggling to fathom the implications of it all.


    Picking up the note, she read, <i>"I hope you let the past go. I hope things get better." </i>The simple words felt heavy,den with meaning.


    She dropped the books on the table, her heart racing as she examined the final gift bag.


    Insidey a stunning red gown and a pair of ck open-toe heels, apanied by another note:


    <i> "For our first partner date. There¡¯s something about thepany I want to discuss with you. Text me if you¡¯re interested, with a day that works for you, and I¡¯ll meet you."</i>


    What was this?


    Just then, Gianna stepped into the room, her eyes flicking over the contents Athena was still holding. "You got another gown from Areso? Thedy really loves you..."


    Athena shook her head gently, a mix of feelings bubbling inside her. "It¡¯s from Ewan."

 Chapter 82: Saving An Enemy

    <h4>Chapter 82: Saving An Enemy</h4>


    Gianna stood frozen, momentarily speechless at Athena¡¯s response.


    She took a step toward Athena, her eyes darting over the carefully arranged stacks of books and the colorful gift bags scattered around.


    "Gianna, he brought them on the day of the kidnap." Athena echoed, her brow furrowed. "I had forgotten them till I saw the children opening it," She added softly, her fingers brushing against the fabric.


    Gianna¡¯s eyes perused the fiery gown, pausing when she saw a note pinned on it. Her hand instinctively reached for the delicate note.


    She read it to Athena whose facial expression bordered on confusion.


    <i>¡¯I noticed you¡¯re a fan of Areso.¡¯</i>


    "Is he wooing you back?"


    Athena sighed, her voice barely above a whisper as she continued, "I don¡¯t know. Signed copies of Colleen Hoover¡¯s books bought after a year of our divorce, an Areso gown, and Le Fan¡¯s heels. What do you think, Gianna?"


    Gianna took a deep breath, shaking her head in disbelief. "It¡¯s hard to make sense of this. Why all of this now, especially after everything that¡¯s happened?"


    "Exactly. He ims it¡¯s for a partnership deal," Athena replied, frustrationcing her tone.


    Giannaughed, a sound that was almost mocking. "Partnership my foot. If you don¡¯t want to go back to him, don¡¯t bother meeting him. Partnership deals can be discussed in the boardroom, so you can ask for that. Unless..."


    "Unless what?" Athena¡¯s expression darkened, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach.


    "Unless you want to tell him about the kids," Gianna said bluntly, sitting down on the edge of the bed, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air.


    Athena felt her heart skip.


    "Lately, when I go to pick the children up from school, I see Sandro hanging around..." Gianna continued, exhaling softly. "They suspect something, and it wouldn¡¯t be crazy if he didn¡¯t, considering Nathaniel¡¯s resemnce to him. I think..."


    She crossed her arms around herself, "I think you should tell him. If you don¡¯t, it¡¯ll only breed more doubt. His actions after your truth will inform us on what to do next. But its best to do away with the suspense once and for all."


    Athena sighed deeply, her thoughts racing, as she rested her buttocks on the dresser. The idea of confronting Ewan¡ªof revealing the truth about their children to him¡ªmade her stomach churn. Was it her overprotectiveness that stirred these feelings, or was it something deeper?


    However, Gianna was right about one thing: the suspense was slightly suffocating.


    "So, I should ept his invitation to dinner?"


    "Absolutely. It¡¯s time to face this head-on," Gianna encouraged, her tone firm yet supportive. "I¡¯ll be right here with you. Just like old times."


    "Okay then, I¡¯ll do thatter," Athena replied, steeling herself. "But for now, we have a ce to be. Remember, I have another meeting with Alfonso. Will you being with me for that?"


    "I don¡¯t know. It depends on how long we will be spending on our first visit," Gianna replied thoughtfully, ncing toward the door as if expecting someone to arrive any moment.


    "Let¡¯s go then," Athena said, standing erect again.


    As they drove toward Ewan¡¯s town for their first visit, a sense of foreboding filled the air. And when they arrived, they understood why.


    The sight before them was so shocking and troubling. The streets were eerily quiet, and most of the townspeople appeared to be afflicted, the disease evident in the early stages.


    Gianna tightened her grip on Athena as they stepped out of the car.


    "You sure it¡¯s not transmitted by contact?" Gianna asked, her voice trembling with fear.


    Athena nodded, surveying the environment, checking to see what had changed since her exile.


    "Then how does it spread?" Gianna pressed, urgency creeping into her voice.


    "I¡¯m not sure, honestly. It¡¯s been proven over and over again that it¡¯s not by contact, but..." Athena paused, ncing around at the somber faces surrounding them. "At least those who are treated aren¡¯t susceptible to the disease anymore."


    Gianna crossed her arms, watching a little girl y nearby, a gray patch marring her otherwise innocent features. "Where did the diseasee from? Has that been found out at least?"


    Athena shook her head, her heart heavy with the weight of unanswered questions.


    Just then, her phone rang, cutting through the thick silence. It was Alfonso. She picked up on the third ring.


    "Hello, Doctor Athena... where are you? Ewan assured us that you¡¯reing today..." Alfonso¡¯s voice crackled through the line.


    Athena pursed her lips, ncing at Gianna before replying. "Yes, I¡¯m already in town. Do you still live in the same part of it?"


    "Of course. See youter then," Alfonso responded gruffly.


    Athena hung up the call, exuding the calm fa?ade of a seasoned physician.


    "Let¡¯s go," She said to Gianna.


    Alfonso¡¯s house still looked the same, but there was a certain heaviness in the air that lingered as Athena knocked on the door. It opened almost instantly, revealing Alfonso with a troubled expression etched across his features.


    "What are you doing here?" Athena questioned, furrowing her eyebrows. Weren¡¯t they suppose to meet at a restaurantter?


    "As much as the disease isn¡¯t spread by contact, it isn¡¯t advisable to stay in the same confines with the afflicted. What about your house in the city?"


    "I have a house, but..." He opened the door wider to wee them in. "I have the disease too. Are you sure it isn¡¯t by contact? I don¡¯t want Fiona contracting the same..."


    Athena shook her head. "It¡¯s not. I need to see your wife."


    At that moment, she noticed the gray patch above Alfonso¡¯s eyebrows¡ªa sign that he hadn¡¯t been lying after all.


    He led them upstairs to the room where he cared for his wife, a room that was both familiar and foreign to Athena.


    When she saw Mrs. Adams, the reality struck her like a blow to the gut.


    This woman, who had once been a formidable force in her life, was now a thin shell of her former self, a mere shadow of the round figure Athena recalled.


    The woman had tormented her life, yet in this moment, Athena couldn¡¯t even gloat. She rather felt a pang of sympathy for her enemy.


    "Mrs. Adams, do you think you can handle being carried? We need to transport you to the hospital?" She asked gently, her voice filled with unexpected kindness.


    Mrs. Adams¡¯ eyes widened in shock as she took in Athena¡¯s presence, her mouth working silently as she beckoned her husband with a frail hand movement.


    "What¡¯s the problem, Mag?" Alfonso rushed to her side, concern bathing his features.


    Mrs Adams opened her mouth, and closed it, her voiceing out as a croaked whisper.


    Athena couldn¡¯t decipher it, didn¡¯t understand either, how Alfonso could hear the words.


    "It¡¯s as I told you before, Mag. Only her can cure you. She is known to work by the doctor¡¯s ethics, so I doubt she will intentionally kill you, not when she has a standing deal with Ewan."


    Oh, so the woman was afraid that she would kill her? Well, that was a good fear to hold onto.


    But she was a moral doctor, and right now, she had to save her enemy.


    "Yes, she is okay to be carried. You can treat her?" Alfonso reverted his attention to Athena.


    "Let¡¯s hope for the best. She¡¯s in the final stage of the disease. Survival rate is fifty fifty now or even less."


    Alfonso hissed. "If you had..."


    He stopped when he saw the scowl on Gianna¡¯s face, right before she shouted;


    "Hold your stinking thoughts, Alfonso! My friend doesn¡¯t owe your family anything. You should be d that she had taken up the case in the first ce!"

 Chapter 83: Winning Again

    <h4>Chapter 83: Winning Again</h4>


    "I wille to the hospital tomorrow for my own treatment. I have some things to sort out here. Thank you foring by the way."


    Athena didn¡¯t bother nodding at the half-ass appreciation from Alfonso. She¡¯d rather talk to Gianna, who was watching the ambnce officials carry Mag on the stretcher to the van.


    Gianna, who wanted to shout, <i>"Karma is a bummer,"</i> but who, like Athena, didn¡¯t really wish damning sicknesses on people. That would be a tad too harsh, even if Mag had made things a bit difficult for her in the past.


    "Will you stay for the meeting?" She heard Athena ask, and casually shrugged her shoulders.


    "Since I¡¯m already here, I might as well do the same. I was thinking the meeting would be held in another location, but this is better."


    Athena nodded, and together they returned to find Alfonso had settled into a chair. He looked as though he had just lost a game of musical chairs and was trying to reim his spot at the table.


    Not bothered, they shut the door behind them, sealing off the outside world for their little meeting.


    "Thank you for agreeing to the meeting," Alfonso said, attempting to sound grateful.


    Athena merely nodded, her expression as nd as thest piece of bread left in a lunchbox.


    "The meeting was called because of thepany. I want you to buy it."


    Athena¡¯s eyes remained as t as a pancake as she looked at Alfonso for a mere second. "You changed your mind?"


    "Yes," he replied with surprising enthusiasm.


    "What about Ewan?" Athena pressed, crossing her arms on her chest.


    "Forget about Ewan."


    Athena nodded her head slowly. It would mean that Ewan had refused to buy thepany, or he had offered a lesser amount, noting the current state of hispany. "I¡¯ll take it then. I¡¯ll just have to draft some documents."


    Alfonso shook his head vigorously. "There¡¯s no need for that. I already drafted it!" He immediately got up from the sofa and strutted over to the cab.


    Athena exchanged a nce with Gianna, who found Alfonso¡¯s haste concerning.


    When he returned and handed the document over to Athena, she decided to voice her opinion. "Why the hurry, Alfonso? This is, as you call it, your baby. Why are you in such a rush to sell? Is there no way to salvage the situation like Ewan has done?"


    Alfonso bit back a retort. Salvage? Even though Ewan¡¯s truth at the press conference hadn¡¯t shed light on his role in their divorce, hispany¡¯s stocks had continued to drain like water from a cracked bucket.


    The shareholders had all pulled out, but Athena didn¡¯t need to know that hispany was almost worth nothing.


    Once he got the hundred million dors, he would leave the city with his treated wife. Or no, he would stay and start over, think of something new, make some investments.


    Speaking of investments, he made a note to invite Ethan for a meeting about the shares. This was the best time. A thin smile perched on his lips. A hundred million dors could do a lot.


    He watched as Athena ndly went through the document, and wondered why she wasn¡¯t smiling or gloating over this potentially juicy deal.


    "I think there¡¯s a mistake here, Alfonso?" Athena said, breaking the silence and making Alfonso¡¯s heart race like a runaway train.


    He furrowed his eyebrows at her statement, collecting the document she was giving him. When he perused the document twice, seeing nothing wrong, he looked at Athena warily. "I see no issue there."


    Athena clicked her tongue like a teacher correcting a student. "You wrote a hundred million dors here. Why?"


    Alfonso¡¯s heart began a dull beat as a sense of dread washed over him. "You mentioned that you will buy thepany at that price..." he stammered, desperately trying to remember the details of their past discussions.


    Athena nodded in agreement. "I did so... but that was more than a week ago. There¡¯s a different price for today, given the deplorable state of yourpany."


    Alfonso swallowed hard, his throat feeling drier than a desert. Hispany¡¯s situation with the shareholders should only be known to the inner circle, so how did the news get out?


    Who told Athena? Those unfaithful pigs! What was their problem?


    "So how much do you want to pay for it now?" He finally asked, his heart hanging in the bnce, anticipation nearly giving him a heart attack.


    "Ten million dors. And personally, I think that¡¯s generous. Yourpany has no worth, except debts, just like Zack¡¯s," Athena replied without missing a beat, then shook her head. "Birds of the same feathers."


    For Alfonso, he was shocked, not believing what he was hearing. Just ten million dors? That was amon change!


    He picked up his phone and called Ewan, unwittingly giving Athena an answer. Unluckily for him, Ewan was in a meeting.


    But he didn¡¯t give up; he sent a text instead: <i>¡¯Is your offer still up for mypany?¡¯ </i>


    Surely, forty million was more than ten!


    Opposite him, Gianna and Athena counted the time until they could get out of here.


    Five minutes passed before Ewan sent a reply. <i>"I¡¯m sorry, Alfonso. I think you should just shut down thepany and sell the building maybe. I can¡¯t take on yourpany and its debts now."</i>


    Alfonso furrowed his brow. How did Ewan know about his debts? He looked at Athena, suspicion simmering. Did she tell him? He bit his lip in thought.


    "What¡¯s the issue, Alfonso? Aren¡¯t you interested in the deal again?" Athena asked, her tone gaining a hint of annoyance.


    "How did you know about my debts?" He sidestepped the question like a kid avoiding vegetables on his te.


    Giannaughed this time around, her voice ringing like cheerful bells. "Check the socials, old man. It¡¯s been posted everywhere¡ªyourpany¡¯s bnce sheets are trending!"


    Alfonso shuddered. With hands shaking, he picked up the phone by his side and checked his socials, almost going crazy with the number of notifications and messages he was getting. All condolences for hispany.


    He gritted his teeth when he saw the media topping the charts. The KN media! He glowered at Athena, fresh hatred bubbling within. He recalled that KN media had almost brought down Ewan¡¯spanyst time.


    "You are behind this, aren¡¯t you? You and your KN media! You hired someone to do this!" He used, his voice rising like a cat defending its territory.


    Athena blinked, genuinely shocked. KN media? Zane talked about it once. But she had forgotten to check on it.


    "I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about. The news aired first on the Guardian. KN is topping the charts because they have arger fanbase..."


    "It doesn¡¯t matter! This is your fault!" Alfonso roared, clenching his fists in unrestricted anger.

 Chapter 84: Winning Again II

    <h4>Chapter 84: Winning Again II</h4>


    Athena watched Alfonso heave in and out harshly, his anger radiating like heat from an open me. She shook her head and got to her feet. "The offer just dropped to eight million..."


    Alfonso¡¯s anger immediately deted. His eyes widening in disbelief, he stuttered an indecipherable apology in resignation, before falling to his knees.


    "Please, Athena, have mercy on me..." His voice trembled, desperation etched into every line of his face.


    Athena shot him a look of contempt, her gaze as icy as a winter morning. "Mercy? Be real Alfonso. This is pure business. When you¡¯re ready, email me the document. But remember, as the day goes by, the value drops."


    She was just about to head out when Alfonso unexpectedly grasped her ankles, holding her back. "I¡¯ll take it. I¡¯ll take your offer."


    "Good," Athena said, turning aside and sitting back down after shrugging his hands away from her feet. The power dynamics felt so deliciously delightful to her.


    Gianna observed the scene y out, almost as if she had foreseen Alfonso crumbling under Athena¡¯s assertiveness. She was thrilled to see her friend in thismanding state, ready to gloat¡ªthis was something she could definitely relish.


    "So, the document can be prepared now, to save time. As a matter of fact, I have a temte..." She chimed in, her excitement palpable.


    Alfonso and Athena both furrowed their brows, turning to Gianna in unison. "What?"


    "You told me about the deal, remember? I just prepared a document for it in advance. It¡¯s for a hundred million dors, but that can be changed..." She exined, a hint of pride in her voice as if she had just solved a difficult math problem.


    The room fell into a cloud of silence as Gianna worked her magic. A few minutester, she handed the iPad to Alfonso. "You can sign here. And please be fast about it," She urged.


    Athena sighed and leaned back in her chair, letting her mind drift as she dreamt about the new addition to her collection¡ªthis deal felt like winning the lottery.


    Alfonso hesitated, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. Was this really what he hade to? A pauper at an age when he should be thriving? This was all her fault!


    He would deal with her surely. But for now, he would take care of Mag and get things sorted before he made any rash moves. With a heavy heart, he finally signed the document.


    When he handed the iPad back to Gianna, Athena took her turn and signed as well. She then sent the PDF to him with a flourish, as if it were a magical scroll.


    "When will I get my payment?" Alfonso inquired, his voice wavering.


    "Only when you make the announcement that you¡¯ve sold thepany to a better handler. And don¡¯t forget to settle your employees..." Athena replied, her eyes sparkling mischievously.


    "From which money?" Alfonso asked, incredulous.


    Athena let out a soft cackle, "Come off it, Alfonso. You must have a stash somewhere. So pay them off, and tell them to take a week off until the new bossmands their presence."


    Alfonso sighed, his shoulders slumping under the weight of impossible expectations. "So you will be running thepany?"


    Athena shrugged, her nonchnce infuriating him even more. "I¡¯m not sure yet. But that¡¯s not your concern. Who knows, I might sell it to a friend of mine. He¡¯s great at building businesses from the ground up."


    Alfonso tightened his fist at her words. She had someone all along, and she couldn¡¯t help him?! She could have prevented this situation and yet chose not to! She could have given him a loan! But no, she was reveling in her revenge despite his countless apologies. She would pay for this.


    "Alright then. It was nice doing business with you," He finally muttered, trying to keep his anger in check. After all, he still had his health and his wife to worry about.


    Athena smiled at him, a bright, victorious look on her face. She stood up from where she sat, and with Gianna beside her, they walked out of the living room without looking back.


    Once they left, Alfonso shut his eyes and rested his head on the desk. A stash? He had none.


    He had berated his daughter for being foolish with finances, but he wasn¡¯t any better. He had frivolously spent money, thinking he had Ewan and hispany to fall back on. He kept taking loans from one bank to another, and now he was left with nothing.


    If he paid off his workers, he would have nothing left. What could eight million dors do for him?


    Perhaps he could kill Athena? He thought angrily. He would hire a mercenary. Maybe he could even ce a bounty on her head in the dark web. But how much would be left to him after paying for the services of one?


    He sighed, remembering the hospital bills that were piling up, and cursed under his breath. What had his life be? How could he have fallen so far in just a month after Athena¡¯s return?


    This was her revenge. He was sure of it. Well, it was his turn to pay back the favour. This time around, her death would suffice.


    Grabbing his phone, he called Fiona.


    "Hello, Dad... you¡¯ve not visited me for a while..." She said, her voice bright yetced with concern.


    Alfonso inhaled deeply, fighting to keep his temper in check while remembering the doctor¡¯s report. "Sorry, my dear, I¡¯ve been busy. Mypany has kept me on my toes..."


    There was a pause on the other end of the line. "I saw the news. What are you going to do now? Have you called Ewan?"


    Alfonso hissed angrily, "That idiot turned his back on me! After everything I¡¯ve done for him! He refused to loan me any money, help me out, or even buy thepany!"


    Another significant pause filled the air.


    "That¡¯s understandable, considering he¡¯s working at thepany to earn money for both of us..." Fiona pointed out, trying to remain logical.


    Alfonso took the phone out of his ear, red at it, and put it on loudspeaker.


    "Since I¡¯m his wife, I¡¯ll keep sending money to you."


    Alfonso liked the idea; it seemed like a lifeline. But then again, there was Athena to consider. "What about Athena? Are they still dining together?"


    "Just partnership stuff. Although she¡¯s dead now," Fiona said cryptically.


    Alfonso furrowed his brow, not understanding. "What do you mean by ¡¯dead¡¯? Like in the future tense or something?"


    Fionaughed, a light chuckle that cut through the tension. "No, past tense. She¡¯s dead."


    Alfonsoughed in disbelief. "Are you sure you¡¯re okay? Have you been living under a rock or something?"


    There was a pause on the other end.


    "Athena just left my house a few minutes ago, with a document stating that she bought mypany for just eight million dors! She¡¯s the owner now!"


    Fiona could onlyugh, a nervous, disbelieving harsh sound escaping her lips. "What are you talking about, Dad? I made sure..."


    She stopped mid-sentence, but Alfonso already knew where this was going. "You tried to kill Athena?"


    Another long pause stretched between them.


    "Well, you failed. Try again... this time with me,"

 Chapter 85: New Allies

    <h4>Chapter 85: New Allies</h4>


    After Fiona ended the call with her father, she calmly dropped the phone onto the bedside table, the sudden silence of the room echoing the chaos in her mind.


    Athena was still alive? She couldn¡¯t believe it. Morgan had never failed at anything before. If her father was right, this would be a first. But how could it be? It didn¡¯t make sense.


    She darted a nce at her phone again. Worse, he wasn¡¯t picking up his calls! Was it because of the failure? Was he embarrassed to speak with her? Was he afraid she would cuss him out?


    Well, he should be! A wave of fury washed over her. Fiona angrily picked up the phone and called the number for the umpteenth time, but it kept going to voicemail.


    Frustrated, she threw the phone to the ground, where it shattered upon impact, ss flying across the floor like tiny pieces of her crumbling reality.


    <i>¡¯Well, Ewan can get me a new one,¡¯ </i>She thought bitterly, clucking her tongue in irritation when one of the maids rushed into the room.


    "Ma¡¯am, are you okay? I heard a noise..." The maid stammered, her eyes wide with concern as she took in the disarray.


    "Yes, I¡¯m okay," Fiona snapped, her irritation evident as she waved the maid off, but the woman¡¯s persistence only fueled her anger further.


    The maid hurried to the other side of the bed, stopping when she saw the phone shattered on the floor. She bent down to pick it up, but Fiona shouted at her, "Are you pigheaded? I told you that I¡¯m okay! Get out of here!"


    The maid trembled, clearly shaken by Fiona¡¯s harsh tone. She stood up and scurried toward the door, but before the maid could escape, Fiona stopped her. "Wait."


    Fiona stepped forward, her tone shifting as she gathered herself. "Turn around."


    The maidplied, eyes darting nervously.


    "Where is the master of the house?" Fiona asked, her voice a mix of demand and desperation.


    "He went to work today," The maid replied, her voice trembling.


    Fiona pursed her lips, contemting her next words. "Apart from work, is there any other ce he goes?"


    The maid hesitated, seemingly weighing her response carefully. "I¡¯m not sure."


    "If you give me a reasonable answer, I¡¯ll give you a thousand dors on the spot," Fiona said, her eyes narrowing with intent.


    The maid¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. She nced around the room, as if searching for hidden cameras, and then leaned in slightly. "Doctor Athena is in the hospital. I overheard him speaking with Mr. Sandro. Sometimes, he visits her, and he prepares food for her on the days he goes to see her."


    Fiona felt her heart sink, anxiety twisting in her stomach. She rubbed her chest, but the difort wouldn¡¯t budge. Tears of frustration and anger burned in her eyes. So she shouted, to the chagrin of the maid, again and again, until she felt a little better.


    "You can go," She finally said, flinging her hand dismissively at the maid.


    However, the maid hesitated, lingering in the doorway.


    "Ma¡¯am, the payment..." she began, her tone hesitant.


    "You didn¡¯t give me reasonable information. Now, get out!" Fiona snapped, her voice piercing.


    The maid folded her lips in anger. It was clear she wanted to retort but felt powerless. She faked a shallow bow and walked out of the room, her footsteps echoing in the silence that followed.


    Fiona noticed the slight defiance but chose to ignore it. The maid¡¯s freedom should be a reward.


    Her hand itched to call Morgan again, but deep down, she understood there was no use. He would reach out when he was ready.


    She wished she could call her father, but the old man had only fixed a meeting a few days hence to discuss the future of thepany after it had been handed over to Athena. He wanted to see the miracle she would work with it.


    They would only pounce after she had revived it, a strategy that mingled anticipation with despair. This was a waiting game she had no choice but to y.


    So, the only option left was to call Ewan. She turned around to pick up her phone, cursing when she remembered that she had thrown it in anger. "Maid!" she shouted in frustration.


    The maid from earlier hurried back into the room, her demeanor sheepish. "Yes, ma¡¯am?"


    "Tell Master Ewan that I need a new phone. Fabricate a good excuse for him," Fiona ordered, her annoyance bubbling back to the surface. "And include an extra five thousand dors to the amount required for a new phone. Once it¡¯s sorted out, buy me a better phone than this junk, and keep the five thousand for yourself. So do your research well!"


    The maid nodded dutifully, sensing the urgency in Fiona¡¯s voice.


    "I need the phone in an hour from now. So chop chop," Fionamanded, impatience etched across her features.


    The maid bowed deeply, her sense of purpose realigned, and hurried out of the room.


    Fionaughed, a bitter sound that echoed around the otherwise silent room. Poor people were so easy to please. With her newfound influence over the maid, she felt a surge of control return to her life.


    Meanwhile, at a nearby bar, Zack was drunk again, but this time he wasn¡¯t alone.


    He sat nursing a drink beside Alfonso, who had maintained a reasonable distance despite recognizing Zack¡¯s inebriated state.


    "Hey, what happened to yourpany? I haven¡¯t seen anything about it in a while," Alfonso slurred, leaning in closer to get a better look at his friend¡¯s demeanor.


    "I sold it¡ªthat¡¯s why. I sold it to Ethan Patterson..." Zack replied, pride peeking through his drunken haze.


    Alfonso furrowed his brow, perplexed. "Ethan Patterson? The one with that new thrivingpany we wanted to invest in?"


    Zack nodded, a smirk spreading across his face. "I barely thought twice about it. It was around twenty million dors, but it¡¯s better than nothing considering all the debt that piled up during myst debacle. I¡¯m actually curious to see how he runs the show."


    "What about you?" Zack leaned closer, pressing for details. "How¡¯s yourpany faring, especially after that publicized bnce sheet debacle?"


    Alfonso shrugged, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I don¡¯t really know. Beats me. I sold it to Athena for eight million dors, by the way."


    Zack burst outughing, tears welling in his eyes as the absurdity of Alfonso¡¯s admission hit him. "You are stupid! How could you possibly sell to Athena?! She has won youpletely! She offered to buy mine, but I wouldn¡¯t let her dictate what I did, so I sold it to a stranger instead."


    Alfonso¡¯s expression soured, rage bubbling beneath the surface. "I want to kill her."


    "Same here," Zack agreed, hisughter fading into a grimace. "We should do it. She has caused enough misery for all of us."


    "Do you even care that she is your daughter?" Alfonso shot back, his voice low and menacing.


    "I don¡¯t care," Zack replied, hardening his heart further. "Let¡¯s do it."

 Chapter 86: A Reward

    <h4>Chapter 86: A Reward</h4>


    After Athena dropped Gianna at her workce, she headed straight home, her mind heavy with exhaustion.


    Zane had granted her as much time off as she needed, and she was grateful¡ªshe needed it more than she cared to admit. Tomorrow¡¯s task of returning to work loomed ahead, but for the moment, she allowed herself to relish the idea of resting.


    "So, do you feel better today?" Aiden asked as they drove through the city.


    Athena nodded absently, her gaze drifting to the window. They were passing the spot where she had been kidnapped, a memory etched in her mind that she wished she could erase.


    Her thoughts spiraled into the past: if the kidnappers had relied solely on Heronica, she believed she would have managed somehow to overthrow the young girl. But they hadn¡¯t. They had assistance, as always. Their teamwork was as infamous as their name.


    Aiden broke into her thoughts. "That¡¯s great. What are you going to do about Alfonso¡¯spany?"


    Athena shrugged, her shoulders rising and falling. "I already sent a text to Ethan to handle it. Luckily, Alfonso operates in a different sector from Zack, so we can transform it into branches of our business¡ªmuch like how Zane¡¯s family expanded into medicine, tech, and more. Ethan should be capable of reviving it smoothly. I n to work closely with him."


    Aiden nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "Things are really looking up, aren¡¯t they?"


    "Yes," Athena admitted, but there was a shadow in her voice. "I just wish I could find those brats who kidnapped me. Did you manage to trace Heron¡¯s blood trails? Did they wipe it clean or something?"


    Aiden sighed, shaking his head. "Stop fretting, Athena. Everything will sort itself out in due time. The team is working on the details."


    Athena exhaled harshly, resting her head against the car seat.


    "Any developments at work?" Aiden asked, quickly shifting the conversation.


    "Yeah. Zane hired more capable hands to assist with my management responsibilities. I¡¯ll need to check them out tomorrow," Athena replied, her expression serious.


    Aiden shook his head. "You are not going to work tomorrow, Athena. You still need to rest. You can check out the hires next week."


    "Next week?! That¡¯s seven days away, Aiden! What will I be doing all through that time? Watch TV?" Athena rolled her eyes, exasperated.


    "Exactly. There are plenty of great shows these days," Aiden encouraged, his tone light. "You should catch up on them. Plus, you can cook for the children. Experiment with new recipes. You know how much you love that."


    Athena scoffed, a smile creeping onto her face despite her feigned annoyance. "Yeah, I do. But times have changed."


    "Not really. You just thought you could ignore those things," Aiden countered, chuckling. "I¡¯m sure the kids would love to spend more time with you."


    Athena sighed, the mental image of delicious dishes upying her thoughts. She recalled how cooking had been a refuge during those bleak years¡ªa way to channel her stress and emotions, much like reading had been.


    As she contemted her next culinary adventure, a thought crossed her mind. "So, quick question, Aiden..."


    "Go ahead," Aiden hummed, now parking the car.


    "Gianna thinks I should go on a date with Ewan. What do you think?" Athena asked, a hint of uncertaintycing her voice.


    Aiden furrowed his brow, ncing at her through the rearview mirror. She noticed his confused gaze and raised her hands in a gesture of surrender. "Okay, I¡¯ll backtrack."


    "Thank you," Aiden replied, settling back into his seat as she collected her thoughts.


    "Last week, Ewan visited with gifts to thank me for agreeing to be his doctor, among other things," Athena exined. "But with everything happening, I didn¡¯t get a chance to check out the gifts until today."


    She paused, her eyes distant as she recalled the moment she stopped by the children¡¯s room. "I was about to head out with Gianna when I saw them opening the gift packages. Ewan bought Legos for Nathaniel and a yhouse for Kathleen. They didn¡¯t say it outright, but I could tell they liked the gifts. Mine, though, was different."


    Aiden raised an eyebrow. "As it should be."


    Athena smiled, catching herself lost in her memories. "It was books from Colleen Hoover, signed copies. As surprising as it was that he knew my favorite author, it was the date attached that shocked me."


    Aiden tilted his head, urging her to continue. "What date was it?"


    She turned to Aiden, her heartbeat quickening. "The books were signed a year after I left him."


    Aiden¡¯s eyes widened slightly before heposed himself. "You realize what this means, don¡¯t you?"


    Did she? Athena wasn¡¯t certain, and part of her felt the need to unravel this mystery. "The second gift was a stunning gown and a pair of heels¡ªAreso¡¯s gown and Lefan¡¯s heels. Aiden, he took note of my collection from the wee party."


    "That¡¯s important," Aiden replied, his interest piqued. "What else?"


    "It came with a note," she continued, a smile breaking through her apprehension. "He invited me to dinner¡ªsomething he called a ¡¯business talk.¡¯"


    Aiden barked augh, his amusement palpable. "There ain¡¯t no business he wants to discuss!"


    Athena nodded in agreement, chuckling softly. "Gianna thinks the same way. But she insists I should go, especially since I could tell him about the twins. She believes he sent Sandro to get their hair for DNA samples; thetter


    hasn¡¯t stoppeding by the school, hoping for a miracle."


    Aiden nodded, finally grasping the underlying concerns. "Well, if you think it¡¯s worth addressing, then go for it. Better to hear it from you than anywhere else. He¡¯s been acting genuinely welltely."


    That thought settled in Athena¡¯s mind, floating like a bubble, promising both hope and fear. Yes, Ewan has been different. Maybe she will text him a positive response as a reward.


    "Alright, thanks, Aiden, for the advice. I¡¯ll head upstairs now."


    "No problem. Will you be going out again today?" Aiden asked as she slid out of the car.


    "No, I think I¡¯ll stay in." She paused, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "When are you nning to see your daughter, by the way?"

 Chapter 87: Budding Historians

    <h4>Chapter 87: Budding Historians</h4>


    At Athena¡¯s question, Aiden looked away, his gaze focused on an unseen matter outside.


    Athena sighed, sensing the weight of unspoken thoughts between them. "Aiden, I can¡¯t take this away from you. I know how much you wanted to spend time with your daughter! You¡¯ve ached for her these past months! You must go!"


    He nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Soon. I will go soon. But first, I need to hire a new driver for you. I don¡¯t think I can rest until that¡¯s aplished," Aiden muttered, determination seeping into his voice.


    "I actually have someone in mind," He added, a hint of excitement creeping into his tone. "He¡¯s quite skilled, just like me¡ªyoung, fresh blood..." He chuckled at his own jest, but when he turned his gaze back to Athena, he noticed her serious demeanor.


    "Forgive me if I¡¯m not thrilled about this. You know I don¡¯t take to people easily. I¡¯ve been burned more times than I can count. Left to my own devices, I¡¯d dly drive myself. I won¡¯t take cabs, either," Athena replied, her tone firm.


    "No, I can¡¯t ept that," Aiden countered, shaking his head. "You work too hard. You can¡¯t add driving to your already full te. What about your children? You¡¯d be responsible for shuttling them around, and you know Gianna can¡¯t drive."


    Athena sighed. Ever since the ident that imed her parents, Gianna had developed an aversion to driving. A fear rooted deep in survival; the doctors had imed it was a miracle she¡¯de out unscathed.


    "Fine, then. Once you¡¯vepleted the hiring process, I¡¯d like to meet this person you think is on par with you."


    Aidenughed, swinging open his car door as he stepped out. "You are really obsessed with me, woman..."


    Athena scoffed, a smile breaking through her feigned annoyance. "As if. You just want to humor yourself." She stepped down and shut her door, but before she could walk away, Aiden called out.


    "I wasing to open it, mydy!" he joked dramatically. "Greet the children for me!"


    Rolling her eyes but maintaining her smile, Athena waved him off as she started toward the building.


    Aiden shook his head, entering the car. He drove off, leaving Athena to reflect on their conversation. He had a meeting with the chief of the team, and he hoped it would bring good news.


    Upon entering her apartment, Athena was greeted by the sight of Nathaniel and the twins sprawled on the floor, immersed in the new Lego set Ewan had given him.


    However, the moment Nathaniel sensed her presence, he threw the Legos behind him, and the trio quickly sat before them, eyes wide.


    Athena couldn¡¯t help butugh, her heart swelling at their antics. "You don¡¯t have to hide it, Nathaniel. I love the gifts he sent, too. He¡¯s quite thoughtful, isn¡¯t he?"


    Relief washed over them as they rxed once more. The twins exchanged relieved nces, and Kendra joined them on the floor, giggling.


    Athena settled into her routine, sending a message to the head nurse inquiring about Kendra¡¯s aunt¡¯s response to treatment.


    She then messaged Ethan about finding a suitable apartment, hoping for a nurturing environment for Kendra.


    Even though the little girl wasn¡¯t hers¡ªand was likely the daughter of an enemy¡ªshe couldn¡¯t help but feel a soft spot for her. She wanted the best for Kendra.


    Thinking of daughters and hearts, she sent another message to Chelsea, asking about the DNA results.


    Satisfied with her day¡¯s progress, she made her way to the kitchen, craving a refreshment.


    "Y¡¯all have eaten, right?" She called out from the kitchen.


    "Yes, Mom. We had no problem with the microwave. Like I assured you earlier, it¡¯s easy peasy," Nathaniel replied proudly.


    Athena nodded, chuckling. "I see! Thank you for taking care of the girls."


    "You¡¯re wee, Mom! It¡¯s my duty, and always a pleasure," he dered.


    Feeling grateful for her children, Athena poured herself a ss of juice.


    Just then, Kathleen piped up, "So, Mom, how did it go?"


    Athena furrowed her brows, when she noticed Kendra was absent. "Where¡¯s Kendra?"


    "She went to use the toilet," Nathaniel exined, plopping down onto the sofa beside Kate.


    "I see. So, did you track my watch?" She asked, sitting down next to them and feeling reassured by their presence.


    The twins shook their heads in unison.


    "Not at all, Mom. You mentioned heading out to check on a patient this morning," Kate responded.


    "Right..." Athena mused.


    "Trust us, Mom," Nathaniel chimed in. "Even though you assured us we could track anytime, we¡¯ll only do that in cases of emergencies. You can be rest assured we won¡¯t breach your privacy."


    Athena nodded slowly, impressed by her children¡¯s understanding and vocabry. Their teacher had praised their excellence in every regard, including sports, in a message she received earlier.


    "That¡¯s okay. Thank you, my dear ones. The day went well. Although my week will be swamped soon. The town I allowed work ess to is filled with patients afflicted by the disease," she replied.


    "That¡¯s a pity," Nathaniel said, his little brow furrowing in concern. "Can you treat them all?"


    "Yes," Athena affirmed with a smile. "I can."


    "That¡¯s great! We¡¯ll do all we can to make your work easier!" Kathleen echoed, beaming at her mother.


    Athena felt a swell of pride as she looked at her children. She leaned down, patting their heads fondly, and dropped soft kisses on their foreheads. "Thank you, my babies."


    "Quick question, Mom..." Kathleen began, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.


    "Yes, go ahead," Athena encouraged.


    "Tell us about towns and cities. What¡¯s the difference?" She asked, genuine interest lighting up her face.


    Athena paused, her eyes checking out her children¡¯s curious expressions. Knowing them well, she knew they didn¡¯t do random questions. Worse, the question could be easily checked out on a search engine.


    There was a reason for this question, but she humored them.


    "Okay, my lovely budding historians," She began, a smile ying on her lips, "let me tell you about the difference between towns, cities, and ns."


    "Cities are oftenrger, bustling ces filled with all kinds of activities and many different people. Towns, on the other hand, are smaller. They might have a tight-knitmunity where everyone knows each other, like your school where you see familiar faces every day." She nced at them, gauging their understanding.


    Nathaniel furrowed his brow. "So, the more people, the bigger the city?"


    "Exactly," Athena replied, nodding with pride. "In cities, there are often many different cultures and traditions intertwined, which can make it beautiful, but it can also mean more disputes and conflicts. Towns can be simpler, but they often have histories rooted in generations. There¡¯s a sense of loyalty and tradition."


    "Histories rooted in generations? Is that why Mr. Ewan is seen as head in Z town? Is that why you lived in Mr. Ewan¡¯s town? Why not in the city?" Nathaniel queried, alerting Athena to the main reason behind Kathleen¡¯s question.


    Her children has been scooping again. Howbeit, she believed they deserved answers.


    Her mind began to drift to her own past. "You see, six years ago, before Ewan¡¯spany blossomed exponentially and became as sessful as it is now, we temporarily lived in the town where his family had ruled for generations. It was a self-sustainingmunity, and people relied on one another. His family had power over thend, and there was always a bnce between the people and their leaders. Sometimes, they had disputes with nearby towns, each trying to maintain their territory and resources."


    She paused, recalling how those disputes sometimes threatened to tear the fabric of their small world apart. The tension, negotiations, and the old loyalties were hard to navigate, especially when it involved Zack¡¯s town; her town.


    Was it really hers though? Her lineage was unknown yet.


    "Did you ever have to help during those disputes, Mom?" Kathleen asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.


    Athena chuckled bitterly."Not really. There wasn¡¯t a room for that. I wasn¡¯t give a chance to do that." <i>I was just there to breed.</i>


    Nathaniel was sharp enough to understand his mother¡¯s saddened countenance, yet he had to know a few more things, before making his next step.


    "Will you forgive him?"


    Athena took her lips in, contemting her answer. "I really don¡¯t know."


    "If he ever has the disease, will you treat him?" Kate asked, testing her.


    "Yes. I will treat him if he needs it, because no matter what, he is still a patient, and... he is your father," Athena said, her tone resolute.


    "Are you sure Kendra is in the toilet?" Athena asked thereafter, switching topics. Talking about the past was depressing.


    The twins shrugged. "She is sleeping,"


    Athena didn¡¯t bothermenting on that, she instead led them to their rooms.


    As she tucked each of them into bed, a familiar routine which brought herfort, she kissed their foreheads and whispered words of reassurance, watching as their eyes began to droop.


    Her heart swelled with love as she watched them drift into slumber, their gentle breaths calming the room.


    After turning off the lights, she walked quietly into the living room, her heart heavy with thoughts. The memories of Ewan, the towns they once inhabited, and the disputes that marred their lives rang in her mind. The narrative had twists and turns, just as life itself did. Why not choose to embrace the changes ahead?


    Suddenly a thought crossed her mind, pushing her heart into a racing beat: why not start now?


    She picked up her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen as she typed.


    <i>¡¯I ept your invitation. Let¡¯s meet tonight.¡¯</i>

 Chapter 88: Crashed Date

    <h4>Chapter 88: Crashed Date</h4>


    Ewan stared at the glow of his phone screen, his heart racing as he read the message from Athena. Was it real? Did she really want to meet him?


    A smile broke across his face, a wave of warmth flowing through him. It had been so long since he felt such excitement. Athena had been on his mind almost constantly, and the thought of her reaching out made his heart leap.


    He jumped out of bed, adrenaline coursing through his veins. "This is happening!" He eximed to the empty room, his voice echoing off the walls.


    The day had started slowly, but now it transformed with just a few words from her.


    He dashed into the bathroom, quickly fussing with his hair and throwing on a crisp shirt. He checked his reflection in the mirror, ensuring he looked his best. After applying a touch of cologne, he nced at the clock. Time was ticking, and he felt a rush of urgency.


    With onest look, he stepped out the door and hurried to his car. The drive to the restaurant felt surreal. He was consumed by a mix of anticipation and anxiety.


    Memories of Athena swirled in his mind¡ªthe way herughter lit up his world, the spark in her eyes when she was passionate about something. She had the ability to make him feel alive. And now, they were going to meet again, a notion both thrilling and terrifying.


    As he parked the car outside the restaurant, he took a deep breath to stave off the tension building in his chest. He ran a hand through his hair, steeling himself for what was toe. The entrance loomed ahead of him, and as he stepped inside, he scanned the room, almost instinctively looking for her.


    His pulse quickened when he spotted her across the room.


    Athena sat on a table quite close to the entrance, sipping a drink, and time seemed to halt as he took in the sight of her.


    She wore the gown he had gifted her, a deep red that hugged her curves in all the right ways. The open-toe heels elongated her legs, giving her an air of confidence that made his breath catch.


    She looked stunning, and he felt both drawn to her and utterly captivated by her beauty. A rush of attraction surged through him, leaving him painfully aware of how much he had missed her.


    How in the world had he let this go in the first ce?


    Even though Sandro hadn¡¯t found anything on Athena¡¯s supposed husband, Ewan believed there must be a man around Athena.


    How would a beautiful woman like this be single?


    Taking a deep breath topose himself, he approached her slowly, forcing himself to act nonchnt despite the whirlwind of emotions inside.


    "Wow, you look incredible," He managed to say, as he reached the reserved table, struggling to keep his voice steady.


    "Ewan," Athena replied, a confident smile ying on her lips, her eyes sparkling as they locked onto him. "You clean up well, too."


    Herpliment made Ewan¡¯s heart skip a beat, and he couldn¡¯t help but smile back.


    A moment of silence hung between them, heavy with the weight of theirplicated past. The air was thick with unspoken words and unresolved emotions, stirring up memories best left behind.


    Ewan felt a wave of regret wash over him as he continued to stare at Athena, as he remembered the dutiful ways she had worked for his love, as he recalled the way he had soiled her efforts at every turn.


    The memories still had the power to wound him, and he knew he had a long way to go to make amends.


    Yet, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder what could have been if only he had done things differently.


    At that moment, Athena shifted her position, breaking the spell. "So, let¡¯s get down to business, Ewan. You mentioned you wanted to talk about yourpany, right?" Her tone shifted to a more professional demeanor, but Ewan could still sense the nerves lurking beneath it.


    He sat, and leaned forward, warmth spreading through him as he spoke, excitement bubbling to the surface. "Yes. Your shares are doing incredibly well. Our stocks have surged¡ªbetter than we anticipated. You might want to consider selling at the peak; it¡¯s showing great potential."


    He ryed the figures Sandro had gathered, hoping to impress her with his diligence.


    Athena nodded, her brow furrowing in thought. "That¡¯s great. But I have no intention of selling."


    Of course. Ewan thought, a smirk on his lips. His wife never disappointed him.


    "And what about you?" Athena suddenly asked. "I hope your treatments are set to begin soon?" Her voice softened, and there was a genuine spark of concern etched across her features.


    Ewan felt a flicker of hope; maybe this meeting could open a door to reconnecting.


    "Oh, yes. I¡¯ll be in the hospital next week." he replied, forcing a smile. The reality of his illness hung in the bnce, but this moment felt too special to dwell on such heavy topics.


    But as he was about to continue, a thick silence settled between them again. Ewan hesitated, unsure whether to break the silence or let it linger.


    Should he apologize again for everything that had happened? Or was it smarter to leave the past in the past? Guilt wed at him, and he took a deep breath, sorting through the chaos of emotions.


    "Is there something you want to say to me?" He finally asked, breaking the tension.


    Athena opened her mouth, ready to speak, ready to seize the opportunity to talk about the twins, but before she could say anything, Ewan¡¯s phone buzzed violently on the table, interrupting them.


    She watched curiously, as Ewan hurriedly answered the call.


    "Hello? What!! No... No. I¡¯ll be right there."


    Athena watched as Ewan¡¯s expression shifted to shock, his skin paling beneath the restaurant¡¯s lighting.


    A knot of worry twisted in her stomach. "What¡¯s wrong?" She asked, concern tinging her voice.


    "It¡¯s Fiona... She¡¯s attempted suicide again."


    Athena¡¯s worry instantly dissipated and her lips twitched as she held back augh.


    Ewan¡¯s words were almostical - Fiona had attempted suicide again, and he was rushing to leave their date. A date he had begged her for. She couldn¡¯t help but think that Fiona was manipting Ewan once more.


    "Did you tell Fiona about this meeting?" Athena asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.


    Ewan shook his head, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What¡¯s the problem?" he asked, though Athena suspected he knew exactly why she was asking. He just didn¡¯t want to acknowledge it, not wanting to disrupt the fragile truce between them.


    Athena shook her head, deciding not to pursue the matter further. If Ewan wanted to be a fool, let him be that.


    Ewan apologized hastily and dropped a wad of cash on the table before making a quick exit.


    For what? Athena thought, glimpsing at the wad of cash. He hadn¡¯t even ordered anything


    She watched Ewan go, a mix of annoyance and relief swirling inside her. She was d she hadn¡¯t told him about the twins. She didn¡¯t think they were ready to deal with their father¡¯s unstable loyalties.


    Ewan¡¯s behavior was a stark reminder of the past, of the pain and heartache he had caused her. She was determined to protect herself and her children from getting hurt again.


    As she sat there, sipping her drink, she noticed two of Fiona¡¯s friends sitting at a nearby table. <i>They were the informants then.</i>


    They caught her eye, and Athena knew she was in for trouble. A secondter, her theory was confirmed.


    The women¡¯s faces twisted into scowls as they approached her.


    "Look who¡¯s here, trying to swoop back in," One of them sneered.


    Athena raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.


    "Did you really think he woulde back to you?" The other woman chimed in.


    Athena¡¯s eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. She didn¡¯t have time for their petty games.


    She stood up, amidst their continued taunts, their voices growing louder and more aggressive.


    "I¡¯ll take my leave first. Tell Fiona that I know her games. Inform her that I¡¯m not pursuing Ewan either."


    The womenughed, blocking Athena¡¯s path. "Did we give you permission to leave?"


    One of the women, emboldened by her friend¡¯s presence, reached out to p Athena.


    But Athena was faster. She caught the woman¡¯s wrist and twisted it, before delivering a swift p to her face. The woman¡¯s eyes widened in shock as she stumbled backward.


    The other woman, fueled by anger and humiliation, lunged at Athena with her drink. But Athena was ready. She grabbed the woman¡¯s arm and poured the drink down her front. The woman shrieked in outrage attracting the attention of the other diners.


    Two men, presumably the women¡¯s boyfriends, stepped forward, their faces twisted into aggressive scowls. Athena stood her ground, her eyes shing with defiance. She was not going to back down. Her gown had a long slit at least


    The men charged at her, but Athena was a force to be reckoned with.


    She dodged their blows with ease, her reflexes honed from years of self-defense training. Shended a series of swift kicks and punches, sending the men stumbling backward.


    The restaurant patrons cheered her on, impressed by her bravery and skill. Athena smiled wryly, feeling a sense of satisfaction, especially when she saw she was being filmed.


    Did they think she spent her time in exile only studying medicine? They should think again!


    As she walked out of the restaurant, she was met by Aiden, whose face was thunderous with anger.


    "What happened? I just saw the news!" He demanded, his eyes scanning her face for any signs of injury.


    <i>Already? </i>


    Athena shrugged, feeling a sense of exhaustion wash over her.


    "Just a little run-in with Fiona¡¯s friends," She replied, her voice dry. "Ewan left to attend to Fiona again."


    Aiden¡¯s expression darkened. "You¡¯re never meeting Ewan again."

 Chapter 89: Played Again

    <h4>Chapter 89: yed Again</h4>


    Ewan gripped the steering wheel of his car, his knuckles turning white with the force of his grip. The streets blurred past him, a stream of city lights cascading by as he raced to get home.


    His mind was a chaotic whirlpool of thoughts, each wave crashing into another. Athena. Fiona. Dinner. Sucide.


    "Damn it!" He muttered under his breath, ring at the empty passenger seat beside him, where Athena should have been.


    If not for the call, he would have driven her home after the dinner. It was why he had relieved his driver of his work early. However, all his ns havee crashing down.


    The memory of Athena¡¯s face¡ªbeautiful and nk¡ªhaunted him. What had she thought when he hurried away? Did she feel abandoned?


    The mere idea made him wince, a feeling of guilt wing at his insides.


    As he turned a sharp corner, the tires screeched in protest. He elerated further, hoping to outrun the guilt that felt like it was growing through the very marrow of his bones.


    ¡¯How can the simple act of dinner go so wrong?¡¯ He thought, tightening his grip on the wheel and fumbling with his emotions. He had feared the worst when he got the call about Fiona¡¯s situation, images of darkness swirling around his mind.


    Was it really an attempt at suicide? So soon after thest? What could have triggered this episode? Did she have a brain problem like he did? Was it affecting her mental health?


    Panic flooded Ewan as he thought of this. If the version of Fiona that had fought to save him from the clutches of death was now in a state of despair¡ª what did that mean for him? Wasn¡¯t it his fault?


    Sitting in that restaurant, he hadn¡¯t realized how critical things had be. And now he was racing towards home, trying to bnce a delicate tightrope between being supportive for Fiona while wrestling with his unresolved feelings for Athena.


    "Her case is one of life and death!" He muttered desperately, as he honked at a distracted driver who had run a red light. "What was I thinking, even entertaining the idea of dining with Athena when Fiona is still recuperating?"


    <i>I should have waited. It¡¯s too soon. My duty to Fionaes first!</i>


    The longing for rity was drowned by the chaos surrounding Fiona¡¯s distress.


    As he approached his house, he could see the familiar silhouette of his sanctuary¡ªbut now it felt more like a prison. It was a sleek modern oasis, but the warmth was lost to him that night. It felt eerily coldpared to the raging storm of emotions inside him.


    He parked and stepped out, the night air biting at his skin, grounding him in the reality of what he was doing.


    Inside, the gentle hum of home met him, but even that felt like a falsefort. His house staff greeted him with polite nods, but he managed only a distracted smile, his mind swirling with uncertainty.


    "How is she doing?"


    "She is better, ording to her personal maid."


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows. Personal maid? He didn¡¯t remember assigning anyone to Fiona specially. Yet, it didn¡¯t matter, so long as she survived this issue.


    The house staff could sense Ewan¡¯s tension but didn¡¯t pry; they were used to the gravity of his moods. They rather scurried to their duty posts, allowing him to stew with his emotions.


    Ewan made his way through the dimly lit hallway, approaching the special room he had designated for Fiona after their engagement.


    It was an elegant space filled with delicate trinkets and soft lighting that seemed to flicker nervously in the shadows, almost embodying his own anxiety. The door was slightly ajar, and he pushed it open, heart pounding in his chest.


    "Ewan!" Fiona eximed as she turned to face him, her voiceced with an anxious tremor.


    Her eyes glistened with unshed tears that reflected the soft glow of themp beside her. She shifted on the couch where she sprawled, her form oddly vulnerable.


    "Why didn¡¯t you call me? Why did you choose to do it?!" He demanded, stepping into the room.


    The lingering scent of her favorite jasmine perfume filled the air, but it mixed with the tension, saturating the atmosphere with a heavy weight.


    This felt like an emotional minefield, and he was tiptoeing through it, unsure of where he would tread wrong, especially since she looked absolutely fine to him.


    Then he saw her wrists. They had red shes all right, but they looked odd, as if the blood wasn¡¯t ced well.


    Ewan wasn¡¯t a doctor, but he knew that those slender wrists hadn¡¯t been shed at all tonight. A totally different matter from what the maid had shouted into his ears when she called earlier.


    Fiona noticing this, noticing Ewan¡¯s eyes getting darker with rage, flung her hands behind her, mentally cursing herself for being so stupid as not to paint the wrists properly.


    "I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª" She began, but Ewan cut her off, the anger surging more than he anticipated.


    "You had me worried sick! And for what? For a cheap joke!" Ewan almost rubbed his chest at the difort growing there. He couldn¡¯t believe he had just been yed. Again!


    And to think he had left Athena alone in the restaurant...


    "I didn¡¯t want to! I thought¡ª" Fiona¡¯s voice quivered, but Ewan¡¯s wasn¡¯t in a mood for excuses.


    "So you thought fake-shing your wrist was a good way to get my attention?" His voice rose, filled with anger that bubbled like moltenva. "Where¡¯s the blood? You didn¡¯t think this through, did you?"


    As he stepped closer to her, his eyes narrowed, scanning for any telltale signs that screamed for help, anything to suggest that he wasn¡¯t right in using her.


    Instead, he saw clearly the thin line of bright red paint snaking along her wrist.


    "What is this?" He grabbed her arm, leaning in directly, and the dim light illuminated the truth he didn¡¯t want to see.


    Fiona pulled her arm back, shame shing across her features. "I was just¡ª I thought it would be dramatic!" She sounded desperate, almost frantic, trying to justify her actions. "I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d take it so seriously!"


    "Dramatic? You faked a suicide, and you think that¡¯s dramatic?" Ewan couldn¡¯t contain his disbelief. "I¡¯m being yed, aren¡¯t I?" His heart raced, torn between hurt and anger that simmered dangerously close to boiling over.


    "Please, hear me out!" Fiona hurried, her eagerness only fueling his growing ire "I just¡ªI wanted to talk to you. I thought if I went to extremes, you¡¯d see how serious I am about us!"


    Ewan felt a storm brewing inside him. "Serious about what?" He barked, frustration bubbling over like a pot left boiling on the stove. "Manipting my feelings? You know I¡¯ve been worried about you. I intended to support you!"


    He stepped back, rubbing the back of his neck as he leaned against the wall for support. The anger he felt was like a hungry beast, ready to pounce, but beneath ity the nagging concern for Fiona. The very fact that she had attempted to draw him back into her world using such an extreme measure left him feeling raw and exposed.


    Fiona swung her legs over the edge of the couch, her face contorting into a mixture of defiance and vulnerability. "I didn¡¯t think it would go this far! You weren¡¯t supposed to leave me. You were supposed to care!"


    "Care?" Ewan eximed, incredulity warping his features. "I care so much that I raced here, leaving Athena! You think I want to be here dealing with this twisted drama? This isn¡¯t about caring; it¡¯s about your maniption!"


    Now feeling cornered, Fiona¡¯s voice softened, almost pleading. "Ewan, please! I was scared. I saw the both of you, and you looked so happy with her¡ª"


    It hit him hard, like a punch to the gut. "What do you mean by that? I didn¡¯t choose to go there to unt anything in your face. Why would I do this to you?"


    The tension in the room thickened as he processed her words. Had she really been watching him that closely?


    "Were you stalking me, Fiona? If you were really in that dark of a ce, you would know I was just trying to help..."


    Fiona fumbled for words, her cheeks flushing. "I saw you two at the restaurant,ughing like old friends, the kind I used to wish you were with me. It felt like you were slipping away, and I couldn¡¯t let that happen."


    "Fiona..." Ewan sighed, a mixture of frustration and pity filling him. "You can¡¯t just follow me around. You can¡¯t just feign a suicide attempt to keep me around. You don¡¯t realize how damaging this is?"


    "I just wanted you to be here!" Fiona said, her voice rising again, tearing into the fragile moment. "But things aren¡¯t always how they appear. I thought that if I put myself in your shoes, you¡¯d understand how I feel¡ªmy loneliness without you. Don¡¯t you care at all?"


    Ewan¡¯s heart sank. "Caring is not enough to fix this. You need genuine help. But this¡ªthis is just a maniption of what you¡¯re feeling, Fiona!"


    There it was again, that flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. As anger bubbled in the pit of his stomach, he pushed it aside and tried to focus on her words.


    "But you¡¯re not seeing me!" Fiona pleaded, her voice softening as if she were desperately trying to bridge the distance. "You¡¯re focused on Athena. Even now, I can see it in you."


    "Athena is not just some casual fling. She¡¯s my past. Yet, no matter how much I feel trapped in my past, what does that have to do with you?"

 Chapter 90: Proof?

    <h4>Chapter 90: Proof?</h4>


    Fiona flinched at Ewan¡¯s words, pulling away slightly. She couldn¡¯t believe he had just epted his want for Athena.


    She watched him revert to his signature cool facade, and knew that if she did nothing at this time, she would lose him forever.


    Fiona shook her head subtly. Yes, Athena¡¯s clutches were knee deep into her man, but she would never give up! She hase too far for Athena to have him all to herself!


    So, she suddenly leaned forward, almost as if she wanted to grasp Ewan, to pull him back into her orbit. "I can show you that I can change! Just stay with me, Ewan! I¡¯m also in your past!"


    Fiona was ready to be termed frantic and desperate by Ewan, so long as he bought into her words!


    "No!" Ewan raised his voice, frustration spilling over. How had Fiona be this desperate? "I can¡¯t, not like this. Your way of showing love feels more like a shackle than a bond. I need space. Space to think. Now, I think breaking the engagement was a good choice."


    Fiona bowed her head, gritting her teeth, feeling the sting of his words. She had known their rtionship had been strained, but now it felt like a chasm, gaping and insurmountable.


    What can she do now to salvage the situation? How can she turn Ewan against Athena again? Especially now that he thought her to be psychotic?


    The moment stretched, each secondden with palpable tension.


    Then an idea happened.


    Fiona raised her gaze, tears glimmering in her eyes. She made sure she had Ewan¡¯s steely gaze, before she finally unleashed her weapon.


    "I truly saw your moments with her, Ewan. You were so intimate with her. Can you me me? Can you me my actions?! I was so afraid you would choose Athena over me. It¡¯s not fair. I¡¯ve been with you all these years. I didn¡¯t know what else to do, especially when she sent me those pictures!"


    The implication of her words lingered in the air, a heavy weight that felt like it might suffocate Ewan. He shook his head, struggling to process the information. "What pictures?"


    He unfisted his clenched hands. "Who sent you pictures? What are you talking about?" He had thought that Fiona had stalked him earlier, but it seemed that was not the case.


    Fiona¡¯s expression changed, feigning a mix of sadness and anger. "Who else, if not Athena?! She sent me a picture of you two, looking all cozy and happy!"


    Fiona turned her gaze towards a nearby table, rifling through papers with a trembling hand. "Look, here." She dug out her phone and swiped through several photos, her hands shaking slightly from a mix of anxiety and adrenaline.


    The air in the room felt thick as she finally presented the images to him, holding it out almost like a trophy.


    Ewan squinted at the screen, heart pounding as he took in the sight of Athena and he, captured in a moment ofughter. The image portrayed them leaning toward one another, radiant smiles etched across their faces.


    He wracked his brain, trying to remember the context, but all he could think about was how deeply engrossed they had been in conversation¡ªnot justughing together.


    "Ewan?" Fiona¡¯s voice broke through his thoughts like ss shattering. He searched her eyes for any sign of the truth, feeling a mix of indignation and concern rising within him.


    "I don¡¯t remember that picture being taken," He said, his voice steadier than he felt. "We were talking about... Well, you know. Therapy. Life. It was deep."


    Fiona smirked, the edge of triumph creeping into her voice. "Oh, please! It looks like you two are about ready to elope. I mean, the chemistry between you is off the charts!"


    "I don¡¯t care about how it looks." Ewan said calmly, throwing the phone on the bed. "But this isn¡¯t a game, Fiona. Stop looking for clues. And I¡¯m sure this is not from Athena."


    "Ewan," Fiona said softly, her brow furrowing. "You probably wouldn¡¯t understand the lengths I would go to keep you. Athena thinks she can have you back, but you know who you really belong with."


    Fiona¡¯s tone was imploring yet possessive, a mix that unsettled Ewan. She held up her phone triumphantly, revealing the sender¡¯s name. "This is from her. Look at the address!"


    Ewan hesitated, but an unsettling sense of trust began to seep into his thoughts, despite the nagging doubt in the back of his mind that urged him to stand firm.


    He took the phone from her and looked closely at the sender details. It was Athena¡¯s number!


    "Are you serious?" Ewan muttered, his pulse quickening again. "Why would she send you those?"


    The idea of Athena scheming collided with the softer moments he¡¯d shared with her, making him feel dizzy.


    Fiona watched him carefully, a small, satisfied smile creeping onto her lips. "You know what she¡¯s after. This just proves it¡ªshe¡¯s here to disrupt our lives. I¡¯m here for you, Ewan. Always have been."


    "Fiona..." he started, but an avnche of doubts washed over him. "This is insane. I can¡¯t believe this."


    "You can choose to believe it or not, but she¡¯s manipting you. I wish I had done something earlier! I wish I could have just warned you!" Fiona¡¯s words wrapped around him like chains.


    Ewan¡¯s thoughts spiraled. Could Athena truly be that deceitful? He tried to hold onto the memory of theirughter without attaching it to feelings of betrayal. But the more he thought about it, the more muddled everything became.


    "I¡¯ve got to think," he muttered, when his head started to ache terribly.


    But Fiona leaned in closer, her voice softening. "Ewan, I know I¡¯ve made mistakes, but I can change. I can be better. We can work this out. We can work our marriage out. Just don¡¯t allow her back in your life. Please, promise me you won¡¯t let her win. She¡¯s been plotting this from the start."


    The tension in Ewan¡¯s shoulders rxed, but only slightly.


    "Okay, okay," he replied, trying to sound reassuring. Yet, doubt ate at him.


    What could Athena possibly gain from sending Fiona those pictures, when she imed to have a husband already?


    Was Fiona ying another game? Or was Athena truly scheming?


    Ewan finally pulled away, unable to hold onto that anxietyced embrace. He returned to his room, after saying ¡¯Goodnight¡¯ to Fiona, the weight of the conversation lingering as shadows stretched along the walls.


    Once inside, he closed the door and pushed the chaotic image from his mind, only to be met with a startling sight on his phone.


    A barrage of notifications flooded the screen, drawing his attention like a moth to a me. The news shed prominently:


    "<i>Local Heroine Involved In Street Brawl" </i>


    Ewan stared, entranced as the video began to y.


    Images of Athena surged across the screen in a flurry of movement and emotion, her determination shining through even amidst chaos.


    She stood firmly against a group that heckled her, her voice ringing clear, empowering. She was winning,manding, and Ewan felt a rush of conflicting emotions: admiration, confusion, and guilt intertwined within him.


    Was she really maniptive? But to what end? Did she want to break his rtionship with Fiona as she thought thetter had done to her six years ago? Then what next after that? Leave him hanging dry?


    What about the twins? What was her game n concerning them? He was sure she suspected his awareness concerning them. So, why was she holding out?


    <i>Athena, what are you nning? A revenge? </i>


    Although he felt bad again for leaving her there, after seeing the video, he quelled that instinct that urged him to reach out.


    "She¡¯s okay," He muttered silently. And maybe it was better that he stayed away. <i>But could he really?</i>


    His thumb hovered over her contact for a moment, the screen brightening as if illuminated by an unseen force. But he hesitated, unable to unravel the twisted thoughts slipping through his mind like sand through an hourss.


    Instead, he dialed Sandro, knowing his friend would provide him some rity¡ªsomething he desperately sought but couldn¡¯t find within himself.


    "Sandro..."


    "Ewan! You sound off. What¡¯s going on?" Sandro¡¯s voice crackled through the receiver, the familiar tone grounding him.


    "I just... I¡¯m trying to figure something out," Ewan began, the knot in his stomach twisting tighter. "What do you know about Athena?"


    A pause on the other side.


    "I think she is a good person. Not perfect. But good. Better than Fiona, at least. And she¡¯s definitely not the viin in your story, Ewan."


    Ewan sighed. How had he forgotten that his friend was biased when it came to Athena and Fiona?


    "Have you seen the newstely? I just saw a video of her fighting... It¡¯s making me wonder about everything we¡¯ve talked about, everything we¡¯ve found out about her. We didn¡¯t see that she¡¯s skilled inbat. What else are we ignorant of? Isn¡¯t it obvious she¡¯s keeping a lot of secrets?"


    Sandro sighed, the sound heavy with concern. "We all have secrets, Ewan. I don¡¯t think that¡¯s enough to crucify her. Have you been listening to Fiona again? I suggest you get proof this time around."


    Proof? Wasn¡¯t her phone number enough proof? Ewan thought, remembering the message that Fiona had shown him; the message that hade with the pictures.


    <i>¡¯Ewan is mine, and you can do nothing about it! He¡¯s already dancing to my tune! He will be doing my bidding soon enough!¡¯</i>


    As much as he was ttered that Athena still had eyes for him, he was not okay with being seen as a property owned by a puppet master. He hated that feeling. It reminded him of Zack.


    He will be doing her bidding soon enough? What bidding was that? What did she want? Why did she return?


    "Hey Sandro, by all means get the DNA samples before this week runs out."


    "But..."


    Ewan ended the call. He was done with the games. It was time he took the bull by the horn.

 Chapter 91: Whiz Kids

    <h4>Chapter 91: Whiz Kids</h4>


    "What is going on here?" Athena demanded lightly, after pushing open the door to her children¡¯s room just at three in the morning.


    She was startled to see the dim glow from aptop illuminating the faces of her children, Kate and Nate. They were huddled together, surrounded by an explosion of papers, wires, and tiny hard drives, looking like little ruffians caught at a caper.


    Her side caught a sleeping Kendra, unaware of the twins¡¯ schemes.


    Meanwhile, the twins immediately froze at their mother¡¯s voice, their eyes wide as they looked at her, unsure whether to appear innocent or guilty.


    After a moment of awkward silence, Nathaniel spoke up, the words tumbling out. "Mom, we were... uh, working on something."


    "What kind of ¡¯something¡¯ requires you to stay up thiste?" Athena asked, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "You should be sleeping, not plotting in the dark."


    Despite her frustration, warmth surged through her as she observed how earnest they looked, their little faces lit by the glow of the screen.


    Already, she had an inkling of what they might be working on. And as much their concern pleased her, she knew she wouldn¡¯t ept it.


    Kathleen twirled a USB drive in her fingers, her voice barely above a whisper. "We want to hack into Mr. Ewan¡¯spany servers," She admitted, her cheeks flushing with the implication of her daring statement.


    "We want to destroy it. Hurt him for hurting you. He is not fit to be our father, as he seems unable to learn that you can¡¯t be harmed in any way. We should enlighten him again. We are starting with thepany¡¯s structure first."


    The truth finally said, still sent a tremor through Athena¡¯s heart, a mix of dread and disbelief leaving her momentarily speechless, especially seeing Kathleen¡¯s lips set in a firm line.


    These two, with their sharp little minds and boundless creativity, must have concocted a n so fraught with danger¡ªnothing better than a digital revenge scheme against a man who wouldn¡¯t learn.


    Yet...


    "No," She said firmly, shaking her head. "Absolutely not. This isn¡¯t the way to handle things."


    She felt a knot tighten in her stomach as she surveyed the room. Her children, brilliant as they were, had tapped into their anger in a way that now rmed her.


    "Why not?" pleaded Nate, his voice trembling with a cocktail of anger and hurt.


    "Mr. Ewan hurt you. He doesn¡¯t care about us either, because if he did, he won¡¯t hurt you. We want him to pay for what he did." His eyes, deep blue and wide with resolve, seemed far too adult for his age.


    With a sigh, Athena sank to her knees, allowing her gaze to meet theirs. "I understand you¡¯re hurt," she said softly, her heart aching at the sight of their innocent anger. "But this isn¡¯t the answer. Hurting someone else will only lead to more pain for you. It won¡¯t fix anything; it will only make things worse."


    Athena almost scoffed at her own words, because she was ready to dish back to her rivals a cut of revenge should they cross her.


    But she didn¡¯t want that for her children now. They were too young to get started with that.


    "Leave the battle to me." She added, noting their unsatisfied looks. "I¡¯ll take care of Mr. Ewan myself."


    Kathleen shifted uneasily, ncing at her brother before speaking up in a tiny voice, "We just want you to be happy again." Her words wereced with sincerity, yet they also revealed an all-too-mature understanding of the world around them.


    Athena took a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders. "Listen, both of you. I appreciate how much you want to help me. I do," she began, choosing her words carefully. "But I need you to undo everything you¡¯ve done. Can you do that for me?"


    The twins exchanged nces, doubt clouding their expressions but then hardening with resolve. They would listen to their mother.


    Just then, something on theptop screen caught Athena¡¯s eye¡ªa logo she recognized all too well. "What about this website, KN? What is it?"


    An intense silence descended on the room.


    Athena piqued an eyebrow at her children who kept darting worried nces at each other.


    "Nathaniel..." Already her suspicions were growing. "You can talk to me. You know I¡¯m always proud of you, no matter what."


    Nathaniel grinned, his energy returning. "We own it! Kate and I run it," he said proudly, as if this deration would make all the difference.


    Athena¡¯s mouth dropped open. "You what?" Her dismay rendered her speechless for a moment. "You¡¯re managing a presspany? How did you even pull that off without being present?"


    "It¡¯s media, so anything can be possible online!" Kate interjected, her excitement bubbling over. "We created it at first to track all the news and things happening with Mr. Ewan, but we found out we could do so much more, like making money for you and the future!" Her eyes sparkled with youthful defiance.


    Athena felt a whirlwind of emotions. Memories rushed back to her¡ªarticles and news snippets swirling around Ewan¡¯splexities, spinning tales that made her own life feel like a soap opera. How had this escaped her eyes?


    "You¡¯re running a site that has been involved in¡ª" she hesitated, trying to stitch together her thoughts in a coherent manner. "¡ªeverything that¡¯s been happening with Ewan and other rich people? This is huge!"


    "Yes! And we¡¯re nning to expand!" Nate added, his voice full of fervor. "Soon everyone will know our names, and we can help you and make sure no one hurts you again!"


    The revtion sent up a tidal wave of emotions¡ªconfusion, pride, and an inkling of fear. "How much money do you have from thepany?" she asked, struggling to keep her voice steady.


    The twins exchanged conspiratorial grins, the kind that anyone could see were marks of a collective secret. "Well, take a guess, mom..." Kate said, a twinkle in her eye that made Athena¡¯s heart leap and drop simultaneously.


    Surely more than five hundred milion dors. Athena thought, shaking her head vigorously. Here she was worrying about the kids and their future, and the kids were doing just that.


    She just wished they could be mere children, y around and enjoy themselves, not run a full blownpany from behind the scenes, like she was doing.


    Like mother, like children eh?


    "Mom, we are whiz kids..." Nathaniel interjected, sensing his mother¡¯s uncertainty, his tone brimming with the raw confidence that only a child could exhibit.


    "You don¡¯t have to worry about us, mom. We had everywhere covered totally, no one will know a kid is really behind this. Don¡¯t be afraid for thepany either, you can trust us. We have learned how to analyze the market."


    He shifted closer to theptop as though to show Athena everything they had aplished.


    Athena inhaled deeply, a mixture of pride and dread swirling within her. "That¡¯s incredible, but it¡¯s also dangerous, you know? What you¡¯re doing¡ªmanaging apany like this at your age¡ªisn¡¯t something to take lightly."


    They frowned, momentarily disheartened. "But we just want to protect you!" Kate said, her voice trembling slightly. "Trust us. We can do it."


    Athena could feel the weight of their words pressing down on her. Here were her children, her little warriors, ready to stand against the world. Their desire to act was pure, but the potential ramifications of their actionsy heavy on her heart.


    She felt a flicker of what she had embraced: the deep satisfaction of revenge. But that was not the path she wanted the kids to walk.


    "Listen," she said, lowering her voice to keep it steady, "I won¡¯t harm Ewan unless he crosses me again. You shouldn¡¯t do the same either." She paused. "You shouldn¡¯t do anything either if he misbehaves. I don¡¯t want either of you embroiled in something that could end badly. Remember your promise to me."


    The twins muttered their consent, not pleased with the oue of events.


    "Can we keep running thepany then?" Kate asked, hope woven into her innocent tone.


    "If you promise to use it for good, then yes," Athena replied, her heart softening. "But only for good. I know you both have potential beyond what anyone can imagine. Use it wisely. Unless no more cakes for you!"


    With that, the twins erupted intoughter, joyful sounds that filled the room like sweet music. "Deal!" they shouted in unison, their little faces lit up with triumph.


    Athena felt her heart swell as she tucked them into their cozy beds, feeling both protective and empowered by their conviction.


    She brushed a lock of hair away from Kate¡¯s forehead, her fingers lingering as she gazed down at them. "Rest now, you two. Remember your promise too."


    "Love you, Mom!" Nate mumbled, eyes fluttering closed as exhaustion began to weigh down his little limbs.


    "Sleep well, my darlings," she whispered, leaning in to kiss their foreheads before gently pulling the door shut behind her.


    As she stepped into the hallway, Athena felt the weight of pride settle on her heart. Her children were the best.


    Her phone vibrated in her hand then, beeping with an iing call. She answered quickly, her voice even. "Ethan, I need to know about thepanies we acquired. How are they running now?"


    "Everything is on track, Boss. The transition for thepanies we bought from our enemies has been smooth. I anticipate they will be fully operational by next week."


    "That¡¯s excellent. Goodnight Ethan."


    "Goodnight Boss."


    As Athena ended the call, she saw a message alert from Chelsea.


    <i>¡¯The results are ready. I¡¯ll see you soon.¡¯</i>

 Chapter 92: New Hires

    <h4>Chapter 92: New Hires</h4>


    Athena sat at her office desk, looking out the window at the urban sprawl beneath her.


    The skyline was a mix of gleaming steel and ss buildings interwoven with patches of greenery, andscape that reflected both the chaos and beauty of life. But her mind, at the moment, was stuck on a singr thought¡ªEwan¡¯s carelessness.


    Why hadn¡¯t he dropped by for his check-up and treatmentmencement as they had agreed?


    He had promised he would, and she had thought that they were on good professional terms after theirst conversation. Not that she cared about him as a person; it was just... strange.


    Day after day went by without a word from him¡ªno text, no calls, not even a simple inquiry about how she had made it home that night. Athena pushed aside the nagging thought that perhaps he had been manipted again to think she was the viin.


    But then that was his loss. She concluded. She wasn¡¯t surprised either; Fiona had a way of taking what seemed innocent and twisting it into something altogether malevolent.


    Yet, a flicker of concern coursed through her¡ªa nagging reminder of the little time he had to treat himself. Would he really give up on the treatment?


    She stood up and gazed out the window, taking a deep breath. The city was alive with movement; honking cars, bustling pedestrians, and street vendors peddling their wares ensured that life was never dull.


    Her thoughts drifted back to hertest project¡ªshe needed to hire a couple of medical professionals to bolster the capacity for patient care, ensuring they could serve the growing clientele effectively.


    Herbert had been good to his words, but so far she hasn¡¯t been pleased with the offersing in through thepany¡¯s website.


    Just then, a light knock at the door interrupted her contemtion. It swung open slightly, revealing Ciara stepping in with an earnest expression.


    "Excuse me, Doctor Athena," she said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I just wanted to inform you that the hiring process has officially begun for the new medical staff. I¡¯ve been going through resumes and arranging interviews."


    Athena¡¯s heart lifted slightly at the news. "Thanks, Ciara. I appreciate your diligence on this. Let me know if you find anyone promising." A pause. "On second thought, Send them in."


    Later in the afternoon, after going through several initial interviews, one candidate arrived who piqued her interest. He entered her office with a nervous air, fidgeting with his tie as if it were a noose.


    Something about him felt familiar, although Athena couldn¡¯t piece together why.


    He looked like the quintessential ¡¯nerdy¡¯ doctor type; shy, dressed in a slightly oversized zer, and adjusting his thick-rimmed sses as he shuffled his feet, avoiding eye contact.


    "Dr. Finnley?" She asked, referring to the name emzoned on his CV.


    "Yes, please call me Finn," he replied, his voice soft but steady. He had a boyish charm, and his apparent anxiety only made him appear more endearing.


    "Alright, Finn. Let¡¯s get started," she said, opening her folder of questions. "Tell me about a particrly challenging patient situation you¡¯ve encountered in your training and how you handled it."


    Finn took a deep breath, visibly calming himself as heunched into his story. "I was once working in the emergency room when a young girl came in with a severe asthma attack. The attending was preupied with another case, so I had to take the lead. I immediately started administering a nebulizer while simultaneously checking her vitals..."


    As he shared the experience, Athena couldn¡¯t help but admire his articte response, each detail painting a picture of his critical thinking under pressure.


    By the end of the interview, he had not only met her expectations but had also provided thoughtful and insightful answers to every question she posed.


    Although she still couldn¡¯t shake the nagging feeling of familiarity, she feltpelled to give him a chance.


    "Alright, Finn," she said with a smile. "I think we can work with you here. Wee to the team!"


    His eyes lit up with a mixture of relief and gratitude, and he muttered an enthusiastic, "Thank you! I won¡¯t disappoint you!"


    As he left the office, she couldn¡¯t shake the sense of unease pooling in her stomach, but she brushed it off.


    Perhaps it was just nerves about bringing someone new into the fold.


    Yet she resolved to keep an eye on him all the same¡ªhis nervous demeanor could work well in patient care but might have its drawbacks as well. She made a mental note to continuously assess his performance in theing weeks.


    An hourter, Athena paid a visit to Kendra¡¯s guardian.


    The sight of thetter¡¯s steady progress filled Athena with immense relief. "Ste, you¡¯re looking better every time I see you!" she eximed, a wide smile breaking across her face.


    Ste smiled widely. "It¡¯s all thanks to you, Doctor Athena. Thank you so much."


    Athena waved the words away with a soft chuckle. "Can you sit now, without feeling dizzy?"


    Ste nodded, and sat up. "Do you want to talk to me? Is it about the favor?"


    Athena shook her head. "Just checking in on your level of progress. About the favor, we¡¯ll discuss it when you are discharged."


    <i>Hopefully Chelsea will be around by then. </i>She didn¡¯t understand why her friend was keeping the test results from her.


    <i>¡¯Until we meet again...¡¯ </i>Thetter had said, when she had insisted on the results. <i></i>


    Ste nodded gratefully. "Alright then. Thank you so much."


    Suddenly, Athena¡¯s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to find a message from Aiden:


    <i>¡¯I finally found a driver for you. Come downstairs.¡¯</i>


    "Looks like I¡¯ve got to run," Athena said to Ste. "I¡¯ll check on you again soon, alright?"


    "Of course," Ste replied warmly. "And tell Kendra, I said hi!"


    Athena nodded with a smile, before making her way downstairs, her thoughts wandering to Aiden and the level of trust that had built between them over the past years. He had be an invaluable ally in many aspects of her life, and she hoped the driver he arranged would be reliable.


    As she stepped outside, she spotted a man waiting beside her sleek ck sedan.


    He was tall, with an athletic build, which made him appear capable and professional. He looked well put together, maybe not as polished as Aiden typically was, but he seemedpetent enough. He didn¡¯t look much older than her either.


    <i>Is this the driver?</i> She wondered, judging him with a cursory nce as she approached.


    "Hello ma¡¯am! Doctor Athena, right?" he said, shing a friendly smile that seemed genuine.


    "Exactly. And you are?" she inquired, extending her hand for a shake.


    "Jake," he replied, shaking her hand firmly yet appropriately. "Aiden arranged for me to drive you."


    "Nice to meet you, Jake. Aiden said you came directly from headquarters?"


    "Yes, I did. I¡¯m looking forward to working with you," he said, maintaining eye contact, which gave her the impression he was attentive and earnest.


    Just then, she noticed Aiden stepping out from the shadows. Seeing his ardent concentration on the phone in his hand, she was sure he had stepped aside to make or answer a call. Was it from the team?


    "Good afternoon Aiden." Athena greeted him as he was close enough for a side hug.


    "Good afternoon, Miss Athena... I see you¡¯ve met Jake."


    Athena squeezed her face, not pleased with the title Aiden had conferred on her. However, she knew he was doing it for the enlightenment of the driver. He couldn¡¯t have Jake calling her by her name alone.


    "Yes, I have." Athena answered, ncing at Jake again.


    The male was looking away to the horizon, subtly giving them the required privacy to talk. She appreciated that, but it was enough.


    She moved some steps away, knowing Aiden would follow.


    "Is this driver okay?" He asked, as soon as they were out of earshots.


    Athena mused aloud. "He seems decent."


    "Jake is qualified," Aiden reassured her. "But we can find someone else if you¡¯re ufortable."


    "No, it¡¯s fine. I trust you," She said, willing to push through the subtle tension. "I¡¯ll give him a chance."


    She didn¡¯t think Jake would be able to rece Aiden, but she had to make do with him, because Aiden needed to travel to be with his daughter for Christmas.


    Perhaps, he might even retirepletely from serving as her driver.


    The thought unsettled her, but she pushed the feeling away. She refused to be selfish.


    "Athena..."


    "I¡¯m okay, Aiden. This was bound to happen." She paused, after a deep sigh. "I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve put a lot of work into this, so I¡¯ll trust him to do the work. It might take a while, but the kids and I will cope."


    Aiden exhaled harshly, and patted Athena¡¯s arms. "Don¡¯t worry, Athena. I¡¯ll be back before you know it."


    Athena was pleased to hear this, but she kept the stoic face intact. Aiden could be quite gloatful.


    But Aiden knew this of course. He smiled, and ruffled Athena¡¯s hair to her chagrin. "Hey!!"


    He chuckled, and moved away from her ring eyes. Just then a text dropped into his phone. Thinking it was from the team, he opened it.


    A frown appeared on his face when he saw the text message was from Ewan.


    ¡¯Hello Aiden, can you send me what you have on the gang that kidnapped Athena, just as we discussed?¡¯


    "Is everything okay, Aiden?"


    Aiden held back a hiss, and nodded to Athena¡¯s question. "Everything is fine. Let¡¯s go."


    Howbeit, as they walked to the car, Aiden sharply sent a reply to Ewan.


    <i>¡¯That won¡¯t be necessary, Ewan. We have everything covered. Just focus on running yourpany and managing your fianc¨¦e.¡¯</i>

 Chapter 93: Exasperated

    <h4>Chapter 93: Exasperated</h4>


    Ewan sighed tiredly when he saw Aiden¡¯s message sh across his phone.


    His mind began connecting the dots like a troubled artist trying to create a coherent picture. It dawned on him that the driver-cum-security guard must have discovered what had transpired on the night he had taken Athena to dinner some days ago.


    It made him wonder: was there anything at all that Athena kept hidden from the male?


    Dropping his phone onto the table with a frustrated thud, he sped his hands together, deep in thought.


    Aiden seemed to know everything there was to know about Athena, which made him suspicious about the history they shared. What could that be?


    Just like Athena, Aiden¡¯s profile had turned up nk on the inte at first, as if the man simply never existed.


    His curiosity piqued, Ewan had done some digging and learned that this enigmatic figure had been a four-star general at one time.


    It was still hard for Ewan to believe; the man looked way too young for such a prestigious title!


    Yet he couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of respect mixed with irritation. Here was a man who was essentially cutting him off for abandoning Athena at a restaurant to fend for herself¡ªand worse, for not checking in on her since then.


    Like a subpar soap opera, Ewan found himself questioning if Aiden really knew just how scheming Athena could be. He flicked his gaze back to the phone, thinking about the picture Fiona had shown him.


    Surely, a four-star general should know better than to get involved in a convoluted mess like this.


    Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Ewan ultimately decided that if Aiden didn¡¯t want him included in the search for whatever ghost had haunted Athena, then so be it. But he wouldn¡¯t give up. He needed to find details, somehow.


    After all, keeping the children safe was at the forefront of his mind.


    With newfound determination, he grabbed his phone and dialed Sandro.


    "Come to the office right away," hemanded, feeling more like a military general than a businessman.


    Three minutester, Sandro walked into the office, slightly out of breath.


    "Is anything the matter?" he asked, concern etched on his face.


    Ewan mulled over his words internally. A lot of things were the matter, but he simply nodded and said, "Not really. I just need your help finding as much information as possible on the gang that kidnapped Athena."


    Sandro furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and plopped down onto one of the oversized chairs in Ewan¡¯srge blue-themed office, clearly unprepared for another whirlwind of news. "The gang? Shouldn¡¯t you be meeting Aiden or Athena for that? I¡¯m sure they¡¯d be more than happy to share their resources."


    Ewan¡¯s silence after Sandro¡¯s statement spoke volumes, filling the space with an ufortable tension. Sandro couldn¡¯t help but wonder what other trouble was brewing in Ewan¡¯s paradise.


    "What happened this time around, Ewan?" Sandro pressed, leaning forward slightly in his chair, genuinely curious.


    Ewan shrugged a bit too casually. "You saw the news about Athena that turned her into a city hero?"


    Sandro nodded eagerly, remembering how epic she looked while kicking the asses of her foes. He had even saved the video on his phone for keepsakes¡ªa reminder that Athena was someone not easily toyed with.


    "Well, I was with her at the restaurant earlier."


    Sandro¡¯s brows nearly shot up to his hairline. "You were what? Howe you weren¡¯t in the video?"


    He paused for dramatic effect, shaking his head in disbelief. "Start from the beginning," he stated, recalling the frantic call he had with Ewan that fateful night, where Ewan had quizzed him about his thoughts on Athena.


    Ewan sighed deeply, looking out the window as if the answersy beyond the ss. "I asked her to meet me for a business dinner..."


    "And she agreed? Wow..." Sandro shook his head in amazement, leaning back in his chair. "What jinxed it?"


    He raised an eyebrow when he noticed the difort etching itself into Ewan¡¯s face. "Ewan..."


    "I¡¯m not sure. Could be between Fiona¡¯s phone call, and Athena¡¯s scheming?"


    Sandro could understand Fiona certainly ying a part in disrupting the dinner, but the idea of Athena schemingpletely baffled him.


    "What are you talking about?" he asked incredulously.


    "As you know, Athena epted my offer," Ewan exined. "The dinner was okay. We talked about business and all, and then I received a call from a maid saying Fiona attempted suicide again."


    Sandro let out a long, slow exhale as he sank deeper into his chair, folding his hands across his chest. Interesting, indeed. "So, I take it you left the dinner in a whirlwind and dropped a pile of cash on the table?"


    Ewan nodded, looking a bit chagrined. "I thought it was an emergency!"


    "So, it wasn¡¯t even an emergencyter on..." Sandro murmured, astonished by the foolishness of his friend. Seriously, who abandons a woman at a restaurant like that unless they¡¯repeting in some sort of jerkpetition? "What exactly happened?"


    Ewan inhaled sharply, plopping his hands down on the table, as if the very action would align the universe back in his favor. "It was a false rm. Fiona had gotten pictures of the dinner from Athena, and they looked like we were having an intimate moment. Out of desperation, Fiona raised a false rm..."


    "Knowing you¡¯de running as her knight in shining armor?" Sandro remarked, unable to suppress a smirk. He was pretty sure he¡¯d just entered the realm of daytime soap operas,plete with dramatic twists and cringe-worthy swoons.


    Ewan frowned, clearly irked by the sarcasm. "Shouldn¡¯t you be asking why Athena sent those pictures? What was she gunning for?"


    "Exactly!" Sandro eximed, almost shouting in frustration. "What exactly could Athena be gunning for? She doesn¡¯t care one hoot about you or Fiona! If anything, it¡¯s all just business to her!"


    He dropped back into his chair, shaking his head in disbelief. "Was there proof?"


    Ewan nodded somberly. "Fiona showed me the pictures and contact details," he said tly.


    "Did you confirm that the number was, indeed, hers?" Sandro continued, not quite believing Athena would stoop so low.


    "I did. It was Athena¡¯s," Ewan replied, sounding defeated.


    Sandro shook his head slowly, his instincts vehemently disagreeing with what he was hearing.


    "You still don¡¯t believe it?"


    "No, I don¡¯t," Sandro argued, his voice rising. "Athena wasn¡¯t petty six years ago; she certainly wouldn¡¯t be now. Not in the position she¡¯s upying. I think there¡¯s a mistake somewhere. And the person you should be focused on dealing with is your Fiona, who made a false rm. You should be wondering if the first attempt wasn¡¯t a false rm too!"


    "Sandro!" Ewan growled, pping his palm down on the table angrily, as though he were trying to wake up some reason from his friend, who rather looked amused at the entire escapade.


    "What do you mean by that? Did you see how pitiful she looked when sheid down, the shes on her wrist? Personally, I think all this depression is part of the cons of her saving me from the drowning."


    Sandro threw his hands up in a ssic surrender. "Yet again, you¡¯re ming it all on yourself! You do realize that there¡¯s a possibility that she isn¡¯t saviour, right? All of that, could have been a set-up!"


    "Get out!" Ewan shouted, exasperated, feeling like a chess piece knocked over in a frustration-filled game between a master and an unpredictable opponent.

 Chapter 94: Déjà Vu

    <h4>Chapter 94: D¨¦j¨¤ Vu</h4>


    <i>Get out?</i>


    Themand wasn¡¯t anything new for Sandro.


    He stood up from the chair without wasting time, a determined look on his face as he headed to the door. He paused for a brief moment however, and Ewan inhaled sharply at the familiar wave of d¨¦j¨¤ vu that washed over him.


    It was an unsettling reminder of years ago, when Sandro had simrly paused after he had told him to get out because thetter had been pleading Athena¡¯s case at that time.


    This d¨¦j¨¤ vu didn¡¯t juste with nostalgia; it brought an uneasy feeling along with it. What if his friend was right, just as he had been six years ago?


    "I don¡¯t know what to say again, Ewan. You¡¯ve seen Athena since she came back. Does she count as someone with underhanded tactics? If I should say, she is very admirable¡ªunlike someone else I know who keeps leeching off others¡¯ sesses."


    Ewan didn¡¯t even need to ask who that "someone else" was; he was all too aware.


    "What about the twins? Why is she so close-mouthed about that? What about their voices? I distinctly heard them speak during the hack in thepany. What do you have to say about them?"


    Sandro sighed, his frustration palpable. "There must be an exnation for all of that. Give her the benefit of the doubt."


    Ewan scoffed in response. "Something you won¡¯t give Fiona? Why not extend that courtesy to her?"


    Sandro sighed again, the exasperation evident. "Fiona is different. She¡¯s obsessed with you."


    Ewan didn¡¯t bother to contradict that statement. He had seen it firsthand a few nights ago, and he believed that with the right medical help, Fiona¡¯s infatuation would be addressed, and she would eventually stop clinging to him like a barnacle on a ship.


    "Ewan, just know what you are doing this time around. You med your actions six years ago on ignorance. There¡¯s no option for that now, no contract holding you down, except for a misguided duty to Fiona. Make the right choices this time around."


    "Sandro..." Ewan gritted his teeth, trying to keep his frustration in check. "There is No misguided duty anywhere. Fiona is my savior. And I would appreciate it if you respected that and refrained from making assumptions about it. The next time you mention it again, I won¡¯t hesitate to punish you..."


    Sandro merely shrugged in response, seemingly unfazed. "That¡¯s fine by me. But you should remember that since Athena started treating your people a few days ago, they have been getting better. She has saved your people and has restored your respect in their eyes..." He paused, allowing that truth to sink in. "But it¡¯s your choice all the same, what you want to do about the situation. If there¡¯s anything else on your mind, let me know. I¡¯ve got work cut out for me today."


    Ewan rubbed his face in resignation. He had greatly offended his friend now. But could it have been avoided? Yes, Athena was undoubtedly a savior, but at what end?


    As he recalled the hacks that had gued hispany over the years, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder what her ultimate goal was¡ªhispany, perhaps?


    "The DNA test on the twins... When are you getting it done?"


    Sandro shrugged his shoulders. "They¡¯re too intelligent. They already know what I¡¯m about to do."


    Ewan nodded and began to formte his next move. "Then pay someone else to get it done¡ªlike their ss teacher or a staff member in the school. Offer any amount necessary. It¡¯s time to put all these games to an end. I hate muddy waters. I need to see a clear path to tread, so I can make the right decisions."


    Sandro inhaled, chewing over the suggestion. "Sure. But I think you should ask Athena yourself, instead of..."


    "Do you think she will be honest about it? She isn¡¯t even honest about her past life!" Ewan shot back, his irritation rising like steam from a boiling pot.


    "And why should she? There¡¯s no reason for that! Plus, at the dinner where she had agreed to meet you, you and your lovely Fiona messed it all up! Who knows if she had a lot of things to share with you then?"


    Sandro¡¯s voice lowered, almost conspiratorial. "You should understand that Athena has been burned by the world before, and so she¡¯s cautious and shy. You should understand that better than anyone."


    Ewan sighed, the weight of the conversation settling on his shoulders. "Still, get the DNA samples. I need solid evidence."


    Sandro, feeling defeated, gave a resigned nod and walked away.


    Ewan sighed again as he watched his friend¡¯s hunched figure disappear from view. Yet a strange feeling gripped him¡ªhe couldn¡¯t face Athena.


    For some reason, he felt a deep sense of shame. Was it because of how he had abandoned her? Pushing those thoughts aside, he called in the tech and research team.


    Mr. Suarez stepped into the room, his expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension.


    "How did it go? Did you find anything on that gang I told you about a week ago?"


    The man shook his head, disappointment painting his features. "Nothing, sir. We need more clues. Or better still, a good hacker and research expert."


    Ewan furrowed his brow, a wave of frustration washing over him again. "A good hacker and research expert? Don¡¯t we have that here?"


    Carlos shook his head emphatically. "There are better ones out there, especially the ones who pulled off that hack on us. We have their contact..."


    Ewan shook his head vigorously. "I don¡¯t think that contact would be viable. It¡¯s been ages ago. They must have done away with it. They probably have no interest in working for us too. Why would they? They likely want to keep us as their target instead."


    "Probably," Suarez conceded. "But it¡¯s a recent contact¡ªjust a few days ago. It¡¯s like they had been nning another attack but paused for some reason. Their tracks were hurriedly cleaned up; however, we managed to analyze the footprints left, and check out their profiles on the dark web. Do you want to contact them?"


    Ewan was left momentarily speechless. "You say a few days ago... as in how many days?"


    Suarez raised his eyebrows, trying to gauge his boss¡¯s reaction. "Like three to four days ago."


    Ewan hung his head, the realization hitting him like a ton of bricks. That was the timeframe when he had abandoned Athena.


    Clenching his fists, he felt the familiar mix of anger and determination wash over him. Should he always be afraid of Athena now at every turn?


    He slowly shook his head. He hadn¡¯te this far just to be scared of a woman, no matter the amount of backers she had. He would rather get stronger.


    Yet, it was ironic to him, that Athena had managed to provoke this side of him. But there was no time for games anymore. He also had to abolish whatever interest he had for her.


    "Get the contact," he instructed sharply.


    Five minutester, Ewan found himself facing the interface of the dark web. Without wasting time, he sent a message to the contact with a rather menacing profile¡ªa dragon with two heads.


    <i>¡¯Can you work for me?¡¯</i> He typed, but just as quickly as the message was marked seen, he found himself barred from essing the contact.


    Before he could realize what was happening, he was logged out of the dark web. His ount has been blocked too.


    "Of course," Ewan muttered sarcastically to himself. "What was I even thinking?"

 Chapter 95: A Face-off At The Mall

    <h4>Chapter 95: A Face-off At The Mall</h4>


    Fiona and her two friends chattered like monkeys as they entered therge clothes mall, a retail fashion kingdom predominantly owned by Ewan.


    Being associated with someone like Ewan was enough to inte Fiona¡¯s sense of pride, and she strutted through the store like a peacock unting its glorious feathers.


    The employees, having been well-informed of her significance¡ªwhich included a not-so-subtle reminder of what she could do to their jobs if agitated¡ªhurried to cater to her whims.


    "Ma¡¯am, what do you want?" Five workers asked in unison, their heads bowed as if they were in a royal court. They have been oriented ordingly by the higher ups about the problematic fianc¨¦e of Ewan Gietti.


    The sight was amusing and sad at the same time. Fiona smiled with a smug satisfaction, her eyes dancing over racks filled with clothes, shoes, and dazzling essories.


    She sighed dramatically, as if she were gazing at old friends rather than inanimate objects.


    "I¡¯m attending the grand g celebrating the city¡¯s centennial tomorrow evening. So, I want the best gown, the best shoes, the best of everything! Can you do that?"


    Her friends burrowed into her side like two anxious puppies, trying to remind her of their presence, or perhaps to steal some of the spotlight.


    "And of course, for my friends here. You know the grade of clothes to give them, I believe..."


    She waved her hand dismissively in their direction, as if she had just tossed them a reality check.


    Her friends subtly rolled their eyes at the snide suggestion, but since they weren¡¯t footing the bill, they decided to tag along, determined to enjoy the fashion expenditure.


    The workers, ever eager to please, led them to the grade A section, where the extravagant treasures were stored.


    "You can rest here, ma¡¯am, while we bring out the clothes. They will serve you tea and some biscuits," One worker said, her tone almost adoring.


    Fiona reveled in the VIP treatment, taking a seat as if she were royalty. Her friends followed suit, though they remained less enthusiastic about the treatment, for when the tray of treats arrived, Fiona held it hostage.


    "Be content that you¡¯re allowed on this floor. That should suffice for you," She dered, taking a bite of her biscuit as if she were sampling the finest gourmet cuisine. The delicious morsel melted in her mouth, and she sighed in delight,pletely unfazed by her friends¡¯ frowns.


    As she watched the gowns being paraded in front of her, something caught her eye. Another worker was deep in conversation with a client who remained out of sight, and from the way the worker spoke¡ªfascinated yet respectful¡ªit piqued Fiona¡¯s curiosity.


    "Who is the other client on this floor? I thought this area was cleared off until I¡¯m done picking dresses," She interjected, unable to conceal her irritation.


    The head worker stuttered, panic shing in her eyes. "She is also a VIP client, ording to the manager. So, we let her stay."


    Fiona furrowed her brow. Who was this client, this mysterious figure daring to share her privilege?


    She stood up, smoothed the non-existent creases on her gown (for what could possibly be wrong with perfection?), and decided it was time to socialize.


    Maybe she would recruit this client as a new ally¡ªafter all, her current friends were starting to feel more likeckeys thanpanions.


    As she sashayed over to the worker chatting animatedly, Fiona¡¯s ns ofmonality were promptly dashed when the curtain of mystery fell away to reveal that the client was none other than Athena, her rival, who the public imed was the best doctor in the city and, some might whisper, the richest.


    Fiona scoffed in disbelief. "What is she doing here?"


    The worker, who radiated inexperience, babbled on without any hint of noting Fiona¡¯s identity or anger.


    "Oh, miss, you don¡¯t know? This is Doctor Athena, best doctor in our city. Richest, I dare say. One of our most cherished customers. She is..."


    "Shut your big mouth if you don¡¯t want to lose your job," Fiona snapped.


    The worker¡¯s eyes widened, and she took a hesitant step back, realizing the gravity of her error, realizing who Fiona was.


    Athena, who had witnessed the whole ordeal with barely contained amusement, raised an eyebrow.


    Fiona¡¯s friends, who had followed Fiona at a safe distance, eager to see theirpetition, moved back now, like anxious turtles retreating into their shells. Unable to help it, they had remembered how Athena had humiliated both them and their male friends.


    Fiona, noticing this, scoffed. "You both are weaker than I thought! If you choose to remain pathetic still, leave here!"


    Athena chuckled, reveling in the awkwardness between the three friends.


    Fiona fumed at this, her fists clenched at her sides. "What are you doing here, Athena?"


    "To eat," Athena replied simply, her tone dripping with nonchnce before directing the worker to lead the way.


    But before the worker could scurry off, Fiona¡¯s voice rang out like a siren. "If you move an inch, idiot, I will make sure you¡¯re fired. And not just that, I¡¯ll ensure you aren¡¯t hired by any other establishment."


    The servant turned pale, her fear palpable as she imagined her career spiraling into oblivion.


    Athenaughed lightly, shaking her head in disbelief. Really, what kind of nonsense was this?


    "Athena, I ask again. What are you doing here? Give me a stupid answer again and I will call the guards to throw you out,"


    Athena crossed her arms with mock seriousness. "I¡¯m here to eat, Fiona. Do you have a problem with that?" She met Fiona¡¯s glower with a cool nce, unbothered by the tension.


    Fiona swore, before turning on her heel andmanding the workers watching them, to call the manager and the guards.


    Five minutester, Athena found herself surrounded by guards and the manager, Carlos, who seemed to have been summoned for a council of war.


    "What is going on here, Dr. Caddels?" he started, straining to contain his annoyance. He knew precisely what was unfolding, but Fiona was the boss¡¯s fianc¨¦e; they couldn¡¯t afford to offend her too!


    "I¡¯m just here to shop for clothes, Carlos. Is there a problem with that?" Athena replied, her expression refreshingly calm.


    Carlos shook his head, trying to y peacemaker. "Have you found a dress yet?"


    Athena nodded, shifting aside to reveal a stunning red dress that had Fiona gawking in awe.


    How had that exquisite creation not been presented to her yet? Fiona red at the five workers. They winced under her gaze, their faces paler than they needed to be.


    "Good." Carlos muttered before turning to the inexperienced worker.


    "Package it for her, so that she can be on her way. She is a busy doctor, who is doing a lot for the city¡ªincluding Master Ewan¡¯s Town," Carlosmanded, attempting to emphasize Athena¡¯s noble contributions.


    Fiona clenched her fists, chewing on his words as if they were the very biscuits she had hoarded earlier. How dare he?


    No, she wouldn¡¯t let Athena waltz away unscathed; yes, she was a doctor, but so what?


    She was Ewan Gietti¡¯s fianc¨¦e for crying out loud!


    "Give me that dress. I want it too," She dered hotly, her voice echoing with a finality that could send shivers down anyone¡¯s spine.


    Silence plunged into the room like a heavy curtain falling after a dramatic performance.


    "But Ma¡¯am..." Carlos attempted to reason, but Fiona wasn¡¯t having it.


    "Give me that dress or lose your job!" She barked, her eyes zing.


    "What¡¯s going on here!" A voice bellowed then, shattering the tension.

 Chapter 96: Peacemaker

    <h4>Chapter 96: Peacemaker</h4>


    Fiona¡¯s demeanor immediately changed when she heard Ewan¡¯s steel voice; she transformed from a fiery serpent poised to strike into a gentle dove ready to be ughtered.


    "Ewan," she cried, dashing over to him as if a life raft had just appeared in the tumultuous sea of her drama.


    Public disys of affection were in order, and Ewan obliged her, allowing her to perch on his chest and wrap her arms around his waist. However, his eyes remained focused on Athena, the unexpected source of tension.


    He had popped by to meet the manager over a deal, thinking it would be a quick in-and-out. If he had known he was walking into a battlefield of sorts, he would have changed course. His head throbbed with the weight of an impending headache, and seeing Athena after many days left him feeling strangely bereft.


    Still, he focused on the pressing matter at hand. "What¡¯s the problem, Carlos? What happened to my fianc¨¦e?"


    Carlos, taken aback by the instantaneous transformation of Fiona from a feisty diva to a seemingly fragile creature,posed himself to respond quickly, knowing Ewan¡¯s short temper all too well. "She wants the dress that Doctor Athena already picked for herself for the g tomorrow night."


    Fiona shrieked again, this time infused with both anger and pain. "That¡¯s a lie, Ewan! How could I do something like that? I picked the gown first¡ªyou can ask the workers! The manager just came down here!"


    Ewan pivoted to the workers, his expression hardening. "Is that true?"


    All the workers nodded dutifully, except for the one who had been assisting Athena.


    Ewan noticed this and called the girl out. "Why aren¡¯t you saying anything? Do you agree with Miss Fiona?"


    The girl pinched her palm, thinking desperately about her position, then gave a reluctant nod.


    But Athena wasn¡¯t phased. She had anticipated this oue and understood the pressure the girl was under. Rather than condemning her, she smirked and cocked her head, waiting for Ewan¡¯s decision.


    Seeing that smirk triggered something in Ewan, and he fought to suppress a curse. That infuriating smirk always made him feel a mix of annoyance and difort.


    With a flick of his wrist, he dismissed the workers and focused on Athena. "Please, give her the gown."


    "Why should I do that?" Athena shot back, her smile still teasing at the corners of her mouth, unfazed by Ewan¡¯s dilemma.


    "Because she picked it first, ording to the bystanders."


    "Do you believe that nonsense yourself, or are you doing this just because she is your fianc¨¦e?"


    "It¡¯s the right thing to do," Ewan replied calmly, fixing his gaze on Athena as if she would crumble under its intensity.


    Athenaughed, a delightful sound that broke the tension. "Give her the gown before she cries a river."


    The worker hurriedly packaged the gown and presented it to Fiona, who beamed like she had just won a coveted trophy. "Thanks, Ewan," she chirped.


    But Ewan, still fixated on Athena, wasn¡¯t finished. "Doctor Athena, you prefer an Areso gown, right? Why don¡¯t I make an order for you?"


    Silence lingered in the room, a heavy nket of tension enveloping them.


    Even Athena appeared shocked, no matter how much she tried to maintain a cool facade.


    Fiona opened her mouth but only managed to shut it again in disbelief. She finally croaked out, breaking the spell. "You are buying her an Areso gown? What about me? I haven¡¯t worn the designer¡¯s works before! You always imed it wasn¡¯t a necessary expense!"


    "You already have the one you wanted, Fiona. Right now, I¡¯m merely trying to appease a customer."


    Ewan¡¯s eyes were still on Athena, as if she were the sun and he was the earth in orbit. "Should I go ahead?"


    Athena chuckled, holding back her mirth. "Areso, you said? Mr. Ewan, are you nning for me to miss the g tomorrow? We both know you can¡¯t reach Areso on such short notice. It¡¯s next to impossible, no matter how deep your pockets run."


    Ewan¡¯s heart zed with annoyance. He knew she was correct, but he was prepared to do anything for Areso¡¯s attention at the moment.


    Why couldn¡¯t Athena just stay low and avoid baiting him?


    "Fine, just send me the money for the gown. Will you do that at least?" Athena continued, sensing Ewan¡¯s thoughts.


    Ewan nodded. "I will send the money for the Areso gown. Which ount?"


    Athena smiled, about to rattle off the number, but just then, her phone rang.


    When she saw the caller ID, she smiled like a kid on Christmas morning and put the call on speaker. "Hello, Areso..."


    Fiona, Ewan, and everyone in the floor, couldn¡¯t believe their ears when they heard the designer¡¯sughter on the other end of the line.


    How could a designer Ewan had been pursuing for years be so casually included in Athena¡¯s circle?


    "Athena, you are a bad friend! You called me just once this morning, and you didn¡¯t call again? Don¡¯t you know I¡¯m a busy person?"


    Athenaughed genuinely. "I¡¯m sorry, Areso. Did you get my message?"


    "Yeah, I have a gown for you. It will be delivered this evening. Trust me, it will be excellent."


    Athena smiled gently, her eyes sparkling. "That¡¯s good. Send the bill."


    Areso¡¯sughter echoed through the phone again. "Bill? Come off it, Athena! Since when does that exist between us sisters? Send my regards to the twins, and I¡¯ll see them soon."


    The call ended.


    "So..." Athena paused as she surveyed the shocked looks on the faces of Ewan, Fiona, her friends, the manager, and even the workers who had been peeking at the unfolding drama.


    "Doctor Athena, you know Miss Areso? We¡¯ve been trying to..." Carlos began, but Ewan cut him off.


    "That¡¯s okay, Carlos," he interjected, reverting back to Athena. "It seems you have what you wanted."


    Athena smirked, her poised demeanor unyielding. "Does that mean you won¡¯t fulfill your promise?"


    Ewan shook his head slowly. "Not at all. Just send me the ount details."


    Fiona was appalled. "But..."


    Ewan ignored herpletely, busying himself with his phone as he input the ount information Athena had just provided.


    When the name of the ount holder popped up on his screen, he was taken aback¡ªit was a charity organization that ran a shelter a few miles away.


    "Good charity?"


    "Yes, I saw their card and saved their number for future reference, but since money ising in now, why not send it to people who need it more?"


    "I see..." Ewan gritted, a mix of frustration and admiration swirling in his chest as he sent the huge sum of money to the charity.


    When he showed Athena the receipt for the transaction,ughter erupted from her once more, a bright sound that chased away the lingering anger in the air.


    "Thank you!" She eximed, her eyes bright with contentment. She turned and walked out then, leaving Fiona fuming in her wake.


    Fiona¡¯s rage transformed into a bright shade of green, her anger palpable. "You can¡¯t just give her that!" she yelled, arms iling dramatically. "I¡¯m your fianc¨¦e!"


    Ewan sighed, rubbing his temples as if trying to ward off a headache. "Fiona, you know this isn¡¯t just about us. It¡¯s about making things right."


    "Right? You¡¯re making it right for her instead of your own fianc¨¦e?!" Fiona sputtered, incredulity coloring her voice. "What are you? A peacemaker?"


    Ewan turned to her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "It¡¯s just a dress, Fiona. And you¡¯ve already gotten what you wanted. So, cut the crap out and head home."


    Fiona: "...."


    But Ewan didn¡¯t wait around for her agreement. Rather, he signaled Carlos, and together they walked out of therge room to discuss business.

 Chapter 97: The Gala

    <h4>Chapter 97: The G</h4>


    "Mom, you look great!" Kate and Nathaniel eximed in unison as Athena stepped into the living room. Beside them, Kendra echoed the samepliment, beaming from ear to ear.


    Athena felt their excitement wash over her like a warm breeze¡ªit was the kind of moment that could lighten even the heaviest of hearts.


    Dressed in a stunning silver gown that clung to her curves like a work of art, Athena felt a glow of confidence radiate from her very being. The gown hugged her shape perfectly, entuating her waist and gracefully ring out at the bottom.


    The back of the dress was elegantly designed, emphasizing the smooth lines of her back while leaving just enough to the imagination. A daring slit ran up to her thigh, adding a touch of boldness withoutpromising her grace.


    The neckline dipped just enough to show a hint of cleavage, striking the perfect bnce between elegance and allure. With a sparkle of silver sequins twinkling with every movement, Athena looked like she had stepped out of a fairy tale.


    Areso had done a good job.


    She couldn¡¯t help but smile as she walked towards her children. Leaning down, she kissed each of them on the forehead, breathing in their youthful energy. "Thank you, sweethearts!"


    Just then, Gianna joined her in the sitting room, and the moment was charged with a sense of mour that felt almost palpable.


    Gianna was wearing a breathtaking blue gown that shimmered like the ocean under the moonlight. The gown hugged her figure in all the right ces, the soft fabric falling gracefully to the floor, creating the illusion of waves cascading around her.


    The deep blue colorplemented Gianna¡¯s warmplexion perfectly, while delicate embellishments sparkled at her waist, drawing attention to its silhouette.


    "Wow, Gianna, you look absolutely stunning!" Athena remarked, trailing her eyes all over her friend.


    "And you, my dear, are a vision in silver!" Gianna grinned, both of them admiring each other¡¯s beauty.


    As they examined their outfits, the twins and Kendra yed around, their giggles echoing through the spacious room.


    "Okay, you three, let¡¯s tone it down a bit before we leave," Athena admonished yfully. "Tonight is special, and we need you to be on your best behavior."


    "Promise, Mom!" They chimed, their eyes wide and earnest.


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows watching the twins. "Don¡¯t spy on us." She whispered into their ears, while pretending to drop a kiss on their cheeks.


    The twins bobbled their heads.


    Athena said nothing after that. She would just have to trust them.


    "Let¡¯s go, Athena. The g has already started."


    Aiden was already waiting for them by the car when they stepped out of the building, his smile warm and inviting.


    "I can see why you both took your time..."


    He spoke as opened the car door, like a gentleman would, for them.


    A bittersweet feeling washed over Athena as she stepped in. This was herst drive with Aiden.


    "Aiden, you look dashing as always" Gianna greeted, taking note of his crisp suit.


    "Thank you, Giana." Aiden bowed, causing Gianna to chuckle softly. He risked a nce at Athena. She was looking out from the window.


    He sighed sadly, before shutting the door, and walking to the driver¡¯s seat.


    "So, tonight is yourst drive, huh?" Athena murmured, when the car started moving, trying to keep her voice light despite the twinges in her heart.


    "Yeah," Aiden replied, nodding as he pulled onto the road. "The new driver will start tomorrow. I¡¯ll miss driving you around; it¡¯s always a pleasure."


    "Same here," Athena said, her gaze drifting out of the window. "You¡¯ve been wonderful, Aiden. Thank you for everything."


    "I¡¯ll still be around, Athena," he reassured her. "Just a phone call away if you need anything."


    "True, but it won¡¯t be the same," she admitted. She appreciated him more


    than words could express, and the thought of someone new stepping into his shoes felt strange.


    She nced at Gianna, who was looking out the window, lost in thought, and wondered if thetter was remembering what had happened thest time they had dressed for a night out. She hoped not.


    "Hey, let¡¯s not get too sentimental before the g," Gianna suggested, breaking the silence after a while. "Tonight is about celebrating and having fun, right?"


    Athena nodded, trying to refocus her thoughts on the night ahead. "You¡¯re right. The g is a chance to unwind and enjoy ourselves."


    Aiden expertly navigated the streets, and before long, they arrived at the grand venue of the g.


    The building loomed tall and majestic against the backdrop of the evening sky, lights twinkling like stars on Earth. Valets swarmed around, expertly managing cars as guests filtered in, each one dressed to the nines.


    Athena took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation as she stepped out of the car, gliding her fingers down the silky fabric of her gown.


    "Let¡¯s make some memories tonight." She dered, boosting her own enthusiasm. Gianna echoed her sentiment immediately.


    As they entered the venue, they were greeted by a couple of familiar faces and valets, their expressions lighting up as they spotted the duo in their stunning gowns.


    "This way, ma¡¯am..."


    Athena felt the muscles in her shoulders rx, and she smiled aspliments flowed in her direction from people who had visited the hospital at one time or another.


    They were swiftly ushered to the VIP section, a sought-after spot that offered an unobstructed view of the festivities.


    At the VIP section, Athena took note of Ewan and Fiona, sitting on a round table with Zane and Sandro.


    The atmosphere turned tense as she caught Ewan¡¯s unapproving nce when he spotted her and Gianna.


    What now? Why was he looking at her like she hadmitted treason?


    Sensing the weight of the moment, Athena guided Gianna to a far corner of the VIP area.


    "We¡¯re better off here," She whispered, casting onest nce toward Ewan, who still stared at her with those cold blue eyes of his which have gotten darker.


    Gianna nodded, her eyes scanning the room as they took their seats, far removed from the group. "I hope the slut doesn¡¯t cause trouble again. I won¡¯t take it lying low."


    Athena knew her friend was talking about Fiona. "She wouldn¡¯t dare. This g is organized by people she wouldn¡¯t dare to offend."


    "Good," Gianna replied, a hint of satisfaction in her tone. "I¡¯d rather keep my distance from that drama actually."


    Not long after they settled in, Sandro excused himself from the main table. Moving toward Athena and Gianna, a smile broke on his handsome face.


    "You two look incredible!" He said, genuine admiration etched on his features.


    "Thanks, Sandro! It¡¯s so nice to see you!" Gianna eximed, her energy brightening the air around them.


    She was aware that Zane was staring at her, aware that the reason he wasn¡¯t here fawning over Athena was because of her presence. Yet, she didn¡¯t care. "I hope you won¡¯t lose your job by being here with us? Your boss is ring daggers at your back."


    Sandroughed, and took a seat. "Don¡¯t mind him. How have you been, Athena?"


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "Been okay."


    Meanwhile, Ewan wasn¡¯t pleased with Sandro¡¯s disy of friendship, nor was Fiona, who was brimming with annoyance and impatience.


    Fiona, who was giddy with anticipation, whose feet were making irregr tap dances on the floor.


    She couldn¡¯t wait for her ns for tonight toe to pass.

 Chapter 98: The Gala II

    <h4>Chapter 98: The G II</h4>


    As thest notes from the g¡¯s orchestra faded into the evening air, the mood shifted from the formalities of awards and speeches to the vibrant energy of mingling and celebration. The official part of the event was over, and now it was a time for congrattions, hugs, and handshakes.


    "Congrattions, Doctor!" came the chorus from attendees flocking around Athena, their voices a melodic blend of joy and admiration.


    A bright smile adorned her face as the des poured in¡ª"Best Medical Service to Humanity" and "Most Influential Woman in The City."


    Her awards were sitting pretty with Gianna.


    Hence, she basked in the spotlight, the recognition that came after years of relentless dedication to her patients and her craft.


    "Thank you, thank you all!" She said, epting heartfelt pats on the back and warm congrattions.


    In that moment, she felt a sense of pride swell within her. After the long nights and the days filled with challenges, it was rewarding to be seen and celebrated for her hard work.


    Meanwhile, Gianna and Sandro exchanged excited chatter, filling in the gaps in the crowd. Theirughter rippled through the air like music, drawing attention from those nearby.


    Zane, standing a few feet away with his arms crossed, watched them both, a mixture of irritation and unease shing across his face.


    "It¡¯s like a flirtation fest over there," he muttered under his breath. Although he tried to focus on weing guests and making small talk, his eyes betrayed him, sneaking nces toward Gianna and Sandro. <i>When did they get so inseparable?</i>


    Ewan too, stood at the edge of the crowd, doing his best to engage with other attendees, though his gaze continuously drifted back to Athena.


    Her warmth, her light¡ªit was disarming. Ewan tried to remind himself to stay focused on Fiona, who stood by his side, a frown tugging at her lips as she noticed his wandering attention.


    As if reading his mind, Fiona leaned closer, her voiceced with annoyance. "Ewan, focus on the people who actually matter here," she said, a sharp edge to her tone. "We¡¯re supposed to beworking, not ogling over Athena across the room."


    Ewan steeled, hating to be called to his bullshit. "I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about, Fiona. Are you seeing things now?"


    Fiona¡¯s frustration deepened. She ignored his question. "You said you wanted to get over her, remember?"


    Ewan said nothing to that. But he finally looked away from Athena.


    Meanwhile, Athena continued to be enveloped by greetings and small talk. The moment though started getting suffocating for her as time went on. She needed an escape from the attention, a breather from the swarm of people who seemed to want something from her in the form of favors or connections.


    As she scanned the room, she spotted Ethan by the entrance of the hall, standing nearby amidst a group of admiring fans.


    <i>Oh good! The perfect escape!</i>


    Ethan still had a knack for generating buzz. She thought, noticing the whispers surrounding him like stardust.


    But it was good for his y. She concluded. After all, ording to the public here, he was the business guru, known for his innovative ideas and sharp insight, even at a young age.


    "Ethan!" she called out, relief flooding her voice as she made her way through the crowd toward him.


    As she approached, she noticed Chelsea beside him.


    Aughter of disbelief escaped her lips. What was her friend doing here? And was that Areso? <i>Those sly cows!</i>


    Chelsea was a well-respected international pediatrician, known for herpassion and dedication to children¡¯s health. She was striking in her redcy gown, her presence radiating warmth and charm.


    Next to her stood Areso, one of the most influential fashion designers in the world, renowned for her exceptional talent and signature style. With her well-groomed appearance and confident demeanor, Areso was equally popr and maic.


    Athena couldn¡¯t believe her eyes.


    "Look who we have here!" She eximed as she arrived, her heart lightening visibly.


    Her two friends grinned mischievously. "Our surprises worked huh?"


    Athenaughed, and wrapped her arms around Chelsea first, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I¡¯m so d to see you!"


    "Athena, the feeling is mutual. I watched the awards presentation as Ethan drove us here. You deserve every bit of praise this evening! Congrattions dear friend!" Chelsea said, her voice filled with genuine excitement.


    Areso joined in the hug then, offering Athena a friendly squeeze.


    "Beautiful as always, Athena," Areso added, her charming French ent enhancing her words. "Only you could shine brighter than all the sequins in this room."


    "Thank you, Areso! You¡¯re quite the tterer," Athena said, giggling as the three shared augh. Gianna soon joined them, her eyes bright with joy.


    "This gathering is starting to feel like a reunion!" Gianna said, wrapping her arms around the trio in a circle of camaraderie.


    The atmosphere lightened, and for a moment, Athena forgot the heavy gaze of Ewan.


    However, the ease didn¡¯tst long. Athena suddenly noticed Chelsea¡¯s facial expression¡ªa tense look weighing on her features. It was a shadow of displeasure that didn¡¯t sit right with Athena.


    "What¡¯s wrong, Chelsea?" she asked, her concern edging into the conversation.


    But before Chelsea could respond, Athena caught sight of Sandro at the distance, his eyes flickering between her and Chelsea.


    The look on his face was one of hurt and disappointment, amplifying the tension that was beginning to take hold of the room. What now? Why did everything seem to involve the same tangled web of rtionships?


    <i>"What¡¯s with this dynamic?"</i> she thought, her mind racing. <i>"Is this a cruel twist of fate? First Zane, now Sandro?"</i>


    Before she could dwell too long on her turmoil, Chelsea pulled away from their group, her footsteps sharp and filled with unresolved emotions.


    "Chelsea!" Athena called after her, a mix of rm and unbelief in her tone. "Where are you going? We were just catching up!"


    "It¡¯s nothing, Athena. I just... I need some air," Chelsea replied curtly, casting onest frustrated nce at Sandro before disappearing into the throng of guests.


    <i>"Wait, this is not how it¡¯s supposed to go!"</i> Athena cried out in her mind. She felt the weight of the disruption hanging over the group, and with Chelsea gone, the happy bubble they had created began to dete.


    "Let me handle this," Gianna said. "You two stay put." She started to follow Chelsea but paused for a moment. "You okay?" she asked Athena, who could only nod, though her heart fluttered uneasily.


    As Gianna walked off to find Chelsea, Athena talked with Areso, while Ewan and Zane flocked around Sandro.


    "You know the whiz doctor?" Zane started.


    But Sandro kept mute.


    Ewan was puzzled. Since knowing Sandro, he has never seen thetter intimate with a female. But the tension between him and Athena¡¯s friend was palpable.


    What was going on? What¡¯s with his friends having issues with Athena¡¯s friends?


    Meanwhile, Athena sent Areso to check on Chelsea, when more people met her to congratte her.


    Few minutester, a waiter walked up to her with a tray of drinks and a smooth smile. He offered her a drink from his collections. "Here you go, ma¡¯am. Congrattions on your awards."


    "Thank you!" she replied gratefully, epting the ss.


    But as she lifted the cup to her lips, a sudden, unfamiliar scent wafted from the drink¡ªa pungent, earthy aroma that immediately sent her instincts into overdrive.


    <i>What is that smell?</i> She thought, her heart racing as suspicion gripped her.


    Something was wrong with her drink.


    ______________


    Happy new month, everyone! I know I¡¯m a bitte, but I hope you¡¯re all having an amazing start to the month.


    I also wanted to apologize for the unedited Chapters that went out earlier. I know how frustrating that must have been for you all. But please be assured that everything is now edited and ready to go!


    Last week was a bit crazy for me, as I was busy nning my wedding, which took ce over the weekend. That¡¯s why you only saw a daily update of one Chapter all week. I hope you can forgive me for that!


    But now that the wedding is over, I¡¯m back to our regr schedule! Starting today, you can expect two Chapter updates from me.


    And speaking of the wedding... If you¡¯d like to send a wedding gift across, I¡¯d be happy to receive it in the form of gifts to this book, golden tickets, adding books to the library, or votes. You can leave a review too!


    Thank you all again for your understanding and support.


    Special thanks to Axn_Gal for the gifts and golden tickets!


    Special thanks to Natalie, hopze21,DaoistnW2WYW, too, for the golden tickets!

 Chapter 99: The Gala III

    <h4>Chapter 99: The G III</h4>


    <i>Did someone just try to poison me? </i>Athena wondered, instinctively lifting the cup to her nostrils for a closer inspection.


    The earthy aroma that wafted from the drink was unsettling¡ªan unusual scent that twisted her stomach into knots. As the confusion crept in, she mentally cataloged everything she recalled from her medical studies about poisons.


    Her eyes widened in shock when her brain finally picked out the brand of poison in her drink. The poison was a bio-weapon gotten from a rare nt extract, infamous for its incapacitating and killing properties.


    The realization sent a cold shiver down her spine. How had this gotten into her drink? The poison itself was a rare one, so how had her attacker gotten it? Was it the gang? Have theye for her?


    Athena instantly raised her head, scanning the room for the waiter who had served her. Yet, she couldn¡¯t find him. Instead, her gaze locked onto Fiona, who was standing a few feet away, alone, essing her.


    As soon as their eyes met, Fiona looked away, her bodynguage instantly telling Athena what was going on.


    First, the gang. And now this?


    Athena couldn¡¯t believe her eyes. How is Fiona getting ess to all these? Her father?


    Then anger surged within Athena. She turned toward Ewan, who stood talking with Zane¡ªSandro was inconspicuously absent¡ªand waited to see if he was on the same page with Fiona, but he seemed oblivious.


    Yet, she thought about confronting him. However, on a second thought, she changed her mind.


    Because what would she say? <i>"Hey Ewan, I think your fianc¨¦e might be trying to poison me?" </i>


    She had no proof, only a storm of suspicions swirling in her mind.


    Feeling the weight of the moment, she pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message to Aiden.


    <i>¡¯Aiden, I need you to check the CCTV footage from tonight¡¯s event. I think someone might have slipped poison into my drink.¡¯</i>


    As she pressed send, her eyes drifted back to Fiona, who was now watching her once again.


    This time, Athena could see the sly smirk creeping onto thetter¡¯s lips.


    A bold dare to do her worst?


    Athena chuckled incredulously. Fiona was bent on sabotaging her then. This wasn¡¯t just a passing feud; it was war. But she had to figure out a way to respond without dragging Ewan into the chaos, especially since he waspletely oblivious to this brewing storm.


    Just then, an abrupt shove from behind knocked her off bnce.


    Athena spun around to find one of Fiona¡¯s friends¡ªa woman whose name escaped her in the heat of the moment. The woman nced at her in shock and then bolted away, leaving Athena feeling increasingly on edge.


    Panic prickled at her skin, but before she could process what had just happened, a loud rm echoed throughout the hall.


    The voice of the host of the event rose above the murmurs, fraught with rage. "My father¡¯s jewelry is missing! Guards, close the doors! We have a thief in our midst!"


    An instant wave of murmurs swept through the crowd, confusion and rm feeding on one another as guests turned to one another, curiosity digging in.


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows, forgetting her own plight for a second. What was going on? Who would dare to steal from leading family in the city? Who would dare enter their home unbidden? Was the person asking for a quick death?


    Shrugging her shoulders at the impending chaos, she gracefully walked around the cluster of bodies, stopped by a sink next to the passageway, and emptied the ss of poisoned drink down the drain.


    "Everyone, stay calm!" A security guard called out, getting her attention. "We¡¯ll figure this out."


    Within moments, the doors were locked, and the crowd began to be searched. It was surreal¡ªpeople rifled through their belongings, expressions of anxiety painted across their faces.


    Athena wondered where her friends were; if they were still outside. She hoped so. Chelsea had a hot temper.


    She watched now as a guard approached her with a nk look.


    "Doctor Athena, I apologize, but I need to check your belongings too," The guard said curtly, his expression serious.


    Athena nodded, and gave him her clutch purse.


    He found nothing in the silvery material, but he didn¡¯t give her back the purse, or move away.


    Athena piqued an eyebrow, exuding confidence, while battling with the uneasy feeling again. <i>What¡¯s going on? Why am I feeling this way?</i>


    "What¡¯s the matter?"


    The guard said nothing. Instead he brought out a tracking device that was beeping loudly.


    "The master¡¯s jewels are all trackable. ording to the device, I¡¯m at the right spot."


    "What?" Athena echoed, noting that she was now the center of attention. "What would I gain from stealing the jewelry? I haven¡¯t even left the hall since the g began?"


    The guard ignored her question. "Can you empty your pocket, ma¡¯am?"


    "I don¡¯t have..." Athena paused, when her eyes collided with Fiona again. Thetter was smirking.


    Inhaling deeply to calm herself, she looked down at her gown, biting her lips when she saw the slit by the side¡ªa small side pocket, biting it harder when she remembered Fiona¡¯s friend bumping into her.


    <i>That must be when they had slipped the jewelry into her pocket! </i>She thought, fighting to stay calm. But why hadn¡¯t she felt the weight on her skin?


    When she dipped her hand into her pocket, she understood why. The jewelry was only a simple ring made with a light red clothing material. Most likely a keepsake.


    Murmurs and hisses broke out in the crowd, when she handed the ring over to the guard.


    "I didn¡¯t do it. It wouldn¡¯t even make sense if I had done it."


    "Then, how did it get into your pocket, Doctor?"


    Athena shrugged her shoulders, feigning nonchnce. "Beats me. What would I do with that?" She asked, pointing at the ring in the guard¡¯s hand.


    Before the guard could give her a reply though, the hostess of the event abruptly stepped forward and gave her a dirty p.


    "You should be ashamed of yourself, Doctor Athena! How dare you?"

 Chapter 100: The Gala IV

    <h4>Chapter 100: The G IV</h4>


    Athena wasn¡¯t sure what angered her the most: the hot p of humiliation that stung on her cheek, Fiona¡¯s underhanded schemes, or the fickleness of human trust.


    Thetter though was making her jaw tick.


    This was a g where her achievements were being celebrated, and yet here she was, standing used as a thief.


    How could they believe she was capable of stealing a flimsy piece of jewelry with no mary value, especially after awarding her? Didn¡¯t anyone possess themon sense to see the absurdity of it all?


    Her eyes darted over to Ewan and Zane who were watching the scene unfold with a mixture of confusion and concern.


    Ewan looked particrly distressed, his brow furrowed deeply in confusion. Sandro¡¯s absence was still inconspicuous, and Zane seemed very interested in stepping in to defend her.


    But she knew he wouldn¡¯t. Not if he valued his family¡¯spany. The leading family of the city wasn¡¯t one to be trifled with.


    So, yes, she didn¡¯t really fault Zane for not stepping in.


    She would have to take care of this herself, like she always did.


    At the same moment, she noted the absence of her friends¡ªBecause they weren¡¯t here causing a scene, demanding for justice and sense to knocked into the minds of the audience, they must have been locked out before the search began.


    <i>Good. </i>She didn¡¯t want her friends involved in this.


    Athena turned her re back to the hostess then, ready to iron the situation out.


    "I said I didn¡¯t do it, Victoria," She repeated, her voice firmer now.


    Victoria simply scoffed, her eyes zing with jealousy.


    Watching Athena¡¯s wide range of connections and favors earlier tonight had left a sour taste in her mouth since the celebration began. It didn¡¯t matter that she herself was the fianc¨¦e to the host; it didn¡¯t matter that she had a beautiful life set out for her.


    No. She coveted what Athena had¡ªInfluence based on what a woman had achieved, not because she was dating a hot shot or married to a business tycoon.


    Victoria knew she wasn¡¯t really an achiever like the doctor. But it didn¡¯t help the feeling of loathing.


    As a matter of fact, since Athena¡¯s return, she has been seeking for an asion to put thetter down. And now the opportunity presented itself, how could she ignore it?


    "You expect us to believe you?" She asked, gazing at Athena with disgust. "A thief in our midst dressed in good intentions? Spare us the theatrics."


    She raised a hand again, intending to p Athena once more, but Athena was done being pped. She was ready this time.


    With a swift motion, Athena caught Victoria¡¯s wrist, her grip tight and unyielding. "I wouldn¡¯t tolerate being treated unfairly," she said, her voice low and steady.


    The silence that followed felt charged.


    However, Athena released Victoria¡¯s hand a secondter and turned to the guard, ignoring the look of shock on former¡¯s face.


    "You need proof, right? If I¡¯m the one with the stolen ring, where¡¯s the evidence?"


    At that, Victoria¡¯s fiance chuckled in disbelief. He had arrived at the scene mere minutes ago.


    "Take her away," Hemanded, waving his hand dismissively as if Athena were a nuisance. Victoria was overjoyed.


    "Wait!" A voice called out from the crowd, cutting through the rising tension.


    Everyone¡¯s attention was drafted to an old man waking toward Athena.


    "Father..." The host started, but the old man looking regal in a traditional outfit raised his palm, indicating that the younger man should keep quiet.


    Athena¡¯s heart raced with hope as she recognized the old man. He had been her patient at one time.


    "Hello, old man! Can you believe them?" She asked, risking a chuckle, trying to keep her tone light despite the gravity of the situation.


    When he didn¡¯t respond to her words at first, she inhaled softly, bent on killing the hope, until the he suddenlyughed heartily.


    "Don¡¯t mind them, Doc." He said, stillughing, brushing past the whispers of the crowd. "These usations are ridiculous."


    Athena let out a sigh of relief.


    The old man turned to the tech crew afterwards, his voicemanding. "Get the CCTV footage up now!"


    Before the footage could be essed, however, the projector screen on the podium flickered to life.


    The room fell silent, all eyes glued to the screen as scenes began to y out, one after another.


    Athena felt her heart in her throat as a video depicted Fiona¡¯s friend handing a waiter the vial of poison that had been slipped into her drink. In the next clip, another of Fiona¡¯s friends stole the ring from the old man¡¯s chambers.


    The footage even captured the moment she was pushed aside, the ring finding its way into her pocket.


    Gasps of disbelief rippled through the crowd. Shock and anger intertwined in the air, the sudden turn of events rendering everyone momentarily speechless.


    Athena couldn¡¯t help but smile, already knowing Aiden was behind this revtion. He had always been good at his job, and she was grateful for his quick thinking in providing the proof she so desperately needed.


    Fiona, on the other hand, stood, gritting her teeth in anger. How had her meticulouslyid ns gone awry?


    Her friends, once confident in their scheme, were shrinking back, suddenly looking scared as though they might be caught in the crossfire of their own mistakes.


    "Look at you all," Fiona sneered, her authority dwindling with each passing second.


    She straightened up, smoothing her dress as she plotted her next move.


    "You¡¯re just going to hide behind me now? How pathetic!"


    Fiona suddenly raised her voice, directing the attention of the guards toward her friends. "Guards, look! Those are the two in the video. The plotters!"


    Horrified, her friends shot back, pointing usatory fingers at Fiona. "No! You¡¯re lying! You¡¯re the one responsible for all of this! You nned all this!" They cried, their faces flushed with anger as they betrayed the very person who had led them into this mess.


    Chaos swirled around them immediately as the guards halted, not sure if they should apprehend Fiona too.


    It was in the middle of it all, that Fiona enacted her most convincing performance.


    She stepped away from her friends as if their lies would contaminate her, shrieked as if in pain, and hurried over to Ewan, who seemed to be at a loss.


    She flung her hands around his waist thereafter and started sobbing. "Ewan, you have to believe me! I didn¡¯t do anything!"

 Chapter 101: The Gala V

    <h4>Chapter 101: The G V</h4>


    Ewan tightened his grip around Fiona as she continued to sob against him.


    The g felt alive with chaos, but his world had narrowed to just the two of them. He kept repeating the words in his mind: Fiona is innocent. He trusted herpletely, not minding that he knew the two culprits were actually her closest friends.


    They could be acting without her knowledge! He surmised. Even if the evil acts had been done out of loyalty, it had been done in her absence and ignorance.


    His heart rather ached for her as she sobbed profusely. How could anyone think she would be involved in such a malicious plot? He wondered, ncing at thedies coldly.


    Those twodies were the same ones that had attacked Athena in the restaurant, and they were clearly the masterminds behind this plot too. Probably a revenge act. He thought, grasping Fiona tighter when she clung harder to him.


    <i>They deserve whatever punishment there is for thinking of hurting Athena. </i>He thought furiously, anger bubbling within him.


    "Fiona is innocent. Those two are lying. This is not the first time they attacked Doctor Athena actually..." He spoke finally, meeting the gazes of the people surrounding him. "They attacked her some days ago in a restaurant. I¡¯m sure some of you can remember the recent popr video about our most cherished Doctor..."


    Murmurs broke out in the crowd. Of course, they remembered.


    "I believe they came here for revenge." He concluded, ring at the twodies who were wishing for the ground to open up and swallow them.


    "But why would they attack her in the first ce? We all know they are friends with Fiona..." A guest spoke up, an actress in herte forties.


    "Don¡¯t you think your fianc¨¦e might have instigated their actions in the first ce? They can¡¯t have suddenly attacked the Doctor out of the blue. But your fianc¨¦e has a reason to, considering their past rtionship."


    Murmurs broke out again, worrying Fiona. She shook her head and sobbed harder, to the chagrin of her two friends who hated her more than ever.


    But Ewan shook his head. "I don¡¯t think so. Fiona has been in the hospital for a while. She wasn¡¯t behind this."


    He would do anything to protect Fiona from this nightmare, even as he held her close, trying to shield her from the res of the crowd judging her.


    Amid the noise, the old man¡¯s voice rang out firmly. "That¡¯s okay. There¡¯s no evidence showing Ewan¡¯s fianc¨¦e as the culprit. Take those two away!"


    His words silenced the murmurs of the crowd, who thought Fiona was a snake .


    "They will spend at least ten years in prison for their actions."


    At the deration, Fiona¡¯s friends began to shake terribly, seeing their lives about to go waste. "We didn¡¯t do it! Even the issue of a few days ago..."


    Fiona shrieked then, her voice rising above that of the culprits.


    "They nned it all! They wanted revenge! I didn¡¯t want any part of it!"


    Her two guilty friends shook their heads, wide-eyed and frantic. They tried to defend themselves, but no sound escaped their lips, not against Fiona¡¯s relentless attacks. Worse, the guards were already pulling them away roughly.


    Ewan felt a surge of satisfaction at Fiona¡¯s fierce deration. It ignited a warmth inside him, solidifying his conviction.


    He nced at thedies being escorted away. Their anger and disdain were directed at Fiona now, and for a fleeting moment, Ewan thought he saw a sly smirk y across her lips. It was gone before he could fully process it.


    "Thank you, Ewan!" She spoke, looking up to him with her tear filled eyes.


    He tapped her hair fondly. "It¡¯s okay, Fiona. I¡¯ll always protect you."


    When he looked away from her, he caught Athena¡¯s gaze from across the room.


    Her expression was full of pity. It was like a cold p to his face; a cold shiver ran down his spine.


    Why would she look at him like that?


    Just as quickly, she turned away.


    He watched her hurry over to her friends¡ªAreso and Chelsea¡ªwho were rushing toward her, concern written on their faces.


    Ewan still couldn¡¯t wrap his mind around the fact that Athena was friends with those two. Every time he thought he had figured her out, she surprised him again. This new side of Athena was so full ofplexities, that he felt like he was only scratching the surface.


    "What happened?" Sandro appeared beside Ewan, cutting off thetter¡¯s thoughts. His brow was creased with worry as he surveyed the scene.


    Ewan ignored the question. "Where have you been, Sandro?"


    "I needed some air," Sandro replied somberly, as his gaze settled on Chelsea.


    Ewan, noting this, sighed. Another matter he wouldn¡¯t know about it. He would have loved to research it out, but that would be betraying Sandro¡¯s trust. He resolved to wait till his friend was ready to talk about it.


    He let his gaze wander across the grand room, stopping, when he spotted Zane talking with Ethan nearby.


    Deciding it was best to steer the conversation away from the turmoil surrounding him, he started walking toward them with Fiona still clinging to his arm.


    Sandro followed him.


    As they approached, Ethan looked up, his face brightening with a smile. "Ewan! Sandro! Great to see you both!"


    "Good to see you too," Ewan replied, though his smile felt forced.


    "Congrattions on buying out Alfonso and Zack¡¯spany!" Sandro eximed, the excitement in his voice a little palpable.


    "Thanks!" Ethan beamed, clearly proud. "It was quite a challenging deal, but I finally managed to close it. It feels incredible to have their business under my belt."


    Ewan felt a mix of excitement and confusion as he absorbed Ethan¡¯s admission. He remembered seeing the news about it a few days ago.


    "What a shock," Fiona said, her surprise evident as she processed the news. "My father told me that it was Athena who bought thepany."


    Ethan shrugged, waving her uncertainty away. "Oh, she sold it to me. It was a good opportunity, and you know howpanies work¡ªthey need a real leader. A woman can¡¯t run apany like that; she was just acting as the middleman."


    Ethan¡¯s tone dripped with a patronizing sense of superiority that sent anger coursing through Ewan, but it sessfully killed the suspicions thetter had earlier when he saw Athena talking with Ethan.


    "She is still a good leader, nheless." Ewan spoke, surprising Fiona, annoying her.


    Ethan paused, smiled thinly, then nodded. "Of course she is. She is the wonder doctor after all."


    Ewan held back a scoff and looked away. There was no need butting heads with his chief shareholder over some unnecessary feud that wasn¡¯t even business rted.


    Then he took notice of Athena. She was deeply engaged in a conversation with the old man, Mr. Thorne.


    How again did Athena get involved with the head of the leading family in the city?


    Ewan shook his head when an ache started. He should¡¯ve epted already that this new Athena was different in many ways.


    Yet could the old man be her backer?


    He wondered, watching herugh at something the old man said.


    It would make a lot of sense. He decided, unsettled at the implication.


    Could Athena be that desperate? Or did she have something over the man, just like she had over Herbert?


    Zane¡¯s father never spoke about his issue with Athena in details, but Ewan suspected it was something along the lines of a threat.


    <i>What can she possibly be holding over this great men? Is this why she is bent on wringing me out of shape? To control me?</i>


    Ewan took his lips in at the thought. He would never let himself be a pawn again.


    As he stared at them talking animatedly, a sudden wave of recognition washed over him, making him stop in his tracks.


    The old man looked so familiar!


    He tried remembering where he had seen those fierce eyes and firm lips, and then the memory struck him then like lightning¡ªMr. Thorne was the patient from Athena¡¯s hospital! The one he had dismissed as just another face in the crowd.


    <i>Oh my goodness! </i>


    He remembered the event vividly.


    He had gone to the Whitman Hospital Headquarters with Sandro to punish Athena for humiliating Fiona publicly. And there, he had met her attending to an old man, yet he had pressed on with his case not minding that she was busy.


    He remembered the old man tasking Athena toe to him for help, if she was being disturbed. He remembered Athena telling the old man not to worry. He remembered discounting the old man as a frail nobody.


    Ewan felt heat creep along his cheeks, realizing how foolish he had been. He had mentally dismissed Older Mr Thorne!


    Yet, how could he have known?


    Thinking of it now, he realized that Athena had seemed surprised seeing the old man too. He figured out that she didn¡¯t know thetter¡¯s real identity too.


    But how could they?


    It was said that older Mr. Thorne has been out of the country for the longest of time! No one knew how he would look like now!


    He had also seen the look of surprises on the faces of the guests at the apperarance of the old man.


    <i>One great personality for Athena again. </i>Ewan thought tiredly, a bit startled afterward when the old man suddenly looked at him.


    <i>What now?</i>


    Did Athena tell the old man about him?

 Chapter 102: The Gala VI

    <h4>Chapter 102: The G VI</h4>


    "I must say, I wouldn¡¯t have believed you were once married to this man, Ewan Gietti, if I hadn¡¯t seen it on the news..." Mr. Thorne¡¯s eyes lingered on Ewan as he spoke to Athena.


    Athena followed his gaze, her lips thinning when she met Ewan¡¯s intense stare and furrowed eyebrows. If she was to take a guess, she would bet that Ewan thought her a gossip, that he suspected they were discussing about him.


    She didn¡¯t care either way. After all, he was always bent on believing the worst of her, just like he was bent on believing that Fiona was an angel sent from heaven.


    "You know, Athena, he looks like a man who loves you deeply." Mr. Thorne continued, reverting his eyes to Athena.


    Athena paused, and piqued her eyebrow at the old man. When she saw that he was serious, sheughed a harsh, incredulous sound.


    "You must be joking," She said, her eyes rolling in disgust. "Ewan and I were trapped in a loveless marriage, and I¡¯m lucky to be free of him."


    Mr. Thorne¡¯s expression remained neutral, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise. "I see," he said, his voice neutral once more. "Well, I suppose appearances can be deceiving."


    Surely they were. Athena thought, refusing to be moved by the old man¡¯s words. She refused to be ensnared into Ewan¡¯s life again, no matter what, unless it had to do with business.


    How could the foolish man not suspect that Fiona was behind the schemes tonight? Or was he just protecting her blindly?


    Yet, even a blind man could see that Fiona¡¯s hands weren¡¯t clean tonight! Her two friends followed her everywhere like a puppies; there was no way they would act on their ord.


    The poison alone was a pointer. It was very expensive in the ck market. Only Fiona could afford it, not her friends!


    Athena was so mad at Ewan¡¯s pretense, <i>or was it stupidity? </i>


    She decided that she has given up on trying to convince him on the evilness of Fiona. This time around, she would do things her way, whether or not it affected his life orpany.


    After all, Fiona wasn¡¯t joking anymore. The witch wasn¡¯t ying little games any longer. So, she couldn¡¯t afford to do the opposite. She had her children to care about!


    "Your mind seems to be elsewhere, Athena. I¡¯m sure you haven¡¯t heard what I¡¯ve been saying about my improved health..." Mr. Thorne said, breaking into Athena¡¯s thoughts.


    Athena sighed tiredly. "I¡¯m sorry."


    "Is it what I said earlier...?"


    Athena shook her head. "Not at all. As a matter of fact, I¡¯m starting to think that love is just a myth perpetuated by Hallmark and romanticedies."


    Mr. Thorne chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ah, Athena, you¡¯re a cynic, aren¡¯t you?" he said. "But I think there¡¯s still room for romance in this world. Even for someone like Ewan here."


    Athena raised an eyebrow. "Someone like Ewan?" she repeated. "What do you mean?"


    Old Man Thorne leaned forward, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "I mean that Ewan may not be the most charming or charismatic man in the world," he said. "But he has a certain... vulnerability about him. A vulnerability that I think makes him more attractive to those who care about him."


    Athena snorted. "Vulnerability? Ha! That¡¯s just code for ¡¯pathetic¡¯."


    Mr. Thorne¡¯s expression turned serious once more. "Athena, please," he said gently. "Don¡¯t judge Ewan too harshly. He¡¯s not as bad as you think he is."


    Athena rolled her eyes, getting irritated. "Mr. Thorne, do you want to talk business, or do you want to talk about Ewan?"


    As they spoke, Victoria and the younger Mr. Thorne stepped into their circle. Athena could see the apology brimming in the eyes of thetter, and the viciousness in the eyes of Victoria.


    <i>Oh well...</i>


    "Athena, meet Cedric, my nephew, and the heir to my industries." Mr Thorne said, once he took notice of the duo. "I¡¯m sure he and his fianc¨¦e have something to say to you."


    Athena turned aside to face the male who had humiliated her earlier.


    "Doctor Athena, I¡¯m so sorry about how I acted earlier. Please forgive me," Cedric said, his face flushed with embarrassment.


    Athena nodded, epting his apology graciously. She looked at Victoria next, with a mixture of disdain and wariness. Victoria¡¯s dislike for her was palpable, and Athena knew that they would never be friends.


    Not that she was seeking for one...


    "Doctor Athena, I¡¯m sorry for pping your earlier. It¡¯s just that the jewelry means a lot to us..."


    Athena managed to nod at the insincere apology, having noted the subdued anger in Victoria¡¯s eyes. After all, she wouldn¡¯t be here for long.


    However, just when she wanted to exit the family circle, Victoriaunched into a series of questions, her tone suddenly usatory and condescending.


    "So, you really are over Ewan?" she asked, her eyes narrowing. "And do you have a new husband or you¡¯re hoping for a reunion?"


    Athena¡¯s patience wore thin as she listened to these prying questions. She felt like a specimen under a microscope, and her temper began to simmer just below the surface.


    Just as Victoria was about to continue her interrogation, Mr. Thorne intervened, his voice firm but gentle. "Victoria, dear, mind your own business," he said, then turned to Cedric. "Please escort her away. I have business to talk with Doctor Athena."


    Victoria¡¯s face fell as she was dismissed from the conversation. Her eyes shed with anger and she turned to Cedric and whispered something in his ear.


    Cedric¡¯s expression turned sympathetic immediately. He put a reassuring hand on her arm before turning back to his uncle and Athena.


    "We¡¯ll leave you two alone now," he said.


    Athena nodded, feeling relieved, yet wary at the same time.


    Immediately Victoria and her fianc¨¦ were out of earshot,, Athena turned to Mr. Thorne with a serious expression.


    "I need a favor," she said quietly.


    Mr. Thorne¡¯s eyes narrowed in curiosity. "What is it?" he asked.


    "I want to see the women, my attackers, before they¡¯re taken to the police station," Athena said. "I need to know how they gained ess to your room. I need to know they gained ess to the poison. I believe they aren¡¯t working alone."


    Athena wanted to record their truth, for future purposes. She already had her phone on record.


    Mr. Thorne nodded thoughtfully. "I think the same. Follow me."


    He led her out of the hall. As they walked down the corridor that would lead to the private residences, they met Aiden.


    "Aiden! What are you doing around here?"


    Aiden shrugged his shoulders. "Searching for clues." He greeted Mr. Thorne.


    "I know you." Mr. Thorne started, stepping closer to Aiden who darted a cursory nce at Athena. "You served in the military, didn¡¯t you?"


    Aiden nodded slowly, eyes narrowing as he scanned Mr. Thorne from head to toe.


    "So, you can¡¯t remember your superior then? Eh Tiger?"


    Aiden¡¯s mouth fell open in shock, suddenly realizing who was standing before him. Immediately he stamped his foot on the floor, and stood at attention, his right hand poised on his forehead.


    "Apologies, General!"


    Athena was befuddled. "What¡¯s going on?"


    Aiden chuckled with Mr. Thorne, who had grasped his hand and shaken it firmly. "Meet my boss."


    Athena shook her head in surprise. She wasn¡¯t the only one too private then. "It¡¯s nice you both know each other then." She turned to Mr. Thorne. "Aiden is my friend. He¡¯ll be following us to the room."


    As they approached the room where the girls were being held, Aiden fell into step beside Old Mr. Thorne. They exchanged animated words in hushed tones, leaving Athena to grasp at straws.


    The fierydy wasn¡¯t happy about it, but there was nothing she could do about it either. She didn¡¯t serve in the military.


    When they opened the door to the room, the scene inside smelt of death and devastation.


    Athena felt an evil foreboding as she saw the two friends of Fiona lying on the floor lifelessly.


    Quickly, she hurried over to them and checked their pulse.


    "Are they alive?" Mr. Thorne asked, stepping closer with a shocked Aiden.


    Athena shook her head, feeling as though she¡¯d been punched in the gut. She stumbled up, her legs trembling beneath her as she reached out to hold the wall, the coldness of death still numbing her fingers.


    "How do you think they died?" The old man asked, not believing that someone had prated the defenses of hispound. Could his people have betrayed him?


    Meanwhile, Athena scanned the room, and then the bodies for any sign of struggle. And then she perceived it¡ªthe faint scent of poison on their breaths.


    "Poison. The same as the previous."


    A chill spread over Athena as she realized what had happened. She looked up at Aiden with a mixture of anger and determination.


    "It was Fiona," she whispered urgently. "She must have tampered with the CCTV footage."


    Aiden¡¯s expression turned grim as he nodded in agreement. "It was meant to frame those two," he said quietly. "It must be why I found it so easily. They had positioned it cleverly."


    "Yet, we need to get proof," Athena said abruptly. "We need to show that Fiona was behind this. It¡¯s possible she isn¡¯t working alone either." She exchanged a pregnant nce with Aiden. <i>The gang!</i>


    Old Man Thorne appeared beside them, his expression grave with sorrow and concern.


    "That¡¯s true. And for that sake, I promise to keep an eye on Fiona," he said quietly, looking at Athena earnestly. "You are my doctor, and you are very useful to our city; I can¡¯t let anything happen to you."

 Chapter 103: The Outstanding Professional

    <h4>Chapter 103: The Outstanding Professional</h4>


    "Doctor Athena, Mr. Alfonso Adams is here to see you."


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows, watching her personal assistant, Ciara, make the report with her usual blend of cheerfulness and eagerness, as if she held the secrets of the universe in her hands.


    "Did he state his reason for being here?" She finally asked, reclining deeper into the chair as if her body could magically absorb some patience.


    "No, ma¡¯am," Ciara answered smartly, her tone suggesting that she was thoroughly aware of her boss¡¯ struggle with impatience. "Should I send him away?"


    Athena would have loved to. The thought of dodging any more theatrics from the Adams family was enticing, particrly when she felt as though she was beating her head against a high gate at the end of every tunnel of inquiry.


    The team¡¯s investigation into the events of thest two nights had turned up null. No witnesses, no leads, and still no word from Mr. Thorne!


    Sighing heavily, she realized the weight of her obligations. But she was a doctor, after all; sending Alfonso away wasn¡¯t really an option. Not only was he her patient, but he also had an uncanny ability to bubble over with melodrama, which frankly was thest thing she needed right now.


    <i>I will send him away if he talks about the news of this morning. </i>Athena vowed, shaking her head at the memory of Ethan¡¯s grand announcement a few hours ago, regarding how her acquired businesses would now be run.


    He had made it fully operational at the same time too. Just an hour ago, he¡¯d sent her a report which detailed their sales volume making a formidable leap.


    But why wouldn¡¯t it? It was Ethan after all. A male who understood the power of a good scandal.


    Yet, if this was what Alfonso was here for, she would certainly send him packing.


    "Let him in," She said decisively. "But be ready to kick him out at the first sight of theatrics. The man can be quite bothersome."


    Ciara smiled and nodded. "With all pleasure, ma¡¯am."


    Once Ciara left, Athena folded her arms across her chest and swirled her chair to face the window, looking out at the busy street below. The only thing that had at least brightened her inquiry spectrometer was the test Chelsea had given her before leaving the country.


    Kendra was indeed Fiona¡¯s daughter fully. But that wasn¡¯t exactly groundbreaking news for Athena. What truly baffled her was Chelsea¡¯s sudden departure after promising to stay at least two weeks with them.


    Of course, Areso had gone with her, because those two were like peanut butter and jelly ¡ª inseparable.


    What was the story between Chelsea and Sandro?


    Now that was the gossip she craved almost as much as she wanted to unravel the tangled lives of Gianna and Zane. And it felt worse that she couldn¡¯t conduct any research on the matter to satiate her curiosity.


    "Good afternoon, Doctor Athena," A meek voice interrupted her thoughts.


    Athena cussed out mentally, before swirling back to face Alfonso, who was now standing by the door frame with an air of practiced charm.


    "Am I permitted toe in?" He asked dramatically, with all the sincerity of a soap opera star poised for his big moment.


    Athena maintained a nd face, but inwardly, she was scrunching her nose at his preposterous demeanor. When did this arrogant male start asking for permission to enter her office after being ushered in by the secretary?


    She waved him in, barely containing her eye roll at his theatrics.


    As she watched him walk toward her, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he was in cahoots with Fiona¡ªjust as he had been six years ago. This thought sent a shiver of annoyance down her spine.


    "What can I do for you, Alfonso?" she asked, her tone as cool as a cucumber butced with her trademark edge.


    "I came here for my treatment. You remember?" he replied, attempting to conjure an expression of concern, though it was as convincing as a three-dor bill.


    Athena nodded, relieved that he at least had a legitimate reason for intruding. She immediately stood up from the chair, turning to head for the door.


    "Aren¡¯t youing?" she prompted, and Alfonso looked startled at the idea that she wouldn¡¯t make small talk first. But to avoid triggering the dragon of a woman, he obediently followed her.


    "You¡¯re still in your early stages, so you might not need bed rest in the hospital, although I would suggest it," Athena stated matter-of-factly, her voice taking on an air of professionalism that had be second nature, as she dropped her stethoscope on theb table.


    "This is because the nurses could take care of you properly. We can even make a space for you in your wife¡¯s ward; I¡¯m sure you would like that..."


    Athena¡¯s words tasted bitter in her own mouth, yet she was a professional doctor first and foremost, and this man was paying handsomely for her services, no matter how much his presence irked her.


    "That would be good. Thank you, Doctor," Alfonso said with a gracious nod, getting rid of the transparent rope on his hand that had evidently tightened his arms during the blood draw.


    "However, I won¡¯t being in now. I have some matters to take care of. Maybe next week?"


    Athena nodded stoically. "That¡¯s okay. You can collect your medication at the pharmacy station. I¡¯ll be taking my leave now."


    However, before Athena could escape the cab of curiosities that was Alfonso Adams, he stopped her with a quick motion. "Wait, please, about the payment..."


    Ah, the payment. This was the real crux of his visit, wasn¡¯t it? Athena held back a scoff as she turned to face him again. "Have you fulfilled your own part of the bargain? Let me see the evidence."


    Alfonso stretched his phone toward her, after opening it to reveal his transaction history like a magician unveiling his tricks. "As you can see, the staff has been paid, and from the news this morning, you can note that they have started work too. Ethan Patterson has retained most of them."


    Athena nodded, her expression shifting to cautious approval, sensing she was already done with this conversation. "That¡¯s okay. Good, actually. I¡¯ll make the transfer now."


    Her phone slid into her pocketed palm naturally as she prepared to conduct the transaction.


    Alfonso watched curiously as Athena pulled her phone from her pocket, focused intently on the screen. To say he was surprised when his phone immediately dinged with an alert would be a gross understatement.


    He checked and rechecked the amount; it was correct! She had just sent the money as if it was child¡¯s y! He had thought she would make a call to her backer first, but it turned out the rumors were true: she was a rich doctor.


    "Have you received it?" She asked when she suddenly looked up, meeting his gaze with curious nonchnce.


    Alfonso, still stewing in his thoughts, nodded. "Can I ask what¡¯s the rtionship between you and Ethan?"


    Athena furrowed her brows, throwing him the kind of look usually reserved for those who had just spilled coffee on her favorite blouse. "He¡¯s an astute businessman; I¡¯m an outstanding professional saleswoman. Nothing much to it. I¡¯ll be taking my leave now."


    She walked out of the room immediately, unwilling to let him continue his questioning.


    A sinister smile, however, crept onto Alfonso¡¯s lips when she was finally out of earshot.


    It didn¡¯t matter what she thought, he mused. She would pay for all of it. From now on, her days would be filled with sorrow.


    If it didn¡¯t stem from he and Zack¡¯s ns, it would ur from he and Fiona¡¯s schemes, or perhaps the mercenary they had in tow.


    Athena¡¯s happy days were definitely over.

 Chapter 104: Connecting Some Dots

    <h4>Chapter 104: Connecting Some Dots</h4>


    On the way back to her office, Athena made an unexpected stop, weighing some confused situations in her mind as she approached Ste¡¯s ward.


    "How¡¯s she doing today?" Athena asked the nurse standing outside the door, a soft smile on her lips.


    "She¡¯s better, ma¡¯am. Much better. She should be home soon," The nurse replied, her smile as cheerful as a sunbeam cutting through the morning fog.


    Athena nodded, pleased with the report. That was good news, especially since Aiden had found a house and arranged it well enough for Kendra and Ste¡¯s return.


    She would certainly miss Kendra, of course, but the separation was absolutely necessary.


    "Thank you," She finally said, the warmth in her voice reflecting her gratitude.


    The nurse nodded with a smile and left the vicinity, and with a deep breath, Athena stepped inside the ward.


    "Doctor Athena!" Ste shouted, her joy spilling out like a fountain as she leaped from her bed, the earlier pallor in herplexion now reced by a youthful vibrance that Athena hadn¡¯t seen before.


    She rushed over, engulfing Athena in an exuberant hug that spoke volumes.


    "Thank you so much, Doctor! I finally won over my fears and checked myself in the mirror. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m back to myself now!" She eximed. "The nurse had said I would be leaving soon. Is that true?"


    Ste¡¯s eager eyes sparkled with hope, pulling Athena deeper into the warmth of the moment.


    Athena nodded with a smile, assessing Ste¡¯s face, now radiant and lively, as if she had shed her troubles along with her treatments. "Yes, it¡¯s true. You will be going home soon. After all, Kendra has missed you."


    The glowing smile that spread across Ste¡¯s face was bright enough to light up an entire city. "Really? How¡¯s she doing?"


    "Great," Athena replied, her voice brimming with sincerity. "I¡¯ve made provisions for your housing too. You don¡¯t have to return to your old house. It¡¯s unbefitting for both your recovery and Kendra¡¯s growth."


    Ste immediately tried to fall to her knees, but Athena instinctively held her back, a mixture of surprise and concern marking her features. "Please don¡¯t. I¡¯m just doing the bare minimum here."


    Ste shook her head vigorously, her eyes glistening with tears. "That¡¯s not true. That¡¯s not the bare minimum. I know how much housing costs in this city now, with the rate of development going on¡ª even in the rural areas,"


    She paused, letting her emotions spill over as tears coursed down her cheeks. "Doctor Athena, this gift of yours really means a lot to us. Thank you so much!"


    Athena felt a touch ufortable watching Ste cry, but deep down, she could empathize¡ªhadn¡¯t she been in a simr position not so long ago, when hell came knocking at her door?


    "It¡¯s okay, Ste. Stop crying, please. I want to talk to you."


    Ste nodded, cleaning her tears immediately, but the more she wiped her face, the more the tears flowed.


    Athena walked over to the shelf, picked up a pack of wipes, and handed them to her. "Here, take these."


    "Thank you," Ste muttered, sitting on the bed, shakily attempting to put herself back together. "Please give me some time to reorder my thoughts."


    "Sure," Athena thought to herself, remembering how it had taken her days to regain herposure when she first received help from Antonio, Gianna¡¯s friend.


    A few minutes ticked by, filled with the soft rustling of wipes and the asional sniffle from Ste.


    "Okay, I¡¯m ready," Ste announced atst, determination glinting in her eyes. "You said you wanted to talk; what is it about?"


    "It¡¯s about Kendra and how she came to be with you," Athena responded immediately, the gravity of her inquiry settling between them like a weighty nket.


    Ste paused, wringing her hands together nervously. "Forgive me for asking, I know this is a request I should grant, but what do you want with Kendra?"


    "She is familiar. She looks like a friend of mine. I¡¯m just curious. I just want to see if there are any dots to connect¡ªnothing more," Athena exined, choosing her words carefully, feeling an itch of hope as she awaited Ste¡¯s response.


    Ste seemed appeased by the answer. "Kendra was dropped at my doorstep with nothing but a file highlighting her ess to a prestigious school. There was also a wad of cash."


    Athena nodded, piecing together the puzzle which exined Kendra attending the expensive school while living in a dpidated building.


    Yet...


    "The baby was dropped at the building you are living in now?"


    Ste looked troubled as she shook her head. "No. She was dropped at my former house. You see, I was doing quite well once; I lived in my father¡¯s good house that was worth a lot, until his death happened and his debtors came visiting. I had to pay off the debt with the house, closed the family business since it was also taken, and then lived in the building as it was the cheapest I could find. I was thinking my dad had some money, but all he left behind were debts."


    Athena nodded slowly, connecting that particr dot. "So, it¡¯s safe to say that Kendra¡¯s mother hasn¡¯t shown up, or anyone else?"


    Ste hesitated, awakening Athena¡¯s curiosity. "What¡¯s the problem?"


    "Two years ago, I saw someone watching the house. A woman and a man in a car. They kept pointing and talking. When they saw me, however, they zoomed off. Personally, I think the woman is the girl¡¯s mother. They just have the same bodynguage," Ste replied, her expression reflective.


    Athena nodded again, her heart racing. "And since then, no sightings? No money drops?"


    Ste shook her head. "Nothing."


    Athena sighed and got to her feet, her thoughts racing about the implications of Fiona potentially tracking down her daughter, yet doing nothing about it after seeing her living in a dpidated house.


    The realization settled over her like a dark cloud. The woman was evil. But was she surprised? A little. Athena had expected Fiona to show somepassion for her own blood.


    "Thanks for talking to me, Ste," Athena said, wrapping her words in gratitude.


    "Oh, it was no trouble at all," Ste shrugged with a soft smile. "Is that all you desire from me?"


    A pause filled the space, thickening the atmosphere.


    "Ask me for anything, Doctor, and I will do it," Ste added, loyalty evident in her tone.


    Athena didn¡¯t quite know what to do with that loyalty; it was unexpected. "It¡¯s okay, Ste. Just take your rest."


    Just then, she received a message from Aiden. <i>"On my way, Boss. Merry Christmas!" </i>


    Athena scoffed, a bittersweet smile creeping onto her face. It had taken a while to convince her friend to travel after thest attempt on her life, but it still hurt to see him away.


    Just then, another message dropped in too; it was from the team: <i>"We have found a witness. Come to this location."</i>

 Chapter 105: A Suicider

    <h4>Chapter 105: A Suicider</h4>


    "Stop here, Jake," Athena ordered softly, tapping Jake¡¯s shoulder. Her eyes took note, through the window, of the building before her still under construction. The building where she would meet a witness to Fiona¡¯s schemes two nights ago.


    Hastily, she thanked her new driver and stepped out from the car.


    "Should I wait for you, ma¡¯am? Or should I go ahead and pick the children?"


    Athena paused, then palmed her forehead. How could she have forgotten to email the school staff with Jake¡¯s identity since he would be the children¡¯s chauffeur?


    Now, he would have to wait here because if she let him go, he still wouldn¡¯t be allowed to pick the children.


    "Wait here, Jake. I won¡¯t take much of your time."


    Jake smiled thinly. "No need to apologize, ma¡¯am. This is my job. You can take as much time as you want."


    Athena nodded her thanks and hurried into the building situated at the outskirts of town.


    When she stepped inside, she met three of her agents who led her to the room where the witness had been kept.


    Her mouth tweaked in amazement when she realized it was the waiter who had given her the poisonous drink.


    <i>Oh well.</i> Where had they found him?


    "Do you recognize him, Athena?"


    Athena immediately swerved, shocked to hear old Mr. Thorne¡¯s voice, and even more shocked when she saw him sitting on arge chair, nked by two bodyguards.


    "Mr. Thorne... what are you... doing here?" As she spoke, she looked around at the dusty ce.


    "This ce isn¡¯t healthy for you, considering..."


    Mr. Thorne¡¯s shortughter cut her off.


    "Always a doctor, eh..."


    He chuckled softly and shook his head. "I¡¯m pleased by your concern for me, but I¡¯m okay, Doctor. A little dust won¡¯t hurt me. And I¡¯m here because I promised to help."


    A pause.


    "Aiden gave me the necessary details I needed and helped me with some of his people, so it helped kickstart my work. Don¡¯t you worry, I always keep my promises."


    Athena attempted to speak again, but the old man wouldn¡¯t let her. He raised his hand, and she held in her words. "Worry not about me, Athena, we are not in the hospital at least. Right now, let¡¯s focus on this wretched male here that infiltrated my room and my storage unit..."


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows. <i>Storage unit? </i>


    "Yes, I had the poison in my storage unit..." Mr. Thorne paused, crossing his legs. "You know how we rich people like collecting things, just for the fun of it..."


    Athena had it in mind to let the man know that poison was for anything but fun, yet she kept quiet. This wasn¡¯t the time.


    "But it hasn¡¯t been used in forever..."


    It has been used before? Who has he killed?


    "So, I¡¯m surprised he knew that it was in there. I haven¡¯t even seen him around. My head staff don¡¯t remember hiring him either. It is safe to say that he is working for people outside my home, people with great attention to details."


    Fiona and the gang, Athena thought. The old man must have installed great security, great security that had been overthrown, to be bothered like this.


    "Has he said anything yet?" She asked, gesturing to the young man who had his head bowed.


    "We haven¡¯t started with the questioning. We were waiting for you."


    Athena inhaled. "Thank you. Let¡¯s get on with it. I have a ce to be in the next ten minutes."


    The old man nodded and gestured to one of the agents. But before the agent in question could walk up to the guy in question, the male raised his head sharply, his eyes meeting with Athena.


    The stark coldness in his eyes troubled Athena greatly. She had seen that look before¡ªone of psychosis, held by someone who had nothing to lose.


    "Be careful with him," She said to the agent.


    "There will be no need for that. I don¡¯t n on staying long," The strange male in histe twenties spoke, putting everyone on halt. "I was sent to be caught because I have a message to deliver to our beloved Doctor Athena."


    Athena remained calm, even though chills broke out down her spine and around her back.


    "Although I have to say that seeing Mr. Thorne here is a surprise. He wasn¡¯t part of the equation, but it wouldn¡¯t stop our mission though. We failed thest time, but we wouldn¡¯t fail now."


    Athena¡¯s team exchanged nces, knowing what this meant. The gang was back in y.


    "Get on with your message then," Old Mr. Thorne ordered, not one to be terrified or scared.


    "With all pleasure," The male said with a deathly smile. "Athena, the gang knows who you are. We did our research on you, the mere woman who escaped our clutches, and found out you were the target we missed out on thest two years, andst year. The boss says I should tell you we won¡¯t miss again. We got eyes on you, your children, and your friend, and even your hospital. It turns out the one who hired us those years ago still wants you dead. So, killing you will be fulfilling the wish of more than one client."


    "And who is that?" Athena asked, managing to keep her voice steady. "Who ordered my death two years ago?"


    "Oh, that¡¯s not part of what I¡¯m supposed to share with you."


    Athena chuckled darkly and picked a knife from the tray on the table beside her.


    "Oh, there¡¯s no need for that." The male said, amusement ringing in his voice. "Trust me. I¡¯ve passed my message, and now I must go."


    The next second happened so quickly.


    Just when Athena realized what was about to go down, the male¡¯s mouth started working, chewing on something, very speedily.


    "Get that thing out of his mouth!" Athena screamed thereafter, but it was toote.


    The male¡¯s head has already slumped to his left side.


    Athena hurried over him, nching when she perceived the drug. Instant death drug¡ªthere was no remedy to that.


    "Damn it!" She cursed, casting an angry look at the smile frozen on the male¡¯s face, still ring a taunt as he took hisst breath.

 Chapter 106: The Twins Have Been Kidnapped!

    <h4>Chapter 106: The Twins Have Been Kidnapped!</h4>


    Athena watched, partly angry and sullen, as her men meticulously packaged the strange dead man in a ck corpse bag. Each zip and tug of the fabric felt like a finality that gnawed at her psyche.


    She had spoken with the agents and thanked them for their prompt response, but it felt like a waste of time, an exercise in futility.


    A waste of life too, she thought, wondering how someone could give up his life for such a useless cause. What was promised to him? Or was it a threat?


    It was always between these two things, She mused, having encountered and interrogated her own share of suicide bombers or suicide messengers.


    "Doctor Athena..."


    The familiar voice pulled her from her dark reverie. She turned to find Mr. Thorne, the old man standing beside her with a grave expression.


    "You don¡¯t have to worry. You can have my security details at your beck and call. I¡¯ll make sure nothing happens to your family too. I¡¯ll put my men on it. Anything you want, ask for it."


    Athena felt a surge of gratitude but suppressed it with a cautious expression.


    She bit her lip. It was true that she had been of help to the old man, but he had paid for it.


    She pondered, <i>What would I pay for this? </i>


    "What do you want in exchange?"


    Mr. Thorne stared at her for a full minute, his intelligent ck eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and incredulity, before breaking out in boisterousughter. "Doctor Athena, really?"


    But Athena refused tough, choosing instead to let the man know that she meant business. It was a risky game to trust a man who kept poison for fun, and she was not about to fall for his charm.


    "I know you have your doubts concerning me, considering your past..."


    "You investigated me?"


    Mr. Thorne shrugged his shoulders, a gesture that felt a little too casual given the circumstances. "Don¡¯t take it personally. It¡¯s for security purposes. I investigate everyone Ie in contact with, especially on a personal basis. You are my personal doctor; you don¡¯t think I will check you out?"


    Athena sighed, looking away at the flurry of activity in the background. Fair enough¡ªshe understood. "So, what did you find out?"


    As much as she was pleased with her cyber hiding skills, Mr. Thorne wasn¡¯t a newbie either; his family weren¡¯t the leading family in society for nothing.


    "That you¡¯ve gone through a whole lot following your banishment from your previous life¡ªand that there¡¯s more to you than meets the eye."


    It wasn¡¯t a detailed exposition per say, but it conveyed a truth¡ªthe old man had done a thorough assignment.


    "Allow me to help you, Athena. It¡¯s for free."


    Athena bit her lip again. For free?


    "You don¡¯t really want anything¡ªmaybe free medical care or something?"


    Old Mr. Thorneughed, a sound that felt unusually light in the heavy atmosphere. "Not at all. I can foot my bills. I just want you as a friend. I think that will be okay. A cup of tea here and there."


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows, crossing her arms defensively. "A friend? I¡¯m sure you have a lot of that. Unless you mean..."


    Mr. Thorne shook his head vigorously, already seeing the scowl forming on Athena¡¯s face. "Don¡¯t finish that statement because that¡¯s not what I want. I just want you as a friend."


    "Why? I¡¯m way younger than you."


    "And way wiser than a lot above your age."


    Mr. Thorne looked away, his gaze drifting to the horizon.


    The agents were set to leave the building, their forms moving like shadows against the fading light.


    "You remind me of someone. I just can¡¯t help but reach out to you and help out in any way I can. In a way, it makes me feel like I¡¯m reaching out to her too."


    Athena exhaled softly, intrigue piquing her interest like a spark. "An important person then?"


    Mr. Thorne nodded solemnly. "Very important."


    His mood dampened now, and Athena could see the weight of memories behind his eyes. It was as if he were momentarily lost in a world where light andughter once thrived.


    She should pull him out of this daze, she thought, before throwing her hand over his shoulder, startling the old man. To her surprise, his mouth dropped open in astonishment.


    "Well, you asked for a friend. You have one. I hope you can keep up with the youthful exuberance."


    The old manughed then, a genuine sound that filled the air with warmth, and he patted Athena¡¯s hand. "Of course, I¡¯m a young man at heart. I¡¯m sure I can keep up."


    "We¡¯ll see about that, old man..." Athena teased as they sauntered toward the exit of the building, a fragile camaraderie blossoming amidst the chaos.


    However, before they could take two steps, Jake hurried into the building, startling Athena.


    "Jake, what are you doing here!" She looked around her, relieved that the equipment had all been removed by the agents.


    Yet, she noted him breathing heavily, his phone shaking in his hand, and an rming sense of dread crept over her.


    <i>What now?</i>


    "What¡¯s the problem, Jake?"


    But Jake couldn¡¯t articte his fears. Instead, he stretched the phone toward Athena, his hand trembling as if it could hardly bear the weight of the news it held.


    Athena exchanged a worried nce with the old man before she took the phone, the frisson of anxiety prickling the back of her neck.


    The screen was stered with a news headline from The Guardian. Her heart sank to her stomach as it registered the words:


    <strong>"Explosion at the Laner¡¯s Prestigious School."</strong>


    Pale and shaken, she scrolled down, the world around her fading, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm.


    In horror, she read: <i>"Overall, there weren¡¯t any deaths, but two children were abducted¡ªtwins, actually. Children of the famous Doctor Athena Caddels. This can be said to be..." </i>


    Athena¡¯s breath caught in her throat, eyes wide as she continued to scroll. She felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she read.


    Hands shaking, she almost dropped the phone when she saw a video clip start to y. Her mind spun as the image of two masked men dragging her fighting children, screaming and kicking, to a waiting ck seda, shed across the screen.


    "No... no..." She whispered. It was just like her dream when she had returned from the kidnapper¡¯s hideout.


    Stumbling backward, she recalled the agonizing moment of her own kidnap¡ªpain had been etched into every fiber of her being. What would they do to her kids, especially now they knew who she was?


    As the video showed her Kate desperately waving her tiny arms, screaming from a window, her heart shattered.


    Without another thought, she regained herposure and sprinted out of the building, ignoring Mr. Thorne¡¯s call.


    "Athena, wait!"


    She heard him shout, but the sound faded into the background like a distant echo.


    The gang had started their promise, she thought, determination igniting within her. And she wouldn¡¯t sleep until she had caught all of them, even if it meant sacrificing every bit of her peace and safety.


    How dare they touch her children?

 Chapter 107: Distressed

    <h4>Chapter 107: Distressed</h4>


    <i>Hire a hacker for the work.</i>


    "Check." Ewan muttered with a satisfied smile, crossing the item off his to-do list.


    Leaning back deeper into his chair, he swirled, reveling in the sense of control he felt. Athena¡¯sckeys thought they could thwart him from achieving his goals? They clearly had a lot to learn about the different ways things could be aplished.


    He had even gone further by instructing the hacker to dig deeper into Athena¡¯s life after the research deal on the gang.


    The unknown figure he had enlisted had promised to work with the clues provided and get him answers within a week. It was a tantalizing prospect. Just as he sank into his triumphant thoughts, a sharp knock sounded at the door, pulling him from his reverie.


    "Come in." Ewan called, redirecting his focus to the documents cluttering his desk. He heard the sound of footsteps striding casually into the office, already knowing who it was.


    "Sandro, you sure took your time." He said without looking up, and when he finally lifted his head, he was greeted by an apprehensive Sandro.


    "What now?" Ewan inquired, sensing something was amiss. "Did you get the samples for the DNA test?" he pressed.


    Sandro nodded but remained standing, which only deepened Ewan¡¯s unease. "Why did you take so long then?" Ewan prompted, irritation creeping into his voice.


    "I had to give it to a doctor that wasn¡¯t affiliated with Whitman¡¯s Hospital, remember?"


    Ewan nodded, choosing to ignore Sandro¡¯s brittle tone. The poor guy had been out of sorts since Athena¡¯s friend, Chelsea, resurfaced.


    Since he knew Sandro wouldn¡¯t be divulging anything about their rtionship, he decided against pushing the issue any further. His friend could stew in his mess alone for now until he was ready to share.


    "So, how did you manage to get the samples?" Ewan asked, anxious to break the ufortable silence.


    "I found the contact of the home tutor yesterday, called her, told her who I was, and promised her a substantial amount..." There was a pause. "The money was good enough to make her overlook her ethics. I¡¯m not even sure if there¡¯s something like that in their rules and regtions..."


    Another pause hung in the air. "She got the job done today."


    Ewan nodded, a stiff smile forming on his lips. "So how long before the test resultse back?"


    "At least a week from now."


    Ewan nodded again, believing that good news would punctuate his days next week. Yet silence descended once more, as he reverted to the documents before him, thickening the air between them until he could no longer tolerate it.


    "Sandro, if you aren¡¯t going to talk about your rtionship with Chelsea, then carry your deadpan mood out of my office. It¡¯s seriously affecting my space."


    Sandro offered a hollow chuckle. "My silence isn¡¯t about my private worries but the news circting in the media. Considering yourid-back demeanor, it appears you aren¡¯t aware of it."


    Ewan lifted his head for the second time, intrigued. "News? What¡¯s that? What¡¯s going on?" As he asked, he grabbed his phone from the table, navigating to a media page. His heart sank when he saw the headline.


    With trembling hands, he yed the attached video, his heart plummeting as he witnessed footage of Kate screaming for help, while her brother sat unnervingly calm in the back seat.


    Ewan didn¡¯t even realize when his phone slipped from his grip as he rushed to get to his feet.


    "Oh my god! Have you tried reaching Athena?!" Panic washed over him.


    Sandro nodded, a look of distress carving deeper into his features. "I¡¯ve tried, but her number isn¡¯t going through."


    Ewan backtracked, already on his way to the door, and snatched his phone from the floor. He dialed Athena¡¯s number, but it went straight to voicemail. Three attemptster produced the same frustrating result, fear curling in his stomach.


    She needed him¡ªshe needed help!


    Gripping the edge of the desk, he swiftly called Aiden, disregarding thest message the other man had sent. This situation was too precarious; Athena might require assistance from his security detail!


    To his relief, the call went through. "Aiden, thank God! Where are you?"


    There was a tense pause on the other end.


    "Aiden, please say something! I know myst behavior has been nothing short of outrageous, but we¡¯re talking about the children¡¯s lives here¡ªwe can¡¯t afford anything to happen to them! Where are you so I can send my security detail over?"


    A longer pause followed, leaving Ewan on the precipice of despair. "Aiden!"


    "Ewan, what are you talking about? What children? What security detail?" Aiden¡¯s voice carried a note of confusion that only deepened Ewan¡¯s frustration.


    Ewan scowled, pulling the phone away from his ear only to re at it in disbelief before putting it back. "Aiden, this is not the time for theatrics! What location did the kidnapper send to you? Have you tracked them down?"


    "Ewan, you¡¯re confusing me. I¡¯m not in the state. I traveled to see my daughter."


    Ewan breathed out weakly. "I see."


    "What¡¯s the matter?" Aiden demanded.


    "The twins have been kidnapped. It¡¯s all over the socials. I¡¯ve been trying to reach Athena, but her line isn¡¯t reachable."


    A loud string of curses erupted from Aiden before the call abruptly ended.


    "What did he say?" Sandro asked, eyes locked on Ewan as he dropped the phone tiredly.


    "He isn¡¯t aware of the kidnapping."


    "He isn¡¯t aware of the kidnapping? How is that possible?"


    "He isn¡¯t around. He traveled to see his daughter; I¡¯m guessing to spend Christmas with her," Ewan replied, disbelief rushing through him.


    Sandro cursed, pacing from one end of the office to the other. "So, what are we going to do now?"


    Ewan¡¯s mind raced. He didn¡¯t know where to begin. He could bet his life that Athena wasn¡¯t at the hospital or at home, that she was out there desperately working to get the children back. But there was no clear location!


    Then, an idea struck him with startling rity. "If Aiden isn¡¯t around, then there must be a new driver, right?"


    Sandro nodded, hope flickering in his eyes.


    "Get Suarez to check him out immediately. Get me a contact! Surely he must have an idea of what¡¯s going on!"

 Chapter 108: A Costly Prank

    <h4>Chapter 108: A Costly Prank</h4>


    Athena softly heaved in deep breaths as they drew closer to the site indicated on the tracking tablet resting on herp.


    Mr. Thorne kept patting her hand at intervals to calm her down, but how could she find peace when her children might be facing unspeakable horrors right then?


    The gang knew who she was; there was no telling how callous they could be toward her children now. The thought of her babies enduring even a fraction of the torment she had experienced during herst kidnapping sent shivers down her spine, making it impossible to calm her racing heart.


    What would she have done without those tracking watches? It was a stroke of luck that the twins had taken to wearing trackable toy watches, just like the one they had gifted her, since her escape from that harrowing incident.


    "Thank the heavens for technology," She muttered to herself, grateful for her technical know-how, which allowed her to operate theirptops and retrieve every crucial detail.


    "We are here," Jake announced, his eyes focused on a nondescript, one-story building that stood before them.


    The simplicity of it took Athena by surprise; it seemed too ordinary for such a sinister purpose.


    As the car came to a stop, the ten vehicles behind them followed suit. Everyone spilled out, and the head agent spoke up, his tonemanding.


    "You remember how this will go down, don¡¯t you?"


    Everyone nodded in affirmation.


    "Then let¡¯s go."


    No one bothered to tell Athena to stay back; they all knew she wouldn¡¯t agree. Plus, they understood she was capable¡ªshe was a force to be reckoned with, especially when it came to her children.


    But Mr. Thorne¡¯s insistence to apany them raised some eyebrows. Though he had been a military general at one time, his age brought with it concerns.


    "Okay, I¡¯ll be with Athena. Surely she can take care of me."


    Athena wanted to protest and insist that her entire focus would be on her children, but she held her tongue. If Mr. Thorne wanted to follow her into the fray, so be it.


    "Let¡¯s go," She said firmly, already heading to the position they had discussed.


    Minutes ticked by as they surrounded the building. With a swift efficiency, they infiltrated the property. However, much to their dismay and confusion, the inside was eerily empty, though footprints led deeper into the structure.


    Where did everyone go? Athena pondered, her heart racing as she stood at the door to a room that appeared untouched. She could already feel despair creeping in, tightening its grip.


    She whispered a prayer, hoping her children were in this room as the tracker indicated. And with trembling hands, she pushed the door open.


    A secondter, she held back a scream, tears suddenly streaming down her face at the sight that met her: her children bound to chairs, ropes that dug cruelly into their skin. But worse still, a bomb was ominously underneath the seats.


    Legs and hands shaking, she stumbled into the room, her security detail quick to follow. The air grew thick with tension as everyone froze momentarily, before bursting into action.


    "Mommy!" Kate cried out.


    Athena rushed toward them, yet careful to maintain a safe distance from them. "Don¡¯t worry, my sweetheart. We¡¯ll get you out of here. Just hold on."


    <i>Because if they didn¡¯t, they might all be dead.</i>


    She nced at the bomb, its design strange and unfamiliar. "Don¡¯t worry, Nathaniel, we¡¯ll get you out too."


    She could see Nathaniel straining to turn and face her. Her heart broke further on the restrictions the ropes ced on his movements.


    All she wanted now was tofort them, to embrace them, yet fear of the consequence held her back. Did the bomb react to proximity?


    "What¡¯s going on?" She asked the bomb squad members, who were maintaining their distance, their faces a mask of concern.


    "The bomb is unlike anything we¡¯ve encountered before. We¡¯re still trying to decipher it."


    As if she didn¡¯t already know that.


    Then Nathaniel spoke up, shocking everyone. "That¡¯s because it¡¯s a fake. The only reason Kate and I are still tied up is because the ropes are too tight. We can¡¯t get free. But the bomb? That¡¯s probably just water."


    The agents exchanged wary nces, skepticism written all over their faces.


    Yet Athena felt a wave of calm wash over her. If there was anyone she trusted, it was her children.


    "Everyone, leave," Shemanded.


    The agents hesitated, exchanging cautious looks.


    "What do you mean by that?" Mr. Thorne asked, a frown creasing his brow.


    "I¡¯m taking Nathaniel at his word. But if it is a real bomb, I wouldn¡¯t want anyone caught in our mess."


    Old Mr. Thorne looked startled for the first time in ages. "Then I will stay with you."


    Athena¡¯s jaw dropped. "You have an empire to run..."


    "Cedric can handle that."


    Athena inhaled softly, touched by his loyalty. He looked so resolute that she decided not to push the issue. "Well, you can all go then."


    But the security detail remained resolute. "We are sworn to protect you. If you die, then we all die."


    Athena didn¡¯t know how to respond. "Well...thanks, team." She offered a weak smile.


    She nced at Mr. Thorne¡¯s bodyguards. They remained standing too, but she understood that they were bound by duty.


    Turning back to her twins, she requested, "Give me a knife."


    A de was swiftly dropped into her hand.


    Heart racing, Athena stepped closer to the twins, intent on cutting their ropes, all the while praying the bomb was indeed harmless.


    "Get up," She urged softly when she finished cutting thest rope.


    Nathaniel and Kate obeyed immediately, stepping towards her and wrapping their arms around her in a tight embrace.


    Athena¡¯s heart swelled, and her eyes shut in relief as gasps filled the room. No explosion followed. Nathaniel had been right.


    She bent to their height and showered their cheeks with kisses, tears of relief spilling from her eyes.


    "It was just a prank, Mom. A costly prank." Kate said, her voice bubbling with a mixture of joy and anger. "The man who tied us up said you woulde for us and then get the message."

 Chapter 109: Mind Your Business!

    <h4>Chapter 109: Mind Your Business!</h4>


    Athena was taken aback when she saw Ewan sitting on the floor by her doorstep.


    His head was bowed dejectedly, supported on his hands which were crossed on his drawn-up knees. The sight of him was unexpected, bringing forth a tumult of emotions within her.


    She exchanged furtive nces with Gianna, who Jake had driven to the location where the costly prank had happened.


    Her friend had been so fraught with worry about the children and the potential dangers they had faced, that even now, with everything settled, her relief was still tinged with anxiety.


    Now, looking at Ewan slumped in despair, she felt aplex knot of frustration and exasperation creeping in.


    She knew he must have tried to find out where they were, since the news wasn¡¯t really hidden; the gang was bent on involving the public in whatever n they had.


    Because he couldn¡¯t get in touch with them, he hade here to wait, believing that she would be back with the twins soon.


    It must have been frustrating waiting alone like that, but Athena couldn¡¯t dig up any sympathy or a sense of appreciation for Ewan. She was just cold and not in the mood for shenanigans with a man who believed whatever Fiona said.


    "Ewan, what are you doing here?"


    At her voice, Ewan raised his head immediately, relief breaking out on his face when he saw the twins, causing the tense lines on his face to rx for a brief moment.


    He stood up agilely and sauntered toward them, almost like a puppy eager for attention.


    "I heard the news. I tried reaching you, but couldn¡¯t get through. I called your driver, Jake, but he wouldn¡¯t give me the address; he ims he doesn¡¯t know if I¡¯m really affiliated with you." His tone was a mixture of frustration and annoyance, highlighting the lengths he had been willing to go for answers.


    "You have Jake¡¯s number?" Gianna asked incredulously, her surprise evident.


    But Athena already knew how Ewan had obtained it. Research. Dear Ewan was really that desperate, huh? It made her reflect on just how far he was willing to go. Jake had done well in keeping the number from him, and perhaps that was for the best.


    "Research," Ewan echoed Athena¡¯s thoughts, almost defensively. "What happened? Is it the gang?" His voice lowered, turning serious.


    "What¡¯s your business?" Athena interrupted, her tone sharper than she had intended. It felt instinctive to defend herself and her children. "Don¡¯t you have Fiona to take care of?"


    Ewan was taken aback, his hands dangling limply at his sides. The sudden shift in conversation caught him off guard, and he inhaled deeply as if to quell his frustrations.


    "I¡¯m just here to check on my partner and doctor¡¯s well-being. Is that a wrong move on my part?" He asked, but in his voice, Athena detected a touch of hurt.


    "I¡¯m not sure," She replied tersely. "But I suggest you keep to yourself and your fianc¨¦e. I don¡¯t need people spreading unnecessary rumors or making unreasonable deductions. As a matter of fact, stay away from my family and me. Mind your business!"


    Her words hung heavy in the air between them, as the reality of their fractured rtionship echoed.


    Ewan¡¯s heart burned at Athena¡¯s statement, and he regretted leaving her at the restaurant those days ago, for it was then that the fragile rtionship they had formed began to fray and unravel. Yet wasn¡¯t she at fault too?


    He opened his mouth to apologize, but because he wasn¡¯t sure what he was apologizing for, his mouth stayed open for a brief moment, and then shut.


    Then, he darted his eyes away from Athena to the kids. They were looking at him with bored expressions, which unsettled him even more. Yet...


    "Hi, Kate. Hi, Nathaniel, how are you doing?" His voice was infused with feigned brightness, a desperate attempt to connect.


    Athena let out a sigh of exasperation, feeling as if she was watching an actor who had forgotten their lines.


    Ewan ignored her.


    "Are you hurt anywhere?" he continued.


    Yet the children said nothing.


    Ewan inhaled deeply, sying his hands on his thighs as he fought to maintainposure. Of course, the children wouldn¡¯t speak when their mother had tantly asked him to stay away.


    "Kate..." he tried again, but the silence persisted.


    "Mr. Ewan..." Nathaniel interrupted him, his tone firm for one so young. "I suggest you do as my mom says. We are tired now, after all, and we need a lot of rest¡ªnot some person huddling us with questions."


    Ewan¡¯s cold expression reflected on his face thereafter, covering the mixture of embarrassment and disappointment washing over him.


    This was a waste of time, he thought, stepping away. There was no need to be here. He was not wanted.


    "Alright then. Have a nice night," He said, keeping his voice steady. Without as much as a wave or a nce at Athena, he walked past them to the elevator.


    When he left, Athena shook her head with a sigh, disbelief washing over her. "How can he be so insensitive, bombarding us with unreasonable questions? Can¡¯t he see that we are tired and should be let into the house first?"


    Giannaughed softly, trying to lighten the mood. "He was just too worried. But you are right; he should stay away. Let¡¯s avoid drama if we can. If the gang is really working with Fiona, then we should keep our distance from the entire family. Maybe then the attacks will be spaced out."


    Athena nodded, feeling a sense of resolution wash over her as she unlocked the door. "I intend to do so. And I hope it would make a dent, although, to be honest, I¡¯m not afraid of them."


    Gianna furrowed her eyebrows, then shook her head with a small smile. Sometimes, like this, she didn¡¯t understand her friend, but that was Athena¡ªresilient in spirit and determined to keep her family safe.


    Meanwhile, at Ewan¡¯s house, Fiona was discussing ns with the maid, her new ally, about some ns that would be taking ce soon.


    She received a text on her phone, causing her to dismiss the maid with a wave. Picking up the phone from the table, she felt a thrill of anticipation.


    <i>"Where are you, my lovely Morgana? I¡¯ve been waiting the longest. Do you want me to go raving mad with want?" </i>


    Fiona smiled as she read the message, feeling herself getting excited at the thought of what would go down that night. It made her heart race, and her anticipation grew.


    Dropping the phone on the bed, she gaily stood up and bounced to the wardrobe to select a sexy outfit for the night.


    Twenty minutester, just as she was spritzing herself with perfume, Ewan knocked and entered her room without waiting for a response.


    His eyes narrowed as he took in the short, revealing gown she was wearing and the red open-toe heels by her side.


    "Fiona, where are you going?"

 Chapter 110: The Slutty Fiancée

    <h4>Chapter 110: The Slutty Fianc¨¦e</h4>


    Ewan¡¯s question invited a tense and ufortable silence in therge room that was Fiona¡¯s.


    The air felt thick with the weight of unspoken words, and the silence dragged on for more than a full minute, to the surprise of Ewan.


    He shifted his weight from his left foot to his right foot, acutely aware of the awkwardness settling in like a dense fog. Noting the bewildered look on Fiona¡¯s face, it was obvious to him that she hadn¡¯t expected him back so soon.


    Her hand, spritzing perfume, remained suspended in the air just around her neck, the scent mingling with the tension between them.


    "Fiona, I asked a question. Where are you going?" Ewan pressed again, his tone firm but edged with genuine concern.


    Fiona stuttered for a bare second, moving her hands again as if searching for the right words but finding none. She turned away, frustration evident, when she couldn¡¯t mutter a coherent response. Finally, she dropped the perfume bottle onto the dresser with a soft thud, the sound echoing in the silent room.


    Ewan looked at his wristwatch, noting the time. "This is nine p.m. It¡¯ste already," he stated, trying to convey the gravity of the situation, but it was as if Fiona wasn¡¯t really listening.


    For Fiona, remembering the anticipation of what she would stand to gain tonight, shook her head defiantly. "It¡¯s notte. I¡¯m going to meet a friend. It is important to me."


    Her lips curled in a slight smile, a mix of excitement and innocence dancing across her expression.


    "A friend? In that?" Ewan asked incredulously, gesturing toward the dress Fiona was wearing. His eyes scanned the figure-hugging fabric that left little to the imagination. All her assets were in full disy!


    He couldn¡¯t even believe that she had such attire in her collection. Where did the innocent Fiona go? Was she seeking sce in the hands of another man?


    Not that he was bothered in the way a fianc¨¦ should be¡ªhe was merely concerned. Her mental state had been in knotstely, and this felt like an act of rebellion.


    "We are meeting at a club. I can¡¯t dress in a modest gown for a nightclub event," Fiona answered, bending down to put on her shoes, her confidence visible and almost contagious.


    Ewan couldn¡¯t help but admire it¡ªif only she would channel that assertiveness into her mind state. He couldn¡¯t have her attempting suicide again.


    "Okay then, have fun. But be back before midnight. I can¡¯t have myself worrying about you," He finally said, letting out a tired sigh.


    Fiona blushed slightly, an unexpected warmness creeping into her cheeks. She walked up to him and nted a kiss on his cheek, a gesture that seemed almost casual but carried an underlying tension.


    "I promise," She replied, her voice a mixture of sincerity and yfulness.


    Ewan managed a smile, albeit it felt mechanical, before patting her cheek as if to mimic the gestures of warmth and affection he wished he could express.


    Then he stepped out of the room, leaving Fiona in a whirlwind of emotions.


    As the door clicked shut behind him, Fiona¡¯s anger bubbled to the surface.


    Would it hurt him to kiss her, just once? She thought, clenching her fists as annoyance stirred within her.


    Each time he turned her down felt like a wound, even while they were engaged. Amon kiss¡ªit was all she wanted. The imagination of the taste of those finely shaped lips had driven her to the edge of frustration many times.


    It was what had driven her into the hands of Morgan, and it would likely drive her into his arms tonight. At least he wasn¡¯t uptight with her. At least he was generous in bed.


    Probably why she couldn¡¯t get enough of him.


    Hissing angrily at wishes unfulfilled, she grabbed her red purse from the table and strode out of the room, the click of her heels resonating in the hallway.


    However, immediately she left the mansion, Ewan called for one of his guards. "Make sure she is safe, and report to me her doings tonight." He ordered, aware of the flickering doubt gnawing at him.


    Fifteen minutester, he called the same guard, demanding a report of things.


    "Where is she now?" He asked, his hands drumming a beat on the polished table, a settling habit that had developed over time. He didn¡¯t know precisely what he was looking for¡ªperhaps some confirmation that there was more than meets the eye with Fiona?


    But in his heart, he yearned for reassurance that he was worrying for nothing.


    "She stopped at the club," The guard reported, his tone respectful. "She¡¯s with a friend. A female friend. But I don¡¯t know the person. Should I check her out?"


    Ewan shook his head. "No, let her have her fun. Just make sure she is safe." Then he ended the call and threw his phone onto the other side of the bed in exasperation.


    What was he thinking, letting Athena¡¯s and Sandro¡¯s words get to him? Fiona wasn¡¯t really the evil they painted her to be. Why couldn¡¯t his friends see that? Why couldn¡¯t they recognize the goodness that lived within her? So what if she wore a revealing dress? Wasn¡¯t it expected for a club outing?


    Thinking about the dress brought Athena into Ewan¡¯s mind, and with a deep sigh, he recollected the outfit she had worn for the club many nights ago.


    Damn! That woman was definitely stunning! He shook his head to dispel the thoughts that threatened to take root, resting his head on the headboard. <i>Get behind me, Athena!</i>


    Meanwhile, in the club house, miles away from Ewan¡¯s mansion, right after the guard ended the call, he returned his right hand to Fiona¡¯s waist, encouraging her to grind against him as the music pulsed with a tantalizing rhythm.


    He groaned in pleasure as she hit the right spot again and again.


    "What did he say?" She asked, standing erect after a few seconds of the erotic act, looking up at him while dropping a seductive kiss on his jaw, her body swaying sensually against his.


    "He said I should make sure you are safe," The guard replied, lost in the moment, still enamored with the fact that he was touching his boss¡¯s fianc¨¦e. He felt a thrill course through him, a mix of admiration and disbelief.


    Fionaughed softly, brushing her lips against his cheek as she leaned in closer. "Well, just forget what he said. Take a girl for the night. I have a meeting to attend to now."


    The guard furrowed his brow, caught off guard by her directness. He hoped for more time to at least get acquainted with his new catch, visibly intoxicated by her presence.


    "Don¡¯t worry. We will have our timeter. You just have to y your cards right." Fiona said, amused at the former¡¯s eagerness, chuckling softly when he grabbed her ass and squeezed.


    "Really?"


    A confident grin adorned her lips as she dropped a kiss on his lips. "I¡¯ll see youter," She whispered, grazing his chest with her surgically enhanced breasts, a tease that sent a shiver of excitement down the guard¡¯s spine before she turned and walked away.

 Chapter 111: The Slutty Fiancee II

    <h4>Chapter 111: The Slutty Fiancee II</h4>


    In the most expensive VIP suite of one of the most prestigious hotels in the city, Fiona¡¯sughter rang out seductively, intertwining with that of a male who smiled like he had just gotten everything he wanted.


    "I still can¡¯t believe he sent a guard to spy on me," Fiona said, shaking her head in disbelief.


    Morgan shrugged, a smirk ying on his lips. "Maybe his love is waxing cold, eh? It took him a long time to figure it out. Honestly, I thought he would have discovered our rtionship by now. He is so stupid."


    Silence greeted Morgan¡¯s words, heavy with the weight of their implications. When he turned to gauge Fiona¡¯s reaction, he was met with a fierce re.


    "Oh,e on, Morgana... you know what I mean..." He said gently, trailing his fingers around her bare belly, stylishly moving closer.


    Fiona moaned softly when his fingers brushed against her right breast, but then she abruptly pushed his hand away.


    "Don¡¯t try to make me forget," She said, her voice firm but her heart fluttering. "I don¡¯t appreciate you calling Ewan stupid. He is just in love with me. Who wouldn¡¯t be?"


    Morgan scoffed, unimpressed. "Well, it seems like the charm is wearing off. If not, why would he send a guard after you? It sounds more paranoid than protective."


    "To look after me? He doesn¡¯t appreciate me going outte at night. That¡¯s a form of love, Morgan," she retorted, crossing her arms in indignation.


    "I see..." Morgan said, not truly understanding but willing to y along. "So how did you even see the guard, and how did you convince him to be on your side?"


    Fiona licked her lips sensually, trailing her long fingers across Morgan¡¯s chest, asionally teasingly lowering her touch but always withdrawing before she went too far. She relished in the way his body responded, clearly longing for her.


    "Well, I¡¯ve seen most of Ewan¡¯s security detail before. Since I thought we would be meeting at the club as nned, I kept my eyes fixed on the door, waiting for you. You know how much I¡¯ve missed you."


    Her hand grazed his lower region, and as she looked at him through sultry eyes, she purred softly when he emitted a grunt of pleasure. It was another thing she liked about Morgan. Even after four thrilling rounds of passion, he was still aroused and ready to go.


    However, this conversation couldn¡¯t wait; their business was about more than just physical pleasure. The fifth round could wait untilter.


    "Immediately I saw him, the moment our gazes met, I sauntered over and grabbed him by his¡ªwell, you know. I asked him how he was doing. Dude was scared at first. But you know me..." She trailed off, but Morgan¡¯s scowl was not lost on her.


    "I¡¯m not happy when you y with other men. I allowed Ewan because we have a lot to gain from him. But others?" He trailed off, his tone possessive.


    Fiona giggled, tapping the head of Morgan¡¯s arousal that now poked at her belly, biting her lip teasingly. "Oh,e on. We didn¡¯t have sex. We just danced around."


    Morgan huffed, his resistance waning as Fiona increased the pressure on his arousal. "You¡¯re going to be the death of me, woman. Didn¡¯t you say we have things to talk about?"


    Instantly, Fiona¡¯s hand fell away, leaving a coolness in its absence. She sat up, pushing the bedsheet aside and revealing her naked form, confident and unashamed.


    Morgan¡¯s mouth watered at the sight, but he¡¯d let her have her moment. He sat upright and leaned against the headboard, maintaining hisposure.


    "So, how did the n you told me about go?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.


    "It went well, as it should. She should be shitting in her pants now, considering we know she¡¯s the target we have been tasked to eliminate for thest two years."


    Fiona¡¯s face clouded with confusion. When Morgan had contacted her days ago, she had been annoyed at first, voicing her irritation when they finally met. But his touches had quickly soothed her, and once he revealed who Athena was¡ªor who they believed her to be¡ªshe felt an unsettling mixture of fear and exhration.


    Yet she was emboldened, knowing that there were other powerful people who wanted Athena dead too.


    <i>Poor Athena. </i>She had mused internally, the thrill of danger surging through her.


    "But who contracted you to kill Athena?" She pressed, her voice low.


    Morgan pursed his thick lips, his demeanor suddenly shifting. "I can¡¯t say, Fiona. That¡¯s too private."


    Fiona huffed, folding her arms across her chest in irritation. "I tell you everything; why can¡¯t you tell me everything too?"


    Morganughed snidely, his expression a mixture of amusement and annoyance. "Oh, like you told me about your escapade with the waiter?"


    Fiona paled, shifting away instinctively, but Morgan pulled her back, his grip rough and a touch painful on her arm. She bit down on her tongue to suppress the wince of difort. She wouldn¡¯t give him the satisfaction of showing weakness.


    "You told me to kill him because he disrespected you. Yet my sources say you slept with him just for some cash," he used, his voice low.


    Fiona remained silent, recognizing that any exnation would be unnecessary. She knew how to read the mood; better to ept whatever punishment he intended to mete out rather than argue.


    "You have been a naughty girl," Morgan muttered, pping her lightly on the cheek, a grin spreading on his face. "And I¡¯ll treat you as naughty girls should be punished."


    Fiona sensed a thrill at his words, yet deep down, she wasn¡¯t in the mood for a rough encounter tonight. "I¡¯m sorry," She mumbled, hoping he would let the issue slide.


    Morgan¡¯s eyes widened slightly at her admission. "That¡¯s new," he remarked, but quickly shifted back to business. "Well, that¡¯s beside the point. After all, I don¡¯t think Ewan can overlook the scars on your arms and buttocks when you return to him."


    Fiona bit her lip. She didn¡¯t mention that Ewan had never had sex with her; instead, she merely nodded and asked, "So what exactly did you do? You never told me."


    Morgan chuckled, his smile slow and predatory. "I kidnapped her children..."


    Fiona¡¯s mouth dropped open in shock. "She has children?"


    Morgan nodded, an amused glint in his eyes. "You didn¡¯t know? We haven¡¯t found her husband yet. He¡¯s as elusive as she is."


    Fiona let out a sharp breath, relieved but simultaneously intrigued. Not Ewan, then. She couldn¡¯t help butugh inwardly at her momentary fear.


    Just then, her phone chimed loudly, a reminder that it was now midnight. A pang of urgency filled her. "I have to go, Morgan. Ewan might be waiting."


    "Forget Ewan. Come here," Hemanded, his voice a mix of authority and temptation.


    Fiona felt helpless against his touch, the heat of his body drawing her in as he pulled her close to him once more.

 Chapter 112: Separated

    <h4>Chapter 112: Separated</h4>


    Athena sighed softly as she watched Kendra and Kathleen cry on each other¡¯s shoulders, their tears glistening in the sunlight streaming through the window.


    Nathaniel stood by the side, watching the emotional disy with an air of detachment that might have seemed cold to an outsider.


    However, Athena knew better. The intermittent pinching of his eyebrows betrayed the sadness lurking beneath his stoic demeanor. Kendra had be their closest friend, and the impending separation clearly weighed on him.


    "Kendra, don¡¯t worry. You can visit them anytime you want. You can even do sleepovers," Ste said, trying tofort the girls while throwing a worried nce at Athena.


    But it seemed to Athena that Kendra needed more reassurance than that in the moment.


    She sighed again, reclining deeper into her seat as she realized it would likely take a while for the two girls to disengage from each other.


    But surprisingly, it didn¡¯t take long. Nathaniel, aware of his mother¡¯s tight schedule, stepped closer to his sister and tapped her on the arm. "Kate, listen to Ms. Ste. We can always see Kendra in school and do sleepovers. For now, let¡¯s go. Remember, Mom has a lot of work to do today."


    Athena nodded immediately, as if she was the one being spoken to. Suddenly, she recalled the daunting pile of work awaiting her at the hospital. Since opening the doors to the hospital to everyone, including residents from Zack¡¯s town, she had been besieged with work, even with the new hires pitching in.


    Her mind wandered¡ªwhat would have happened if she hadn¡¯t hired them? She shuddered at the mere thought, recalling the influx of patients they had experienced since the beginning of the week.


    It had been one week since the incident, and after quelling the rumors that her children had perished on the same day of the unfortunate event, she found herself swarmed with patients from near and far. She couldn¡¯tprehend the sudden rush.


    Did people believe her life was in danger simply because she had faced a kidnapper? Did they think she would be dying soon?That seemed outrageous to her¡ªalmostical.


    She also remembered that the same thing was happening to Gianna at her workce. Her best friend, now fast on her way to bing the best jewelry designer in the city despite arriving only a month ago, had been swamped with orders ever since the incident.


    It was baffling how people thought.


    Sighing in relief when Kate finally disengaged from Kendra, Athena stood to her feet and walked up to Ste. "We¡¯ll be heading out now. Thanks for having us," she said, her voice sincere.


    Ste shook her head. "Having you? Stop it, Doctor Athena. We are the ones grateful for this opportunity."


    Just then, a male stepped into the living room through the open door. Upon seeing him, Athena beckoned him closer.


    "This is Max. He will be your driver and guard, too. With kidnappings on the rise, it¡¯s best that one remains safe," She exined, her tone reassuring.


    Ste¡¯s eyes began to shimmer with immense gratitude, but Kendra, not used to such luxuries, ran up to Athena and hugged her legs. "Thanks, Mother," she eximed, her small voice filled with appreciation.


    Athena inhaled sharply, still not ustomed to being addressed that way by Kendra. For some reason, the little girl was determined to call her "Mother," and Ste had no problems with it. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder what Fiona would say if she heard of this.


    The thought of Fiona¡¯s possible anger made Athena chuckle to herself.


    "You¡¯re wee, Kendra. Just remember to be a good girl," Athena replied, her heart swelling with affection.


    "I will!" Kendra shouted before turning to Nathaniel. She pouted adorably and then lunged toward him, wrapping her arms around his waist in a hug.


    Nathaniel, initially taken aback, stood stiff and unresponsive until Kathleen subtly tapped him on the arm, nudging him to react.


    Athena couldn¡¯t suppress a small smile as she observed the dynamic among them. "Goodbye, Ste," she called out cheerfully as Nathaniel disengaged from the hug and hurried toward the door.


    "Goodbye, Doc. See you when I see you," Ste returned, her smile wide and warm.


    Outside, Athena asked the kids if they wanted to return home.


    "No, we¡¯ll follow you to the hospital. Uncle Aiden is no longer around to keep uspany, and we¡¯re not really okay with Mr. Jake," Kate dered decisively.


    Athena nodded, her heart aching a little. She opened the door for them to get into the car, with Jake already in the driver¡¯s seat. Jake was apetent driver, but he could never rece Aiden¡ªtheir reliable friend who had called them every day since the event after Athena had stopped him from hopping onto the next ne back home.


    Behind them trailed a car filled with guards sent by Mr. Thorne. Athena was acutely aware that there were others monitoring their movements from hidden positions. It had been a week since the incident, and she was still adapting to the idea of needing such extensive protection.


    "Mom," Kate piped up, breaking Athena¡¯s reverie, "the Christmas y has been scheduled for next week. You will be attending, right?" She hugged her sweater tighter around her to ward off the bite of the cold.


    Athena bit her lip, hesitant. "Aunt..."


    "Don¡¯t say it, Mom. Please."


    Athena exhaled harshly and turned her gaze to the window. "I have a busy schedule. I might not be avable, Kate."


    "You made the same excusest year and the previous years, too. Why is that? We won¡¯t take it this year! Our ssmates are alling with their parents. Since we don¡¯t have a dad, would we miss out on you, too?" Nathaniel asked, folding his arms across his chest defiantly.


    Athena swallowed hard. The truth was, she avoided Christmas festivities because they brought back painful memories. Her mother had died on Christmas Eve, and she had been banished then, subjected to all kinds of pain during a time when everyone else seemed filled with joy.


    There had been no goodwill extended to her until she met Antonio, and even then, the memories haunted her. What was the essence of the season? Where was the ¡¯goodwill toward men¡¯ six years ago?


    "Mom..." Kate pleaded, tugging on Athena¡¯s sweater, her eyes wide and desperate.


    "I¡¯ll try, sweetheart. I¡¯ll try this time around," Athena replied, though she had no idea how she would manage to celebrate Christmas this year for the sake of her children.


    Upon arriving at the hospital, echoes of Christmas filled the air¡ªtwinkling lights strung along the walls, festive decorations in every corner.


    For the first time, Athena smiled and returned a holiday greeting from a patient who had wished her well, surprising both her children and her staff.


    Howbeit, she brushed past them calmly, stepping into her office, pausing suddenly when she saw who was waiting for her in Ciara¡¯s space.


    Ewan?

 Chapter 113: Dismissive

    <h4>Chapter 113: Dismissive</h4>


    Ewan couldn¡¯t quite pinpoint how he was feeling¡ªangry, sad?


    His emotions swirled within him like a tempest as he locked eyes with Athena, who looked at him dismissively before turning her attention to Alfonso¡ªAlfonso, whom he had met in the office on his arrival an hour ago.


    If Athena was dismissive toward him, she regarded Alfonso as if he were nothing more than a speck stuck to the bottom of her shoe. Ewan grappled with which scenario was worse¡ªher disregard for him or her contempt for Alfonso.


    The turmoil within him grew restless, even more so than he had felt this week regarding Fiona¡¯ste-night outings.


    Although the guard he had assigned to Fiona kept insisting that she was meeting a female friend, Ewan had found himself doubting ever since he picked up the faint scent of a man lingering on her. Ever sincest night.


    Last night, he had waited in her room, needing confirmation about what was really going on. When Fiona finally arrived, her eyes were wide with rity, and the unmistakable smell of a man hit him like a jolt. At that moment, he knew either the guard had been lying or Fiona was sneaky like his friends had imed.


    But, instead of confronting her, he had walked away without even wishing her goodnight, leaving her alone to ruminate over endless possibilities. In his heart, he resolved to assign another guard to her¡ªone he could trust.


    "What are you two doing here?" Athena¡¯s voice cut through his spiraling thoughts, snapping him back to the present.


    "We are not here together," he replied quickly, ncing at Alfonso, who had a confused look on his face. They had exchanged pleasantries and spoken about Fiona at one point, but there was little else binding them together at this moment.


    "I¡¯m here for my treatment, as I mentionedst week." Alfonso finally spoke.


    Athena gave a curt nod to Ciara, who promptly picked up the telephone and made a call. A minuteter, a nurse appeared and escorted a startled Alfonso out of the office.


    Ewan couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Alfonso had thought Athena would attend to him personally. He had little time to dwell on that thought, for Athena turned her attention to him next.


    "What are you doing here?" She repeated.


    "I came for treatment. Maybe some drug prescriptions?" Ewan added, remembering that Sandro was supposed to get the DNA test results today. His mind also drifted to the ongoing situation involving the hacker, and he couldn¡¯t afford to risk bed-rest now.


    Athena simply nodded curtly and began to exit the reception office without another word. The twins, who hadrgely ignored both him and Alfonso since their arrival, followed her closely.


    "You should follow them. She¡¯s going to theb," Ciara chimed in, delivering the news Ewan didn¡¯t necessarily want to hear but now feltpelled to acknowledge.


    He grumbled internally, wondering how he was supposed to know she expected him to follow her. Rising to his feet, he felt a wave of irritation wash over him, not just at Athena but also at the twins for theirck ofmunication.


    Steeling himself with the thought of the DNA results Sandro would deliver to him soon, he trudged into theb, entering just as Athena started her work.


    "Thest medicine did a nice job," She spoke after a few moments of focused writing, handing him a slip of paper. "Give this to the nurse; she will know what to do. When are youing in for the main treatment?"


    "Some timeter," Ewan replied. "My tab is full at the moment. I¡¯ll get back to you."


    Athena waved him off, an obvious signal that he should leave.


    He should heed her gesture and go, yet restlessness simmered below the surface. "Athena, what¡¯s the problem? I¡¯m sorry about the restaurant event, but..." He trailed off when he saw her raise her hand, halting him mid-sentence.


    The twins sat quietly on a bench, watching the two adults with curiosity sparkling in their eyes.


    "It doesn¡¯t matter, Ewan. I¡¯d prefer you to stay away from the children and me if you care about our safety," She said coolly.


    Ewan furrowed his brows, confusion settling in as he tried to grasp her words. "What are you talking about?" he asked, but she remained silent, resuming her writing.


    "Athena!" he pressed, unable to contain himself. The tension in the air thickened like a storm cloud. "What do you mean by that statement?"


    He began to pace, frustration fueling his every step. "I can¡¯t think of anyone I know, who would want to harm you. So what are you talking about?"


    Athena raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Even if I exined it to you, Ewan, even if I told you who is behind this, you wouldn¡¯t believe me. So why are you disturbing me for the truth when you seem set on believing I¡¯m the viin in your story?"


    Before Ewan could respond, the door to the privateboratory swung open, crashing against the wall as a nurse entered, followed closely by Fiona.


    "I tried to stop her, but she was insistent on seeing her fianc¨¦," The nurse eximed, her voice rising in pitch at the sight of the tension in the room, noting the scowl on Athena¡¯s face.


    "It¡¯s okay..." Athena spoke in a calm voice. "You can go."


    The nurse hesitated, ncing between Athena and the couple. But after a prompt from Athena, she nodded and left the room, albeit reluctantly.


    Fiona clucked her tongue noisily, breaking the brief silence that fell after the nurse¡¯s exit. "What are you doing here, Ewan? What are you doing with Athena? Your butler told me you went to work. Imagine my surprise when I dropped by your office with food and learned you were at the hospital for a check-up."


    She paused, locking eyes with Athena, a malicious glint sparkling therein. "So, if you¡¯re here for a check-up, what are you doing with Athena? Is she your doctor now?"


    "Yes, she is. Take your leave, Fiona," Ewan shot back, his tone sharper than he intended.


    Fiona¡¯s mouth fell slightly open in shock. "Since when?!" She yelled, ring at Athena defiantly. "Since when is she your doctor? Why didn¡¯t you tell me?"


    Ewan offered no answer; instead, he pointed toward the door with a calm yet deathly demeanor. "Get out."


    But Fiona was too consumed by her fury toply.


    This must be the reason Ewan had started spying on her¡ªhis newfound alliance with Athena! She thought, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks. She was certain Athena was poisoning Ewan¡¯s mind against her.


    Clenching her fists, she spat through gritted teeth, "You bitch!"


    "Call my mother a bitch one more time, and I¡¯ll ensure your tongue sees no further use," came the eerily calm response from Nathaniel, followed by an unsettling tsk from Kathleen. "What an uncultured pig..."

 Chapter 114: Red Haze

    <h4>Chapter 114: Red Haze</h4>


    Fiona stumbled backward in shock, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the sight of the twins sitting on a nearby bench, their legs crossed and faces a mirror of disdainful boredom.


    They regarded her with an unmistakable air of superiority, but what truly sent her heart racing was the resemnce they bore to Ewan.


    These were the children Morgan believed belonged to another man? Was he blind or just in stupid?


    So much anger bubbled within her, leading to the clenching of her fists tightly at her sides. How could Morgan be so oblivious?!


    The twins, particrly the boy, were carbon copies of Ewan in his youth. The revtion made Fiona¡¯s blood boil¡ªas if she was seeing a vision of the future she had fought so hard to control. The very fact that Morgan had them at his disposal and had merely yed a prank was beyond belief. He should have done away with them!


    Suddenly, her hands itched with anxiety, and she scratched them nervously while continuing to watch the twins.


    "Is she suffering from some disease, Mommy?" Kate asked, her innocent query cutting through the tension like a knife.


    The distraction snapped Fiona out of her red<i>(angry) </i>haze, and she dropped her hands to her sides, casting onest nce at the twins before shifting her gaze to Ewan and then to Athena.


    Were the twins Athena¡¯s tools to reim Ewan¡¯s affections? The thought ignited fresh angry tears in her eyes as dread settled over her.


    What man could resist such a gift, especially a man like Ewan, who took duty and responsibility seriously? The realization hit her hard: she wasn¡¯t even married to him yet. She felt utterly powerless.


    "Probably, my dear." A pause. "Ewan, I¡¯m sure she is here for you. You two should leave." Athena said finally, her words fanning the mes of Fiona¡¯s fury.


    Fiona looked at Ewan, and seeing the knowing in his eyes about the twins, she wailed in her mind but maintained a cool exterior.


    "Is this why you came back?" She asked Athena, pointing at the children.


    Ewan, however, wasn¡¯t willing to entertain her drama. "Get out, Fiona!" he snapped.


    "I won¡¯t!" Fiona shouted back defiantly, surprising both Ewan and Athena.


    Had he lost his authority? Ewan wondered, looking at Fiona with new eyes.


    Athena, clearly exasperated with the unfolding theatrics, decided to put an end to it once and for all.


    "Ewan, take your fianc¨¦e out of here. Or else, I¡¯ll call the guards on you both since you¡¯re bent on being a nuisance to the hospitalmunity," She warned.


    Ewan scowled beneath the weight of that double dose of insult. Him? A nuisance?


    He inhaled sharply and stormed out of theboratory without another word and without even bothering to collect the prescription Athena had left for him.


    Fiona followed closely behind, shooting onest poisonous re at Athena. "I will make sure you regret returning. The ball is already rolling."


    Outside, she chose not to follow Ewan, sensing his simmering rage. Instead, she made her way to her father¡¯s ward, after seeking directions from one of the nurses along the way.


    "Dad, did you know that Athena¡¯s children bear a striking resemnce to Ewan?" She asked immediately she stepped into the ward, her voice dripping with urgency.


    Alfonso ignored his daughter¡¯s selfishness.


    She hadn¡¯t even asked him how he was doing!


    "Yes, I noticed today," He replied, his expression also reflecting surprise. "I was around when Ewan came around, I was around when she arrived too. I was shocked to say the least. When Zack told me about the twins, I thought they were from a husband or from one of her backers. Not Ewan. Did you know she was pregnant all those years ago?"


    Fiona furrowed her brow, recalling the moment when Athena had burst into Ewan¡¯s sitting room after her mother¡¯s burial, demanding a divorce. She had suspected the existence of the pregnancy then, but she had dismissed the notion when nothing was mentioned on the court day.


    Which woman wouldn¡¯t use that as leverage?


    But now, seeing the twins¡¯ knowing looks directed at Ewan, Fiona realized how foolish that assumption had been. Athena was unpredictable, and she had clearly yed her cards close to her chest.


    "No, I didn¡¯t," Fiona answered, sitting on the edge of her father¡¯s bed, still grappling with the reality.


    From her observations, the twins recognized her, and they also knew Ewan, judging by the way they looked at him.


    They hated him, and it should have been rxing for her, but this was real life¡ªanything could happen, and she couldn¡¯t afford to take chances where Ewan was concerned. She wanted them gone.


    "So, you¡¯ll tell your friend to do away with them then?" Alfonso asked casually, checking out his drip.


    Fiona nodded, a cold smile gracing her lips. "Of course."


    "When will I meet your friend?" Alfonso continued. "You¡¯ve never made an introduction."


    Fiona shrugged, her heart racing. "I don¡¯t know. Very soon." She couldn¡¯t let her father find out she was sleeping with Morgan.


    Even with his support in her life, there were boundaries he wouldn¡¯t cross¡ªlike fidelity. If he discovered her secret, she knew there would be trouble, and that was why she wouldn¡¯t allow him to meet Morgan.


    The mere thought of introducing a wild card like Morgan to her father made her shudder. She would only arrange a meeting when she was firmly Ewan¡¯s wife and had dealt with Morgan once and for all.


    "Dad, I¡¯ll be going home now," She said suddenly, standing from the bed.


    But instead of heading home like she told her father, Fiona slipped into a nearby shop, purchased cyanide, and returned to the hospital, her heart pounding in anticipation of what was toe.


    Feigning innocence, she hovered around, waiting for the perfect opportunity to execute her wicked n yet to form.


    Just then, she spotted a nurse carrying a trayden with juice cans and snacks, likely destined for Athena¡¯s office and the waiting twins¡ªconsidering thetter¡¯s trajectory.


    An idea sparked in her mind, and she hurried to intercept the nurse.


    "Hey, can you get me a bandage? I¡¯ve been trying to find one but can¡¯t seem to locate it," She asked sweetly.


    The nurse paused, eyeing the tray in her hand.


    "Don¡¯t worry; I can keep watch over it for you," Fiona replied.


    The nurse dutifully handed the tray to Fiona, and hurried away to find the bandages.


    Fiona¡¯s heart raced as she scanned the hallway. The moment she confirmed she was alone, she swiftly removed the cyanide from its packaging.


    Without hesitation, she poured the deadly powder into the juice cans. In about thirty minutes, she thought, the children should be dead.


    A softugh escaped her lips as she closed the drink containers tightly before straightening up, eagerly awaiting the nurse¡¯s return.


    When the nurse finally arrived, Fiona put on her most innocent smile and thanked her as she took the bandages.


    "Thank you," She said sweetly, collecting the items and watching the nurse carry the tray into Athena¡¯s office.


    Should she stick around for the news? No, she decided¡ªit was best to leave before anything suspicious could arise.


    With a sense of victory, Fiona sauntered out of the hospital, a tune of malevolence ying in her mind, effectively discing the red haze that once ate her up.

 Chapter 115: A Troubling Report

    <h4>Chapter 115: A Troubling Report</h4>


    Ewan muttered to himself as he trudged furiously into his office, the door mming behind him with unexpected force.


    For the first time, hepletely ignored Sandro¡¯s cheery greeting, leaving his assistant and friend with a look of confusion.


    Sandro couldn¡¯t help but wonder what had crawled under his boss¡¯s skin today.


    For Ewan, he felt like the weight of the world was crushing his shoulders as he sank heavily into his chair, trying to understand how his life had spiraled so chaotically.


    When had it all gotten soplicated? Memories of Fiona¡¯s horrified expression upon seeing Athena¡¯s children flickered through his mind. He could understand her anger¡ªafter all, she was convinced her position was being usurped.


    But what position did she even have? They were not engaged, not even married! A tired sigh escaped him as he rubbed his forehead, trying to alleviate the stress building there.


    It perplexed him how he wasn¡¯t nearly as disturbed nine years ago when he and Athena had been contracted to get married.


    Was fate punishing him for their divorce? But he hadn¡¯t actually divorced her. The thought of those unsigned papers brought a bitter taste to his mouth. Would anyone believe him if he brought that up? Probably not¡ªhe would merely be the butt of their jokes.


    Feeling overwhelmed, he rested his head against the back of his chair, struggling to reconcile his turbulent thoughts.


    He needed to check in with Sandro. Surely, thetter would have news¡ªwasn¡¯t that the reason he was here? But before he could act on that impulse, a text beeped on his phone, jolting him back to reality.


    The hacker had reached out. He felt an unfamiliar surge of adrenaline and hope coursing through him as he opened the message and saw the research documents attached.


    Without wasting another moment, he sent the remaining payment to the unknown personality and eagerly began to study the material he had just acquired.


    The first part was about the notorious gang. Reading through the report sent icy shivers down his spine. The gang¡¯s operations were as nefarious as they were inhumane. He felt nausea swell as he encountered an image of a pregnant woman, her stomach grotesquely shed open. The coldness of the words describing her fate wed at his insides.


    Had they really sunk this low? He wondered, his eyes widening a fraction when he saw that they had actually began operation in this city. They even had connections to the elites in his society but remained hidden from the public eye.


    Why hadn¡¯t he known about them until now? Ewan wondered, his mind racing through the implications of what he was reading. The more he read, the more he saw how the gang operated, leaving their marks after vicious killings. The hacker had even left contact information for their services.


    Was this a joke? Why would he need their contact? Or was the hacker just doing his job?


    Ewan flipped to the section on Athena, apprehensive but hoping it might provide some rity.


    Unlike the detailed sections on the gang, Athena¡¯s dossier was less substantial but filled with unsettling surprises.


    He studied her achievements¡ªgraduating from military-linked martial arts schools and culinary institutes¡ªand his heart began to race. Pictures of her alongside powerful government figures surfaced, somebeled "close friends."


    Then, an intimate image of her with a man named Antonio caught his eye. Jealousy flickered within him before it was swiftly overtaken by renewed suspicion. Who was this man? How deeply had she kept him hidden? And why? Where was he now?


    Then Ewan stumbled upon a particrly rming rumor:<i> "It is rumored that Doctor Athena released the Grey disease for mary gain; this is perhaps why the government has enlisted the gang to eliminate her. Her connections run deep¡ªtoo deep for the police to pursue."</i>


    The phone slipped from his fingers, crashing audibly onto his desk. What had he just read? Athena was behind the very disease wreaking havoc on the country? She had created the antidote, undoubtedly to line her own pockets with wealth!


    The thought was surreal. Had his banishment driven her to this corruption? Had she, all this time, been anything but innocent?


    Fury bubbled within him as he picked the phone back up again, processing each revtion like a meticulously fitting piece in a puzzle of betrayal. The research was coveted by military factions for its potential to be weaponized. Each sentence strengthened his resolve, hardening his heart against her.


    How could she have the audacity to collect twenty percent of hispany shares while ying the victim? Ewan¡¯s mind stormed with the memories of Kathleen¡¯s voice posing as the hacker, spinning further connections as memories collided.


    "Was she the hacker?" He muttered to himself, a realization dawning. "Did Herbert know? Did Zane?"


    With a sense of urgency, he dialed Zane¡¯s number and didn¡¯t wait for formalities once his friend picked up.


    "Come to the office now!" He barked before hanging up, not caring that Zane was busy running his father¡¯spany.


    Frustration built as he shouted for Sandro, who finally appeared, after taking his time, which only added fuel to Ewan¡¯s fury.


    "Why did you take so much time?!" He thundered, recalling how Sandro had offered a staunch defense of Athena at every turn like a loyal knight protecting a queen.


    <i>Well, look what we have here! </i>He thought, mentally throwing his hands up in frustration as the list of fatalities associated with the Grey disease spiraled dangerously in the back of his mind, igniting his anger further.


    How could Athena do this? How could she be so evil? So, the gang was on the side of the public-health this time around?


    Perhaps he should consider working with the gang to extract that research from her!


    "I was working on the L¡¯corp deal. Is there a problem?" Sandro asked slowly, curiosity lining his voice. What could have triggered this irrationality from Ewan?


    "Everything is the problem!" Ewan retorted vehemently, shoving the phone in Sandro¡¯s direction. "Read about your almighty Athena!"

 Chapter 116: A Troubling Report II

    <h4>Chapter 116: A Troubling Report II</h4>


    After going through the reports, Sandro¡¯s heart raced as confusion and disbelief flooded his mind.


    A few momentster, he dropped Ewan¡¯s phone on the table, the thud echoing like the final hammer of a judge¡¯s gavel.


    It can¡¯t be! He thought desperately, trying to reconcile the Athena he knew with the Athena painted in the report¡ªone tangled in tyranny and horror. The two didn¡¯t mesh, and he shook his head in disbelief, unaware of how his action further aggravated Ewan¡¯s simmering rage.


    "So, even after seeing proof, you¡¯re still choosing to believe that Athena is innocent?" Ewan¡¯s voice was sharp, a knife cutting through the air between them.


    Sandro found himself speechless, helplessly pushing the phone back toward Ewan while meeting his friend¡¯s turmoilden gaze.


    "There¡¯s not a flicker of doubt in you concerning this report?" Sandro finally asked, folding his hands, still feeling the heat mark that the so-called evidence had burnt into his hands.


    Ewan ignored the tightening sensation in his chest, dismissing it as anger. "No flicker at all! Haven¡¯t I always told you she¡¯s evil, cunning, and scheming? Didn¡¯t I tell both you and Zane, but none of you believed me? Only Fiona sees the serpent that Athena truly is!"


    Sandro felt the weight of those words crash against his defenses. "Don¡¯tpare Fiona and Athena. Athena is way better than her."


    The moment he finished speaking, Ewan mmed his fist into the desk, startling Sandro as he struggled to understand the source of his friend¡¯s fury.


    "You shouldn¡¯t beparing them at all! At least Fiona isn¡¯t a murderer!" Ewan shot back, his voice reverberating off the walls.


    Sandro looked away, staring out the window. "I think this report is false."


    Ewan paused, allowing disbelief to seep into hisughter. "The proof is right in front of you, and you still im it¡¯s false?"


    "Anything can be doctored. The hacker could be some bitter soul with a vendetta against Athena." Sandro¡¯s voice held a touch of desperation, but Ewan scoffed derisively.


    "You¡¯re just ignorant. She¡¯s wrapped her tentacles around you, just like six years ago. God knows, she probably slept with Luca and destroyed all the evidence."


    Sandro¡¯s mouth dropped open in shock. Six years ago, Athena hadn¡¯t even possessed the skills to operate a CCTV camera, much less delete data. But his throat tightened, and he remained silent, unwilling to allow Ewan¡¯s toxic thoughts to infect him.


    Just then, Zane burst into the office, his eyes wide and frantic.


    "What¡¯s happening, Ewan? Did something happen to Athena and the kids again?" He asked, concern etched across his features. He had witnessed thest two calls dropped in the same manner, and each time had resulted in trouble for them.


    Ewan ignored Zanepletely, unwilling to offer any exnation about his darkening mood.


    However, Sandro extended a hand, seizing Ewan¡¯s phone and passing it to Zane.


    Zane raised an eyebrow, skeptical and cautious.


    "Read the report on Athena. It¡¯s from a dark web hacker and researcher. Ewan paid him for it," Sandro exined, heaviness in his voice.


    Zane scowled at Ewan, fury bubbling just under the surface. "And why would you do that? What¡¯s your problem?" He looked between his two friends, seeking rity in the chaos that had ensued.


    Ewan continued to ignore him.


    "Just read the report, Zane," Sandro urged, exhaling deeply.


    Zane hesitated, chewing over the tension that hung thick in the air. Finally, he began reading the document aloud.


    Laughter erupted momentster, causing Ewan¡¯s anger to re dangerously.


    "What about that document is funny, Zane?"


    "The lies," Zane replied dismissively. "Don¡¯t tell me you believe this nonsense¡ªthis gibberish. You paid someone to research Athena? What has she ever done to you?"


    Ewan waved the question away, adamant. "I believe it. It makes a lot of sense!"


    Zaneughed again, but this time his humor drained as he caught Ewan¡¯s fierce gaze. "You must be dumb then."


    Ewan exploded from his chair, charging toward Zane. Sandro quickly stepped between them, trying to buffer Ewan¡¯s rage. "Ewan, calm down! Zane is your good friend!"


    But Zane¡¯s shock morphed into frustration. "I can¡¯t believe this!" he muttered, slumping onto the sofa, his energypletely evaporated. "I can¡¯t believe you believe this nonsense! How can you think Athena would murder people in cold blood for money?"


    "Then how does she own the building she¡¯s living in?" Ewan shot back, delighted for a split second to see Sandro gasp in astonishment.


    "Oh, you didn¡¯t know?" He offered to a surprised Sandro.


    Zane shook his head in disbelief. "Athena is a rich doctor. She has investments, too."


    "Like sponsoring the Grey disease?" Ewan¡¯s brow furrowed as fatigue started to creep in around the edges of his anger. Looking directly at Sandro, he stated firmly, "Get the DNA results."


    Sandro pressed his lips together, knowing exactly where this was headed. "Ewan, calm down. This report might be fake."


    "It is fake!" Zane shouted, throwing his hands up in sheer frustration. "What¡¯s wrong with you, man?"


    Ignoring both of them entirely, Ewan reached toward Sandro, demanding, "Get the results!"


    With a resigned sigh, Sandro pulled out a brown envelope he had meant to show Ewan upon entering the office.


    Ewan snatched it, tearing it open with fervor. As he read the results, his heartbeat quickened, adrenaline coursing through his veins.


    "They are mine," He said simply, clutching the results as though they were an irond shield.


    "All this time she was keeping those children from me, turning them against me, using them to create havoc in the society. I¡¯m taking them back."


    Turning to Sandro, he said urgently, "Give me my phone. I need to call the elders¡¯ council. Settling this through the city¡¯s court will do more harm than good for mypany and Zane¡¯s hospital."


    "I won¡¯t do that if I were you," Zane said, crossing his arms defiantly. "You made a stupid mistake six years ago; don¡¯t make the same one now."


    Ewan halted, an icy re trapped between Zane and anger. "You knew, didn¡¯t you? You knew they were mine."


    Zane¡¯s silence felt like an admission of guilt.


    Ewan seized this chance, stepping forward and throwing a punch that connected with Zane¡¯s jaw, shocking both men.


    Sandro cursed and lunged between them¡ªas Zane shot up from his seat¡ªshouting, "Stop it! I¡¯ll call the council if that¡¯s what you want, Ewan!"

 Chapter 117: Red Envelope

    <h4>Chapter 117: Red Envelope</h4>


    As the day melted into twilight, warm golden rays from the setting sun streamed through Athena¡¯s expansive office window, sprinkling a soft glow around the room. It was as if the sun itself was sending a gentle reminder that the workday wasing to a close.


    Athena, seated at her desk, felt the caress of those sunlit moments touch her skin, and for a brief instant, she lost herself in the serene orange hues that filled the horizon.


    A wave of relief washed over her, mingling with exhaustion as she assessed the clutter before her¡ªa mere five patient files awaited her attention.


    Just five! She thought with a sense of optimism, believing she could take them home andplete the work there.


    Gathering the files with their test results, she slid them into herrge tote bag, stood, and stretched, the cracking of her joints echoing in the stillness.


    "Time to register at a gym," She mused to herself. These sounds were telltale signs her body was sending, urging her to take better care of herself. Perhaps she could ask Zane for workout suggestions.


    Not wanting to forget, she quickly texted him before hefting the bag onto her shoulder, preparing to head home for a well-deserved meal and a restful night. For fortune had smiled upon her ¡ªGianna had sent her a text minutes ago with an image of prepared food. Suprisingly, her friend had finished from work earlier today.


    However, fate had its own ns.


    Before Athena could take another step toward freedom, her phone chimed, announcing an iing call. Anticipating it to be Zane, likely teasing her about herck of gym attendance, she silenced the call and pushed through the door.


    Outside her office, the twins were busy helping Ciara sort through some files¡ªher assistant was also preparing to leave for the day.


    "Thank God, Doctor Athena... I was debating on whether to knock on your door or not, considering you¡¯ve been locked in for the past four hours," Ciara said, halting her task and ncing up.


    As if on cue, the twins dashed over, wrapping their little arms around Athena. Before she could respond, her phone rang once more. Athena hurriedly silenced the call. <i>Zane, quit it!</i>


    It was Nathaniel who, exuding his usual sober spirit, muttered, "Mom, Uncle Aiden is calling you!"


    Athena cussed at her unnecessary assumption and answered the call, cing the phone on her ear.


    "Athena, why am I seeing darkness?" Aiden¡¯s voice was teasing, and Athena chuckled softly as she realized Aiden was attempting a video call. Her mind was really scattered!


    Waving at Ciara to leave if she wanted, she stepped back into her office, the twins following closely.


    "Hello, Aiden," She greeted, adjusting the phone¡¯s angle to get a better view of him; the twins perched beside her like bright-eyed spectators.


    "Hello Uncle Aiden! Merry Christmas!" Kate piped up energetically.


    Aidenughed, the sound wrapping around Athena, easing the little tension she hadn¡¯t realized she was carrying. "Merry Christmas, Lovely Kate and brave Nate!" he responded, his face lighting up with warmth.


    "Merry Christmas, Uncle," Nathaniel echoed, his voice a tad gruff, which only amused Aiden further.


    "How have you been, Aiden? How¡¯s your daughter and everything over there?" Athena inquired, her tone shifting to one of concern.


    "All good. Everyone is better than I imagined. I¡¯m okay too," Aiden replied with a smile.


    "Yeah, I can see that," Athena remarked, her eyes taking in the handsome features of her older friend. Aiden had aged like fine wine, but she couldn¡¯t quite understand why his wife had chosen to leave him. "It was like working for me was sapping your goodness..."


    "Don¡¯t say that, Athena. It¡¯s my fault for not taking care of myself," he replied, his light-heartedughter ringing in the air until an uncertain silence fell between them.


    Curiosity creased her brow. "Is this a formal or informal call?" She asked, noting the seriousness creeping into Aiden¡¯s demeanor as he cast a pointed look at the children.


    Understanding the unspoken request, Athena turned to her twins. "Wait for me at Ciara¡¯s office. Mommy has something to discuss with Uncle Aiden privately."


    Though Kate pouted in disappointment, both children obediently shuffled out.


    Once the door closed behind them, Athena braced herself. "They¡¯re gone, Aiden. What¡¯s going on?"


    "It¡¯s about the gang," he said simply, the word sending a chill down her spine. She hated even hearing it spoken aloud, detesting the memories it evoked for her and her family.


    "What about them? Why are you even working on this? I told you to focus on bonding with your daughter!" She urged, a note of concern weaving through her words.


    "I am, Athena. I really am. It¡¯s been wonderful," Aiden admitted, warm thoughts evident in his expression. "But it doesn¡¯t mean I will neglect my duties."


    Sighing in resignation, Athena replied, "What do you have for me then?"


    "We found their hideout. And we were right. The leader, Morgan, is in cahoots with Fiona. We¡¯ve managed to capture some incriminating pictures. Do you want them?"


    Athena nodded quickly, her heart racing. "Where¡¯s the hideout?"


    "It¡¯s a few miles away from the hospital. Hidden in in sight. What do we do?" he inquired.


    Athena paused, her mind racing. "Can I get back to you with an answer? I need to think."


    Aiden nodded understandingly. "Take your time. I¡¯ll be waiting for your response." A contemtive silence fell between them, then he asked softly, "Have you been in contact with Ewan?"


    "He called during the kidnapping incident... but not really. Only when he came for treatment. And I¡¯d prefer to keep it that way," She replied, her eyes falling on the jpeg files being received by her phone.


    "Good," Aiden affirmed.


    The more pictures Athena examined¡ªas she stood with the her children outside the hospital, waiting for Jake to drive the car out¡ªthe more she felt pity for Ewan. He was surrounded by security and yet blissfully unaware of the treachery lurking around him.


    Just then, a sleek ck BMW pulled up in front of her, drawing her attention. A frown appeared on her face when she noted that the car wasn¡¯t her vehicle.


    As she watched with her curious children, a man in a tailored ck suit exited the car, his polished appearanceced with an unsettling familiarity.


    Her heart sank as she recognized him¡ªthe messenger of the elder council. A wave of dread washed over her as he approached.


    "Good afternoon, Doctor Athena. It¡¯s been a while," He greeted, his tone courteous yet devoid of warmth.


    Athena nodded stiffly, her mood darkening. The man, sensing her unease, handed her a red envelope.


    "What¡¯s this for?" Athena demanded, irritation bubbling just below the surface. Red envelopes meant court battles, just like the one from six years ago. Who would sue her to court?


    "It¡¯s from the elder council. The case was submitted by Ewan; he ims you are keeping his children away from him. Inside, you¡¯ll find the dates and details."


    Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked away, leaving Athena in a state of smoldering rage.


    So he had found out, then. She thought, looking at the envelope with distaste. So, he had found out, and his first move was to involve the council?


    Her thoughts churned as she struggled to contain her indignation. Why was she even surprised?


    In a twisted manner, it was funny that this was happening again during the Christmas season.


    However, she promised herself things would be different this time.


    "So much different," She muttered, a snide chuckle escaping her lips as she fondly tapped the lower section of her bag.

 Chapter 118: Uneasy

    <h4>Chapter 118: Uneasy</h4>


    Fiona was waiting for the news. She had been waiting for the past three days for the update on the death of Athena¡¯s children, but to no avail.


    Did something go amiss? Were the snacks not meant for the kids? She wondered for the umpteenth time, biting her nails as she strolled from one corner of her room to the other, unable to shake the evil foreboding overshadowing her.


    She couldn¡¯t send her maid to confirm with the hospital or from anywhere at all, because that would be admitting that she wanted them dead¡ªpeople were wise these days.


    She couldn¡¯t tell Morgan either, because when she had called him that day and told him about the identity of the kids, he had been nonchnt about it and had admonished her not to tamper with the kids, because he had better ns for them.


    Yet those ns of his didn¡¯t sit well with her.


    With every ticking moment, there were boundless situations that could ur that could push her away from Ewan¡¯s life forever.


    Ewan.


    She couldn¡¯t ask him either, because since that fateful night where he had waited for her return in her room, he had been cold¡ªcolder since her outburst in the hospital.


    If she asked about the twins and their possible death, he might forget her supposed help to him and skin her alive.


    What should she do?


    Her phone beeped then, alerting her to an iing call. She hurried and picked up the device, hissing when she saw it was Morgan.


    Was he dumb? She thought, checking the messages he had been sending since two days ago demanding that they meet up.


    She had texted him about the unsettling news she had received this morning, and yet he was asking for a meeting? <i>Fool!</i>


    This morning, Ewan had spoken his first words to her after her insubordination, telling her about the case that would be holding in two weeks time at the elder council.


    He wanted the children back, and he told her to prepare her mind for the future.


    To be the children¡¯s mother? Fiona wasn¡¯t sure. But she didn¡¯t like it. She wouldn¡¯t take it either. She would rather they died.


    The call came again.


    Fiona snorted. Since Morgan wouldn¡¯t ept the sudden death of the kids, what was the essence of meeting? To give Athena¡¯s spies something to gossip about?


    She shook her head and dropped the phone on the table. No, she couldn¡¯t let that happen. She didn¡¯t need a seer to tell her that the woman was working overtime to overturn Ewan¡¯s n of collecting the kids.


    Fiona would have supported Athena in this case, as she didn¡¯t want the children anywhere near her home, but losing the case wouldn¡¯t bode well for her either.


    This is because Ewan would start visiting Athena¡¯s home frequently. So, the best way was to get rid of the twins. That way both of them would be too bitter to even rte to each other.


    She smiled widely as an idea urred to her.


    "Magdalene!" She called out to her personal maid.


    Immediately, the maid hurried into the room.


    "Bring out casual clothing from the wardrobe, and check if my father is still at the hospital."


    The maid furrowed her eyebrows. "Ma¡¯am, do I go to the hospital..."


    Fiona hissed. "I don¡¯t care. Just do what I ask you to." She headed to the bathroom and stopped, shaking her head in disgust. "You uneducated fool. Check on the hospital website and get their contact!"


    The maid remained unmoving.


    "What are you still doing there?"


    "I don¡¯t think that would work, Ma. I¡¯m not a rtive of Mr. Alfonso. I don¡¯t think they would give out such information to me."


    Fiona palmed her forehead in frustration and walked into the bathroom.


    When she stepped out refreshed, the maid was no longer in the room, but her clothes had beenid neatly on the bed.


    She mused at the perfect fitting the colorbo gave¡ªit was one of the reasons she had kept the maid around, her knack for fashion which could rival that of a clothing assistant.


    Why bother paying a wardrobe assistant when she had one at her beck and call for free, one who relied on her for the barest minimum? Sheughed as she wore her clothes.


    Twenty-five minutester, she was standing at the doors of the hospital hallways, after breezing through the receptionist desk.


    Here we go, she thought, strolling leisurely while her ears were keenly searching for information on the twins.


    She strolled past Athena¡¯s office twice; she would have ced her ear on the door, but for the presence of the assistant whose office she would see before reaching Athena¡¯s. cing her ear would yield no fruit.


    Fifteen minutester, she was tired.


    She left the office and headed to the canteen, recalling that she hadn¡¯t eaten anything since morning¡ªbecause she had been too fraught with worry and thoughts about the future.


    After paying for arge meal, she took the food and sat at the far side of the table, hoping not to be disturbed by anyone, including the patients.


    She was halfway into eating when she heard a girlish voice that reminded her of Athena¡¯s daughter, who had called her an uncultured pig days ago. Her hand holding the fork clenched in anger at the thought.


    "Nate, what will you be picking?" She heard the girl say, and she swallowed painfully. Surely, it was the little girl.


    She lifted her face, inhaling sharply when she saw the twins walking toward the food matron, with Athena¡¯s assistant following them.


    How? She gritted her teeth. How had the twins not died?


    Even though her instincts had assured her of this, she still couldn¡¯t help but be curious.


    She was suddenly petrified when the male¡¯s eyes connected with hers and held. Nate, right?


    Immediately, the girl looked at her too, her lips turning up in disgust.


    But it wasn¡¯t what stopped Fiona short; it was the look of knowing in their eyes.


    Somehow, they knew she had tried to poison them. Yet how was that possible?

 Chapter 119: A Shocking Twist

    <h4>Chapter 119: A Shocking Twist</h4>


    Fiona couldn¡¯t eat her meal any longer, not with the twins¡¯ hot gazes bearing down on her¡ªgazes that mirrored Ewan¡¯s when he was consumed by rage.


    She cursed at her shaking hands as her fork fell to the floor with a painful tter, drawing the attention of nearly everyone in the canteen. "Why are you idiots shaking? They are just mere children! Not more than six years of age!"


    Yet even as she spat these words, her heart felt like it was caught in a vice. Ignoring the spoon thaty abandoned on the floor, she clumsily rose from her seat and hurried out of the canteen, dismissing the whispers that trailed behind her like unwanted shadows.


    Most of the onlookers judged her to be uncultured for leaving the fork on the floor, which only reminded her of the little girl¡¯s scornfulbel¡ªuncultured pig.


    Fiona clenched her fists, straining to regain control as she stormed into her father¡¯s ward.


    Confusion washed over her when she found the room empty; her fists uncoiled and rested cidly at her sides. Where had the old man gone?


    A nurse was walking by, and Fiona seized the opportunity. "Excuse me..." She stopped the nurse. "Do you know where Mr. Alfonso is? He was the patient upying this room."


    The nurse nodded, a hint of recognition shing in her eyes. "I think he¡¯s with his wife. He¡¯s been spending a lot of time there."


    Fiona offered a strained smile, the kind that barely masked her simmering anger, and began her way toward her mother¡¯s ward.


    As she walked, unease coiled within her, fearing that her father might be blinded by her mother¡¯s recovery. She couldn¡¯t afford to lose her fellow conspirator this early in the game.


    Theirughter reached her before she approached the ward, sweet yet sharp like a knife. She nearly forgot how it felt to witness them together, sharing those intimate moments.


    They had a love story that sparkled, something she had always envied and wished for herself with Ewan, but Athena was always the looming shadow that thwarted her aspirations.


    <i>That bitch! </i>She screamed mentally, balling her right fist. That feeling of helpless rage softened when her mind echoed Nate¡¯sst words:<i> "Call my mother a bitch once more, and I¡¯ll make sure you have no use for your tongue anymore."</i>


    Fiona shuddered involuntarily, then cursed herself under her breath. How can I be afraid of the words of a six-year-old?


    She shook her head to dispel the unsettling feeling and sauntered into the ward.


    "Dad, Mom, good morning. How are you doing?" She greeted, stopping by the bedside, momentarily blindsided by her mother¡¯s miraculous transformation. The woman who had once seemed nothing but bones and eyes was now fleshy and vibrant, as if she hasn¡¯t been in the clutches of death at one time.


    Fiona couldn¡¯t help but acknowledge the Whitman hospital¡¯s exceptional care this one time. They were the best in the town for nothing.


    Meanwhile, Alfonso and his wife, Margaret, smiled widely at one another, their love glowing like a beacon.


    "We are good," They replied in unison, the harmony of their voices grating on Fiona¡¯s nerves.


    Fighting against the urge to roll her eyes, she perched herself on the edge of the bed and studied her parents. Alfonso was affectionately hugging his wife to his side, carefully removing invisible flecks from her clothes, and the amusement in Margaret¡¯s eyes was a painful reminder of what shecked.


    "Father, I¡¯m here to speak with you," She finally said, her patience wearing thin.


    Alfonso furrowed his eyebrows, halting his gentle ministrations to his wife. "What¡¯s the problem, Pearl?"


    Fiona bit her lip, the familiarity of her father¡¯s endearing nickname washing over her, causing her tension to lessen, if only for a moment. Thest time he had called her that was before her mother¡¯s illness, back when everything still felt right.


    Maybe her mother¡¯s recovery could be the turning tide. Hadn¡¯t they concocted splendid ns together six to ten years ago?


    "It¡¯s about the recent case at the elder council," She replied, crossing her arms, her heartbeat quickening as sheid out the stakes.


    Margaret and Alfonso exchanged rmed nces.


    "What case is that?" Alfonso asked, drawing Margaret closer as if to shield himself from the details that followed.


    "Ewan submitted a case against Athena. He has finally discovered that the twins are his, and he wants them back. The case is in two weeks."


    An intense and weighted silence fell over the room, thick enough to suffocate.


    Margaret was the first to find her voice. "I think he should discuss this with her first, though. Perhaps they can reach an agreement. Didn¡¯t he banish her six years ago? How would she have informed him about the twins?"


    Her words hung like heavy smoke, overshadowing the room as shockced through the others¡¯ expressions.


    Alfonso seemed bewildered, caught off guard by his wife¡¯s unexpected stance. While Fiona wrestled against the wave of anger rising within her, acutely aware that any outburst would drive her father to silence her.


    "Mom, what are you even talking about?" She snarled, struggling to conceal her teeth. "You believe they should meet to discuss, and then what? Kiss and make up? Have you forgotten that I want Ewan? Have you forgotten that Ewan belongs to me? Did the sickness scramble your thoughts?"


    "Fiona Adams!!" Alfonso roared, his voice echoing in the confines of the ward.


    Yet, Fiona stood firm, not flinching in the slightest.


    "Let me go, Father, since you wouldn¡¯t speak for fear of hurting her. I will speak for you." Her fierce gaze fixed on her mother, a burning intensity zing in her eyes. "Six years ago, we nned together to oust Athena..."


    She halted, checking the locked door behind her, reassuring herself that they were enveloped in soundproof istion. Their words were safe.


    Turning back to her mother, she pressed forward. "We wanted Athena gone. You made her life miserable; you made her hate her life. And now you want her to discuss with Ewan?! You know what will happen, Mom! What man could withstand the temptation of returning to his wife who has twins for him? It¡¯s a blessing he even reported the case to the court, because it gives us a golden opportunity to rid ourselves of those children once and for all!"


    Fiona inhaled sharply, the struggle to contain her anger palpable, as she fought against the calm, pitying look on her mother¡¯s face. It infuriated her, igniting a desire to scratch that tranquility away.


    However, Margaret¡¯s calm demeanor remained intact, nearly unsettling and resolute, as though she had donned a mask of superiority. After Fiona¡¯s tirade, she turned to her husband.


    "Are you in support of her words? To kill the twins so that Ewan will remain hers?"


    Alfonso paused, resting his head against the headboard as if weighing the gravity of the moment. "Yes. I think Fiona deserves Ewan most. She has been by his side the longest."


    "But is that true?" Margaret interjected, her voice a mix of disbelief and concern. "We both know our daughter isn¡¯t the one who has stayed with Ewan the longest. We both know she¡¯s upying someone else¡¯s space."


    ___________________


    To my lovely readers, this author is grateful.


    I just checked out my inbox, and discovered there had been an author ranking event going on since Dec 1st. Better, I found out that I¡¯m ranking 36th at the moment. That¡¯s a huge win, and it wouldn¡¯t have been possible without you guys.


    Thanks a whole lot; for the votes, for the gifts, for thements and reviews, and for the golden tickets. Please keep iting!


    To Ctie229, Tani_Nick, hopze21, and Ttt_Never_0488, thanks for the recent golden tickets!

 Chapter 120: A Shocking Twist II

    <h4>Chapter 120: A Shocking Twist II</h4>


    Fiona scratched her inner palm in a desperate bid for control as she listened to her mother speak.


    Had Athena turned her mother against her too?


    A darker seed of doubt sprouted within her, and she cast furtive nces at her father, whose only visible sign of anger was the tightening of his right fist, balled tightly at his side, hidden from her mother¡¯s gaze.


    "Fiona, my daughter, I think we¡¯vebored enough on this matter. It¡¯s been more than ten years; I believe we can conclude that Ewan is not for you."


    The statement felt like a hammer driving into Fiona¡¯s chest, betraying her more deeply than she could have imagined. Her mother had turned her back on her.


    "I think you should give up. Give up, and fall in love with someone else. If Ewan had any affection for you, we would have known. I would have known."


    "And how do you know he doesn¡¯t like me?" Fiona muttered, striving to maintain theposure of a cool cucumber, just as her mother appeared to be.


    "Because you are too unsettled, sweetheart. You are restless. If he truly loved you, you would have reveled in that love. Ites with an assurance that he would never leave you, no matter the circumstances." Margaret paused, her gaze steady and prating. "If there¡¯s anyone Ewan has ever truly loved, it¡¯s Athena. So let her have him. Let that poor boy have some peace and love in this life."


    Alfonso turned his head to gaze out the window, and Fiona inhaled, trying to steady the tempest brewing inside her. "Mother, what about me? What about my faithfulness?"


    Margaret, now the true maternal figure, reached forward to rest her palm on Fiona¡¯s. "Let him go."


    Fiona shook her head, angry tears building behind her eyes. "I can¡¯t. I¡¯vee too far to let go."


    "I apologize for that¡ªperhaps I am to me. If I hadn¡¯t supported you all those years ago, maybe things would have turned out differently. Fiona, I want you to have what I have with your father."


    "I want that too. With Ewan."


    Margaret withdrew her hand and sighed, a depth of weariness in her voice. "Has Ewan slept with you before?"


    Alfonso shot a nce at his daughter, shock painting his features as the silence that followed hung heavy in the air.


    "I thought as much." Margaret muttered tiredly. "Fiona, he doesn¡¯t like you."


    "That¡¯s because I¡¯m a virgin! I told him to wait." Fiona dered, her defenses springing up like a shield.


    Margaret raised an eyebrow, amusement glimmering in her eyes before she chuckled softly. "Fiona, you want me to believe you¡¯re a virgin?"


    Fiona stole a nce at her mother¡¯s knowing gaze and found herself nodding despite the creeping shame.


    But her mother had taught her these games, and thetter couldn¡¯t be deceived so easily.


    "What about your college boyfriend? The one you kept hidden from everyone... What was his name again? Morgan?"


    Fiona¡¯s jaw dropped in shock, her resolve evaporating. She didn¡¯t even bother looking at her father, fully aware of the shock on his face. "How did you know?"


    Margaret shrugged, a sly smile on her lips. "What kind of mother would I be if I didn¡¯t keep tabs on my only child?"


    Fiona swallowed, wishing to vanish right then, regretting ever seeking out her father.


    "Are you still with him? Last I checked, he had a gang."


    Alfonso¡¯s mouth hung open in disbelief. "Did you say gang?" He fixed Fiona with a fierce re. "Is he the one heading the most dangerous gang in the city?"


    But Fiona mmed up, knowing the cat was already out of the bag.


    Margaret shook her head, concern etched on her face. "Please don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re still sleeping with him."


    "I¡¯m not, Mother. Why would you even think that? It was just a college fling." Fiona held her head high, determined not to appear weak before her parents. So what if she had slept with others? She was an adult, after all.


    Alfonso sighed in relief. "Thank God..." He muttered. "I would have skinned you alive. But he¡¯s the one, isn¡¯t he? The one you¡¯re in cahoots with..."


    Fiona nodded, a mix of defiance and resignation swirling within her. "He is serving his purposes. After all, it¡¯s not for free. He¡¯s charging a lot!"


    Alfonso nodded, appeased.


    "That¡¯s nice then. Call him off." Margaret spoke up, unsettling Fiona again.


    "Why, Mom? Why are you dancing to a different tune now?" Fiona screamed, frustration bubbling over at her mother¡¯s unexpected change.


    Margaret sighed heavily. "Death, my dear. Death."


    Fiona and Alfonso exchanged puzzled nces, confusion tightening their expressions.


    "Standing at the gates of death, I had a serious rethink about my life¡¯s choices. It worsened when Athena saved me, despite theplicated past we shared. Her goodness rubbed off on me. Look, she¡¯s treating your father now. I wouldn¡¯t have done that if I were in her shoes. None of us would. Her decision that day, while she stared down at me, changed my life and altered my choices. I¡¯m sorry, Fiona, but I can no longer support your schemes against my doctor."


    Fiona¡¯s gaze hardened in defiance, a fierce hatred welling up within her.


    "Let Ewan have peace." Margaret continued. "If you love him, as you im you do, let him enjoy that peace. Lord knows the poor boy needs it."


    Fiona opened her mouth to argue once more, but her father raised his hand, silencing her with a simple gesture. "Your mother is right."


    Shock crashed over Fiona in waves as she stumbled away from the bed.


    "Let Athena go."


    "Father, what..." Fiona shook her head, her heart racing. It was pointless to argue further; she would handle this herself.


    Without another word, she stumbled out of the ward, her feet moving of their own ord.


    Margaret sighed deeply, resting her head against Alfonso¡¯s shoulder. "Do you think she will listen to us?"


    "I don¡¯t know, my love." Alfonso paused, eyes thoughtful. "Wait here; let me speak with her."


    Margaret lifted her head and nodded. "Convince her, please. These evil ns aren¡¯t worth it in the end."


    Alfonso kissed her forehead and walked out of the room. He found Fiona sitting on the cold floor just outside the ward, her shoulders hunched in defeat.


    "Fiona, get up!" He said, concerncing his voice.


    Fiona pretended not to hear, keeping her head bowed, cradling her swirling emotions.


    Alfonso hurried forward and gently pulled her up. "My pearl..." He murmured, drawing her close to his chest. "Did you think I would let you lose to Athena?"


    Fiona¡¯s tears flowed freely then, unbridled and raw as she flung her hands around her father¡¯s waist. "I thought..."


    "Sweetheart, your mother was speaking sentimentally; she just recovered from a life-threatening illness. You must understand her perspective. About the twins¡ªdon¡¯t worry. I have a n."

 Chapter 121: Christmas Morning

    <h4>Chapter 121: Christmas Morning</h4>


    Athena was so ensnared by theforting embrace of sleep that the initial tugging at her ears barely registered.


    But as the intermittent tugs grew more insistent¡ªsharp taps on various parts of her body that blurred in the haze of slumber¡ªshe found herself reluctantly untangling from the hypnotic pull of sleep.


    "Who¡¯s there?" She murmured groggily, her right hand groping around the space as her eyes remained sped shut.


    A familiar sound broke through the fog, a whisper that sent a spark of recognition to her mind.


    "Mom!"


    That must surely be Kate, she thought, furrowing her brow in confusion. It couldn¡¯t be five p.m yet, the time for the Christmas y. So what¡¯s going on?


    Suddenly alert, her eyes flew open at the thought, only to narrow in disbelief when she spotted her children, along with Gianna, sporting gleeful, sheepish grins.


    "What the hell is goi¡ª"


    "Merry Christmas, Mom!"


    "Merry Christmas, Athena!"


    The twins and Gianna chimed in unison, bouncing on their heels like colorful rubber balls. The jubnce in their voices was so exuberant that it almost made her wince and cover her ears.


    Athena opened her mouth to scold them for waking her up, but the sheer joy radiating from her children rendered her voice still. Instead, she grimaced and sat up, confusion swirling within her.


    Was this really what had driven them to wake her? She med their current prestigious school for this newfound enthusiasm.


    However, the happiness in their eyes stopped her from demanding answers; she couldn¡¯t even help but feel warm at the sight. Those glimmering expressions were a refreshing contrast to the often-sombre Christmases of previous years.


    "Mom, you¡¯re supposed to say something back..." Kate insisted, impatience creeping into her tone.


    Didn¡¯t she know? Athena thought, huffing to the amusement of her friend and kids. "Merry Christmas to you too..." She managed, barely finishing her greetings before Gianna nudged her, pulling her bodily from the bed.


    "Let¡¯s go! We have so much to show you!"


    Curiosity ignited within her as she caught sight of a Christmas wreath hanging from their doorpost¡ªan unmistakable sign of holiday cheer that hadn¡¯t been there barely two hours ago.


    She looked at her kids, their excitement bubbling over, her eyes silently asking: how? How were they awake?


    While she could fathom Gianna being up and about, the twins were a different case.


    Together, they had spent the entire night mulling over the collection of evidence for the impending court case¡ªshe had no choice but to involve them when certain matters weren¡¯t adding up, when the people under her, having down their best, still didn¡¯t have a connecting rope to the various dots scattered everywhere.


    She herself had tried, and when she seemed to be getting nowhere either, she had involved them, knowing it was what they would have wanted. Probably why she had let out augh when they had arrived with their own piece of evidence to her work room.


    So far, it had been worth it. She has never being so prouder. So, how were they awake?


    The twins exchanged knowing winks before skipping after Gianna, leading the way.


    As Athena ventured down the hall, the lights were dimmed, allowing the numerous Christmas decorations to shimmer and glow like so many stars. Colors danced across the walls, reds and greens swirling together in a festive kaleidoscope.


    Tentatively, she moved forward, her gaze darting from the ornaments strapped to the banister to the twinkling lights strung about. When she finally stepped into the living room, her breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding against her chest in disbelief.


    The living room had transformed into a winter wondend!


    A magnificent Christmas tree dominated the corner, its branches sagging gently under the weight of glistening ornaments and gands that seemed to sing of joy. Sparkling twinkling lights snaked lovingly around it, casting a rainbow of hues across the room, while the golden star perched on top shone like a bright beacon of hope.


    Beneath the treey a sprawling sea of gifts¡ªcolorful wrappings reflecting the morning light, names scrawled on tags that promised surprise and delight. Sweet-smelling candles flickered softly, and the faint, nostalgic scent of chocte chip cookies wafted through the air, tugging at her heartstrings.


    "How..." Athena¡¯s voice trembled, feeling tears rise as memories surged like an unstoppable tide. This was magic¡ªmagic that reminded her of thest Christmas she had spent with her mother.


    "How..." She breathed again, her mind racing back to the warmth andughter of those bygone days. The scent of cookies enveloped her, sending her into a reverie she thought had vanished with her mother¡¯s passing.


    Hearing Gianna step beside her, Athena¡¯s gaze locked onto her friend¡¯s knowing smile.


    "I had to add a touch." Gianna whispered softly, as if the admission were a sacred secret.


    Athena felt a sharp inhale rush through her as her eyes fell upon the tray of cookies disyed on the table. A flood of gratitude surged within her; Gianna had remembered. The moment overwhelmed her, and she couldn¡¯t help but reach for one.


    As she lifted it to her mouth, she could feel the tension in the room thicken, a blend of excitement and uncertainty, mingling in the air. The children had baked these with her friend. She had no doubt.


    When she took a bite, her eyes squeezed shut, an explosion of vors danced across her pte, igniting a bittersweet nostalgia that hadin dormant for so long. "How?" She turned to Gianna, tears spilling over her cheeks anew.


    "You know I am a good learner, and I hardly forget things. The twins helped me." Gianna beamed at her, while the children stood proudly, their wide eyes sparkling with innocence and joy. Did they really manage to stay awake? Had they even slept at all?


    "Mom, check out the presents!" Nathaniel eximed, cutting through her reverie.


    Athena swept towards the gifts, and as she got closer, the tags caught her eye: a veritable treasure trove of well-wishing.


    Her heart swelled with warmth as she recognized the names; Sandro, Zane, Areso, Chelsea, Aiden, even Old Mr. Thorne¡ªall had sent their tokens of affection. The tears flowed more freely then; they had even managed to collect gifts from some of her workers and patients.


    She picked up a parcel, its tag elegantly scribbled with Aiden¡¯s familiar handwriting. <i>"Athena, smile and enjoy the season. Your mother would have wanted that for you, to enjoy her best time of the year." </i>


    Her heart constricted painfully at Aiden¡¯s words, a mixture of warmth and grief pouring over her like a tidal wave. What could she do? Sit down? Jump in joy? The swell of emotions was too overwhelming.


    She turned to face her family, their expectant eyes searching hers, waiting for her response. Did they think she wouldn¡¯t be happy? How could she not be, with such thoughtful surprises?


    "You should have told me! I would have loved to send gifts too..." She murmured, sniffling, her voice catching on the honesty of her emotions. That was exactly what her mother would have wanted¡ªthe old woman always had a list ready by this time of year, mapping out everyone deserving of her love.


    "Athena, it¡¯s okay. Everyone understands." Gianna gently reassured her.


    Unable to hold back any longer, Athena copsed to the floor in tears. The burdens she¡¯d carried for so long felt impossibly lighter, as if some age-old tension had unfurled its grip on her shoulders. She wept openly, feeling her mother¡¯s spirit smile down from above, enveloping her in aforting embrace.


    Gianna and the twins knelt beside her, their arms wrapping tightly around her shoulders as they shared this moment together.


    "Thank you..." Athena kept muttering, lost to the spirit of Christmas. "Thank you."


    But then, as if to punctuate this tender moment, a knock resounded at the door. Startled, they all exchanged nces loaded with curiosity.


    Who could be knocking at five in the morning?

 Chapter 122: Christmas Visitor

    <h4>Chapter 122: Christmas Visitor</h4>


    "Did you invite anyone to partake in the surprises?" Athena asked Gianna, wiping the tears from her eyes as she disengaged from the hug.


    Gianna immediately shook her head.


    "There were no invitations sent out. I thought that would be a bit overwhelming..."


    <i>You thought right. </i>Athena mused, before looking at her children. The twins shrugged their shoulders. They couldn¡¯t have invited any adult.


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows and stood to her feet. It was either Aiden or the doormen. She concluded, ncing at Aiden¡¯s gift. The man could be full of surprises if he wanted to. But shouldn¡¯t he be celebrating with his daughter?


    That left the doormen then. She surmised, walking toward the door. Gianna and the twins followed closely behind.


    At the door, Athena inhaled deeply to calm her fraying nerves. The gang couldn¡¯t possibly be here to gift her a Christmas surprise, right? The security detail was all over the building.


    She was safe, she decided, and opened the door, startled when she saw Ewan standing outside, wearing a thick leather jacket, his hands filled with gifts.


    "Merry Christmas, Athena," He said, though there was no Christmas smile on his lips.


    Athena¡¯s surprise immediately shifted to hot, simmering anger. She grasped the doorknob for control, but it wasn¡¯t working.


    "What...are...you doing here, Ewan?" She gritted out, barely restraining herself from pping the hell out of him.


    "I came to celebrate Christmas with my children," He replied calmly as if he were discussing the weather; as if he hadn¡¯t submitted a case to the court against her; as if he wasn¡¯t brimming with eagerness to join their festive celebrations, having glimpsed the decorations on the wall adjacent to the door.


    Athena opened her mouth, but nothing came out due to her anger. "You foo¡ª" She paused when she felt Gianna¡¯s hand on her shoulder, the gentle pressure reminding her that children were beside her.


    Athena took deep breaths to calm herself. It wouldn¡¯t do her any good to lose control of her anger now.


    "Ewan, you can¡¯t celebrate with your children until the court decides that."


    "So, you¡¯ll deprive me of thefort of seeing my children?" Ewan asked, still maintaining his chillposure.


    "You should have thought of that before submitting a case to the council, without speaking to me."


    Ewan scoffed, then dropped the gifts on the floor gently. "Speaking to you? You¡¯ve been back for more than a month, and you couldn¡¯t let me know that you returned with my children?"


    "And why would I do that?" Athena questioned, folding her arms tightly across her chest. "Give me one reason why I should have done that, apart from the fact you donated sperm for their conception."


    Ewan was speechless.


    "Athena..."


    "Leave, Ewan. I don¡¯t want to see you here until the council decides what to do with us. Till then, I don¡¯t want to see you personally or have you near my children. Your actions show me that you¡¯re not worth it; they tell me I was right in keeping them away from you."


    Ewan opened his mouth to speak, but Athena stopped him by raising her hand. She was not done. "You are a foolish man, Ewan. So foolish. And I hope you have a lot of evidence and proof to support your case against me, because if you don¡¯t..." Sheughed. "You will be in a much deeper mess than you think concerning these children."


    Ewan¡¯s heart burned, making him restless, but he refused to lose hisposure or let Athena¡¯s threat faze him. "We¡¯ll see about that in court. Just let the children have these things..."


    "We don¡¯t want them," Nathaniel spoke up, ring at his father. "Keep your gifts to yourself, or send them to the orphanage. I¡¯m sure they can find better use for this."


    Ewan clenched his fists at his sides and red at Athena. "This is what you are gearing for, right? Turning my children against me."


    Athena shook her head. "You did that all by yourself, Ewan. Don¡¯t rope me into your mess. And since the children don¡¯t want you, I suggest you take your gifts and get out, or else I will call security on you."


    Ewan felt helpless in front of them¡ªhelpless and terribly annoyed. Why couldn¡¯t he spend Christmas with his children? But he knew he couldn¡¯t force his way through.


    <i>Till next week.</i> He thought somberly before picking up the gifts from the ground.


    "Have a nice Christmas," He mumbled.


    Athena didn¡¯t bother sending a reply. She watched tepidly as he sauntered toward the elevator, her heart calm as she closed the door behind him.


    "Did you two want the gifts?" She asked the twins, looking for a glimmer of hope.


    They shook their heads, turning their lips up in disgust. "No, Mom. All we need is right here," They said in unison, their eyes sparkling with a childlike joy that made Athena¡¯s heart swell.


    Meanwhile, in Ewan¡¯s mansion, Fiona was opening her window, holding back a smile when Morgan jumped right in.


    "What are you doing here, Morgan, and how did you scale the ledges?" She asked, her voice a mixture of surprise and affection.


    Morgan shrugged before handing Fiona a gift bag. "I can do anything for you, my Morgana. Since you won¡¯t meet me, I had toe to you myself. I¡¯ve missed you so much."


    Fiona blushed as Morgan dropped a kiss on her forehead. "But you know it¡¯s risky. I don¡¯t know where Ewan went to this morning, but he might being back soon," She said, opening the gift bag.


    A smile appeared on her lips as she saw the expensive perfume and shoes nestled inside, but it quickly dried up with Morgan¡¯s next statement.


    "I don¡¯t think so. He went to see Athena with loads of gifts. He¡¯s probably ying with the kids now. Forget about the fool, Fiona, let¡¯s y."


    Fiona offered no resistance, allowing herself to be led to the bed.


    Ewan hadn¡¯t gifted her for Christmas, yet he had gifted Athena and the kids?


    He will pay for it, she thought.


    When she was done dealing with Athena, she would make sure to deal with him too!

 Chapter 123: Christmas Play

    <h4>Chapter 123: Christmas y</h4>


    Athena¡¯s day has been filled with making appreciation calls, sending appreciation gifts, and ying around with her children and Gianna.


    She didn¡¯t even waste a second thinking about Ewan. There wasn¡¯t even room for that, as calls had poured in from everywhere, especially from her patients and associates wishing her a beautiful Christmas season¡ªKendra and her aunt, Ste, among them. Athena couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit fulfilled.


    Right now, she was on a video call with Chelsea and Areso while Gianna and the kids lounged around her on the bed, talking andughing as they stared at the phone screen.


    "We are so happy that the n worked," Areso was saying, but Athena felt more than happy. Even now, hearing her friends¡ªwho only knew bits and pieces of her story¡ªspeak, she was almost moved to tears.


    Crying had be a recurrent feature for Athena today; her emotional restraint was extremely low. Ordering and sending thoughtful gifts had been emotional, just as ying with her kids around the Christmas tree had been. She wished the day wouldn¡¯t end, and she had her circle to thank for it. She would always be grateful to them.


    When the call with her two friends ended and her children retired to the floor with Gianna to y some games, Athena removed her phone from its stand to check for another call, stopping when a message popped up.


    When she noticed it was a credit alert, she hurriedly checked her socials to see who had sent this one. She had received so much money¡ªsome from people she didn¡¯t know, some from hidden senders. Athena wasn¡¯t in need of money, but it felt good to be remembered today.


    However, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion when she saw a message from Ewan tainting her inbox.


    Breathing deeply for control, she opened the message, sneering when she saw its contents.


    <i>"Since you won¡¯t ept my gifts, then ept the money. If you won¡¯t use it for yourself, then use it for the kids. Put it in your ount or something; you don¡¯t have to tell them." </i>


    The amount of money he sent was several thousand dors. Did he think she was in need of money? Athena wondered.


    Without giving it much thought, she sent the money to a charity organization, screenshotted the transaction as evidence, and then sent it to him. When she was sure he had received the message, she blocked his number.


    "Mom, is anything the problem?" Nathaniel asked, noticing his mother¡¯s pinched expression.


    Athena shook her head. "Not at all. Just saw a confusing app on my phone." She checked the time. It was a few minutes past four PM. "It¡¯s almost time for the Christmas y. Won¡¯t you all be getting ready? Gianna, are youing?"


    Gianna nodded. "Of course. What else do I have to do with my time?" She stood up from the ground where she had been ying LEGOs with the children and led them out of Athena¡¯s room.


    A couple of minutester, everyone was ready to leave for the Christmas y.


    Athena and Gianna made sure to dress well for the asion, donning Christmas-themed dresses,plete with red hats. The kids were no different; they were excitedly donned in festive costumes ready for the event. In their backpacks were their costumes for the party.


    Nathaniel had been picked to act as one of the wise men, and Kathleen as the Virgin Mary.


    Now, Athena could see the mixture of excitement and nervousness brimming on their faces, and she tapped their heads fondly as they waited for Jake to drive the car out, from the garage.


    "You both will do marvelously well. I know it," She assured them.


    Kate and Nate smiled widely at their mother and nodded, determination shining in their eyes.


    "We promise to make you proud," they chorused.


    Athena chuckled. "I would rather you promise to have fun while acting."


    "We can do both!"


    Giannaughed, just as Jake halted the car before them.


    "Of course you will."


    When they arrived at the school, the institution was teeming with children and their parents, all hurrying toward therge auditorium designated for the Christmas festivities.


    At the entrance, they all stood in line as a security guard, wearing a festive Christmas hat, ushered them in, checking student profiles and the identities of their guardians. Since the kidnapping incident, the security-conscious school had increased its protective measures tenfold.


    However, when the security guard saw Athena, he didn¡¯t check her in. Instead, he called another guard and informed him to take her and her family into a special section of the hall.


    Athena exchanged nces with Gianna, aware of the murmurs going on behind her. Why the special treatment?


    "Why the preferential treatment?" One of the parents dared to ask.


    The guard shrugged his shoulders. "She is the city¡¯s most renowned doctor, even more popr than a celebrity for her good deeds. Why wouldn¡¯t we give her the preferential treatment?"


    The other parents kept quiet, suddenly realizing the differences between Athena and them.


    Although Athena didn¡¯t like this separation, she nodded and took her ticket from the guard, following the second guard into the hall.


    When Athena entered the auditorium, her breath caught in her throat at the sight before her.


    The expansive ceiling was draped with cascading strands of twinkling fairy lights, creating a canopy of twinkling stars that seemed to swirl in slow motion, mimicking the night sky. Each light flickered softly, bathing the hall in a warm, inviting glow.


    Lush green gands adorned the edges of the stage, skillfully intertwined with rich red ribbons and sparkling gold tinsel. Each gand was punctuated with clusters of shiny ornaments, ranging from deep red to bright metallic, glimmering under the soft light. The walls were decorated withrge wreaths made of fresh pine, adorned with berries, pinecones, and golden bows, infusing the air with the scent of cedar and cinnamon.


    A magnificent Christmas tree stood in one corner of the hall, its towering limbs draped with strands of shimmering lights that wrapped around its majestic form. The tree was an explosion of color, decorated with a medley of ornaments¡ªsome ssic, deep burgundy balls and glistening golden stars, while others sparkled in bright greens and silvers.


    Atop the tree, a brilliant star of crystal reflected light in every direction. Underneath, neatly wrapped gifts of various sizes, each adorned with extravagant bows and vibrant wrapping paper, created a sense of anticipation.


    Scattered throughout the hall were wooden tables dressed in crisp white tablecloths, each adorned with a centerpiece of glittering candles surrounded by clusters of holly and berries. The soft flicker of candlelight danced across the room, casting gentle shadows that invoked a sense of warmth.


    The stage was framed by festooned lights that hung like gentle snowkes, illuminating the backdrop where children¡¯s drawings of winter scenes and holiday cheer were showcased. Enormous candy canes and oversized ornaments dangled from the ceiling, giving the ambiance a yful, whimsical feel.


    Seating areas were carefully arranged, each chair adorned with festive red covers and golden sashes that mirrored the colors of the season. The atmosphere resonated with soft Christmas melodies ying in the background, enhancing the sense of holiday magic that enveloped the gathering.


    As Athena walked further in, she saw groups of children, dressed in colorful costumes, buzzing with excitement. Theirughter softened her heart, making her feel connected to the spirit of the season. It was a scene straight out of a storybook¡ªan enchanting space where joy and celebration intertwined, filling her with a sense of wonder and nostalgia.


    "Wow..." She breathed in awe at the same moment as her children and Gianna.


    "Doctor Athena, please this way..." The second guard indicated, cutting their appreciation short.


    Athena nodded and followed him to the best section of the hall, which had only a handful of rows of seats and provided a spectacr view of the podium.


    There were just a few parents there, and when she finally reached the row with only one person present, she shrunk back as she noticed who it was.


    Ewan.

 Chapter 124: Christmas Play II

    <h4>Chapter 124: Christmas y II</h4>


    "What are you doing here, Ewan?" Athena asked, her voice calm yetced with an unmistakable hint of irritation.


    What was this foolish man doing, appearing in her life at every turn like some unwee specter? Hadn¡¯t she made it perfectly clear that she wanted him nowhere near her or the children?


    She bit her lip in frustration, trying to stifle the swirling anger within her. Was this why the guards had rolled out the red carpet for them today?


    ncing around at the other parents in the special section, a few familiar faces caught her eye. They were the shareholders of the school¡ªshe had done her research before enrolling the kids. She wasn¡¯t a part of their elite circle, but Ewan was. The realization sank deep; it was safe to assume Ewan had orchestrated this whole thing, pulling strings to ensure they were here.


    Athena shook her head in disbelief, deciding not to waste another moment waiting for Ewan¡¯s reply, which seemed to be taking an eternity.


    He was too busy reveling in the sight of her children, who, thankfully, pretended to bepletely oblivious to his presence.


    "I¡¯m out of here," She muttered, turning to Gianna. "Let¡¯s find some space in the other sections. I refuse to be ufortable today."


    "Athena..." Ewan called out, but she was already striding away, the twins eager to follow her lead, their youthful energy propelling them forward.


    Ewan¡¯s expression shifted, lips pressed thin, a mixture of frustration and inscrutability passing over his features.


    As Athena and her family descended the stairs, they were intercepted by the head teacher, whose tightly controlled smile sent a pang of unease through her. This was the kind of smile that signaled trouble.


    "You can¡¯t join the other sections," The woman stated, retaining her professional fa?ade.


    "Why not?" Gianna chimed in, frowning in confusion.


    "Every seat has been ounted for for a couple of days now. We make arrangements ahead of time to avoidplications. So, every seat here..." The teacher gestured toward the crowded section filled with beaming parents and excited children, "has been taken. I suggest you return to your previous seats please."


    Athena¡¯s jaw clenched as she caught the earnestness in the woman¡¯s gaze.


    "Please, Doctor Athena, make this easier on us. The efforts put into this event have been monumental, and I assure you, we¡¯d hate for it to go to waste. Also, your kids are due on stage shortly; they need to be where they can settle."


    Athena¡¯s nod was curt. "I understand; thank you for the exnation. We¡¯ll head back."


    With a decisive turn, she marched back toward the special section, the weight of frustration building with every step. It was evident to her that Ewan had meticulously crafted this scenario to suit his own purposes.


    "Mom, don¡¯t worry. We don¡¯t have to sit with him," Nathaniel tried to reassure her, but that sentiment was swept away almost instantly as they approached their designated area.


    To her surprise, more seats had filled up since their earlier arrival, leaving only one row open¡ªthe one Ewan upied.


    "I think some seats were removed. Check out the rows again," Gianna whispered, shaking her head in disbelief. "He¡¯s ying his cards close to his chest." She looked at Athena, a question lingering in her eyes. "What do we do? The children need to settle down and recite their lines soon..."


    Anger simmered within Athena, but she knew this wasn¡¯t her territory. There was no use in raising a fuss when time wasn¡¯t on her side; she had to prioritize the children. "Let¡¯s just sit down. Everything will be fine."


    <i>Hopefully.</i> She added silently, leading the way toward the row.


    As they arrived, Ewan offered her a nd nce, a nonchnt expression that set her teeth on edge.


    Well yed, she thought bitterly, preparing herself for a night of sacrifice. With only four empty seats, she couldn¡¯t afford for her children or Gianna to feel any tension between them, so she pressed forward, taking the seat next to Ewan. Her children settled in beside her, followed closely by Gianna.


    "Good evening, Athena," Ewan said without turning to her, his cool tone igniting her resolve to remainposed.


    "Good evening, Ewan," She replied evenly, taking a deep breath to quell the storm brewing within. She refused to let him win this battle.


    "I saw that you sent my Christmas present to a charity organization..." He continued, still looking ahead.


    "Do you have a problem with that?"


    "Not at all." He replied calmly. "It¡¯s Christmas after all."


    Athena didn¡¯t bother with a reply.


    Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and the gentle strum of guitars filled the air as the choir took the stage.


    A group of children, decked out in festive red and green outfits, stood together, chins raised with excitement. Their faces illuminated by soft spotlights, they began to sing "Silent Night," their voices harmonizing sweetly, weaving a tapestry of sound that resonated through the hall.


    The audience pped along to the next beat,ughter and cheers erupting as the older kids kicked off a lively rendition of "Jingle Bells,"plete with dance moves and cheerful jingling bells.


    It was infectious; the room was alive with a sense of joy, and despite her earlier irritation, Athena found herself smiling, her heart softening as she absorbed the spirit of the holiday, as she caught the happiness on her children¡¯s faces.


    After the choir performance, the focus shifted to a festive game, "Holiday Charades." Children were called up one by one to act out various holiday-themed prompts while their parents cheered them on.


    The air was electric withughter as the kids mimed building snowmen, decorating trees, and even Santa¡¯s reindeer.


    Throughout the following events, which included a Christmas race, Athena steadfastly focused on the joy around her. She chuckled at the kids¡¯ antics, pped enthusiastically, and exchanged knowing nces with Gianna. They hade to enjoy this special asion, and she would not allow Ewan to dim that light.


    Some minutester, as the spoken-word artists wrapped up their segment, one of the teachers approached their row. "Good evening, Doctor Athena. It¡¯s time for the y. The kids need to go backstage now."


    Athena turned to her twins, a bright smile lighting up her face. "It¡¯s time! Have fun!" She encouraged, handing them their backpacks. They beamed at her, nting quick kisses on her cheeks before darting off to join their fellow performers.


    "You didn¡¯t tell me they were participating in a y..." Ewan¡¯s voice cut through the moment, but Athena feigned ignorance, counting seconds until Gianna returned from the restroom.


    "Athena..." His persistent tone tugged at her patience.


    "Ewan, stop it. Let me watch my children shine, in peace. After the court case next week, you¡¯ll know whether you have a say in their lives or not. So, for everyone¡¯s happiness, just shut your mouth!"

 Chapter 125: Christmas Play III

    <h4>Chapter 125: Christmas y III</h4>


    The y, which depicted the birth of Jesus¡ªthe very essence of Christmas¡ªwas nothing short of amazing.


    Through every scene, Athena kept smiling from ear to ear, her heart full of love and pride for her children and for the other children too, who managed to make this age-old drama a wonder to behold, taking to the stage without a single w. The teachers had truly done their work well!


    Athena watched her daughter cradle a baby Jesus, and couldn¡¯t help theughter that broke from her lips at the motherly grace her little girl seemed to embody perfectly. Beside her, Giannaughed even more freely, capturing the moments with her camera as snapshots of joy.


    If Athena had risked a nce at Ewan, she would have seen the joy in his eyes, the smile on his lips stretching despite the turmoil churning within him.


    Right now, he had never felt so proud of anything as he did at this moment for his children; his aplishments with thepany didn¡¯t evene close.


    Was this how much happiness he had missed over thest five years? Pain shot through his heart. How could Athena let him miss out on this? How could she decide to enjoy this all alone? Didn¡¯t she think he might want to be a part of it?


    Yet as he wrestled with these thoughts, another part of him chastised him for the role he had yed in keeping himself distant from their lives.


    He finally risked a nce at Athena again; she was pping wildly, for the drama hade to an end.


    The happiness on her face, the twinkling in her eyes, made him ufortable. He quickly turned away, trying to fend off the allure of her beauty that drove him crazy, especially the sound of herughter.


    Could she just stop? He wondered, gripping his thighs with clenched fists. "Till next week," he thought, as the kids hurried from the stage toward their mother¡ªelicitingughter from the parents who found the scene irresistibly cute¡ªas they continued to ignore him.


    Minutester, after the choir had presented another song to close the program, the principal of the school stepped onto the podium. "Now, before the founder of our school gets up to the podium to give a speech before closure, we shall be offering gifts, as we usually do, to the best performing students of the year..."


    "Oh, the other kids never stood a chance, did they?" Gianna asked Athena as she watched Nathaniel and Kathleen collect most of the prizes for their grade.


    Athena chuckled softly and shrugged. "It isn¡¯t their fault that they were born geniuses."


    Ewan, hearing thisment, bit back his tongue, refraining from asking the implication of that statement. However, he felt a swell of pride as he witnessed his children collecting different awards.


    Even as he battled feelings of annoyance over his absence in their lives, he had to admit that Athena had done amendable job with them, despite turning them against him.


    "Now, let¡¯s call on the founder of our school to give a closing announcement. Everyone, let¡¯s wee the one who made this night a reality, Mr. Ewan Gietti..."


    As apuse filled the room, Ewan elegantly stood up from his seat and started toward the podium.


    Athena was momentarily speechless. She knew that Ewan was one of the leading shareholders in the school, but a founder? That was out of the question! It hadn¡¯t even been on the research blog!


    She looked at Gianna, who shared the same expression of disbelief. Her children, however, had a different reaction¡ªthey knew! She could see it in the gleam of their eyes.


    Sighing, she looked away and focused on Ewan as he began his speech:


    "Good evening, everyone. Tonight, we gather not only to celebrate the achievements of our children but to recognize the spirit of Christmas. This season is about more than just festivities; it is a reminder of the importance ofmunity, love, and goodwill.


    "As we watch our children shine on this stage, we are reminded that they are our future. Let us instill in them the values of kindness andpassion, teaching them that the greatest gifts are those we share with others¡ªwhether it be our time, our resources, or our hearts.


    "In this season of giving, let us remember those who are less fortunate and be the light in their lives. Together, we can create a ripple effect of goodwill thatsts beyond the holiday season. Let¡¯smit to nurturing an environment of generosity and support, ensuring that we all prosper together as amunity."


    Athena scoffed at one point, her skepticism bubbling to the surface. What a pretender. "Let¡¯s go," she said to her family, rising from her seat.


    Outside, Jake was already waiting, ready to whisk them away. "I hope you enjoyed the Christmas event, ma¡¯am?" He asked, opening the car doors for them.


    "I did, Jake, thank you," Athena replied, forcing a smile.


    As they drove out of the school environment, her lips curved into a smirk when she saw Ewan suddenly appear outside the school hall, breathing heavily, his eyes darting here and there.


    He was searching for them?


    Just before she lost sight of him, she caught him beckoning to a man close to a car¡ªhis driver, perhaps. Was he attempting to pursue them?


    Five minutester, Athena¡¯s earlier amusement turned to anger as she realized her intuition was correct. Ewan was indeed following them. For what? She couldn¡¯t tell.


    "Ma¡¯am, do you know the car behind us?" Jake asked, his voiceced with concern.


    "Don¡¯t mind it. Speed up. We have a dinner to get to."


    Jake obeyed, pressing the gas pedal. But as they sped up, Ewanmanded his driver to do the same. The man furrowed his brows, likely perplexed at the sudden increase in tension.


    But before he could fullyprehend the situation, arge trailer suddenly sped from the adjacentne and blocked the road horizontally, causing Athena¡¯s car toe to an abrupt stop.


    Before they could understand the intentions of therge vehicle, anotherrge vehicle, structured like an armored tank, rushed from behind, past Ewan¡¯s car, and stopped right behind Atheba¡¯s car


    Suddenly the windows of the strange car was opened and gunshots erupted, shattering the rtive peace of the night as bullets struck Athena¡¯s car sporadically.

 Chapter 126: Christmas Mercenaries

    <h4>Chapter 126: Christmas Mercenaries</h4>


    With every bullet striking the car violently, Ewan felt his heart convulsing in a mixture of fear and dread.


    Was this the gang again? It had to be!


    His mind raced with dark thoughts, but the most pressing concern was that his children were trapped inside that car. He couldn¡¯t let anything happen to them.


    Frantically, he scanned the surroundings, noting how his driver had joined the other vehicles in a desperate attempt to clear the area, aiming to evade the danger posed by the flying stray bullets. No one dared to approach. Who would be reckless enough to put themselves in harm¡¯s way?


    <i>At this rate, his children might die.</i> The pessimistic thought pierced through him, and fresh tears began to burn in his eyes as he took in the chaos around them.


    Suddenly, the gunfire came to an abrupt halt.


    Ewan inhaled deeply, summoning every ounce of courage within him. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he stepped out of his car, throwing caution to the wind, ignoring his driver¡¯s shouts of ¡¯sir, please!¡¯.


    He had already fired off a text to his security team, urging them to hurry, but he knew he couldn¡¯t wait for them to arrive. Time was slipping away.


    He dashed past the ¡¯armored tank¡¯ that had been the catalyst for this terrifying shootout and headed straight for Athena¡¯s car, acutely aware that they had only a short window before the unknown gunmen would reload.


    "Athena! Open the door!" He shouted, desperationcing his voice.


    Inside the car, Athena watched Ewan pound on the window like a man possessed, and her anger bubbled to the surface. Was this man truly so foolish? Didn¡¯t he realize he was putting his life at immense risk?


    She reluctantly opened the window to tell him so, but before she could speak, a bullet zipped through the opening, striking the interior with a deafening crack, shocking her to the core.


    Fortunately, Gianna had pushed her chair back into a reclining position, lying down protectively with Kate cradled in her arms. So, the bullet hit the window and tumbled harmlessly to the car floor, but it wasn¡¯t just the close call that left Athena breathless; it was the spiderweb crack that now marred the ss.


    As the severity of their predicament set in, Athena quickly wound the window back up, her pulse racing. Ewan had fled back to his vehicle, finally grasping the reality that a sniper was lurking, and she instinctively held Nathaniel tighter against her chest, seekingfort in the warmth of her child.


    The car was a bulletproof fortress, thick and sturdy¡ªAiden had made sure of that¡ªbut it seemed those hunting her had factored that into their n, opting for a sniper attack instead. A sniper with bullets that can perhaps prate bulletproof ss.


    Athena took a deep, steadying breath, her mind racing with thoughts. If assistance didn¡¯t arrive soon, the consequences could be fatal. A bullet hit the window again, punctuating her spiraling worries. If it continued like this, they were as good as dead.


    She fought against the tears threatening to spill; how could she let her Christmas Day devolve into yet another tragedy? And If she broke down now, what hope would her children have? They needed her to be strong.


    The sniper fired four more shots before an eerie silence descended, wrapping around Athena like a suffocating shroud. Athena held her breath, praying that the security detail had finally arrived. Had they managed to eliminate the sniper? Her resolve shattered when a sudden thump against her window jolted her from her thoughts.


    "Athena!" That familiar voice belonged to Ewan.


    What was he doing here again? She thought he had returned to his vehicle. Yet when she lifted herself and caught a glimpse of his frantic face in the reflection, a mix of relief and confusion washed over her.


    "You are safe now," He repeated incessantly, gesturing emphatically at the door knob, urging her to open it.


    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, sheplied. Ewan might be foolish and impulsive, but she knew he was no murderer; he wouldn¡¯t harm his own children.


    As Athena stepped outside first, shock coursed through her as Ewan suddenly enveloped her in an embrace.


    "I thought I¡¯d lost you and the twins... I thought..." His voice trembled with raw emotion.


    For a heartbeat, Athena was immobilized, the hug happening so quickly she could hardly process it.


    Ewan disengaged first, his focus shifting to the children. He knelt to their height, pulling them into a tight hug.


    Athena, regaining her senses, felt a pang of irritation as the embrace lingered longer than necessary. But then her eyes fell on Nathaniel, whose hands trembled with fear, and she decided to let it be. Her children neededfort now, and she would not take that away from them.


    As the group clustered together, Athena¡¯s gaze shifted from the strange vehicles before and beside her, to the group of four men sprawled on the floor, nursing tranq darts on their neck and coated with tear gas fumes.


    They weren¡¯t killed then. She thought, watching the security detail decide what to do them.


    Her heart lifted slightly when she saw Mr. Thorne hastening toward her with urgency.


    "Thanks a lot, Mr. Thorne." She said with a grateful smile, immediately he arrived.


    Mr. Thorne waved it away. "It¡¯s not necessary. You are my friend now, Athena. Your security is my concern." He turned to the four men. "My security detail has dealt with everything. They¡¯ve handled the assants. ording to their profiles, they appear to be mercenaries hired from the dark web. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s the gang,"


    Athena nodded, feeling her heart sink at the implications. "Then it would mean that Fiona is resorting to even more dangerous and wilder tactics," She took her lips in as she noticed her children tapping Ewan¡¯s shoulders for attention.


    Oh well, the hugging episode was over.


    She heard Ewan¡¯s resigned sigh as he finally pulled away from the embrace.


    Then, suddenly, he was in her face, looking very furious.


    "This is your fault, Athena! If you hadn¡¯t created research that would cause havoc in the world, you wouldn¡¯t be chased here and there¡ªyou wouldn¡¯t be hunted by the gang!" Ewanshed out, anger coursing through his veins.


    What now? Athena thought, her eyebrows knitting together in annoyance.


    Gianna facepalmed in disbelief. Why was this imbecile intent on digging his own grave deeper? One second he was a darling, the next he was an idiot.


    "What are you talking about, Ewan?" Old Mr. Thorne interjected, finally giving Ewan his attention.


    Ewan was too incensed to respond to the old man; instead, he continued addressing Athena. "Give them the research so that you can be safe. Stop being greedy!"


    Athena¡¯s patience hung by a thread. She would have loved to defend her choices, but she had no time for Ewan¡¯s tantrums. Instead, she turned to Mr. Thorne. "Can you take me home?"


    Mr. Thorne nodded reassuringly. "Of course. If you want to cancel the dinner..."


    "No, it hasn¡¯t been cancelled," Athena asserted, determination filtering through her voice. "It¡¯s even more crucial to celebrate this second chance at life."


    "I want toe," Ewan butted in, recalling how earlier today, Sandro and Zane had excitedly discussed the dinner celebration at Athena¡¯s ce. How could he let such an event slip through his fingers?


    "No, you won¡¯t," Athena dered with finality, turning to Mr. Thorne. "Make sure the security doesn¡¯t let him inside my building."

 Chapter 127: Christmas Dinner

    <h4>Chapter 127: Christmas Dinner</h4>


    "Gianna, you are so funny! How does your boss deal with you?" Sandro asked, his voice filled with amusement as he helped himself to yet another generous serving of the Christmas turkey and mashed potatoes.


    Gianna let out a melodicugh while reaching for a te of gingerbread cookies adorned with icing.


    "He doesn¡¯t really have to deal with me; he just has to keep his side of the bargain, and I¡¯ll do my job," She replied with a cheeky grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief.


    The table erupted withughter, all except for Zane, who pretended to be overly focused on the sweet potato casserole brought by old Mr. Thorne for the evening¡¯s dinner.


    He furrowed his brow, wondering what was so amusing about Gianna¡¯s quip.


    Grabbing another slice of prime rib, he closed his eyes momentarily, savoring the explosion of vor in his mouth. <i>How had he gone twenty-nine years without tasting something as spectacr as this?</i>


    Caught up in his culinary delight, Zane didn¡¯t notice the shift in attention until he opened his eyes, startled to find everyone staring at him. "What?" He asked, confusion etched on his face as he noted the inscrutable expression on Gianna¡¯s face before she turned away.


    "Zane, you should stop moaning while you eat. It¡¯s weird," Sandro chastised lightly, shaking his head as if he was scarred for life by the noises his friend had made.


    Athena chuckled, reaching for another of her cookie creations. She was surprised to find herself enjoying the evening more than she had anticipated. "Let him be, Sandro. He¡¯s someone who appreciates good food¡ªone of the reasons why I keep him around,"


    Zane made an exaggerated grimace at Athena¡¯s half-heartedpliment, elicitingughter from the twins, Kendra, and old Mr. Thorne, all of whom had be inseparable since dinner began.


    The atmosphere felt light, each moment filled with yful teasing and warmth.


    Within the next few minutes, the table was clearedpletely¡ªno leftovers remained. Athena was pleasantly surprised. She had prepared an extravagant feast, aided by the twins and Gianna, and despite the little addition of just three men and two women¡ªone of them a child¡ªthe food had vanished.


    "Everyone to the living room!" Ste shouted merrily after the table was cleaned up, a pan of apple pie in her hands. She was standing by the kitchen. Athena was right behind her, carrying some other desserts.


    The others hurriedlyplied, settling into the plush sofas, eager to relish the delightful desserts.


    When everyone exchanged stories andughed about past Christmas events minutester, Zane and Sandro were careful to exclude their hotheaded friend, Ewan, sensitive of the delicate peace within the household.


    It felt good to be away from the pressures of work, and none of them wanted to jeopardize the jolly mood with tales that might ignite old tensions.


    Then, a soft clink of ss rang out, and the chatter died down as all eyes turned to Athena. She was holding her cup, a spoon in the other hand, a smile illuminating her face. "I want to make a toast," She announced, her voice warm and inviting.


    As she began to speak, Athena felt the love and support of those gathered around her wash over her like a gentle wave. "First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for the presence of each and every one of you tonight. Christmas is a time for reflection, and I take this moment to appreciate each of you for the roles you y in my life."


    Her gaze fell on her children, their little faces beaming with innocence and joy. "To my children, Nathaniel and Kathleen, you are the light of my life. Every day I see you grow and blossom, and it fills my heart with pride. Yourughter is the sweetest music, and your resilience inspires me to be the best version of myself."


    "Cheers to that!" Zane chimed, raising his ss, the warmth spreading among them.


    Athena continued, her eyes sparkling as they turned to her best friend, Gianna, whose presence has always been a bright spot in her life. "To you, Gianna, thank you for being an unwavering pir of strength. You bring joy,ughter, and adventure into my life. Your friendship is a gift I will cherish forever. I can only hope to offer you the same support you¡¯ve always given me." She paused, allowing a smile to touch her lips.


    Gianna¡¯s eyes widened a fraction in surprise, a soft blush creeping onto her cheeks.


    Athena¡¯s warm gaze shifted to Sandro and Zane. "Zane and Sandro, you¡¯ve brought so much light andughter into our home. Your work ethic and spirit inspire all of us daily. I can¡¯t thank you enough for the joy you bring to our lives, for being the brothers I never had."


    "Hear, hear!" came Sandro¡¯s enthusiastic response, clinking his ss with Zane¡¯s.


    Athenaughed and shifted her gaze to Ste, Kendra, and Old Mr. Thorne. "To my new friends and allies, I also cherish your presence here today. It means a lot to me and my family. Thank you, for trusting my judgments."


    The trio smiled and nodded, a twinkle in their eye, visibly touched by her words.


    As the room bubbled with warmth and affection, Athena couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of profound contentment and gratitude. She took a deep breath, summoning the courage to conclude. "And finally, here¡¯s to family. Whether by blood or by bonds forged through love and shared experiences, may we continue to cherish one another, support each other, and create beautiful memories together."


    "Hear, hear!" Zane echoed, clinking his ss with Sandro first and then turning to the twins, and then to Old Mr Thorne. He paused, however, when he noticed that Gianna was not approaching him to clink his ss.


    Swallowing his pride, he walked over to her. "Merry Christmas, Gianna,"


    Gianna¡¯s ss remained motionless, as if she were frozen in shock.


    Zane paused, trying to gauge her reaction. "Won¡¯t you say it back?"


    After a moment of hesitation, she replied softly, "Merry Christmas, Zane..." Her voice barely touched the air before she turned her attention away, leaving Zane feeling a little hollow.


    But he quickly shook off the unease. He only needed to remember her acts of unkindness to dispel his funny feelings.


    Athena, observing this quiet exchange with knowing eyes, sighed and shook her head. Those two were something else!


    Just as she was contemting another cup of holiday cheer from the kitchen, a sudden knock on the door interrupted their moment of camaraderie. Silence fell over the group as they looked at one another, eyebrows furrowing in curiosity.


    "Was there another invitation we are not aware of?" Gianna asked, her eyes darting toward Athena for confirmation.


    Athena shook her head, uncertainty creeping in. "No. The people here are all that I invited." She exchanged nces with old Mr. Thorne, concern flickering in the depths of her gaze. Could it be the gang?


    Old Mr. Thorne dispelled the thought with a slow shake of his head. "It can¡¯t be them. It might just be a doorman wanting to wish you Merry Christmas."


    Athena huffed, recalling thest time she thought that. Somehow, she had ended up dealing with Ewan instead.


    Inhaling deeply, she approached the door, narrowing her eyes as she prepared to confront whoever stood on her doorstep. As she opened the door, a wave of anger washed over her when she saw Ewan standing there, a bottle of expensive wine in hand and dressed impably in a crisp suit and polished Italian shoes.


    "What are you doing here, Ewan? How are you even here?" She asked, irritation bubbling beneath the surface.


    "I¡¯m just here to spend Christmas with the family," He replied, a nonchnt smile ying on his lips.


    "But you¡¯re not family, Ewan," Athena shot back, her voice sharp.


    "But Sandro and Zane are?" He challenged, raising an eyebrow, trying to sway her perspective.


    Athena didn¡¯t hesitate. "Yes, they are part of the family. Now, get out." With that, she attempted to close the door, but it wouldn¡¯t budge.


    Looking down, she saw that Ewan had wedged his foot in the opening, determination etched on his face.


    With frustration mounting, she looked up to the ceiling, silently pleading for patience. Taking a deep breath, she reopened the door. "What is it, Ewan? Don¡¯t you have some other family to bother?"


    Ewan shook his head calmly, a hint of sadness glittering in his eyes.


    "What about your fianc¨¦e?"


    "I don¡¯t know. She left this morning, probably to spend Christmas with her parents..." He trailed off, leaving an unsettling echo in the silence.


    <i>Or to plot the death of my children. </i>Athena thought bitterly, stepping further out into the hallway, and shutting the open door behind her.


    She needed to end this interaction before it spiraled into yet another unwanted drama.

 Chapter 128: Christmas Dinner II

    <h4>Chapter 128: Christmas Dinner II</h4>


    Ewan inhaled softly, attempting to calm the rising palpitations of his heart as Athena stepped closer to him, after shutting the door behind her.


    <i>What is she doing?</i> He wondered, taking in the cold glint in her eyes that only intensified his growing unease. His gaze darted to the door for a second, and he could almost hear the hushed whispers of his friends inside, their curiosity spilling into the hallway like an uninvited guest.


    For an hour, he had stood outside, torn between wanting to be part of the merriment and feeling like an outsider.


    With every burst ofughter that floated through the door, his heart constricted tighter and his head pounded harder. Each chuckle from inside felt like a stab to his gut, a reminder of what he was missing.


    It was only when the ache threatened to overwhelm him that he had decided to knock, seeking answers¡ªanswers he feared might only lead to more questions.


    *How could his friends trust this woman despite all the proof he had shown them?


    Earlier that day, he had even contacted a hacker to dig up more information on Athena¡¯s shady dealings. The hacker had delivered more incriminating evidence than he had anticipated, articles detailing her suspected ties to the Russian mafia.


    How could he let such a woman train his children?


    Yet, beneath the swirling anger was a nagging desire to understand her¡ªto reason with her about the missteps she had taken on her dark path to fame.


    "You will never let me in, will you?" He muttered finally, his voice low as Athena closed the distance, standing only a couple of feet away.


    Up close, he noticed her flushedplexion, a telltale sign of her wine indulgence from the evening¡¯s festivities. Her rosy lips, stained deeper with red, looked enticing and made him yearn for a moment he had long since buried.


    <i>No, Ewan. Focus! </i>He banished the thought, shaking his head internally. He was here for the kids, for his friends¡ªnot for memories that should remain in the past.


    "Are you going to keep staring at me, or will you speak?" He pressed, feeling ufortable under the weight of her gaze.


    "You¡¯re ufortable, right?" Athena finally broke her silence, stepping back just slightly.


    "That¡¯s how you¡¯ll make all of us feel if I let you in," She continued, her voice steady. "You¡¯ll make the atmosphere ufortable, and I don¡¯t want that. Do you want that?"


    Ewan sighed, the weariness of the situation settling heavily on his shoulders. He turned away, leaning against the wall as exhaustion draped over him. "Why are you involved with the Russian mafia?" He asked weakly, changing the topic, refusing to meet her eyes.


    Athena let out a sharp, sarcasticugh. "First, it was me being at the center of a sinister research that has led to the deaths of many, and now it¡¯s the Russian mafia? Where do you get this oundish information? Because I¡¯m certain it¡¯s not from Sandro."


    "That¡¯s because Sandro is too sentimental," Ewan retorted, his toneced with bitterness. "Somehow, he trusts you now¡ªmore than he trusts me..."


    Athena shook her head. "That¡¯s not true." Her voice was firm,manding even. "Sandro just stands for the truth, just like Zane. They¡¯re not on your side in this case because they know you¡¯re believing a lie."


    Ewan turned to face her, fire igniting in his eyes. "You¡¯re the one living a lie, Athena. And I¡¯m going to prove it next week."


    A curious smile curved her lips, amusement glinting in her eyes. "We¡¯ll see about that next week. I can¡¯t wait."


    "I can¡¯t wait either," He shot back, determination lining his words. "I can¡¯t wait to have the children by my side."


    Athena¡¯s expression shifted, a hint of skepticism creeping in. "Don¡¯t you feel weird demanding full rights, considering you weren¡¯t even there for their mother six years ago?"


    Her words hit him like a punch, and he paused, pondering the sting of her usation. "I would have talked this over with you if not for the truth I discovered about you. If I let you have the children, I would live to regret it then."


    Athena bobbled her head slightly, contemting. "That¡¯s okay then. See you on Wednesday next week."


    Ewan nodded, a chill settling in as the temporary truce of their conversation came to an end. He stood tall, but it was too sudden¡ªa wave of dizziness crashed over him, and he staggered.


    Blood trickled from his nostrils, sttering onto the floor, jolting Athena into action. "What¡¯s going on? Did you take any medication apart from the one I gave you?"


    Ewan shook his head, his legs weakening as he sank onto the cold floor.


    "Wait here!" Athenamanded, but before she could rush away, Ewan called after her, panic threading through his voice. "Don¡¯t let Sandro and Zane see me like this. I don¡¯t want to dampen their day."


    Athena nodded quickly, darting back into the apartment and locking the door behind her.


    "What¡¯s going on?" Gianna asked, stepping around Athena with the twins, curiosity shing in her eyes.


    "Nothing much," Athena replied, her voice steady. She quickly went to the room, retrieving a container of pills.


    Her heart skipped as she noticed Zane and Sandro watching her with inquisitive gazes. "I¡¯ll tell you about it when I return." Without waiting for a response, she zoomed out of the apartment.


    In the hallway, Ewan grimaced, clutching his head in agony.


    "Chew it quickly," She urged, extending a pill toward him. But Ewan hesitated, his pride holding him back.


    "Ewan, if you don¡¯t want to lose control of your sensespletely, take the medication now..." She watched as he risked a nce at her, uncertainty flickering in his eyes, but he ultimately took the pill and put it in his mouth.


    "Chew now!" She urged firmly, and after a moment of hesitation, he obeyed. She settled across from him, waiting patiently for the drug to take effect.


    Ten minutes ticked by like an eternity, but gradually he began to feel better. "What is that you gave me?" He asked tiredly as he rose to his feet, the world around him stabilizing.


    "Drugs. I told you toe for treatment, but you wouldn¡¯t listen!"


    "I apologize for that, Doctor. I had some work to do." He straightened himself, trying to regain some semnce of control over his life.


    "Well, if you have brain damage, work will be thest thing on your mind." She handed him the entire container. "Take this once a day, preferably in the morning. You should add it to your other prescriptions... Oh right, you don¡¯t take them..." She muttered sarcastically.


    "Why are you helping me? Shouldn¡¯t my dying be part of your n?" Ewan asked, genuine confusion evident in his voice.


    Athena shook her head, knowing that talking about her innocence would lead to nothing but futility. "I just need you to be alert on Wednesday, Ewan. That¡¯s all. Because there¡¯s going to be a lot to process that day."

 Chapter 129: Christmas Dinner III

    <h4>Chapter 129: Christmas Dinner III</h4>


    "What¡¯s going on? Where¡¯s Ewan?" Zane and Sandro questioned in unison the moment Athena stepped into the apartment and closed the door behind her.


    Silence hung in the air, thick and palpable, as she walked into the living room with her shoulders tensed, a storm brewing just beneath the surface.


    "He left. I¡¯m not sure where he went," She finally replied, taking a seat on the sofa as worry trailed behind her words. "I think you two should check on him and keep an eye on him until Wednesday."


    The gravity of her suggestion was not lost on the duo.


    "What¡¯s the problem?" Sandro pressed, his brow furrowing, having noticed the container she had brought from her room earlier. "Was he having a spasm?"


    "Something like that..." Athena muttered, her frown deepening.


    Sandro moved closer to her, taking a seat on the same sofa. Before him, Zane shifted restlessly, agitation radiating from his posture.


    The irony weighed on her¡ªthese were the two men Ewan believed had turned against him, yet they were stepping up when it mattered most. Ewan really was a joke.


    Sandro¡¯s voice broke through her thoughts. "What¡¯s going on? I¡¯m sure you sensed something was off..."


    At that moment, Athena looked at her children.


    The twins, adept at deciphering their mother¡¯s gazes, instinctively took Kendra and Ste¡¯s hands and guided them out of the room. Ste, very perceptive, sensed the weight of the moment and felt no shame in stepping back.


    "I think he¡¯s being poisoned," Athena stated, after they had left, her voice barely above a whisper, but the shockwave it sent through the room was palpable.


    Sandro¡¯s mouth fell open in disbelief, while Zane sank heavily into one of the nearby sofas, momentarily speechless as the implications washed over him.


    "The first time I ran diagnostics on his brain and body systems, I found some anomalies. I attributed them to the drowning incident from his childhood and the poor treatment he received from his doctors," Athena continued. "But when I examined him again a few days ago, I noticed something different reacting in his body systems to the temporary treatments..."


    "Temporary?" Zane interrupted, his voice edged with a mix of concern and frustration. "Why give him temporary treatments? What about a permanent solution?"


    "He made an appointment but canceled it, citing workload as his excuse. Thest time he was in the hospital, he didn¡¯t even take the prescriptions," Athena exined, uncertainity settling over her. "I suspect the uing court case has yed a part in halting his need to take care of his health."


    Old Mr. Thorne hissed in disapproval. "Health is wealth. If he dies, who will run thepany? Doesn¡¯t he understand that? That boy needs a good whipping!"


    Gianna nodded in agreement, disappointed in Ewan¡¯s choices.


    Sandro, however, buried his head in his hands, guilt gnawing at him. If he had known about the missed appointments, he would have pressured Ewan until thetterplied. How could he not have known that Ewan was lying?


    "So, the poison¡ªwhat about it?" He prompted, after some seconds had ticked by, pulling back his focus to the conversation at hand.


    "I¡¯m not sure..." Athena replied, narrowing her eyes as she considered the implications. "But its effects mirror those of Kartlif poison."


    "And what does that do?" Zane asked, leaning forward, urgencycing his every word.


    Athena pressed her lips together, gathering her thoughts. "It tamper with brain function. If the victim has any preexisting brain disorders, it worsens them. If someone has amnesia, it prevents any chance of remembering. If I had to guess, Fiona and her family are behind this."


    "Why am I not surprised?" Zane murmured, echoing an understanding shared by all present.


    "That would exin a lot," Sandro agreed, adding gravity to Athena¡¯s theory.


    "It¡¯s possible that the girl who saved Ewan from drowning wasn¡¯t Fiona at all," Athena continued, her tone urgent yet restrained. "If she was, she would be in worse condition than Ewan¡ªperhaps even dead."


    Old Mr. Thorne nodded in solemn agreement, the weight of Athena¡¯s words hanging heavily in the air. "Now that you mention it, I can understand why rtions between my family and his deteriorated after his parents¡¯ death. Alfonso broke it off, after taking charge of the boy¡¯s upbringing. I¡¯m quite surprised that Ewan managed to build a life for himself, even distancing himself from that man¡¯spany."


    Athena almost felt a pang of sympathy for Ewan, realizing he had been a victim in all of this. Yet she knew they could only deal with those truths after the impending court case.


    "It¡¯s not confirmed yet¡ªthe poison, I mean. But I¡¯ll do some research. Until then..." Her gaze sharpened as she focused on Sandro and Zane. "Keep him away from any food and drinks thate from that mansion. If possible, stay with him, act as his live-in aid until the court case is over. I need him present in the elders council."


    Sandro nodded, determination set in his jaw. "And after the court case?"


    "I¡¯ll treat him," Athena promised, the resolve in her voice thick and unwavering.


    "No matter the oue of the case?..." Zane added, his gaze steady on her.


    "No matter the oue of the case," Athena assured them. Her motives weren¡¯t purely altruistic; the goodwill of Ewan¡¯s friends alongside the painful shadows of his past tugged at something deep within her.


    "Thank you," Zane and Sandro echoed, rising to their feet. "We¡¯ll be going now. Thanks for the food and everything."


    Athena nodded, waving them off with a mix of gratitude and concern.


    "You know this case will break him in ways you cannot even imagine, considering everything I¡¯ve pieced together," Old Mr. Thorne started, after the duo had left.


    "I don¡¯t care, Mr. Thorne. I¡¯m focused on the safety of my children. I¡¯ve done my best by offering to treat him," Athena reaffirmed, her voice steely.


    "I know. I know," Old Mr. Thorne said, taking a seat beside her. He ced a gentle hand on her palm, the warmth grounding her amidst the tension. "I just..." His voice trailed off, a deep sigh escaping his lips. "I just wish things could be different, you know?"


    Athena exhaled softly, understanding the weight of his wish. "It seems you know the family well..."


    "I do, very much," He replied, his gaze distant yet heavy with reminiscence. "As a matter of fact, his mother was my daughter¡¯s best friend."


    "You have a daughter?"


    Old Mr. Thorne sighed weakly and shut his eyes, as a thick pain enshrined his heart. "I had one."

 Chapter 130: Drunken Ewan

    <h4>Chapter 130: Drunken Ewan</h4>


    After searching all the usual haunts, Sandro and Zane finally found Ewan at a bar, heavily drunk. Worse, he was slumped at the counter, instead of their private suite.


    A wave of frustration washed over Sandro as he noticed some patrons snapping pictures of Ewan¡¯s predicament.


    "Damn it," He swore under his breath, urgency propelling him forward. He hurried over to Ewan, with Zane close on his heels, and gently tapped Ewan¡¯s arm. But his friend was almost dozing off.


    "Ewan! Get up! We have to leave," Sandro urged, concern threading through his voice.


    Ewan groggily opened his bleary eyes and squinted at them. "Get away from me, you traitors! Are you done frolicking with Athena?" His words slurred together, a mix of anger and defiance.


    Sandro didn¡¯t have time for this petty squabbling. Instead, he handed Zane his phone along with Ewan¡¯s, and with a deep, frustrated exhale, he drew Ewan toward him. The sheer weight of his friend felt like deadweight, a stark contrast to the person he used to know.


    Ewan tried to struggle free, but Sandro wasn¡¯t going to let him go. "Make a move again, and I¡¯ll throw you in a pigsty," He warned, feeling every bit of the irritation build within him.


    Ewan cursed under his breath but ultimately stopped resisting.


    "Good," Sandro muttered triumphantly, starting the dragging process. As he maneuvered Ewan, he heard a thud on the floor. He turned to see the container of medicine ttering away, and he nced at Zane, who was already bending down to retrieve it.


    Once they made it back to their private suite, Sandro carefully plopped Ewan into his favorite chair.


    "More drinks!" Ewan shouted, iling his arms in aical manner, a humorous image given the seriousness of the situation.


    Sandro was tempted to document this spectacle, but the weight of the dark situation on ground held him back. He couldn¡¯t believe that Fiona and her family had stooped this low with their schemes. What other sinister ns were they orchestrating?


    He nced at Zane, who bore a simr expression of concern and contemtion.


    "What are we going to do?" Zane asked, folding his arms across his chest after a drawn-out silence. Ewan had already nodded off, the adrenaline of the night finally catching up with him.


    "We¡¯ll wait until after the court case, until Athena can treat him. But that doesn¡¯t mean we should ignore the family altogether. I think they are long overdue for some investigation. I¡¯ve suspected them for too long, but Ewan never gave the green light to act."


    Zane nodded, his frown deepening. "But I think Athena has everything under control. I can¡¯t shake this feeling that the case will be an awakening for all of us..." He paused, gauging Sandro¡¯s reaction before continuing. "It¡¯s just a gut feeling."


    Sandro remained silent, deciding to shift the conversation. "Where¡¯s he going to sleep?" He considered his ce, though it didn¡¯t match the luxury of his friend¡¯s extravagant mansion.


    Zane snorted, breaking the tension. "I think Ewan can manage to stay in yours, until everything settles down."


    A yawn broke from Ewan then, and he started to search the sofa for something as if it might magically appear.


    "Oh well, damn it! I¡¯m videoing this. We can¡¯t lose this moment," Zane said, pulling out his phone with a mischievous grin.


    Sandro couldn¡¯t even hold back his smile this time around, especially as Ewan pouted like a child, adding to the hriousness of the situation.


    Five minutester, they were leaving the bar, deliberately ignoring the whispers around them.


    <i>"Isn¡¯t that the CEO of Gietti Industries? What¡¯s he doing drunk?" </i>


    <i>"Did he lose an important deal?" </i>


    <i>"Maybe he lost some money,"</i>


    <i>"Do you think everything is alright at home?" </i>


    <i>"It¡¯s probably money or women that can make a man like him degenerate." </i>


    <i>"But shouldn¡¯t he consider hispany? His stocks may plunge because of this."</i>


    <i>"That wouldn¡¯t be surprising. It¡¯s more unstable than the word itself," </i>


    <i>"I think he might have broken up with his fianc¨¦e. Was it not earlier today when I saw her with some tattooed guy? Who knows if she¡¯s moved on?" </i>


    Sandro paused, locking eyes with Zane, who was supporting Ewan on the other side. Fiona was openly flirting with another man?


    A shared difort further settled over them as they both noticed Zack and Alfonso at the far side of the bar, deep in conversation and drinks.


    Outside, once they had deposited a limp Ewan in the back seat, they stood side by side, their gaze lingering on the bar. "Fiona is going out with another man?" Zane asked incredulously, disbelief painting his features.


    "Most likely someone from that gang," Sandro replied, anger creeping into his tone. "Athena suspected it. Ewan even mentioned that Athena had used Fiona of being behind her kidnapping."


    Zane¡¯s fists clenched at his sides. "She¡¯s right then."


    "It seems so. But Athena can take care of herself. Like you said, she keeps her cards close to her chest. We¡¯ll know everything by Wednesday."


    "And when did Zack and Alfonso be close?" Zane queried, skepticism etched across his face.


    Sandro shrugged. "Probably since theirpanies fell apart. I¡¯d guess they me Athena for it. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if they¡¯re scheming something."


    "They won¡¯t get her," Zane said, determination shing in his eyes as he turned toward the driver¡¯s seat. "Athena is Athena."


    Meanwhile, at a lodging on the outskirts of town, Fiona was bound to the bedpost with ropes, her mouth gagged, stripped of all clothing.


    Panic coursed through her as she squirmed, trying to break free. "Morgan, please..." She tried to plead, but all Morgan heard were muffled sounds.


    He stood over her, brandishing a yful whip, his expression a mix of amusement and something darker.


    "I told you not to mess with the children, didn¡¯t I?" He said with a twisted grin, as hended the whip harshly on her open private area.


    Fiona grunted, experiencing a blend of pain and pleasure.


    "I told you to let me handle it, didn¡¯t I?" Morgan struck again, the whip cracking sharply through the air.


    "Yet here you are!"


    Anothersh followed as a sinister smile spread across his face, delighting at her quaking legs.


    "If you dare cum before I give the word, Morgana, I¡¯ll start all over again."

 Chapter 131: Keeping Up Appearances

    <h4>Chapter 131: Keeping Up Appearances</h4>


    "You¡¯re going out to collect more evidence? Gianna asked Athena, incredulity ringing in her voice. "Haven¡¯t you collected enough?"


    She eyed Athena as thetter donned a sleek ck leather jacket over matching pants. The image before her resembled something straight out of a spy thriller, reminiscent of a CIA agent gearing up for a high-stakes mission.


    "Honestly, I think you¡¯ve gathered more than enough," She continued all the same, gesturing toward the mountain of files meticulously arranged on Athena¡¯s work table. "You even have video files, Athena. So, take a chill pill best friend. I think it¡¯s high time you take a break and spend some time with the kids. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ve missed you."


    Gianna believed that after the whirlwind of Christmas festivities had subsided, Athena had transformed into an evidence-seeking zombie, neglecting her own well-being.


    Every morning, when Gianna prepared for work, she always saw Athena diligently working; and every evening she returned to see her best friend still buried in her investigations or rushing off to meet another witness, leaving the children to entertain themselves.


    Sure, the kids asionally visited Kendra and Ste, sometimes even Old Mr. Thorne, but Gianna couldn¡¯t shake the feeling it was too much. She had seen the evidence collected; it was more than enough to keep Ewan and Fiona away from the children. There should be no more meetings with witnesses. No more research or articles to scour.


    Standing up from the queen-sized bed, she approached Athena as thetter dabbed powder on her face, trying to conceal the weariness etched on her features.


    "No more of this, Athena. You can¡¯t keep leaving the children to fend for themselves."


    Athena bit her lip to stifle a chuckle. Leaving the children? No, it was the other way around¡ªher children were the ones leaving her!


    What Gianna saw wasn¡¯t neglect; the kids were just keeping up appearances. They were more than capable and they worked harder than even she did, whenever Gianna was out, careful not to rm her with the extent of their intelligence.


    Luckily, the kids could handle their tasks remotely while Athena handled the witnesses they uncovered. Those meetings rarely took longer than fifteen minutes before she was back, cooking, ying, and working alongside them.


    But at that moment, she couldn¡¯t exin it all to Gianna. So instead, she nodded with a look of guilt. "I know, Gianna, and I¡¯m really sorry about that. This will be thest witness I meet, and then I¡¯ll spend the rest of the evening and tomorrow with them."


    Gianna pouted, scrutinizing Athena with furrowed brows, searching for any hint of deception. When she was convinced of her friend¡¯s sincerity, she nodded. "Alright then. Who is the witness? Should I follow you?"


    Athena raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You don¡¯t have any backbreaking work to do?"


    Gianna shrugged nonchntly. "I told my boss I¡¯d be taking the rest of the year off. I¡¯ll resume in the second week of January. Thepany has closed for the holidays, and the clients under me can wait until then to collect their orders. It¡¯s not my fault they ced their orderste."


    Athena chuckled lightly. "They weren¡¯tte, Gianna. They submitted well before your deadline. It¡¯s your fault for being too greedy¡ªyou should have pushed up the date."


    Gianna stomped her foot in frustration. "How was I supposed to know they would all suddenly want that design?"


    "Well, humans are unpredictable. Deal with it," Athena retorted with yful exasperation. "And don¡¯t worry about your request; I¡¯ve got it covered. I won¡¯t be wasting any time, and I¡¯ll be back before you know it. You can use this time to wrap up your orders."


    Gianna nodded, giving Athena¡¯s stomach an affectionate pat. "If you say so. And those leather pants look great, by the way! If I didn¡¯t know you better, I¡¯d think you were off to do some underground shit..."


    Athena didn¡¯t respond, instead she slung a crossbody bag over her shoulder that held all her essentials, gave Gianna a wink, and stepped out of the room. Gianna followed closely behind.


    As they entered the living room, the twins leapt from the floor where they had been ying and rushed to their mother. They shot Gianna a sidelong nce before speaking up.


    "Mom, where are you heading to?" Nathaniel asked.


    "I want to check out a witness..." Athena began.


    "But we didn¡¯t send¡ª" Nathaniel started, only to pause at Gianna¡¯s pointed look. "Okay then. Good luck. Will you be back early?"


    Athena held back augh, her heart warming at the kids¡¯ concern. "Yeah, I will be. Take care of your sister; Aunt Gianna will be home today."


    Their faces lit up with wide smiles, melting Gianna¡¯s heart, while Athena couldn¡¯t help but feel amused. Her children were better actors than most stars out there.


    Dropping soft kisses on their cheeks, she stepped out of the apartment.


    Downstairs, Jake was already waiting for her.


    "Good morning, ma¡¯am. Where to today?" He inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice.


    Athena shook her head, a smile forming on her lips. "Don¡¯t worry, Jake; you won¡¯t be driving me today. They will."


    Jake furrowed his brow, ncing in the direction his boss was facing at that moment. He pursed his lips when he saw a sleek ck Cadic with tinted windows parked nearby.


    "They can be trusted," Athena assured him, catching the look of concern etched on his face.


    Jake swallowed hard but ultimately nodded. "If you say so, ma¡¯am. Have a good day."


    Just as Jake turned to leave, Athena called him back. "Take a break, Jake. Enjoy a Christmas holiday. I¡¯ve already spoken with Aiden, and he¡¯ll call youter about your bonus."


    "Ma¡¯am, I haven¡¯t even worked for¡ª" Jake began, disbelief shing across his face.


    "It¡¯s okay, Jake. You¡¯ve been a good driver," Athena interrupted gently, shaking her head decisively before heading toward the Cadic alone.


    This particr witness didn¡¯t need to be seen by anyone except her and her team. Even the location was confidential.

 Chapter 132: The Last Witness

    <h4>Chapter 132: The Last Witness</h4>


    The ck Cadic glided to a halt twenty minutester at a helicopter strip, and Athena exited the vehicle alongside two men d in ckbat gear.


    "Is everything ready?" She inquired as she marched purposefully toward the waiting helicopter, exuding an air of military precision.


    "Yes, ma¡¯am," The men responded in unison, nking her with an air of camaraderie. As the Cadic rolled away to a solitary bunker that resembled a car wash, Athena felt a surge of determination flush through her.


    Inside the helicopter, the men handed her a file.


    "All strands have been pulled, and the subject is safely in position. The boss says you owe him one though," One of the men remarked.


    Athena noticed the signs of a smile tugging at their lips and offered a knowing grin in return.


    "That¡¯s a deal then. Please extend my thanks to him¡ªespecially since he¡¯s throwing a tantrum and ignoring my calls," She replied, a yful edge in her voice.


    Deep sonorousughters suddenly filled the air, a sense of familiarity rippling through their ranks borne from years of teamwork.


    "Well, you can¡¯t me him. You are easily the best we¡¯ve ever had, and you turned down his offer to work for the nation, even after he dangled an outrageous sum of money in front of you." The taller man, Eric, said, a note of admiration in his tone. "And I can safely say, I miss working with you."


    "No ¡¯ma¡¯am¡¯ this time, Eric?" Athena teased, causing another round ofughter to ripple through the cabin.


    "You hated us calling you that. How about the old man?" He asked, a smirk present in his lips.


    Athena shrugged, her demeanor softening. "Aiden is fine. He¡¯s just spending Christmas with his daughter."


    "Lucky man," The second man muttered, ncing out the window toward the vast sky.


    "And you ask me, Eric, why I don¡¯t join you guys? Just look at Shawn¡¯s face. I couldn¡¯t sacrifice my time with my twins for something like this. I don¡¯t think I¡¯m that patriotic," Athena remarked, pointing at Shawn, who chuckled but didn¡¯t disagree.


    "Still the same, Athena. I¡¯m d to see that," Shawn replied, his voice warm withradeship.


    "Oh, it¡¯s a pleasure, as always, Shawn. Nice to see you again."


    Forty minutester, the helicopter hovered over a deste stretch ofnd, where nothing but withering grass was visible¡ªa desertedndscape that felt almost cursed, devoid of life.


    Shawn retrieved a long rope from the side of his seat, securing it and tossing it down to the barren ground below.


    "We¡¯ll finish up in the next fifteen to twenty minutes. Soe and get us when it¡¯s time," He instructed the pilot, the rope descending rapidly into the bleak expanse.


    The pilot nodded, maintaining the holding pattern of the helicopter carefully, so that his guests could jump safely.


    Without wasting a moment, Shawn clipped a harness to the rope and slid down. Eric followed suit, and then Athena. She felt a rush of adrenaline when her feet touched the ground again.


    As the helicopter flew away into the distance, she couldn¡¯t help but reminisce about thest time she had broken into a facility for a rescue operation.


    "Do you still remember how to navigate to the back door?" Eric queried.


    Athena nodded confidently. "That¡¯s why I asked the pilot to drop us here; this is the back door, the best way in."


    She paused at a section of the field, biting her lip in concentration as she scanned the ground, while moving her hand strategically through the thin cold air.


    Eric and Shawn looked around, visibly alert, as if expecting something to happen.


    To any outsider, Athena appeared to be waving her hands at empty air, but her fingers were actually brushing against a rocky texture.


    A smile finally crept onto her face as she located a button-like surface. With a swift motion, she pressed it, and to her delight, a hidden passageway began to open, revealing a dark staircase that descended into the earth.


    "Well, you still have the skills," Eric remarked, pulling out a small shlight and stepping forward into the darkness. Athena followed closely behind him, with Shawn bringing up the rear.


    She pressed another button on the wall, sealing off the entrance, keeping the illusion of an empty barrennd intact, ensuring that any signs of their presence would be undetectable.


    "Remember what the boss said: we only have fifteen minutes to do what we need to do before the systemes back online, and the guards resume their posts. So, let¡¯s move," Eric reminded them, casting nces between both Athena and Shawn.


    Athena nodded, pulling out the file they had prepared. After a few minutes of rushing through the pages of the file, she eximed, "He¡¯s at Cell 76, Block D. Let¡¯s go!" She led the way, studying the map carefully while her heart raced with anticipation.


    True to the boss¡¯ words , they encountered no guards during their journey. Athena silently thanked the boss for the impable intel; she wasn¡¯t in the mood to subdue anyone tonight.


    After five tense minutes, they reached their destination: a dismal and damp cell block muffled in silence, the air thick with the smell of loneliness and despair¡ªa ce reserved for the worst criminals, a damp grave for those whom the government wished to keep hidden, perhaps indefinitely.


    As they prepared to move in, they turned off their shlights, tensing up at the sound of footsteps echoing down the corridor.


    "Where are you going, Ron?" A voice called out.


    "I thought I saw a shlight," Another voice replied.


    Athena¡¯s heart raced as she realized they were dangerously close to being discovered.


    Thankfully, the first man didn¡¯t seem convinced. "It¡¯s not possible. Let¡¯s get to the control center before the chief deals with us," he urged.


    Once the footsteps had faded away, Athena and her partners released their breaths in relief. Quickly, she signaled for Shawn to pick the lock. When the door creaked open, she stepped inside alone.


    A haggard man sat on the rough bed¡ªa mere shadow of his former self. His hair hung in unkempt tangles, his clothes torn, and chains bound his wrists and ankles.


    "Who are you?" His voice was low and hoarse, a stark contrast to what she remembered.


    "It¡¯s Athena," She stated ndly, her heart almost aching at the sight of him.


    The man¡¯s eyes widened in shock, his muffled gasp barely audible beneath the veil of hair obscuring his face. "Athena?"


    "Hello, Lucas."

 Chapter 133: The Last Witness II

    <h4>Chapter 133: The Last Witness II</h4>


    "Athena, what are you doing here? After all these years of unjust torment, after letting me take the fall for a sin I didn¡¯tmit, are you here to finally kill me?" Lucas¡¯ voice was harsh, soaked in bitterness as he reluctantly took a seat in the iron chair at the cramped table.


    Athena faced him from across the metal surface meant for interrogations. Her little torchlight was the only source of illumination in the dark damp cell.


    Whosoever had created this idea of a cell was both a genius and a psychotic personality. She thought, checking the corners of the cell habited by ck molds.


    <i>Really wasn¡¯t named ¡¯ck Hole¡¯ for nothing!</i>


    "I¡¯m not here to kill you, Lucas," She finally replied, sitting up straight in her seat, projecting an air of authority. "Actually, I¡¯m here to offer you a chance at freedom."


    Lucas let out a derisiveugh, reminiscent of a beast¡¯s guttural sound. It was a sad sound, but Athena felt no sympathy for him.


    "Freedom? There¡¯s no freedom for me. You know that; you put me here!"


    "Then how am I here?" Athena asked calmly, her arms folded across her chest.


    Lucas¡¯s gaze traveled downward, lingering on her hands as if searching for a glimmer of sincerity in that posture.


    "I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know what or who you work for, Athena, but if I leave this ce, they¡¯ll track me down. Do you want to deepen my punishment? Haven¡¯t I suffered enough?" Anguishced his words.


    Athena brushed aside his pleas. There was no point in engaging in a futile debate. Lucas deserved everything he was experiencing now. "You can trust me... I¡ª"


    "Trust you?" Lucas interrupted, shaking his head in disbelief. "You set me up four years ago, and now you want to talk about trust? That word shouldn¡¯t even be in your vocabry. Erase it, Athena!"


    Athena couldn¡¯t help but let out augh, which soon turned somber. "You bring up trust and betrayal now? Do you remember what you did six years ago? You were my best friend and you sold me to Alfonso and his ridiculous daughter! Do you remember that?"


    Lucas bowed his head, shame suddenly washing over him. "I¡¯ve regretted that ever since. I could have made amends, but the lives of my brothers were at stake."


    Herughter echoed hollowly in the dimly lit cell, broken only by a rat scurrying around. "Regret? Is it because you ended up in this pit of darkness?"


    "No, I¡¯ve regretted it from the moment I made the deal with Fiona. I thought it would be worth it¡ªthe amnesty, the money, the safety of my brothers¡ªbut none of that made the betrayal any easier to bear, especially when I learned your father had banished you too."


    Athena nodded, feeling a mix of curiosity and anger. "So, it¡¯s not because you and Fiona had a real rtionship?"


    Lucas furrowed his brow, visibly agitated. "Rtionship? As if! It was only a fling. A one time event. A drunken mistake. The day I was supposed to leave, I met her at Ewan¡¯s ce for my payment. She was with her father, and so she imed to be busy. She asked me to meet her in a hotel for the money and all."


    He paused, gripping the edge of the table. "But in the hotel, she drugged me and slept with me after I turned her down her advances. She¡¯s a slut... that woman..." He caught himself, taking a deep breath. "Did she finally marry Ewan?"


    "She might as well be," Athena replied, her expression unreadable.


    Lucas clicked his tongue in disdain. "I pity Ewan then. I only went along with it because Fiona held my brothers¡¯ lives in her hands. Eventually, I learned she had them killed and was plotting to eliminate me too. I escaped, never looking back."


    "Then you worked as a bar attendant until that night when I found you¡ªthe night of the terrorist bombing, when my team mistakenly killed the terrorist instead of capturing him for questioning, and I had to turn you in as one," Athena finished, her smile devoid of warmth.


    "That was well-yed on your part," Lucas spat, a hollow eptance in his tone. "If you want to kill me, just go ahead. I have nothing left to lose. No family, nothing."


    Athena shook her head. "I¡¯m here to grant you freedom, Lucas."


    Lucas sighed resignedly. "Tell me about it then. What do you want me to do? Surely, it¡¯s not for free..."


    "I need you to testify against Fiona in court to gain your freedom," Athena stated firmly. "Don¡¯t worry about the evidence; I already have it." She reached into her pocket, retrieving a folded piece of paper, and handed it to him.


    "What is it?" Lucas asked, unfolding the paper slowly, his eyes widening in shock.


    "Your ticket to freedom," Athena replied, ncing at her watch. "We have five minutes, Lucas. Hurry up and read it!"


    Feeling the urgency in her tone, he fumbled through the paper, nching when he realized its contents. "Athena... what... is this?" He stammered, pointing at the content of the paper.


    "That¡¯s your daughter with Fiona. She¡¯s six. Her name is Kendra. Not only do I want you to testify against Fiona, but I¡¯m also releasing you to be a father to her. Fiona abandoned her at birth."


    Tears instantly brimmed in Lucas¡¯s eyes. "My daughter... abandoned? Where is she?"


    "At a safe ce. You¡¯ll have ess to her after the case, two days from now. I promise you, the government won¡¯t find you. Steps have already been taken to ensure that."


    "Athena...," Lucas was speechless. The weight of realization hit him, and he hurriedly left his seat and sank to his knees. "I¡¯ll trust what I see in your eyes this time. I will testify to the truth. Thank you for this second chance. Thank you for forgiving me."


    Athena huffed, motioning for him to stand. She collected the paper from his hand and gestured for him to follow her.


    Outside, Shawn and Eric were waiting.


    "You sure took your sweet time, Athena. Long time no see, Terror," Eric teased, smirking at Lucas.


    Lucas recognized him instantly, of course.


    He was one of Athena¡¯s colleagues that had sentenced him to hell.

 Chapter 134: Nostalgia

    <h4>Chapter 134: Nostalgia</h4>


    Athena was absorbed in scrolling through messages on her phone when Aiden¡¯s text caught her eye. She eagerly opened the text.


    <i>"Hey, are you guys done? Did you get him?"</i>


    After a quick, affirmative response text, she stole a nce at Eric, who was deep in conversation with their boss.


    A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she recalled the many times they had been in simr situations¡ªexecuting a n, oveing obstacles together, and emerging victorious.


    She sighed and leaned back in her seat, her gaze drifting to Lucas, who had immediately fallen asleep the moment the helicopter lifted off.


    It was no surprise; after spending four long years confined in darkness, deprived of sunlight and the gentle caress of the wind, he was likely overwhelmed by the sensations that were foreign to him.


    As the helicopter soared above the barrenndscape fading out of view below, Athena silently thanked her boss for granting them extended time on this operation.


    They had left Lucas¡¯s cell bracing for confrontation with guards, but to their surprise, they had encountered none. This knowledge brought a smile to her lips; it was a risky maneuver, but her boss had yed his cards well, managing to outwit the system.


    With the security measures in ce at the facility¡ªCCTV andputer systems disabled¡ªit would take days for anyone to realize that a prisoner had gone missing. In that silence, she would have ample time toplete the documentation necessary for Lucas to be dered a free man. More importantly, it would give her some breathing room to keep the feds off her back.


    Yes, all these were risks, but she needed to wrap the case up. She didn¡¯t want to give Ewan or his fianc¨¦e any room to outsmart her. It happened six years ago, but it won¡¯t be happening now, not when the stakes were higher.


    A sudden tap on her arm pulled her from her thoughts.


    "The boss wants to speak with you," Eric said, handing her the phone.


    Athena took it, excitement bubbling within her. "Hello, boss! Long time no talk! Thanks for today!" She eximed, the warmth of their connection immediately wrapping around her like aforting nket.


    Laughter resonated from the other end, filling her with nostalgia. "Anything for my infamous prodigy. How have you been?"


    She smiled widely, her heart swelling with fondness. "Fine, thank you."


    "Good to hear. So, will you ever considering back to the team?"


    Athena hesitated, the weight of his question heavy on her heart. "You know I can¡¯t. My kids are more important to me than anything else," She replied, resolutely.


    "Of course. I suppose I¡¯ll keep mourning then..." His disappointment was palpable, and she felt a pang of guilt.


    "Aww, don¡¯t do that! You¡¯ll be just fine. You have Eric and Shawn, the best of the best with you," She reassured him.


    "It was always better with you around..."


    She inhaled deeply, the truth of his words hitting home. The adrenaline rush of running on missions was an exhrating feeling she certainly missed. Yet, her children were the priority now, and she had made her choice.


    "You¡¯ll find someone else to mentor soon enough," She encouraged him, hoping to lighten the mood.


    A weary sigh drifted through the line. "I hope so. This man is getting old, and it¡¯s nearing his grave."


    Athena chuckled lightly, trying to keep things positive. "You¡¯re still fifty, old man! Stop talking about death!"


    "If you say so. Just make sure to greet Aiden for me. Tell him his position is still open," He added, his tone half-joking, half-serious.


    Athenaughed, the sound brightening the conversation. She knew Aiden wouldn¡¯t return¡ªjust as she wouldn¡¯t. "Of course, I will."


    "Goodbye, Athena."


    "Goodbye, boss. Eat well." She hung up, her heart full, yet lingering with a sense of loss.


    Eric jumped in again, breaking the silence. "You know you could always send your kids to us..."


    Shawn and Athena shot him res simultaneously, prompting Eric to raise his hands in mock surrender. "I was just making a suggestion!"


    "You can only make that suggestion when you actually have a child," Shawn scoffed, crossing his arms.


    Eric pouted, ncing away, and the atmosphere lightened as they settled into an easy banter. Athena savored the camaraderie; it reminded her of the family she¡¯d built outside of her own home.


    Minutester, the helicopter touched down at the airstrip, the machinery whirring to a halt. The sleek Cadic immediately emerged from the bunker, gliding toward them with a sense of purpose.


    "Take care of him. I want to see him in good condition tomorrow," Athena instructed firmly as they disembarked and felt the cool breeze against their skin.


    "Of course, ma¡¯am." Eric echoed, adding a yful salute that elicited an eye roll and an affectionate smirk from Athena.


    She turned her attention to Lucas, who looked both fragile and determined. He had been woken up after the helicopter hadnded. "If you even think about running, I¡¯ll send Kendra to an orphanage¡ªand not the good kind," She warned, her voice low but firm.


    Lucas shook his head fervently. "You have my word, Athena. I¡¯ll be in the elders council. I¡¯ll never abandon my daughter."


    His answer pleased Athena. Nodding, she offered him a thin smile before giving Shawn and Eric side hugs of gratitude. "See you all on Wednesday."


    Just ten minutes away from home, her phone buzzed with an iing call from Old Mr. Thorne.


    "I¡¯m not going to ask where you disappeared to on a helicopter, blindsiding my men, but I¡¯m d you did. My men found some of the gang members lurking around your street, and they¡¯ve been dealt with ordingly. When should we storm their hideout?" He started, after they had exchanged pleasantries.


    "I¡¯m not sure," Athena replied thoughtfully. "Leave them be for now. Let them think they have the upper hand."


    "Alright then. See you on Wednesday."


    "You¡¯ll be there? I thought cases held by the elder council are only attended by people from the towns involved," She mused, intrigued.


    "Yes, but I¡¯m different. Don¡¯t you think so?"


    Athena detected a sly note in his words and chuckled softly. "Of course, Mr. Thorne. You are indeed different. See you tomorrow."


    After hanging up, she immediately sent a message to Doctor Finn: <i>"Thank you for keeping everything above board. Keep it up; I¡¯ll be back soon."</i>


    Her phone pinged with an instantaneous response. <i>"Thanks, Doctor Athena!" </i>


    Despite her initial doubts about the young man, he had exceeded her expectations, easily bing her most valuable hire.


    With that taskplete, she closed her eyes, resting her head against the seat. Just as she began to rx, her phone dinged again, drawing her back to reality.


    "Finally," She muttered, recognizing the sender¡¯s number. Heart racing, she opened the text, her curiosity piqued.


    <i>"I¡¯ll be there, love."</i>

 Chapter 135: D-Day

    <h4>Chapter 135: D-Day</h4>


    "Mom, you look nervous." Nathaniel spoke, prompting Athena to gaze at her reflection in the mirror again with a hint of vulnerability. She had been staring at her reflection, looking for anything that could provide a sense of calm before the storm.


    Upon hearing her son¡¯s concern, she closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself. When she opened them again, the remnants of her anxiety had been reced by a cold, steely determination glinting in her eyes.


    Nathaniel continued, unfazed. "You don¡¯t have to worry, Mom. We won¡¯t let him win." He grasped her hand firmly in his, as Kathleen took hold of her other hand. Their touch was grounding, a reassurance against the mounting pressure she felt.


    "We will win this, Mom. It¡¯s a done deal. It¡¯s inevitable." Nathaniel concluded with a confidence that would have warmed her heart, had she not been so preupied with her own swirling emotions.


    He rested his head by her waist, a small gesture that usually made her smile, but today served as a reminder of what was at stake.


    Athena longed to run her fingers through their hair affectionately, but with both of them holding her hands, she decided to leave it. She rather fought back the nervousness that threatened to creep in again.


    It wasn¡¯t that she wasn¡¯t prepared or that she feared losing; that would never happen. But the specter of the elder council loomedrge, a reminder of the painful memories tied to thest time she had entered that hall.


    Six years ago, that ce had marked the bane of her existence, seeping her life with bitterness and anger¡ªfeelings she thought she had buried under the weight of time. Yet here they were, ready to resurface, waiting for the right trigger.


    In her chest, she felt a familiar ache, not as sharp as it had been those years ago, when the pain had consumed her entirely, but still present, gnawing at her resolve.


    "Mom... I have a question, quite unrted." Nathaniel¡¯s voice broke through her thoughts again, and she looked down at him.


    "What is it, Nathaniel?" She asked, noting the unusual quietness of Kathleen, who had been uncharacteristically subdued all morning.


    "It¡¯s about the container of drugs you gave to Mr. Ewan regarding his issues. Why do you have it in your possession at home?"


    Nathaniel¡¯s question struck a nerve¡ªAthena had hoped no one would ask. She had assumed the matter was resolved, tucked away along with her secrets, but it seemed she had gloated too soon.


    Athena quickly pressed her lips together, searching for a way to respond without revealing the tension it invoked in her.


    "Is your health threatened, Mom?" Nathaniel pressed further, his concern now evident.


    She shook her head vigorously, forcing her voice to remain steady. "Not at all. It¡¯s at home because it¡¯s a recent drug I worked on. It hasn¡¯t yet gone to market. Nothing much," She stated calmly, directing her gaze toward the window, avoiding the piercing eyes of her son.


    She couldn¡¯t bear for him to see the lie, couldn¡¯t stand the idea of him sensing the unease rippling beneath the surface.


    "Thank God..." Kathleen muttered softly, a thin smile creeping onto her face.


    Athena smiled back, but her gaze shifted back to Nathaniel, who seemed suddenly introspective.


    "Mom, I had a nightmare." The vulnerability in Kathleen¡¯s voice pulled at Athena¡¯s heartstrings, and she instantly knelt to draw her daughter close, cupping her small face in her hands.


    "A nightmare? What was it about, Kate?" She prompted gently, grateful that her daughter finally feltfortable enough to share what had been troubling her.


    "Mr. Ewan died, and everyone was gloomy about it."


    Athena¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, the unexpectedness of the statement catching her off guard. She swiftly drew Kathleen close, sensing the weight of sadness that shrouded her.


    "Don¡¯t worry, Kate. Nothing will happen to him," She assured her, though the ghost of Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s warning flickered through her mind¡ªa reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows of the truth.


    "Do you think the truth will kill him today?" Kathleen asked, her voice trembling slightly.


    Athena paused, her heart catching in her throat as she recalled what she knew about Ewan¡¯s strength and determination. "No. He is stronger than that. He will face the truth, bitter as it may be, and he will make better decisions in the future." <i>Hopefully.</i>


    "Do you really believe so, Mom?" Nathaniel asked, echoing his sister¡¯s concerns from behind them.


    Athena inhaled softly, searching for her own conviction. "I know so." She spoke from her own experience, recalling the truth that had shattered her years ago. It had broken her then, but she hade back stronger, forged anew through the fire of pain and loss.


    Hopefully, the case will be the same with Ewan, because she wouldn¡¯t be backing out because of a mere nightmare or pity. Oh no. She loved her children too much for that. And this court case, in a way, was she rendering help to him, thest he will get from her, apart from the treatments.


    Her phone dinged with a message just then, the sound cutting through the thick atmosphere. Disengaging from her embrace with Kathleen, she stood and retrieved the phone from the dresser.


    Two texts awaited her from Areso and Chelsea, wishing her good luck for the case today. She quickly sent them both a note of appreciation, feeling the familiar warmth of friendship bolster her spirits briefly.


    As she noted the time, a deep sigh escaped her lips. It was time. "Let¡¯s go. I¡¯m sure Gianna has been waiting for a while."


    True to her words, Gianna was indeed waiting. As Athena stepped into the living room, she exhaled softly, her heart lifting at the sight of her friend.


    Gianna stood up from the sofa and walked toward them, her arms open wide. They shared a family hug, filled with warmth and love.


    With cheerful eyes, Athena murmured, "We will win." The words were a promise, a mantra that echoed in her heart. "Nothing will tamper with our family."


    Gianna and the twins nodded in agreement, their faces illuminated by a fire of shared resilience.


    "Let¡¯s go then. The court case will be starting in the next forty minutes," Gianna announced, rallying everyone.


    Outside the building, Athena¡¯s lips parted in surprise when she saw the barrage of cars waiting for them.


    What is this? A convoy? Curiosity swirled in her mind as her eyes caught Old Mr. Thorne, deep in discussion with Aiden.


    <i>What is Aiden doing here? </i>She thought, her jaw dropping slightly.


    Just then, Aiden turned, his gaze meeting hers as though he had sensed her thoughts. A smile broke upon his face, and he made his way toward her with long strides.


    "Uncle Aiden!" The twins cried in unison when they spotted him, their bright voices cutting through her surprise. They rushed towards him, and he lifted them gleefully into his arms, theirughter ringing like music in her ears.


    "How have you two been?" He asked, his voice rich with affection.


    "Good!" They chorused, happiness radiating from them, and in that moment, Athena felt some of the tension on her shoulders dissipate.


    "Hope you didn¡¯t give your mom any trouble?" Aiden teased as he set them back down on the ground.


    "Not at all!" They answered, giggling at the idea.


    "Good." He nodded, before turning his attention to Gianna and Athena.


    "Hello, beautifuldies..." He said, with an infectious grin.

 Chapter 136: D-Day II

    <h4>Chapter 136: D-Day II</h4>


    Athena and Gianna couldn¡¯t help but scoff simultaneously at Aiden¡¯s yful use of an endearment, which prompted a heartyugh from him. "Oh, God, I¡¯ve missed you two..." He muttered, pulling both women into a warm embrace.


    "So, what are you doing here? You didn¡¯t tell me you wereing..." Athena began, after they disengaged from the hug, casting another nce at the convoy of cars parked behind them. They were about eight!


    The massive security detail stirred a gnawing sense of unease in the pit of her stomach.


    "And why are there so many cars? So much security detail?"


    Aiden chuckled in a way that suggested he found her concern amusing. "Well, to answer your first question, if I had informed you I wasing, that would ruin the surprise, wouldn¡¯t it?"


    Athena rolled her eyes, pressing her lips together in mock annoyance. "Surprise or not, you know I don¡¯t like surprises."


    "Secondly," Aiden continued, undeterred, "they are here for your protection. Our surveince system detected some unusual activities from the gang. We don¡¯t know what exactly is going on, but it¡¯s best to be prepared."


    Athena frowned, pondering this new information. "Do you think they¡¯ll try to stop the case from happening?" She asked, anxiety threading through her voice.


    Aiden furrowed his eyebrows, assessing the worry in her expression. "I don¡¯t see why they would do that, but if they decide to, we¡¯ll take care of them."


    Just then, Old Mr. Thorne joined them, and Athena felt a wave of relief wash over her upon seeing the liveliness etched on his face. She wouldn¡¯t have admitted it aloud, but his presence always provided a sense of security. Without thinking, she nted a kiss on his cheeks after greeting him.


    The action made Old Mr. Thorne blush, his hands twitching slightly at the unexpected affection, as if her love had awakened a youthful joy in him.


    "Thank you for all this, Mr. Thorne. I¡¯m still in disbelief about this friendship that can only be termed family..." Athena expressed, her gratitude genuine.


    Old Mr. Thorne shook his head, resting a hand on her shoulder with a warm smile. "Of course you¡¯re family! If not, why would you send the kids to me for holidays?"


    Athena smiled at her children, their eyes bright with the joy and love that came from their shared experiences with Old Mr. Thorne.


    "It added a few more years to my age, and I¡¯m grateful to you for that. Seriously, if you ever need anything, just ask. Also..." He lowered his voice conspiratorially, "my wife wants to meet you."


    A hint of a blush crept on Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s cheeks as he spoke this, and Athena couldn¡¯t help but smile more broadly, knowing that the couple had a beautiful bond.


    "Sure, I¡¯d love to meet her. Just let me know when the date is," She replied, feeling fulfilled by the twinkle in Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s eyes as he firmly grasped her shoulder the more, and nodded eagerly.


    "I brought someone along to see you. We met in quite a funny way, but he proved that he knew you, so I decided to drop him off," Old Mr. Thorne announced suddenly, ncing behind him.


    Athena furrowed her brows, curiosity bubbling within her. Who could that be?


    She watched as the older man signaled one of his guards. The guard walked to the third car in the convoy, and opened the back door with a practiced ease.


    Out stepped a man in histe twenties, and Athena felt her breath catch as she took him in.


    He was strikingly handsome, with long ck hair tied back neatly with a headband, framing a sharp, aristocratic nose that entuated his lean and athletic build. Standing taller than six feet, his long legs added to his elegant posture.


    He wore a fitted ck suit that hugged his form perfectly, apanied by a long, brown coat that draped gracefully from his shoulders. His piercing hazel eyes sparkled with intrigue, and there was an undeniable confidence in the way he carried himself that made Athena¡¯s lips widen in a soft smile.


    "Father!" The excited shouts of the twins yanked her from her momentary reverie. Their eyes wide with excitement, they gently pried their hands away from Old Mr. Thorne, who looked pleasantly surprised at the sudden disy of affection.


    The twins rushed up to the male,ughing boisterously as he effortlessly lifted them into his arms, as if they weighed nothing at all. Aiden observed the scene with a knowing smile.


    "How have my two lovelies been?" The male asked the twins, his voice smooth and rich, causing even Gianna to chuckle softly, as she noted how unrestrained Nathaniel¡¯s smile had be.


    "Better now!" They chorused in reply, their faces lighting up with joy.


    "Good to see you, my favorite troublemaker." Gianna stepped forward first, her eyes shining with familiarity and friendship as she wrapped her arms around him in a bear hug after he set the kids back on the ground.


    "It¡¯s been a while, friend," She said as they disengaged.


    "Yeah, yeah." He patted her head fondly, but Gianna was having none of that. With a yful smirk, she expertly pushed his hand away and nudged him gently in Athena¡¯s direction, as if resuming her long-held role as a matchmaker.


    "Hello, love..." He said, finally facing Athena with a charming smile. "It seems the children haven¡¯t tired of calling me Father."


    Athena felt a warmth bloom within her at the nickname, her smile widening further. "Hello, Antonio," She replied, her heart free as she met his deep hazel eyes, which were unmistakably filled with love and warmth.


    "Maybe when you get married and stop acting like a priest, they can stop," She added, a light-hearted jab meant to lighten the mood.


    "I would have, but my woman is yet to give me the go-ahead," Antonio remarked, his voice rich with humor. He saved her the trouble of replying by pulling her into an embrace, holding her tightly as if trying to merge their two beings into one.


    "I¡¯ve missed you, Athena," He whispered, fingers threading through her hair softly. The touch sent a shiver of warmth cascading through her body, every tension that had built up over the past few days fading away in his presence.


    "I¡¯ve missed you too, Antonio. How long are you staying?" She asked, her voice softer now, hoping that he might be around longer than a fleeting visit.


    "Depends," He responded calmly. "Are you ready for me, Athena?"


    Athena wished she was.


    Antonio was the perfect man six years ago, and he was the perfect man now, but her heart won¡¯tply with her mind, no matter how much she wished for it to, no matter how much she tried fantasizing about him in many ways, in different positions.


    It just didn¡¯t work, and she hated it.


    But Athena¡¯s silence gave Antonio the answer he didn¡¯t want. Sighing weakly, he disengaged from the hug.


    "I¡¯ll wait, until you are ready."

 Chapter 137: In The Court

    <h4>Chapter 137: In The Court</h4>


    <i>¡¯The hall still looks the same¡¯ </i>was Athena¡¯s first thought as she stepped into the elders¡¯ council hall, holding her children¡¯s hands tightly.


    The familiar scent of old wood and polished stone enveloped her, a bittersweet reminder of the countless decisions made in this very space. The only different thing was the projector that Aiden had mounted yesterday with their permission regarding today¡¯s case, a stark, modern addition against the timeless backdrop of the hall.


    Athena felt a strange sense of dislocation seeing the sameness after all these years, for it felt like a telltale sign that these elders were still the same¡ªstoic as ever, and frustratingly shallow to believe in outdated and faulty proofs. But today, resolute and ready, she would w her way through their ignorance to present suchpelling evidence that there would be no room for foolish judgments.


    "Athena, is there a problem?" She heard Antonio whisper, his voice low and tinged with concern, drawing her back to the moment. She shook her head, aware of an intense, burning gaze on her. She already knew who had it, and there was no need to turn.


    "I¡¯m fine, Antonio. Let¡¯s sit in the opposite seats."


    With a quick yet elegant stride, she made her way to the designated bench, still holding the twins¡¯ small hands, followed closely by Gianna and Antonio. Aiden and Old Mr. Thorne brought up the rear, apanied by two of his security detail, eyes scanning the room for any hint of threat.


    The rest remained outside, vignt in keeping an eye out for the gang, in coalition with others stationed at hidden spots around the court, and those reporting from the inner chambers.


    "A lot of people have gathered for this meeting..." Old Mr. Thorne remarked, his seasoned eyes checking out the throng of people seated and staring at them inscrutably.


    Athena couldn¡¯t agree more. There were more spectators here than there had been at her case six years ago, likely because this one involved children¡ªa raw nerve that drew an audience. The absence of avable seats propelled her thoughts; the only reason theirs had been left empty was due to someone securing a perfect number for them. Who could that be?


    Her brow furrowed as she subtly scanned for a familiar face in the bustling crowd, even though she had no clear notion of what she was seeking.


    Her eyes widened slightly in surprise when she caught Sandro¡¯s cheeky wink and Zane¡¯s subtle wave.


    Of course! She thought, returning their greetings with a small, conspiratorial wave of her own, as they were seated right next to Ewan, who was ring at his friends with pinched lips.


    Beside him were Fiona and her parents. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise when Mrs. Margaret, Fiona¡¯s mother, waved at her with a wide, enthusiastic smile.


    Athena pursed her lips, caught between confusion and curiosity. Although Ciara had informed her of Mrs. Margaret¡¯s discharge from the hospital a few days ago, alongside the woman¡¯s desire to see her, Athena hadn¡¯t bothered to carve out time from her packed schedule for the woman. She didn¡¯t quite understand why Mrs. Margaret would want to meet her.


    To pick up where she left off years ago, or to grovel like her husband and daughter?


    The uncertainty sent a ripple of nonchncy through her. For the moment, she chose not to return the wave, opting instead for a curt nod toward the chirpy woman.


    "You know you two can run over to her if you wish," Ewan dered hotly to his two friends, who were neither ying nor interacting with the kids but exchanging knowing nces.


    He could feel a twinge of jealousy pushing up through his chest as he watched Sandro give him a sly smirk. But he wanted nothing that they had¡ªexcept, perhaps, the easy camaraderie they shared with his children, a connection he felt hecked.


    "If you two continue with this, I¡¯ll personally push you away," He warned, his tone mock-serious.


    "Please do, honey. They are traitors. Who knows if they are in cahoots with her?" Fiona chimed in, chewing gum with feigned nonchnce while examining her freshly manicured nails.


    Sandro and Zane bit their tongues to suppress outbursts against the wicked woman, opting instead to let Athena handle it with her signature grace. They pretended to be unfazed, gazing straight ahead, but Ewan noticed their sudden stiffposure at Fiona¡¯s remark, prompting a swirl of suspicion in his mind.


    Why was he staying at Sandro¡¯s house instead of in theforts of his mansion? His friends had supplied a flimsy excuse¡ªspending time together to prepare for the case in a less lonely environment.


    Yet he had agreed because the mansion felt deste; it was an echoing cavern of luxury, yet devoid of genuine warmth. Fiona didn¡¯t count as apanion; her interests were merely superficial, centered on vapid subjects such as fashion trends and meaningless gossip that bored him to tears. Worse still, she usually came home reeking of another man.


    Even now, as he took a deep breath, her fragrance intermingled with a foreign scent, prickling something ufortable deep within him.


    Just then, the door adjacent to the high podium swung open, and six elderly men draped in flowing regalia trooped out, their solemnity punctuating the moment with an air of authority.


    Athena thought they looked like priests, yet the aged lines etched into their faces told stories much darker than those of sanctity. She pursed her lips, watching Alfonso rise from his seat to join the elders at the podium, iming a position near Elder Timothy.


    "Good morning, everyone..." Elder Timothy began, his voice resonating through the hall like a tolling bell, each word washing over the assembly in waves as his piercing gaze raked across the room filled to the brim.


    The moment his eyesnded on Old Mr. Thorne, his demeanor shifted subtly, concern sharpening the lines on his face. What was the head of the leading family doing here? He thought, gripping his robe tightly, anxiety creeping in.


    Of course, he wouldn¡¯t dare send Mr. Thorne away! But how had Athena managed to secure his presence?


    With a furtive nce, he surveyed Athena, noting the confident stance she held. Changed. He mulled over the thought, a furrow of curiosity settling onto his brow, realizing she was no longer the same woman he had dealt with years prior; she was ready to fight.


    Looking at Ewan, he hoped thetter had prepared enough ammunition to wage war in this meeting, for considering the stature of Mr. Thorne and Dr. Athena¡¯s influence within the city and country atrge, this case would be monumental.


    "We are gathered here for a certain case of child¡ªor in this case, children¡¯s ownership¡ªbrought forward by Mr. Ewan Gietti against his ex-wife, Athena..." He continued, the air thickening with tension as he pronounced her name.


    He hesitated, carefully enunciating her full name, "Caddells..."


    Zack, seated behind Margaret, huffed in anger at the mention. His frustration was palpable.


    "So, let the case begin. Does anyone have anything to say before we start?" Elder Timothy concluded, his face taut with anticipation.


    In that charged moment, Athena¡¯s hand shot up immediately, surprising both Timothy and the assembled crowd. "Yes, Elder Timothy. I have something to say."

 Chapter 138: The Court Case

    <h4>Chapter 138: The Court Case</h4>


    "Yes, Doctor Athena... go on. What do you have to tell us?" Elder Timothy asked, his voice a mix of authority and curiosity, granting Athena the opportunity to speak.


    As she obliged and stood up, a pin-drop silence enveloped therge hall, the air thick with anticipation as the congregation wondered what the benevolent doctor had to say.


    "First of all, thank you, Elder Timothy, for giving me this privilege to speak..." Athena began, her shoulders high, spine straight, and nose tilted upward, exuding a confidence that shimmered brightly, overshadowing the trembling nerves that threatened to bubble to the surface. Thest time she had stood in this hall, she was scorned, jeered at, and ultimately pushed away, a painful memory she carried with her.


    "I want to make a plea, actually. Six years ago, during a simr court case, I found myself isted at the witness stand, while the intiff stood among the congregation, silent and untouched until the case was concluded. I wouldn¡¯t want that today."


    "So, you want him to take the witness box too?" Elder Timothy asked, weaving his fingers together on the raised tform, his tone measured.


    "Not at all. I would prefer that extra seats be brought and arranged before us. Then, we can all take those seats¡ªdefendants and intiff alike. Also, I plead that he proceed with his evidences first, considering he is the one who initiated this case. I¡¯d like to hear his viewpoints first and understand why he has taken this route before I present mine..."


    Alfonso leaned forward to speak, but Timothy raised a hand in his face, silencing him and causing annoyance to sh across Alfonso¡¯s features.


    "Okay, Doctor Athena. Request granted." A thin smile appeared on Elder Timothy¡¯s lips, causing Ewan¡¯s furrows to deepen.


    Did Athena somehow persuade Elder Timothy to tilt the scales in her favor? He wondered, aware of the whispers swirling around him.


    This was unprecedented for Elder Timothy; he typically had a firm grip on proceedings, rarely entertaining suggestions from others. Was it Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s influence at y?


    But the truth was that Elder Timothy was simply intrigued; he wanted to see how this woman, who had been broken six years ago, who was now a rich doctor, would present her case. The thought fueled his curiosity enough that he was willing to speed the proceedings along. "Get the seats," he ordered, and two men standing by the door hastily exited.


    Five minutester, two long, bench-like chairs with polished headboards were brought into the room, each carried by two men. They ced one in front of Athena and the other before Ewan.


    "Okay then, fill in the seats."


    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Athena stood, epting theptop bag Antonio handed to her before gracefully walking to her new ce. She tasked Aiden with connecting the projector, ensuring everything was ready. Ewan followed suit, adjusting his tie as he rose.


    "Now that we¡¯ve settled that, let the intiff state their case."


    Ewan stood tall, d in a sharp three-piece suit that highlighted his determined aura. In front of himy arge brown envelope brimming with photocopied research documents sent by a hacker.


    After greeting the elders and the gathered crowd, he cleared his throat, beginning, "As Elder Timothy stated, the case revolves around child legal matters."


    He paused, inhaling softly, gathering his thoughts. Yes, Athena had helped him stay focused today, but this effort was ultimately for her benefit. She intended to fight fair and square, and that¡¯s exactly what he would do¡ªfight with all he had for the sake of his children.


    "You all remember my ex-wife from six years ago, embroiled in a scandal involving infidelity. Over a month ago, I held a press conference apologizing for my inability to provide proof about that tumultuous period. While I worked through those issues and attempted to mend bridges though, she never informed me that she had our children all along. Before she left our city, she was already pregnant; she knew and chose not to tell me. It wasn¡¯t until a few weeks ago that I discovered the truth¡ªthat her twins, who harbor nothing but animosity toward me, are actually mine." His voice crackled slightly as he opened the file, aware of the murmurs rising within the crowd.


    Some believed Athena was justified in separating from him while others considered her foolish for keeping the twins away. He sided with thetter.


    He produced a copy of the DNA test results for Elder Timothy, alongside pictures of Kathleen and Nathaniel. As Elder Timothy held up the evidence for the assembly to see, the twins scowled, fists clenched in silent outrage.


    "Oh, they are your children, quite alright, Ewan. Continue..."


    "Thank you. You see, in my mind, the expected course of action would have been to confront her directly about this. I would have, but I stumbled upon disturbing reports linking her to activities that have endangered others, including using our children to curry favors and wreak havoc on businesses."


    "Oh Lord, have mercy..." Gianna muttered, her eyebrows raised in disbelief. Beside her, Aiden smiled slyly, shaking his head. Ewan was only digging himself into a deeper mess.


    "As you can see..." Ewan continued, gesturing towards the files handed out to the elders. "She uses the children as a cover for her backers¡ªwhoever they may be¡ªafter they pay cyber criminals to hack intopanies¡¯ systems. My ownpany, for instance, fell victim to two separate hacks; you all remember that chaotic season. She was behind it. She even imed to know the person responsible and said she¡¯d speak with them to put a stop to it... but that¡¯s beside the point. During my conversations with the hackers, I heard my daughter¡¯s voice! I don¡¯t know what she is doing with my kids, Elder Timothy. What is the six year old doing with the hackers contact?" Ewan threw up his hands in frustration, the tension palpable.


    "If you check the second file, you will see that she is also linked with gangs, including the Russian mafia. The articles also indicate that she is the mastermind behind the Grey disease." Gasps erupted throughout the hall as disbelief mixed with intrigue painted the faces of the crowd.


    "She did it, then created an antidote for it. This is how she amassed her wealth, by solving a crisis she herself had instigated."


    Alfonso¡¯s mouth fell open in shock. He hadn¡¯t seen thising at all. Wow, the woman was far more cunning than they had initially perceived.

 Chapter 139: The Court Case II

    <h4>Chapter 139: The Court Case II</h4>


    <i>"Do you think Mr. Ewan is right?" </i>


    <i>"I am not sure. Doctor Athena doesn¡¯t look like the one who would do such evil. I think Mr. Ewan is confused, or perhaps he received wrong information..."</i>


    <i>"Or maybe he is just too desperate to have his children back."</i>


    <i>"If it is as you said, then he is a man most miserable."</i>


    <i>"You lot are gullible! He must be telling the truth, especially since he came with proof. Ewan Gietti is too powerful of a man to be deceived by a hacker. I think our doctor¡¯s demeanor contributes to the disbelief¡ªher innocent face is the best tool to mislead people."</i>


    <i>"I think you are right. I have always questioned her sess story. How does one go from beingbeled an illiterate, as they imed she was six years ago, to bing a certified doctor? And not just that, but a well-known one who discovered the cure for a national pandemic?"</i>


    <i>"I¡¯m afraid you are right. We have all ced our lives in the hands of a murderer. She should be arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment!"</i>


    <i>"I think life imprisonment is too lenient; she should be subjected to electrocution!" </i>


    Whispers buzzed like angry bees, escting into loud arguments that filled the court. Elder Timothy had to strike the gravel four times to restore order.


    "Silence!" He shouted again as the murmurs rose once more, moving to a crescendo of heated debates.


    "If you won¡¯t keep quiet, then this case will be handled in the inner chambers!" He threatened, causing a tense silence to nket the council hall.


    Sandro found himself wishing for that very oue; it would certainly spare Ewan the public embarrassment that wasing soon.


    His friend stood tall now, scowling as though delivering justice, but wait until Athena began to speak. He sighed and nced at Zane.


    "You know, Sandro, I wish I could stop what¡¯sing."


    Sandro sighed weakly at Zane¡¯s muttered words, his gaze drifting to Athena. She wore a smile that seemed to cast her in the light Ewan was portraying¡ªa look of calcted mischief. His friend would regret this decision for the rest of his life.


    "Ewan, please continue your case..." Elder Timothy urged, reiming his seat after having stood during themotion.


    "Thank you, Elder Timothy..." Ewan replied, momentarily meeting Athena¡¯s gaze, his heart sinking as he noted the rxedposure on her face¡ªa calm echoed by those surrounding her, including that familiar figure he had seen whispering in her ear before.


    Who was he? And why was he holding her hand? Ewan subtly shook his head, reminding himself that what Athena did wasn¡¯t his concern¡ªonly the kids mattered. After all, hadn¡¯t she given him the green light toe at her with all his might?


    "My elders, as you can see in the evidence before you, which includes dates and witness reports, this woman here is unfit to be the mother of my children. I appreciate her for caring for them thus far, but if her influence continues, they will grow up to be hooligans and misfits, and I can¡¯t allow that to happen¡ªat least, not while I¡¯m still alive. They may hate me for wanting to separate them from their mother, but I am confident that over time, I can convince them otherwise."


    He paused, casting a nce at the twins.


    Nate regarded him ndly, but his daughter, Kate, looked at him with an expression that resembled pity.


    Ewan¡¯s heart burned with annoyance. Why was she looking at him that way? He quickly pushed the unsettling feeling aside and forged on.


    "You all know the Devil¡¯s Scorpion Gang..."


    Ewan¡¯s promation brought a deathly hush to the courtroom. People visibly shied away from the mention of the deadliest gang in the country, some almost wishing Ewan hadn¡¯t uttered their name.


    "Well, they are evil, quite alright..." Ewan continued, his voice unwavering. "But this time, I must admit, they did something good..."


    Another wave of frightened gasps rippled through the hall.


    "Some weeks ago, they kidnapped Athena. I didn¡¯t know why initially, but I was part of the rescue team..." Ewan pressed down the unsettling memory of what he had witnessed when he intervened to save her¡ªit wasn¡¯t the time for such thoughts now.


    "Then, two weekster, my children were kidnapped. Digging deeper, I discovered they were after her because of a certain research¡ªto stop her from causing more harm and earning blood money. It turns out they were hired by someone within the government to eliminate her work."


    No murmurs arose this time¡ªeveryone was too stunned to react, their minds caught in a whirl of processing his shocking ims, grappling with belief and doubt.


    "I don¡¯t know her deal with the Russian mafia or what she is supplying to them. I don¡¯t care actually. I just want her hands off my children." Ewan paused, inhaling deeply as he prepared to make his next point. "Not only is she evil, but she¡¯s also petty, attempting to sabotage my rtionship with my fianc¨¦e. Once, we had a work dinner..."


    Fiona gasped softly, shrinking into her seat. What was Ewan doing? As she thought this, she fumbled through her bag, her eyes widening when she didn¡¯t find her phone. Where was the damned thing?


    "Fiona, what are you searching for?" Margaret whispered, observing her daughter¡¯s frantic movements.


    Ewan was still speaking.


    "I¡¯m looking for my phone. Have you seen it?"


    Margaret shook her head. "Maybe you left it at home?"


    Fiona paused, nodding slowly. Perhaps that was it after all¡ªit might be for the best.


    "So, Ewan, do you have evidence that Doctor Athena snapped those pictures and sent them to your fianc¨¦e?"


    "Yes," Ewan responded, turning to Fiona. But she shook her head, disappointment coloring her features.


    "I¡¯m not with my phone. I left it at home."


    Ewan suppressed a curse aimed at her and returned his attention to the elders.


    "Since there is no evidence, I¡¯m afraid we can¡¯t take that into ount," Elder Timothy announced, reviewing the file in his hand, visibly astounded.


    Left to his own devices, he would call for the police to bring justice to Athena, but as a judge, he needed to hear from her¡ªthis alleged ¡¯evil¡¯ woman.


    But before that...


    "Ewan, what do you want exactly from this case?"


    "I want my kids back." Ewan replied, without hesitation.


    "You want full rights?"


    Ewan paused, ncing at Athena. Seeing the smirk on her lips, he felt a wave of aggravation wash over him, almost wanting to wipe that smug expression off her face.


    "I want full rights. She can only see them once a month! I think that¡¯s best, especially since she might be going to prison after this."

 Chapter 140: The Court Case III

    <h4>Chapter 140: The Court Case III</h4>


    Athenaughed then, a sound that echoed with reckless abandon.


    Herughter enveloped the council hall, creating a heavy silence born from sheer shock.


    Sheughed until tears streamed down her cheeks, unbothered by the res of some of the townspeople or the veiled threats lurking in the eyes of others.


    Sheughed, holding her belly, shaking her head at intervals, and reveling in the absurdity of the moment.


    Suddenly, she paused, fixing her widened eyes andughing lips on Ewan.


    "You want full rights? Wow, Ewan, you are really asking for it."


    Sheughed again, shaking her head as if lost in disbelief. "But then, that¡¯s expected from a man who is set to die soon; greed and covetousness."


    Herughter faded, and a chilling scowl reced her yful demeanor, causing several people to gasp¡ªstarting to believe that she truly was the viin Ewan had painted her as.


    "Athena, stop threatening the intiff! What are you doing? Do you even know where you are?" Alfonso shouted, breaking the spell of shock that had settled over Elder Timothy.


    Thetter¡¯s sharp voice did well to rattle Timothy from his stupor. "Athena, if you do that again, you will be sanctioned!"


    "Of course," Athena replied, a smile blooming on her face as she gave a curt bow.


    Elder Timothy shook his head, a nagging sense of foreboding creeping in. He nced over at old Mr. Thorne, who seemed utterly unfazed, much like the people surrounding Athena.


    What trickery were they plotting? Were they nning something sinister once this was all over, like blowing up the hall?


    He shuddered at the thought and redirected his focus to Ewan, who, as he expected, was fuming under the weight of the threat over him.


    "You dare threaten me, Athena? Is that because I came to you for help with my health?"


    Sandro facepalmed himself, while Zane shook his head in disbelief.


    Margaret frowned, sensing an underlying tension, especially as she noticed Fiona shaking her legs anxiously, as if struggling to keep herself from panicking.


    What in the heaven¡¯s name was going on?


    "Ewan, calm down. We are still in a court session."


    Ewan heaved a rough breath and turned to Elder Timothy. "I am done here. I¡¯m sure you all know the right thing to do at this point. Surely, you can see that she is not fit to raise my children, any children at all."


    Elder Timothy nodded gravely. "Of course, Mr. Ewan. But I must hear her side first before drawing any conclusions."


    Ewan tsked in irritation. "Sure, but be careful. She has a way of charming her way into people¡¯s hearts. Look at my friends..."


    He pointed at Sandro and Zane, whose eyes widened as they unexpectedly became the center of attention. "She already has them wrapped around her little finger¡ªDon¡¯t be fooled by their presence beside me. Judge truthfully."


    Elder Timothy nodded soberly. "I will, Ewan. You can trust me on this. I want your children to receive justice as well."


    Ewan nodded, satisfied, and took his seat.


    Elder Timothy exhaled deeply, cing the case file beside him before turning his attention to Athena. "Doctor Athena, it¡¯s your turn. Please state why you should have custody of the children, along with your evidence."


    Athena smiled and stood up. "Thank you, Elder Timothy, for this wonderful opportunity. I have been waiting for a long time..." She punctuated her ¡¯long time¡¯ with a thick southern drawl, her lips curling into a smirk as she nced at Ewan.


    Ewan balled his fists, displeased that she still bore that smile under such dire circumstances.


    "But before I start with my case..." Athena continued nonchntly, "I would like to make a plea."


    Alfonso and Ewan angrily mmed their right hands on the table in unison, prompting a smile from Aiden.


    "Oh, that¡¯s enough of your pleas,dy!" Alfonso dered, while Ewan remained silent.


    But Athena held her gaze steady on Elder Timothy.


    "What is it that you want, Athena?" Elder Timothy inquired gruffly, triggering murmurs from the crowd, with some suspecting the elder was showing partiality.


    "I only want Fiona to sit with Ewan in his seat. After all, aren¡¯t they engaged?" Athena requested, her words catching everyone off guard.


    The hall fell into a hush then; the people clearly unprepared for her request.


    "And why is that?" An elder asked, as Alfonso remained tight-lipped, beginning to contemte the possible implications of Athena¡¯s request.


    What scheme was this wicked woman concocting?


    His confusion mirrored Fiona¡¯s, who felt increasingly restless, especially with the twins¡¯ prating stares focused upon her, as if they could see right through her.


    "Well, the case I must present involves her. It would also help the people to understand better..."


    "I don¡¯t..."


    "That¡¯s okay then. Fiona, join Ewan at the stand." Elder Timothy interjected, cutting off whatever objection Alfonso had formed.


    Alfonso had to wrestle with himself to suppress a re directed at the chief elder, perhaps even resisting the urge to knock him on his bald head.


    Meanwhile, Fiona was pep-talking herself, assuring herself that all was well¡ªthat Ewan had all the necessary grounds covered.


    She thought there was no way Athena had anything on her; nothing was left unchecked in whatever schemes she involved herself in¡ªMorgan had ensured that.


    There was also no chance Athena would win this case either, not when the townsfolk viewed her as a mass murderer. Fiona could bet her ass off that a police officer was present too, ready to pounce when the moment demanded it.


    She smiled as she stood from her seat¡ªAthena was destined to lose... just like she had, six years ago.


    "Now, Athena, you can proceed..." Elder Timothy said after Fiona took her ce beside Ewan.


    "Thank you so much, Elder Timothy." Athena responded, retrieving herptop from her bag.


    Skillfully, she set everything up and powered on the projector. Gripping a remote in her right hand and a sleek ck cane in her left, she surveyed the quiet hall, ensuring she had everyone¡¯s attention.


    "Thank you all foring," Athena began, her eyes perching on every corner in the hall containing people.


    "Six years ago, I was banished by Ewan and this council for supposed adultery, based on a shitty evidence riddled with holes. And now, six yearster, he has once again sued me, this time for custody of the kids, with even a shittier evidence¡ªone more riddled with holes than thest. And judging by everyone¡¯s expressions while he delivered that garbage, it¡¯s clear you¡¯ve all swallowed his nonsense, even the elders, just like six years ago..."


    Athena tsked, shaking her head. "Well, the difference is that I am a changed woman now, no longer the pitiful creature I was years ago. This time, I have my facts straight and well-documented."


    A chuckle escaped her lips as she tilted her head toward Ewan, who wore a nd expression.


    "On that note, my people, let usmence by addressing the points our dear Ewan has listed..."

 Chapter 141: The Court Case IV

    <h4>Chapter 141: The Court Case IV</h4>


    Athena paused, a smile tugging at her lips as she noticed Fiona¡¯s anxious eyes, despite thetter¡¯s best efforts to conceal her nerves.


    Better, the raw anticipation painted on the faces of everyone in the hall was palpable, their breaths hanging by a thin thread, as they eagerly waited for her side of the story.


    Athena tsked lightly¡ªprompting a few people from the crowd to curse her for nearly raising their blood pressure¡ªthen turned toward the projector board.


    With the remote in her hand, she clicked the tool, swiping past the presentation title slide and heading straight to the table of contents. A smile crept across her face as she selected the sixth entry, titled "The Hacker."


    It was fortunate that Nathaniel had anticipated this unfolding. After her son revealed that Ewan had attempted to recruit him through the dark web for some research, they had decided to dig deeper following Ewan¡¯s usations against her drugs. Their efforts had yielded astonishing results.


    As she clicked the tab, the projector disyed the headshot image of a man in his early thirties, wearing sses. The crowd leaned forward, straining to recognize the clean-shaven man, but all to no avail¡ªnone have seen him around. So, they turned to Athena for answers, including Ewan.


    "This is Sku Gideon, one of the most notorious hackers and cyber researchers in the dark web," Athena began, cing her cane on the table¡ªshe would have use for itter. "He is the one behind the research Ewan just submitted to the elders..."


    She paused, locking eyes with the elders, who were all watching her intently. They flinched slightly when she called out to them. "Please... check your papers. He usually leaves his initials at the end of a report..."


    The elders quicklyplied, flipping through their documents. Elder Timothy leaned forward secondster, lifting the segment of the article that contained the elusive initials. Exactly as Athena had said, it matched the initials disyed next to the headshot image.


    "Good. Now, this man, Gideon Sku, is also one of the cyber engineers working with the Devil¡¯s Scorpion gang."


    Murmurs rippled through the audience. Ewan furrowed his brow, trying toprehend how Athena had obtained this information. But Athena pressed on, advancing to the next slide, which showcased Ewan¡¯s chat with Gideon.


    "As you can see, this is Ewan¡¯s conversation. Nothing much to see here¡ªjust a man desperate for answers..."


    However, Athena lingered momentarily on this slide, allowing the crowd to absorb the hefty sum of money Ewan had paid for worthless information.


    When she clicked to the next slide, audible gasps filled the hall. Without uttering a word, the implication was clear to everyone present.


    Athena smiled, allowing herself to continue. "As you can see, this is Gideon¡¯s chat with another individual, who is actually the leader of the Devil¡¯s Scorpion gang, Morgan Steeves. In this chat, Morgan instructs Gideon on how to frame the report, suggesting where to unearth false information to support Ewan¡¯s baseless ims..."


    Athena meticulously scrolled through the slides, pausing for at least a minute at each one so the audience could digest the conversations disyed.


    Ewan was rendered speechless, yet he maintained a stoic facade. When he turned to Sandro and Zane, eyebrow raised in curiosity, he was stopped cold by the expression of pity mirrored in their eyes. It was the same look he had witnessed in Kate¡¯s gaze. They knew.


    Bitter thoughts coursed through him as he red at his friends. They had known about this and hadn¡¯t informed him beforehand? He suppressed his feelings and focused on Athena, but the murmurs in the crowd grew louder, drowning her out.


    <i>"So, all of Ewan¡¯s evidence is false? I told you all! Surely, she couldn¡¯t be a murderer! Have you seen the care in her eyes when she tends to her patients?" </i>


    <i>"I couldn¡¯t believe it either. Can you imagine the amount of money he wasted on worthless information? I couldn¡¯t even earn that in a year!" </i>


    <i>"Me too! And to think he just squandered it! Maybe I should consider a career in hacking!" </i>


    <i>"But how did Doctor Athena get this information?" </i>


    <i>"She must have hired a better hacker." </i>


    <i>"But what kind of hacker could infiltrate another¡¯s chat on the dark web? That¡¯s nearly impossible!" </i>


    Athena smiled inwardly as she caught a glimpse of Nathaniel. Her heart swelled with pride immediately; her son had achieved what she couldn¡¯t. Isn¡¯t that every parent¡¯s wish? That their children would reach heights beyond their own?


    Her thoughts were interrupted when Elder Timothy struck the gavel twice in quick session. "Quiet, everyone! If this continues, the matter will be settled in the inner chambers. This is your final warning!"


    Instantly, silence nketed the hall. Who wouldn¡¯t want to hear the case now, especially with the dramatic turn it had taken?


    "Go on, Doctor Athena."


    Athena nodded, her smile returning as she continued. "Now, regarding my research. The Grey disease, as you know, broke out about two years ago. At first, it seemed contained, but suddenly it surged past all restrictions, starting in the western regions before reaching this country. As a doctor and scientist, I feltpelled to act, given the rising number of deaths, especially among children. So, I took a leave of absence from work to study the disease."


    She presented additional slides, the first showing her official letter requesting leave from her position. The next disyed a receipt for the rental of a home where she had immersed herself in her studies. Another image captured herughing with a colleague in theboratory.


    "And this..." She said, disying another slide, "is when I received recognition for finally developing a cure for the disease. To this day, no one has uncovered the source of the Grey disease, but there is, at least, a cure. Do your research, people."


    The photograph showed her shaking hands with two governors from different states, along with the Minister of Health for the country.


    "It was after this recognition that I began receiving strange calls. Initially, it started with requests to purchase my research, and when I continually rejected these offers, the requests morphed into threats. This is where the gang enters the picture." Athena switched to another slide, revealing a car so damaged that it was beyond recognition. Aiden was standing beside it.


    "This, my people, was the gang¡¯s first attempt to murder me two years ago."

 Chapter 142: The Court Case V

    <h4>Chapter 142: The Court Case V</h4>


    Breathing became increasingly difficult for Ewan, especially with the intense res directed at him from all angles¡ªincluding those of the elders.


    What has he done? He wondered, suppressing the anger he felt toward his friends. Hadn¡¯t they tried to warn him earlier? Yet here he was, having chosen to believe a foolhardy hacker.


    He gripped his knees tightly, forcing himself to take a deep breath to alleviate the throbbing ache in his head.


    He stole a nce at Fiona, and frowned when he saw her scratching her inner palms¡ªa clear sign of her nervousness for him.


    Ewan sighed softly, tilting his head toward her, and whispered, "Don¡¯t worry about me; everything will be fine."


    Fiona managed a pitiful nod. "I hope so. I hope you win custody of the children."


    But even Ewan felt the weight of doubt gnawing at him. With the evidence Athena had presented, it seemed inevitable that they would be granted equal rights to the children, and strangely enough, he was somewhat relieved that Athena wasn¡¯t a mass murderer after all.


    His eyes drifted to the image of the mangled car disyed on the screen. How had Athena survived such a horrific event?


    He watched her now, take a deep breath before moving to the next slide. How many slides did she even have?


    "This is the second attempt, a year ago," Athena continued, causing another wave of gasps to ripple through the hall. "This time, my children were with me. It was a traumatizing experience for us, as Morgan drove the car himself."


    The tension in the air thickened, but the gasps quickly subsided, clearly overshadowed by the lingering authority of Elder Timothy.


    "So, it¡¯s clear to us all that Ewan¡¯s proof was worthless..."


    Echoes of agreement surfaced throughout the hall.


    Athena nodded, her head bobbing in rhythm with the murmurs. "The gang is pursuing me solely because someone hired them to obtain my research¡ªthat¡¯s all there is to it. Regarding my kidnappings in this city, I¡¯ll address thatter, as it¡¯s not directly rted to my research. This time, it¡¯s personal."


    Murmurs rose and fell again, as Fiona clutched her hands tightly. Did Athena possess proof of her involvement? She risked a nce at her father, who was also staring at her with concern.


    "Secondly, Ewan mentioned a dinner..." Athena chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief.


    She directed her gaze at Fiona, whose eyes widened in fear, as if she had been caught in headlights. "You said I sent you the pictures, Fiona?"


    Fiona remained silent, avoiding eye contact.


    "Speak up, Fiona..." Elder Timothymanded sharply, catching Alfonso off guard¡ªhe had intended to remind the court that Fiona was not part of the case and shouldn¡¯t be questioned.


    "Yes, you did," Fiona muttered, biting her lip and feigning vulnerability. But the councilprised of many discerning individuals; they weren¡¯t as gullible as Ewan¡ªafter all, what good had she ever done for them?


    "And you didn¡¯t bring your phone?" Athena asked, cocking her head to the right.


    Fiona nodded.


    "Please check again."


    Furrowing her brow, wondering what game Athena was ying now, Fiona retrieved her handbag, which had been resting gracefully on the tiled floor, and ced it on the table for all to see.


    "I searched earlier, and there was nothing here..." She murmured as she dipped her hand into the red Hermes bag. She froze, secondster, when her fingers brushed against the smooth surface of her iPhone.


    Impossible! She screamed inside her mind, dropping the phone as if it had burned her.


    "Still didn¡¯t find it?" Athena teased, raising an eyebrow. "Ewan, please help your fianc¨¦e check for the phone. Maybe her fingers are too small..."


    Ewan didn¡¯t wait for Athena to finish her jibe, nor did he seek Fiona¡¯s permission. He dipped his hand into the bag, eager to call Athena¡¯s bluff out, but confusion washed over him when he touched both the phone and Fiona¡¯s slender fingers.


    Slowly, he drew the device from the bag, darting nces between it and Fiona. "You told me you didn¡¯t bring it."


    "I didn¡¯t, I swear!" Fiona cried softly, her gaze shifting frantically around her.


    Her mother had been beside her, Ewan on her other side, before Athena had called her to take a seat. Behind her was Zack, along with several unfamiliar faces, whom she had assumed they were from the town. Could it be that some were Athena¡¯s people? Yet how had they gotten her phone?


    She looked at Athena suspiciously. Thetter winked back at her. Fiona clenched her fists in frustration. Athena!


    Athena smiled, as if reading her thoughts.


    Ewan shook his head in disappointment and turned to Elder Timothy. "Here¡¯s the phone. She must not have searched properly."


    <i>Ever the defender, </i>Athena mused before addressing the elders. "Let her show us the chat I had with her. Or rather, she should show it to Ewan. I¡¯m sure he won¡¯t lie to us..."


    Ewan sensed this was a test, and having seen the evidence, he opened the phone to reveal Fiona¡¯s chat list. His brows furrowed deeper with each scroll when he failed to find Athena¡¯s name.


    "Where is it?" He muttered. "Did you delete it?"


    He handed the phone to Fiona. But she hastily nodded. "It broke my heart every time I saw it; that¡¯s why I deleted it..."


    Ewan sighed tiredly, patting Fiona¡¯s shoulder reassuringly. "It¡¯s alright." He turned to Athena, but her persistent smile made him uneasy. What now?


    "I need a volunteer from the audience." Athena said, looking into the crowd.


    A young man stood up and hurried to the front.


    "Please, give him the phone, Fiona..."


    Fiona hesitated, shooting Athena a re but ultimately handed over the phone to the young man.


    "Now, thanks for volunteering..." Athena said to the young man said, causing his face to lit with excitement. "Now go to her trash bin."


    Fiona¡¯s hands shook in anxiety as she cast a worried nce at her father, but he looked equally confused.


    Momentster, the young man lifted the phone, proudly holding up a deleted screenshot.


    To ensure everyone could see it, Athena connected the phone to theptop and disyed the chat on the projector.


    Ewan smiled thinly as he recognized the exact message he had seen that night.


    "Now look, everyone," Athena said, picking up her cane and striding toward the projector board. "Do you see anything unusual here?" She pointed out certain corners of the chat.


    The young man nodded, sensing the murmurs bubbling up again.


    "Speak then."


    "This is just a designed page. Nothing much! It¡¯s not a real chat. If it were, the edges shouldn¡¯t look like this..." He gestured to the uneven edges that caught his eye.


    As Ewan observed the irregrities, he felt his heart stop for a moment before racing erratically in rm.


    Had Fiona fooled him once again?

 Chapter 143: The Court Case VI

    <h4>Chapter 143: The Court Case VI</h4>


    "Everyone, please open your phones. Go to your chat list and tap a contact..." Athena instructed after thanking the young man and gesturing for him to return to his seat.


    "Now, check the contact¡¯s name. Did you see any phone number right beneath it?"


    A chorus of "no" and shaking heads echoed throughout the room. Ewan even checked his own phone.


    "But look at mine..." Athena said, pointing at the projector board. "My number is right there underneath. As you all can see, that obviously doesn¡¯t happen! But Ewan was so desperate to see me painted as unfit to be a mother that he believed a simple design page that could easily be created using any graphic design app."


    Athena chuckled softly, shaking her head in disbelief. "But that¡¯s not all."


    Ewan and Fiona immediately perked up as Athena, now in possession of Fiona¡¯s phone, navigated past the pictures and headed straight for the real chat list.


    Panic surged within Fiona, prompting her to leap to her feet. "Stop her!" She shouted, her eyes shing wildly. "She¡¯s invading my privacy!"


    Alfonso, stoking the mes of chaos, turned to Elder Timothy, who seemed more curious than concerned about what Athena was uncovering in Fiona¡¯s phone. "Are you really not going to intervene, Chief? Isn¡¯t this against our rules and regtions regarding phone privacy?"


    Elder Timothy huffed in annoyance,manding Athena to halt her actions. "What are you searching for, Doctor Athena?"


    "I¡¯m looking for who sent the real pictures..." Athena replied, shrugging her shoulders. She unplugged Fiona¡¯s phone from theptop and handed it to thetter; as Fiona had surged forward earlier, totally prepared to fight to have her phone back before Athena went through it.


    "However..." Athena continued as Fiona returned to her seat, "I came prepared."


    Fiona staggered slightly at this deration, before sinking into her chair forlornly.


    Meanwhile, Ewan watched her intently, clenching and unclenching his fists. Fiona had truly yed him for a fool. What else had she lied about?


    During the interval, Athena reached into her bag and pulled out another Iphone.


    Fiona¡¯s jaw dropped in shock as she recognized it. How had Athena gotten her hands on that? It should be with Morgan!


    "This is Lana¡¯s phone. Lana was a friend of Fiona¡¯s. I¡¯m sure many of you know Lana and Zira, the two friends of Fiona, who mysteriously died before they could be taken to prison¡ª for stealing Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s ne and attempting to poison me."


    Echoes of acknowledgment rippled through the hall.


    Fiona darted her eyes around, searching for a way to escape, but there was none. She inhaled deeply to calm herself and mask her agitation, but it wasn¡¯t working. She looked to Ewan forfort as he had done earlier, but he was regarding her with suspicion.


    So, she resorted to scratching her inner palm intensely, indifferent to the pain that rose up consequentially. As a matter of fact, it oddly helped her regain someposure.


    Yet, her heart pounded as Athena connected the phone to the system.


    Without wasting any time, Athena essed the chat list. Fiona¡¯s chat was pinned, saved under the name "Arrogant Bitch Fiona."


    Instead of directing her fury at a deceased person, Fiona focused on the gathered crowd, silently praying that herte friend had deleted any incriminating texts from the phone. But luck was not on her side today.


    "Oh, what do we have here..." Athena cooed, opening the chat. "It seems there¡¯s additional evidence..." She said, highlighting the chat conversation on the screen.


    <i>Lana: "Fiona, don¡¯t you think poisoning Athena is going too far? She¡¯s treating your mother, remember?" </i>


    <i>Fiona: "She and my mother can go to hell. My men will give you the poison. Hurry up if you want my Louis Vuitton bag." </i>


    "Well, it looks like our dear Fiona was also behind the poisoning scheme." Athena remarked with feigned surprise, but Ewan could easily see the sly smile curling her lips. Of course, she had known all along!


    Was that why she had looked at him with pity during the party? Anger burned within him, and the throbbing in his head intensified. Fiona... he ground his teeth in fury, and Fiona shrank slightly at the deathly growl that emanated from his throat.


    But she couldn¡¯t leave her seat; the council rules forbade it. There was no escape from this nightmare.


    "Well, that aside, we¡¯re looking for some pictures..." Athena said nonchntly, scrolling through the chats as if the poisoning discussion were inconsequential.


    While the hall buzzed with conversation...


    Margaret was astounded too, unable to fathom that her daughter might want her dead as well. Was Alfonso aware of this?


    Momentster, the incriminating pictures with chats materialized.


    <i>Lana: "Fiona, guess who I just saw at the hotshot restaurant?" </i>


    <i>Fiona: "Who?" </i>


    <i>Lana: "Your fianc¨¦. He¡¯s having dinner with Athena! Are you aware?" </i>


    <i>Fiona: "Would I have allowed it if I were aware?" </i>


    <i>Lana: "What will you do now? They look cozy." </i>


    <i>Fiona: "I¡¯ll pretend tomit suicide, and he wille back. Then you will deal with that slut. Mess up her face, and make sure she¡¯s never called beautiful again. Hire thugs if you have to." </i>


    <i>Lana: "Fine. Consider it done." </i>


    "Wow, our dear Fiona wasn¡¯t truly suicidal as she imed? Oops..." Athena tilted her head, locking eyes with Fiona, who shot up from her seat, hands trembling.


    "It¡¯s a lie! This was fabricated!"


    But her weak protests were met withughter from the audience.


    "Fabricated? You must be joking!" Someone called from the crowd. "Didn¡¯t you see the phone or the rity of the evidence?"


    "Sit down now! Don¡¯t disgrace yourself further!" Ewan growled through gritted teeth.


    Fiona had no choice but toply, sinking back into her chair, defeated. But Athena was just getting started.


    "So, she orchestrated the pictures and the poisoning, as you can all see."


    Murmurs of affirmation spread through the crowd.


    "Now, onto Ewan¡¯s next point. He mentioned hearing Kathleen¡¯s voice over the phone..." Athena paused, shaking her head. "This man and his fianc¨¦e are clearly disturbed."


    She turned to her children, ignoring Ewan¡¯s heated re. "Look at my daughter. Does she strike you as someone capable of hacking or operating a system? Based on the evidence I¡¯ve presented, what do you think of Ewan¡¯s ims?"

 Chapter 144: The Court Case VII

    <h4>Chapter 144: The Court Case VII</h4>


    <i>"I think he heard wrong." </i>


    <i>"Of course he heard wrong! The man is as foolish as ever. Fiona has washed all wisdom away from his brain." </i>


    <i>"Maybe he never even spoke with the hacker. Perhaps he just made this up to smear Athena in front of the elders. Fiona really suits him." </i>


    Ewan tuned them out. Their aggravated words were like piercing darts puncturing his skull. He longed to cover his ears or hold his head to block out their incessant chatter, but he was in court, and he needed to maintain hisposure. He couldn¡¯t appear weak!


    But Athena bobbed her head, ncing at Elder Timothy. "What do you think?"


    Elder Timothy, however, remained silent. His expression, though, betrayed his thoughts. Did Ewane to the council to y games?


    "About the backer Ewan mentioned..." Athena sighed, feigning weariness. "He is just an old friend who owed me a favor. Because of Ewan, I collected that debt, believing I was doing something good, not realizing he¡¯de to court and stab me in the back!"


    If not for the elders¡¯ presence, Ewan might have been pelted with slippers by now.


    Elder Timothy, seeing the brewing anger in the congregation, sighed in resignation; he couldn¡¯t allow things to descend into chaos. After all, Ewan¡¯s father had once been his friend before his tragic death.


    "Is that all, Athena?"


    Athena paused, staring thoughtfully at the old man before breaking intoughter. "Is that all? Oh no, Elder Timothy. I¡¯m just getting started!"


    Alfonso nearly wet himself at her sudden deration.


    What had he been thinking, believing Athena would go down easily? Hadn¡¯t she shown him enough subtle hints that she was no longer the same woman from six years ago?


    This was Ewan¡¯s fault for dragging the shady woman into court! Now, he might lose everything he had fought for, including his wife.


    "Is that so, Doctor Athena? Please, go on," Elder Timothy said, leaning back in his chair, already sensing the case¡¯s oue, especially with the thin smirk ying on Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s lips.


    Athena nodded her thanks and turned to the audience.


    "Now, you may recall I mentioned that my recent kidnappings by the gang were no longer rted to my research but were instead tied to a personal vendetta..."


    The crowd echoed their agreement, including some of the elders, like students eager for a teacher¡¯s lecture.


    "Well, the missing link is Fiona. As it turns out, she instructed Morgan to eliminate me and the children."


    "That¡¯s a lie!" Fiona screamed, rising from her seat for the third time.


    Elder Timothy banged the gravel. "Fiona, take your seat!"


    Reluctantly, Fiona sank back down.


    Elder Timothy turned to Athena. "That¡¯s a bold usation. Do you have proof?"


    Athena¡¯s smile was calm and assured. "Of course, my Lord. Why else would I make such a im?"


    Elder Timothy sighed and shook his head. Why did he even ask?


    Athena returned to her list of contents and tapped on a tab titled "Loverbirds." Instantly, an intimate picture of Fiona and Morgan holding hands appeared on the screen.


    "That, my people, is Morgan Steeves, the head of the gang. If you see him anywhere, scream for the police!"


    The audience shifted, afraid, yet eager to see if they recognized the handsome man in histe twenties.


    "Fiona and Morgan are indeed ¡¯loverbirds,¡¯ as I have titled this section. In fact, they have been dating since their college days, all behind Ewan¡¯s back." Athena continued scrolling, revealing intimate pictures of Fiona and Morgan from their college days up to just a few days ago.


    The hall fell silent as they absorbed the scandalous images.


    "Together, they plotted the poisoning and the theft of Mr. Thorne¡¯s jewelry. It is suspected they even killed Lana and Zira, to silence them, to stop them from confessing the truth. This is because the poison they used for my drink was found in their systems at the time of their deaths."


    Ewan¡¯s right hand trembled as he reached into his pocket for the container of medication Athena had given him for his crushing headaches. But he hesitated, knowing how it would look to the congregation.


    He inhaled softly and withdrew his hand, choosing to endure the pain instead. Thereafter, he lifted his head slightly, trying to stop the blood from trickling through his nostrils and to mitigate the throbbing in his head, all while listening to Athena¡¯s words.


    Behind him, Sandro and Zane exchanged worried looks, wishing for his safety till this ordeal was over, knowing they couldn¡¯t leave the hall until the elders concluded the case.


    "Do you want to know the most interesting detail?" Athena asked, clicking her tongue. "Fiona is the mass murderer, not me, as Ewan had used earlier."


    Fiona jolted in her seat, mentally cursing as she felt a warm trickle of urine seep through her panties. Damn Athena! Her eyes burned with angry tears as she clenched her fists.


    "As a matter of fact, she killed for the engagement she has with Ewan now."


    Athena disyed another image on the screen, and Ewan¡¯s eyes widened in shock as he recognized the popr model who had pestered him for a rtionship three years prior, even going so far as to propose to him publicly.


    The memory of the beautiful woman echoed among everyone present. The beauty had tragically drowned in her swimming pool.


    "Please, everyone, watch the CCTV footage..." Athena said before transitioning to the next slide, which yed a video.


    The footage showed the young model basking under the sun near a heart-shaped pool. Momentster, Fiona walked in, led by a housemaid. The model stood to greet Fiona with a hug, bothughing.


    Athena fast forwarded to two minutester, where the model went inside to grab a drink. While waiting, Fiona discreetly pulled a container from her bag and poured its contents into the drink.


    Gasps erupted from the audience, but the video continued to y.


    The model returned with another ss, handing it to Fiona. Both women drank and then dove into the water together.


    Athena fast-forwarded to five minutester.


    The model attempted to leave the water, but Fiona grabbed her, holding thetter¡¯s head underwater until she was sure the woman was dead.


    Athena paused the video at that chilling moment, capturing Fiona¡¯s deranged expression."Weter learnt that the personal maid was also killed, her body discarded in a trash can."


    She shook her head mournfully, amidst the uproar gearing up in the hall. "My people, we have a killer in our midst. Yet this is far from all her crimes..."

 Chapter 145: The Court Case VIII

    <h4>Chapter 145: The Court Case VIII</h4>


    Fiona let out a sharp cry as a single brown loafer struck her squarely in the face. Right after that, the second piece, heavy with contempt, mmed into her chest, sending a wave of pain shooting through her.


    Her heart raced, thrumming with hurt and humiliation, and tears of rage welled in her eyes as the unpleasant odor of the shoe¡¯s innards invaded her senses.


    The owner clearly hadn¡¯t been wearing clean socks. The foul scent churned her stomach. Fiona cursed silently, grappling with the reality that her once-pristine reputation was rapidly disintegrating.


    Another shoe ttered against her arm, yet this one¡ªan extravagant five-inch heel¡ªwas thrown with little uracy; it merely grazed her. Fiona winced but felt a strange sense of relief mixed with anger. Had it struck her head ornded squarely in her chest, the injury could have been severe.


    "Anymore throwing of shoes will warrant this public gathering to be dispelled..." Elder Timothy¡¯s voice cut through the chaos, but the mild tone he used barely resembled the sharp authority he wielded in previous threats.


    Fiona sneered.


    No one even stepped forward to apologize for the crowd¡¯s misconduct¡ªnone of them wanted to. Ewan didn¡¯t even offer her a nce, nor did her mother, who sat behind her.


    Fiona¡¯s fists clenched as rage boiled within her. She felt as if the entire assembly had cast her into the muck, treating her like trash. She silently vowed to retaliate against each one of them, holding back the tears that threatened to spill over, all the while suffocating in the stench of her situation.


    She loathed dirt, hated being near it, and here she was, engulfed by it. And for what? Because she had eliminated their precious model? They should have advised the foolish bimbo to back off Ewan!


    How dare they be upset with her for taking control of her life? Didn¡¯t they understand that life wasn¡¯t fair? Whatever anyone wanted, they should seize it¡ªby force, by any means necessary. Wasn¡¯t that a maxim among the wealthy and powerful? So why were they casting scornful gazes in her direction?


    A wicked smile crept onto her lips as she pondered this absurdity. Athena thought herself so clever? She should wait then, and see what happened when the dust settled.


    Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, Fiona sensed Morgan watching, a silent spectator to this unfolding drama. But for now, she cloaked her emotions behind a nd facade, sitting upright and staring boldly at Athena.


    "We need to wipe that arrogant look off her face! How dare she kill our beloved Lutanna?" One voice erupted from the crowd, igniting a chorus of outrage.


    <i>"I don¡¯t understand why the case is still dragging on! Someone should just call the police and haul her filthy self out of here!" </i>


    <i>"They should have let us throw more shoes at her. I don¡¯t know why Elder Timothy has stopped us, even though I¡¯m certain he wanted to join in!" </i>


    <i>"It¡¯s Ewan I really feel sorry for, sleeping with a murderer," </i>


    <i>"It¡¯s his fault for being so blind! They¡¯ve known each other since childhood¡ªhow could he not have seen thising?" </i>


    <i>"That¡¯s just it; he wouldn¡¯t see it. He¡¯s wrapped in a cloak of nostalgia, thinking the evil woman is still that innocent little girl he grew up with. I hope he¡¯s finally learned that people can change!" </i>


    Ewan¡¯s thoughts spun in chaotic disarray, the murmurs around him fading into a haze of ck spots swirling in his vision. He was even straining to see where Athena stood, but his focus had ebbed, and his hands were trembling uncontrobly.


    Despite the physical difort engulfing him, he sensed the unremorseful energy radiating from Fiona and questioned his inability to recognize her maniptive nature sooner. He cursed himself and his naivety for ignoring his friends¡¯ warnings, for brushing aside Athena¡¯s credibility when she insisted Fiona was the mastermind behind the kidnapping.


    He jolted as Athena started speaking again, her voice cutting through his daze.


    "Please, my elders, I have a favor to ask..."


    "Go on..." Elder Timothy responded with eagerness, ready to ally with the woman he had tragically misjudged six years ago. It was bing painfully apparent that the past had been a setup.


    He stole a sidelong nce at Alfonso, who appeared increasingly ufortable, and rightly so!


    "I implore you to allow Ewan to take a recess in the inner chambers. As his doctor, it¡¯s time for his medications."


    Ewan¡¯s jaw dropped in disbelief at Athena¡¯s words. How had she known he was at his breaking point?


    He scoffed lightly, a bittersweet twist in his chest as he felt tears threaten to spill. This was the woman he had turned against, the one he had tried to ruin in court, yet here she was, graciously stepping in to support him.


    He heard Sandro and Zane exhale in relief when Elder Timothy promptly granted the request.


    Yet, how could he possibly stand with blood trickling from his nostrils?


    Seemingly reading his thoughts, Sandro rushed to his side, handing him a handkerchief. "Put this on your nose. Let¡¯s go."


    Ewan obliged, his mind racing as Zane and Sandro escorted him through the row of seats into the inner chambers, trailed closely by two council officials.


    "How do you feel?" Sandro asked, supporting Ewan as he swallowed a pill and cleaned his nostrils.


    "I don¡¯t know, Sandro. What do you think?" He replied, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainity.


    Sandro and Zane exchanged knowing nces.


    "You can¡¯t say we didn¡¯t warn you..." Zane began. "You just wouldn¡¯t listen. Because Fiona saved you all those years ago, you clung to her words like they were gospel."


    "We aren¡¯t even sure she is the one..." Sandro chimed in.


    Ewan fought the instinct to dispute Sandro¡¯s ims, as before. There was no need to defend a murderer, not anymore. What if Athena was right about Fiona¡¯s diagnosis? What if thetter hadn¡¯t really rescued him all those years ago?


    A knock interrupted his spiraling thoughts, drawing their attention back to their surroundings.


    "The council is calling for you..." A voice announced from the other side of the door.


    "Why don¡¯t you two head in first? I need a minute to gather myself," Ewan replied, prompting Sandro and Zane to exchange furtive nces beforeplying, leaving him momentarily alone.


    Once they were gone, Ewan pulled the pill bottle from his pocket and swallowed four more pills, desperate for rity. He couldn¡¯t allow himself to fumble¡ªnot in front of the entire assembly.


    If only he knew...

 Chapter 146: The Court Case IX

    <h4>Chapter 146: The Court Case IX</h4>


    "Athena, do you have more evidence to present?" Elder Timothy asked, his gaze steadfast as Ewan returned to his seat, appearing calm yet visibly shaken.


    Athena nodded, her eyes flickering to Ewan. She felt a surge of relief seeing his color had returned; he was no longer as pale as before. Good, she mused inwardly. He was ready for the next round of revtions.


    With a confident smile brushing her lips, Athena turned back to her list of contents and clicked on the fifth entry, titled "The Waiter."


    Instantly, a newspaper article illuminating the tragic death of a waiter filled the screen, apanied by a grim headshot of the deceased. Gasps rippled through the assembly, and a tense silence fell.


    Fiona, who had positioned herself as stoic and unppable, suddenly appeared rigid with shock, her facade cracking. Surely it couldn¡¯t be...


    She shut her eyes tightly, apprehension intertwining with confusion. How? How was Athena managing this? Did Morgan send her this information, seeking revenge for her earlier disobedience?


    But he had already punished her! She could still feel the marks on her buttocks! Surely it couldn¡¯t be him; wouldn¡¯t he prefer to remain a shadow, hiding from the light?


    "Do you all remember this news about a waiter who was inhumanly killed, even castrated?" Athena¡¯s voice rang out powerfully, shattering the silence and drawing murmurs from the crowd.


    Affirmative echoes bounced back, the tension palpable in the air.


    "Good. For those of you who have seen the ghastly images¡ªthough I cannot present them here due to the sensitivity¡ªwho do you think was behind this heinous act?"


    "The gang!" The audience chorused, some eager elders included, but their voices were tinged with fear, careful not to invoke the gang¡¯s name directly.


    Athena nodded knowingly, like a teacher pleased with her students¡¯ responses.


    "Excellent. You¡¯ve clearly done your research," She replied, a calcted gleam in her eyes. "Now, let¡¯s delve into the reason I brought this matter up in rtion to our case..."


    She paused, locking eyes with Fiona, her smile coy and self-assured.


    The people in the room began making their own deductions, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disbelief, struggling toprehend why Fiona would harm a mere waiter.


    "The waiter in question is Marcus Lukas, the head waiter of the Restaurant Continental¨°. On the 16th of November, Fiona dropped into the establishment for a meal. She was attended to by a waiter, but when her cards were declined, it was the head waiter who intervened. Because she couldn¡¯t pay her bill, Marcus suggested she help in the kitchen, washing dishes, so they wouldn¡¯t have to detain her, so she could leave without security manhandling her. Yet our lovely Fiona refused to lift a finger, unwilling to help for a few hours. So, what happened next?"


    Athena¡¯s voice dripped with mockery as she paused for effect, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. She picked up her cane and struck the table gently, clicking her tongue.


    "When Marcus realized what she wanted¡ªwhat she was truly after¡ªhe made her an offer: to spend one night with him. And, surprisingly, she epted without hesitation..."


    "That¡¯s not true!" Fiona shouted, her carefully constructedposure crumbling with each word. Surely, there was no way Athena could have evidence to support such a im! Morgan had made sure to eliminate anything that could implicate her after the punishment she endured.


    "Fiona, please sit down," Athena replied, her tone clipped and authoritative. "You should know by now that I wouldn¡¯t make an usation without solid evidence to back it up."


    Fiona staggered on her feet, shaking her head vehemently.


    "That¡¯s not possible," She mumbled repeatedly, finally slumping back into her chair, uncaring that everyone was watching, including Ewan.


    The shock on Ewan¡¯s face mirrored her turmoil. He had seen the gory picture of the dead waiter, and now the puzzle pieces were falling into ce. How could he have stayed with a devil and remained oblivious to it?


    "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted," Athena continued, her voice firm and unwavering, "Fiona agreed to spend the night with Marcus. ording to CCTV footage taken that evening, she entered his apartment, stayed for approximately five hours, and left looking... well, let¡¯s just say satisfied."


    With that, she clicked to the next slide, and the stark images of the CCTV footage appeared on the screen, capturing Fiona walking into the man¡¯s residence.


    The audience watched in rapt attention as Athena fast-forwarded to five hourster, revealing Fiona exiting the apartment, her demeanor transformed; she leaned in, nting a long, lingering kiss on Marcus¡¯s cheek.


    Ewan felt his stomach churn. He couldn¡¯t believe he had even considered marrying a woman like this. A sense of relief flooded through him¡ªthank the gods for Athena¡¯s timely return, regardless of the turmoil it had wrought in his life.


    Witnessing this evidence against Fiona, he thought any pain he had suffered was worth it.


    "But you know, men can be greedy," Athena continued, silencing the gathering murmurs. "Unknown to Fiona, Marcus had been recording their encounter, snapping pictures and taking videos during their intimate session. I would love to share those with you all, but unfortunately, we have children present." Gasps rippled through the crowd.


    "However, when Marcus sent her some of the images, she panicked and called Morgan¡ªher boyfriend and aplice in crime¡ªto deal with the situation."


    Fiona opened her mouth to argue, but Athena was quicker. "If you im I¡¯m lying, why not surrender your phone? I¡¯m sure there¡¯s a team of technical professionals here who can easily uncover the truth we seek..."


    Fiona bit her lip, her resolve crumbling as she sank into her chair, utterly defeated. There was no way she would let them ess her phone.


    "How... did you get it?" She muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, forgetting momentarily that she was surrounded by onlookers.


    Suddenly, a heavy shoe struck her squarely in the face, causing her nose to bleed, jolting her back to reality.


    She scowled, scanning the crowd in search of the culprit, while feeling the anger of those around her like a storm brewing.


    Another shoe flew in her direction, aimed with fierce intent, but with quick reflexes, she dodged it, realizing she was no longer in control of the narrative.


    "Look at her¡ªasking how Doctor Athena got the evidence!" The owner of the shoes shouted, rage echoing through the hall.


    Fiona couldn¡¯t see the person amidst the throng of talking people, so she surrendered to the circumstances, casting a nce at Athena, who wore a sly smirk.


    <i>¡¯I will deal with you.¡¯ </i>She thought earnestly, still ring at Athena, knowing thetter would get the message.


    They weren¡¯t much different after all.

 Chapter 147: The Court Case X

    <h4>Chapter 147: The Court Case X</h4>


    "Yet, I don¡¯t think Fiona is entirely to me for her misdeeds, considering she had the approval of her father to be an evil stain on society. He even leads by example..." Athena began, her voice cutting through the tense air as Elder Timothy struggled to calm the increasingly agitated crowd.


    He chose not to tell the defaulters to retrieve their shoes, which were lying idly on the ground, seeking to protect them, nor did he sanction them as he normally would. After all¡ªif he had been part of the congregation¡ªhe would have stoned Fiona with whatever was at hand.


    At Athena¡¯s words, Elder Timothy¡¯s attention snapped towards his right-hand man, his lips pursed in disapproval as he observed the man, Alfonso, fidgeting restlessly in his seat.


    However, suddenly, the man became deathly still before erupting in a shout. "Be mindful of your words, Athena! You are here with a case against Ewan, not me. Don¡¯t tarnish my good name in front of the people!"


    Yet, Elder Timothy knew; he had long since epted the truth¡ªhis old friend was guilty as charged. This outburst was merely a desperate attempt to save face. After all, would Athena make such a grave usation without solid evidence to back it up?


    So, he remained silent, refraining from defending his friend. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Athena, bracing himself for the evidence he knew was forting.


    When Athena chuckled softly and turned her attention back to the table of contents, clicking on the <i>¡¯tyrant¡¯s father¡¯</i>, his heart raced with a mix of curiosity and concern. What reckless act had his old friendmitted now?


    In an instant, the headshot of an unknown male¡ªa man appearing to be in his early forties¡ªshed ominously on the screen.


    "This is Larry Kaka, forty-nine years old..." Athena¡¯s voice boomed,ced with a sadistic amusement that echoed through the room like a dark bell tolling. But Alfonso didn¡¯t recognize the man¡ªat least, not until Athena continued. "He is poprly known as Herbinger in the dark web. A hit-and-run mercenary..."


    Suddenly, Alfonso¡¯s face drained of color, his pallor apparent to everyone present in the hall. His hands trembled violently on the tform, and he had to mp them onto his thighs to hide the manifestation of his growing dread. Yet, the sheen of sweat forming on his forehead betrayed him, glistening like a beacon under the harsh lights.


    Athena moved to the next slide, building the tension.


    "Now, this is a chat between our dear Elder Alfonso and the Herbinger. As you can see..." Athena pressed on, her demeanor unfaltering as she highlighted the damning conversations. "He paid the mercenary to eliminate me and the children on Christmas Day. I¡¯m sure some of you here can recall the images of my mangled car that circted on social media¡ªit went viral after the celebrations..."


    Before Alfonso could muster a word of defense, a red t shoe flew from the audience, shocking the elders to their core. But due to the distance and the podium¡¯s nature where the elders sat, the shoe could onlynd ungantly at the base.


    "Who threw that?" Alfonso screamed, indignation ring deep in his blood, his green veins visibly straining at the sides of his head. "Don¡¯t you have any respect?"


    "There¡¯s no respect for a murderer!" echoed the crowd, a fierce chorus of outrage.


    Alfonso pointed usingly at the audience, but Elder Timothy sensed the crowd¡¯s anger and impending violence boiling over again and swiftly intervened. "Alfonso, go take a seat with your daughter."


    Alfonso paled further, disbelief etched on his face. "What are you talking about, Timothy?"


    "It¡¯s Elder Timothy to you..." The words rolled off Timothy¡¯s tongue with an icy conviction.


    Alfonso shrank under the weight of those words, a dawning realization chilling him to the bone. His position of eldership was hanging by a thread. He opened his mouth to argue, but the stern res from the other elders silenced him. Dejected and seething with unspent fury, he stepped down from the podium and trudged toward the witness seats.


    Now exposed, he was a target for the varied shoes that erupted from the crowd, some even striking Fiona, who bit back her screams of pain. By the time Alfonso slumped into his seat, red scratches marred his head, and blood streamed from his nose. But the onlookers were unfazed.


    Elder Timothy banged the gravel for order a minuteter, a cold stillness gripping the room as he did.


    "A few days before that even, Fiona had tried poisoning my children..." Athena pressed on, seamlessly moving back to the list of contents without waiting for Elder Timothy to signal. There was no need for permission this time.


    Fiona sat in stunned silence, pondering how Athena had uncovered all her dark secrets. Even the grip of Ewan¡¯s hand, tightening around her arm as if to draw her back from the brink, couldn¡¯t drown out the noise inside her head.


    "You tried poisoning my children?" He stammered, but no reply came.


    What could she possibly say? Lies were futile against the unyielding evidence disyed on the screen.


    The next video showed her in conversation with a nurse, the trays of snacks innocently perched on the nurse¡¯s hands.


    "As you can see," Athena narrated, her tone a blend of authority and scorn, "she distracts the nurse. While the nurse is away fetching a bandage, she slips cyanide into the drinks meant for the children."


    Athena grasped her cane tightly, her knuckles white, producing a sharp, creaking sound. This evidence struck at her very core¡ªFiona attempting to poison her kids in a hospital she was entrusted to protect. How could she dare? What audacity propelled her? Desperation, Athena answered the unspoken question in her mind.


    "Luckily for us, someone was monitoring the technical room. When he witnessed this, he sprinted to report it before my children could drink to their death."


    A deadly silence fell over the room, the air thick with astonishment and disbelief as the crowd processed the shocking revtion. What kind of monster was Fiona? Some stared at her, their expressions reflecting a mix of horror and incredulity.


    Ewan recoiled, dropping his hand from hers as though she¡¯d burned him after catching a glimpse of the harrowing video.


    "I thought you said you wanted me to get custody of the kids? Why would you want to kill them then?"


    Fiona had no answer, merely a vacant stare directed at a nonexistent speck on the desk, her skin crawling with unease, her heart racing as she avoided her father¡¯s gaze.


    "You know..." Athena finally broke the silence again, her tone dripping with irony. "It¡¯s amusing to me how she does this while she has a child of her own."

 Chapter 148: The Court Case XI

    <h4>Chapter 148: The Court Case XI</h4>


    <i>Fiona has a child?</i> Ewan repeated mentally, disbelief flooding his mind as he turned fully to face the woman he had once nned to marry, before Athena¡¯s unexpected return shattered that possibility. A woman who had deceived him into believing she was a virgin, when in reality, she was an open invitation for any man seeking her favors.


    But a child? When had that happened? Where was the child? Surely, it must belong to that devil, Morgan! His conclusion rang out, echoing in tandem with the crowd¡¯s shocked response as they processed Athena¡¯s shocking revtion.


    <i>"Of course she would have a child for that evil man, Morgan! I am not surprised!" </i>


    <i>"Who knows, it might belong to another! Since she¡¯s open to all and sundry. No respect and dignity for herself!" </i>


    <i>"What do you think Morgan will do when he finds out if the baby belongs to someone else? What if he discovers her escapades with another man?" </i>


    <i>"And how is that my business? If he wants to kill her, then so be it! She deserves to die after all. If the council won¡¯t order it, then we will take it upon ourselves!" </i>


    <i>"That¡¯s true!" </i>


    Fiona shuddered as this chorus of voices erupted, the crowd¡¯s agreement to her death resonating ominously with her impending doom. She sped her hands together tightly, struggling to quell the trembling that threatened to consume her.


    When her father attempted to ce his palm over hers, seeking to offerfort, she shook it away, defiance ame in her eyes. How had Athena known about her daughter?


    Fiona subtly cocked her head to the side, an idea flickering in her mind. She could deftly deny it now andter devise a n to navigate this treacherous situation... because if Morgan discovered this, he would abuse her until shey dead at his feet!


    "Margaret, considering your obsession with your daughter during the time I was still Ewan¡¯s wife, were you aware of this development?" Athena queried with a glint of triumph in her eyes.


    Margaret, still grappling with the shocking lengths her husband and daughter had gone to rid themselves of Athena, shook her head slowly, disbelief etched on her features. "I wasn¡¯t aware, doctor."


    "And how about you, Alfonso?"


    Alfonso pursed his lips, caught in a web of conflicting emotions. Was he aware? Of course, he was! But should he admit it?


    Alfonso thought Athena possessed the evidence, so there was no need to fabricate lies. With a heavy sigh of defeat, he nodded, causing Margaret to let out a sharp gasp.


    She had always known that her daughter and her husband shared an inexplicable bond, but this was different. How could they keep her in the dark? Did they fear she wouldn¡¯t align herself with their ns, considering the child?


    Did they kill the child? Her heart constricted painfully at the thought.


    But Alfonso was mistaken¡ªAthena had no concrete proof of his involvement.


    "So, Alfonso, what happened to the child?" Athena pressed on, her sly smile betraying her inner excitement and surprise; she hadn¡¯t anticipated Alfonso¡¯s ready admission to his stupidity.


    Alfonso hesitated, steeling himself before saying, "We dropped her with a neighbor."


    Athena nodded sagely, turning her gaze to Fiona. "Fiona, do you have anything to say?"


    Fiona bit her lips, barely able to contain the anger simmering just beneath her skin. How could her father blindly agree with Athena, the vile woman? What if Athena had no evidence? How could thetter have gathered a piece of her hair for a blood test without her knowledge? Didn¡¯t the old piece of garbage stop to think that?!


    "The only thing I have to say is that I have no child. I don¡¯t know what nonsense you¡¯re talking about."


    "So, you will deny your child too?" Athena added somberly, her voice tinged with sadness on Kendra¡¯s behalf. Behind her, Nathaniel and Kathleen clenched their fists, wishing to eradicate every trace of Fiona from their lovely friend, Kendra. She didn¡¯t deserve a wicked mother like Fiona!


    Fiona hissed, her patience wearing thin. "There is no denial here, as there is no child anywhere. Do you have any proof to support your ims?"


    Alfonso¡¯s teeth ground together in frustration as Fiona shrugged his hand away from her for the second time. Hadn¡¯t she learned enough that Athena made no idle usations? All her ims came with undeniable proof!


    He red at Fiona, seething, but she was unbothered, focusing instead on Athena as if hoping to prove her wrong, just once. But today was not her lucky day.


    "Athena, I am waiting... where is the proof? Or did you think I wouldn¡¯t ask?" She continued, her voice defiant when Athena merely stared back ndly.


    Athena tsked and shook her head, sorrow washing over her features. Fiona was truly vile! Without further hesitation, she navigated to the <i>Child</i> tab in the table of contents and clicked on it. Instantly, Kendra¡¯s picture appeared on the screen, captured from a special angle that framed Fiona¡¯s eyes and expression in the sweet girl¡¯s visage.


    But Fiona scoffed, ignoring the mutterings in the background. "Anyone can look like me. If you don¡¯t have a DNA test to validate your ims, then shut up!"


    How did I get entangled with such a shameless woman? Ewan couldn¡¯t help but ponder. If she hadn¡¯t saved him all those years ago, their paths would never have crossed. Even after being exposed as a murderer, with her reputation in tatters, she was still gearing up for a battle already lost. Was she mentally sound?


    He watched as Athena smirked, her confidence palpable as she prepared to reveal the next slide. He inhaled softly, bracing himself for what came next, anticipating the DNA results that would sh across the screen.


    Yet, after the test was revealed, Fiona still refused to give up. She shook her head frantically, denial etched across her face. "This cannot be! This is fabricated!"


    Athena chuckled with a hint of sarcasm. "Fabricated? This test wasn¡¯t done at the Whitman¡¯s hospitals. You can see the name of the renowned pediatric doctor. How can you im it¡¯s fabricated? Do you truly believe the doctor would jeopardize her reputation over a mere court case?"


    "Yes!" Fiona screamed, her voice rising in panic. "Isn¡¯t she your friend? If it¡¯s not fake, how did you get my item for the test? I never gave it to you!"


    "Who says you must give it to me? I simply took it when I saw the need. It¡¯s that simple. I needed to gather the evidence," Athena replied nonchntly, omitting the details of how she had sent one of her agents to stealthily enter Fiona¡¯s room and snag a strand of her hair.


    "I don¡¯t believe you!" Fiona shrieked, her desperation wing its way back to the surface.


    Athenaughed and nodded, that sharp edge of triumph in her voice. "Of course. That¡¯s why I brought Kendra¡¯s father to stand as a witness..."

 Chapter 149: The Court Case XII

    <h4>Chapter 149: The Court Case XII</h4>


    The murmurs in the council hall swirled like a restless wind, a cacophony of intrigue and unease. Tension hung thick in the air, nearly palpable, as whispers of doubt danced around the room.


    "Do you think Kendra¡¯s father is that evil man, Morgan?" A voice trembled from the back. "Do you think he will be allowed to step in here?"


    "I¡¯d flee if it was him! That man is a monster!" Another voice replied, paning their words, underlying fear threading through their tone.


    "Come on! Don¡¯t be ridiculous! Athena wouldn¡¯t put our lives at risk just to prove a point," Someone else tried to pacify the gathering, but their uncertainty undermined the assurance of their words.


    In conclusion, no one wanted to be present when Morgan would be ushered into the hall. After all, this was merely a council hall, there was no security detail anywhere to keep them safe, should things go south!


    Meanwhile, Ewan¡¯s gaze locked onto Fiona, whose brow was deeply furrowed, confusion evident in her expression.


    She finally exchanged furtive nces with her father, Alfonso, whose sudden stoic demeanor seemed out of ce in the current chaotic atmosphere.


    What was Athena nning now? Hasn¡¯t the witch done enough? What did she know that could shatter the delicate web that had been constructed for years?


    "Athena, what are you talking about? You want to bring that evil man inside this court?" Elder Timothy shook his head. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m sure we can make do with the evidences you have submitted. Surely, we can conclude the case with them."


    But Athena cocked her head to the side, looking at Elder Timothy intensely. "Of course not, I won¡¯t put themunity at risk in that way. So no, I¡¯m not bringing Morgan to the council. I¡¯m bringing Kendra¡¯s father."


    Two different things. Ewan thought. Two different people. Who could it be then?


    Elder Timothy raised his eyebrows and then nodded. "If that¡¯s the case, bring the witness in. We¡¯ll like to know who is Kendra¡¯s father."


    Alfonso inhaled deeply, and looked up to the ceilings, as if beckoning on the heavens to save him from another round of shame. Yet, no answer came for him.


    Instead, it was his daughter¡¯s voice that he heard.


    "Elder Timothy," Fiona began, her voice shaking with uncertainty yet firm, "you cannot seriously consider bringing any witnesses forward without first¡ª"


    "Enough!" Elder Timothy¡¯s voice boomed across the hall, silencing Fiona, and the swirling murmurs in an instant.


    His earlier cloak of fear that had donned him at the thought of entertaining Morgan in his council was reced with sheer disgust and anger at the offending woman. Hismanding presence hung over the crowd like an ever-present shadow.


    "Athena, bring in the witness."


    "With pleasure, my lord..." Athena replied with a smile and a curt bow before turning to the entrance door.


    Two ps of her hands, and therge ancient door creaked open with an ominous groan.


    With every ticking second, the air thickened with anticipation as everyone awaited for the one who had thought it wise to sleep with Fiona. Worse, he had thought it okay to leave the child with her.


    So, when Lucas strode into the hall, clean-shaven and undeniably handsome, the gasps that erupted from the audience were akin to a rushing wind¡ª-with their eyes wide with disbelief and horror.


    "Is that... Lucas?" A voice murmured, barely a whisper, for the shock was evident on every face.


    "Is he not the man who imed that Doctor Athena had begged him for sex six years ago? I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s here! Where has he been all these years? And why would he return now?" Another voice eximed, riddled with confusion.


    Six years felt like a lifetime, yet the weight of that morning bore down upon them anew, and Ewan couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of dread creeping through him. Lucas had vanished after that fateful day, and now he stood at the center of a storm, ready to talk? Where had Athena found him?


    For six years ago, after the court day, he had sought for thetter, and had not found him. He had even thought him dead at one point. Yet, here was, looking all well kept, in flesh and blood.


    Athena nodded fondly at Eric and Shane before the duo left Lucas¡¯ side and joined the congregation.


    But Fiona¡¯splexion drained as she turned to her father, her eyes wide with terror. "Why is he here? He shouldn¡¯t be here!" Her voice trembled,den with desperation.


    Alfonso¡¯s stomach churned as he looked away from his desperate daughter, as he felt his wife¡¯s hot re right at the base of his head. Even though she had been an enemy to Athena those years ago, she wouldn¡¯t have supported their n of doing away with Lucas and his brothers. There was a limit to her meanness.


    He folded his lips in. Lucas. Thetter had been a dark Chapter of their past. Now, he was here to haunt their lives. But why? Why couldn¡¯t life be fair to him? First, it was hispany, and now this...


    Seeing Lucas alive and back in the fold felt like a betrayal, a betrayal life had orchestrated alone. Alfonso felt sick; rage and disgust bubbled beneath the surface, threatening to spill over. If he hated Athena a thousand fold before, he hated her a millions fold now.


    Wait till this court session is over. He thought, gripping his knees.


    Meanwhile, the tension in the hall crackled as Lucas stepped forward. His gaze was intense and focused, particrly on Fiona, whose bravado had evaporated, reced by stark fear.


    "Lucas Vanders, Doctor Athena says you are here to testify..." Elder Timothy spoke, as Lucas came to halt in the wide space between the two witness benches, facing the elders tform.


    "Yes," Lucas said, his tone clear and unwavering. "I¡¯m here to testify."


    The crowd leaned in, their collective breath holding as they braced for Lucas¡¯ side of the story, eager to know what evil role Fiona had yed again.


    "Alright then. There¡¯s a matter about you being Kendra¡¯s father..."


    "I¡¯ll talk about thatter. But first, I want to tell the truth of six years ago." Lucas interrupted, causing Elder Timothy to pique his eyebrows. Of course, he had expected this, but he had decided he would make the query after the court case.


    He shrugged his shoulders. If the young man wanted to talk about it now, so be it.


    "Then join Athena at her seat, and tell the truth."


    "Thank you." Lucas said, before moving to Athena¡¯s desk. "I¡¯ll surely tell the truth today."

 Chapter 150: The Court Case XIII

    <h4>Chapter 150: The Court Case XIII</h4>


    "Six years ago, I never slept with Athena," Lucas started, sping his hands behind his back, resolutely ignoring the murmurs that erupted once again after that bold deration.


    He hade prepared¡ªprepared to withstand any insult, any me, any punishment at all¡ªif it would grant him the custody of his daughter.


    Athena had allowed him a video call with Kendra, a heartwarming experience he would cherish forever.


    At first, the little beauty had been hesitant, her voice tinged with uncertainty, but in moments, she had transformed. Laughter had flowed freely, and the sound of her joy had brightened the dim shadows of his memories.


    Herughter kept him focused straight ahead now, hisposure unwavering, even as a sharp shoended squarely on his right cheek.


    Yet Lucas didn¡¯t bother twisting around to see who had thrown it, nor did he ponder who had called him stupid, nor did he wonder why Athena was letting the congregation stone him shoes. No, he kept his eyes locked on Elder Timothy. After all, Athena owed him nothing. If anything, it was he who owed her.


    "Six years ago, I returned from my studies abroad. Even before dropping in to see my own family, I asked to see Athena," Lucas continued, his voice steady. "She was my best friend and my confidante¡ªthe one who had pushed me to study physics, even giving me textbooks from her collection..."


    "Collection? What collection? We were told she¡¯s an illiterate!" A voice echoed from the back, piercing through the gathering¡¯s thick tension.


    All eyes turned toward Zack, who, until that moment, had remained inconspicuous, hidden in the crowd.


    Zack said nothing in defense. Instead, he fiddled nervously with his hands, his gaze falling to the floor in an attempt to disappear.


    But Lucasughed, a rich sound that grated against the oppressive atmosphere. "Illiterate? That must be the joke of the century! Athena is anything but an illiterate. She¡¯s a genius, despite the circumstances that took her away from school."


    Ewan paused, his lips pursing thoughtfully. This exined everything¡ªthe extraordinary academic prowess disyed in Athena¡¯s records. Yet, what circumstances?


    He had never taken the time to uncover why his wife had been deemed illiterate; he had been too caught up in his passionate disdain for her, viewing her as a yer in her father¡¯s twisted game.


    He expected Lucas to borate on the circumstances behind Athena¡¯s situation, but instead, Lucas continued recounting the events of six years ago, weaving a narrative that held everyone captive.


    "I was hurrying to meet Athena at the hotel she had booked for my stay when I met Fiona and her father waiting for me by the airport gates. As it turned out, they had orchestrated a fast game on me; Alfonso was friends with some of my lecturers. Together, they had conspired to manipte my return home for their sinister n, which they revealed to me right there at the airport."


    Lucas paused, the weight of his confession pressing heavily on his shoulders.


    "I refused," he continued, the pain evident in his voice. "Athena was my best friend, and I couldn¡¯t betray her like that. But when they showed me the video of my younger brothers in captivity, my resolve began to waver." His voice was strong, yet tinged with the ache of regret. "I was young, scared, desperate to protect my family."


    Ewan felt a knot tighten in his stomach, terror mixing with anger towards Fiona. How could she do this? How could she wield someone else¡¯s fear as a weapon in her twisted game? Of course, it was now rmingly clear to him why Fiona had taken such a path of despicable choices.


    "I did as shemanded," Lucas continued, and a sh of hurt crossed his features. "I stabbed Athena in the back." Each word hung heavily in the air,ced with the bitterness of remorse. "But days after I did that, I learnt that my brothers were already dead. Fiona had orchestrated their murders just to keep me silent."


    Another shocked silence enveloped the hall, disbelief hanging thickly in the air like a dense fog. Margaret sat transfixed, struggling to absorb the weight of this shocking confession. How could her husband have turned their daughter into a murderer? Why? For what?!


    "I had to flee," Lucas said, eyes zing with the intensity of his memories. "I didn¡¯t just run away; I was running for my life. I had absolutely no idea who Fiona might harm next. Iter learned she had ced a bounty on my head. So, I became a hunted man, left with no choice but to abandon the very things I held dear."


    "He¡¯s lying! Where¡¯s your proof?!" Fiona¡¯s voice rang out, using and unhinged, like a madwoman prepared to fight for her dirty possessions.


    "Are you sure you want that? Because I have it..." Athena interjected, effortlessly silencing Fiona. This time, when her father sped her hand with his, she didn¡¯t shake it off.


    Yet the audience was under a misapprehension. Athena possessed no supporting evidence; that was precisely why she had kept this piece of the story forst. She understood her enemies would be too intimidated by the earlier evidences to doubt her ims now.


    "Why have you returned now?" Elder Timothy asked then, his tone pressed with curiosity but buoyed by caution. His gaze scrutinized Lucas, as if assessing his intentions.


    "I¡¯m here to make amends," Lucas dered, this time his voice firmer, as he reached into his pocket.


    Anticipation surged through the crowd like a wave as they wondered what he wanted to bring out from the small breast pocket. A memory card? Another piece of evidence?


    Then, as if in slow motion, Lucas pulled out a neatly packaged strand of hair, holding it high for all to see. "This is Fiona¡¯s hair strand. I had a DNA test done with it for my daughter, Kendra. I did the same for me too. The results came out positive. Kendra belongs to both of us."

 Chapter 151: The Court Case XIV

    <h4>Chapter 151: The Court Case XIV</h4>


    Why did everyone have a piece of her hair? How did they even get it? Fiona wondered, sinking into her seat dejectedly and shrugging away her father¡¯s touch once again.


    She wished she could stop hearing Lucas speak. Not only had he destroyed the web that had been spun six years ago, but he was now narrating how she had drugged him and then slept with him.


    But so what? Shouldn¡¯t he be d that she had shown interest in him? Did he even realize how many guys had begged for her time?


    Fiona would have hissed, but the uproar in the crowd drowned her out. They were calling for her blood. She didn¡¯t dare turn to see her mother, already knowing that the woman would be incredibly disappointed in her. But she didn¡¯t care; she just wanted to be out of there.


    <i>"She deserves to die." </i>


    <i>"Sentence her to death!" </i>


    <i>"A slut and a rapist!" </i>


    <i>"I think she should be banished, just like Doctor Athena was all those years ago." </i>


    <i>"Banishment is too good a punishment; she should be sentenced to death!" </i>


    No one was on her side, Fiona thought, inhaling deeply. How would she get out of here alive?


    She risked a nce at Ewan. He wasn¡¯t looking at her this time; instead, his gaze was fixed on Athena, who met his eyes with a bored expression.


    Fiona balled her fists. Would her story end this way¡ªwith her losing to Athena?


    She turned to her father. "You promised that I will never lose to Athena. So, what is happening now?"


    Alfonso remained mute. He had underestimated Athena. What was there to say? They had failed. Their only way out of this mess rested on whether Ewan would show them mercy or if Athena would extend anypassion. Then, maybe, they could have a chance at aeback, at revenge.


    "Just stay calm, Fiona." That was all he said, observing that his daughter was desperately waiting for a reply.


    "Stay calm? The people are calling for my head!" She whisper-yelled, anger rising in her chest.


    Alfonso bit his lip to suppress the anger boiling within him. If only she had held back her stupid pride and urges, Kendra wouldn¡¯t have been created!


    "Just stay calm, Fiona. Let me think."


    Fiona shook her head and turned away. Her father was useless. She had to save herself; this was a fight she needed to win on her own.


    She risked another nce at Ewan. This time, he was staring down, his face tortured. He must regret banishing Athena, she mused. Athena had decimated all her ns, and now she needed to find a way out of this to return the favor.


    Just then, her phone dinged with a text. Subtly, she retrieved the device from her side pocket and peeked at the screen. A shimmer of hope blossomed within her at the sight of Morgan¡¯s name. Hurriedly, she opened the message, scrunching her nose as she read its contents.


    <i>"Get out of that stupid hall, Morgana! Let me bomb that ce!"</i>


    Fiona exhaled sharply. How was she going to escape from here? She didn¡¯t care about anyone else present.


    She nced at Ewan again. His head was still bowed. She didn¡¯t care about him either! After all, he would never believe anything she said now. She just didn¡¯t want to die!


    Reverting back to the text, she quickly sent a reply. <i>"I can¡¯t leave the council hall. The case isn¡¯t over." </i>She tapped her knee as she waited for Morgan¡¯s response, her message marked as read.


    <i>"Well, plead insanity or something! Surely that must work too in that stupid council."</i>


    Fiona smiled coldly as hope sparked within her. Plead insanity?


    However, when she lifted her head, curious about the sudden silence that enveloped the room, she realized she was the center of attention¡ªnot that there had ever been a time during this case when she hadn¡¯t been.


    "What are you doing, Fiona? Who are you texting?" Elder Timothy asked, scowling at her.


    "No one," She answered far too quickly forfort.


    "Get the phone from her," Elder Timothy ordered one of the council officials.


    But Fiona, in a fit of defiance, smashed the device against the ground with all her might, purposefully shattering it until it was rendered useless.


    "I think you all should stick to the evidence our beloved Athena provided and stop sticking your noses where they don¡¯t belong!" She dered vehemently, remaining stoic as the first shoe pelted her cheek.


    But when it turned into a barrage of shoes, she had no choice but to sit down and cover her head and face.


    Ewan was unlucky, as shoes pelted him too. He cursed and red at Fiona.


    "You will surely pay for this."


    Fiona shuddered at the coldness in Ewan¡¯s eyes, noting the veins popping at the sides of his head. How could she have forgotten this side of him?


    Elder Timothy had to strike the gravel more than five times to restore order in the courtroom.


    "I know Fiona is a disgrace to our town, but let¡¯s maintain order until this council is over."


    Alfonso gritted his teeth. Elder Timothy would pay too.


    "Lucas, are you done with your testimony?"


    Lucas nodded and sat down.


    Then Athena stood, immediately causing silence to descend upon the room, everyone eager to hear what she would say.


    Fiona scoffed at the spectacle. They were now buttering the prodigal daughter? Well, Athena should enjoy it while itsted.


    "As you can all see, thedy is unrepentant of her crimes. But I pity Ewan the most..."


    As she said this, she turned to the projector board and clicked on the tabbeled ¡¯The poison.¡¯ A video flickered to life.


    Everyone watched with open mouths as Fiona poured a dark brown substance into a coffee cup. They watched as she carried the cup to Ewan, who sat in the dining room reading a newspaper, preparing to go to work.


    They watched Ewan sip the ck coffee intermittently while reading the news.


    They watched as Fiona sat in the adjacent chair, a small smile on her lips while she made small talk...

 Chapter 152: The Court Case XV

    <h4>Chapter 152: The Court Case XV</h4>


    A deadly silence descended in the room, so quiet that it could be likened to a graveyard. It was obvious the people hadn¡¯t expected Fiona to turn her wicked ws on Ewan, who had been her ardent supporter since day one.


    Shock rendered them speechless, numbing even their minds; they had never seen wickedness disyed in such a fashion. Wasn¡¯t he her fianc¨¦ for whom she was fighting so fiercely?


    Ewan was the numbest of them all. His eyes were so fixated on the projector, and he looked like a statue. Aiden felt a wave of pity for him wash over him.


    Sandro rising from his seat broke the trance to some extent. "Athena, what is this? How..." He stuttered and shook his head as tears of anger burned in his eyes. "Is this the reason for the ckouts?"


    "ckouts? What is he talking about, Athena?" Elder Timothy asked, finally finding his voice.


    Over twenty years of ruling the elder council, and he had never witnessed evil disyed in such a way. What breed of people were Alfonso and his daughter? They should be in the same gang as Morgan!


    Athena sighed and moved to the next slide, which disyed someb results. Of course, most of the people in the hall didn¡¯t understand what it referred to, so she had to exin.


    "More than a month ago, while verbally attacking me in my office and defending his fianc¨¦e, Ewan had a ckout. During some tests while treating him, I discovered an abnormality in his brain. Yet, I kept quiet until thest test, which was more of a confirmatory test."


    She paused and faced the audience, not sparing Ewan, whose posture and facial expressions remained unchanged.


    "Some of us, if not all, are aware of Ewan¡¯s drowning episode while growing up. That incident messed up a part of his mental faculties, which could have been easily remedied if he had received the right treatments. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The doctors kept misreading his system and misprescribing drugs. Although those drugs did more harm than good, they shouldn¡¯t have caused the extent of damage I witnessed in his brain scan."


    A slight pause.


    "To confirm something, I gave him a particr drug that, while not harming him, would help identify what was wrong by reacting with the unwanted substance. The second test brought it to light."


    Another pause, during which she reverted to the elders. "It is possible that Ewan has been poisoned since he was little, with the Avanti drug..."


    "And what¡¯s that?" Elder Timothy asked, folding his arms across his chest.


    "It is a drug that inhibits brain processes and prevents one from remembering if thetter has amnesia. Further confirmation came when he had an episode at my ce on Christmas Day. Why Fiona would feed Ewan this drug, I do not know, but it¡¯s obvious that she doesn¡¯t want him to remember something important. If this poisoning has been going on since he was little, it would mean that Alfonso and his wife orchestrated it, most likely after his parents died."


    Margeret shifted on her feet as she became the center of attention. Even those sitting around her shifted away, having been doing so ever since Athena began presenting her evidence.


    "Margeret, are you aware of this?" Elder Timothy¡¯s intense gaze made her jerk in surprise.


    Margeret had no choice but to nod somberly. Hadn¡¯t she vowed to be a changed person after her near-death experience?


    "You mean Doctor Athena is right about her diagnosis? You and your family have been poisoning the sole survivor of the Gietti family?"


    Margeret nodded again, shutting her eyes as a wedge sandal struck her cheek. She felt her nose begin to run with blood.


    "It wasn¡¯t meant for him to die, but for him to forget. We didn¡¯t know it would cause other harm to his body."


    "What were you people trying to make him forget?"


    Margeret paused her lips as Alfonso turned to face her with softened eyes.


    Should she betray her family in such a way? She noted Fiona¡¯s stoic back, her body marked with red scratches from various shoe throws. They were already doomed to suffer from the evidence Athena had presented. Should she then proceed to drive another nail into the coffin?


    "To make him forget the drowning experience. It kept bringing up nightmares for him."


    "So, the ckouts weren¡¯t enough telltale signs that something was wrong?" Athena took over the questioning, sensing that Margeret was lying about this particr question.


    "Not at all. If we had known, we wouldn¡¯t have continued..."


    "But Fiona was present when Ewan cked out in my office. And this video was just taken a few days ago... what do you have to say then?"


    Margeret fell silent, but Fiona seized the opportunity.


    "I thought the ckout was from the drowning incident, not from the drugs," She said, ready to capitalize on the out her mother had given her.


    For a moment, she shifted her curiosity away from how Athena had managed to film within Ewan¡¯s mansion. "But since I know now, I wouldn¡¯t give him the drug again..." She added meekly, as if her previous misdeeds hadn¡¯t beenid bare for all to see.


    Sandro hissed loudly. "Again? Fiona, there will be no chance for that! I don¡¯t want to see you near Ewan again!"


    Athena sat down then, dramatically shaking her head. "So, Elder Timothy, tell me," She began somberly, ignoring the nk state of Ewan, who bowed his head and was staring at his fingers.


    "How can I trust my children to a foolish man blind to the evilness of his fianc¨¦e, who could not even heed his friends despite their warnings about this wicked woman? Who is even nonchnt about his own health?"


    Silence engulfed the room again.


    "Let¡¯s take, for example, the party where I was almost poisoned. It was clear to everyone that Fiona was part of the scheme. It was clear to everyone that Fiona had sacrificed those girls to be ughtered, and yet he defended her, choosing to remain blind to her antics at every turn! Why? Because she is his savior..."


    Athena chuckled softly, shaking her head once more.


    "If she truly saved him years ago, she wouldn¡¯t be alive today, or maybe she would have been mentally unsound!"


    Athena unplugged the projector and gathered her things into her bag.


    "With all this, Elder Timothy, I am sure I am done with this case."

 Chapter 153: The Court Case XVI

    <h4>Chapter 153: The Court Case XVI</h4>


    "What a case."


    <i>"Well, at least this way, there will be no debate on who the winner is."</i>


    <i>"That¡¯s right. The only debate that needs to be had is what will be done to Fiona."</i>


    <i>"There shouldn¡¯t even be a debate. She and her family should be sentenced to death!"</i>


    <i>"Including Margeret? You know she has been battling with disease for over a year..."</i>


    <i>"I don¡¯t care. She was part of the evil six years ago with them. Should we pity her because she is sick? Hasn¡¯t she recovered?"</i>


    Margeret shivered where she sat, listening to the loud discussions around her.


    Even if she had lied in the end to protect her family, Athena had still known she was lying, and now she feared that Athena would perceive her earlier gesture of peace as a deception. She sighed and bowed her head in shame.


    Meanwhile, Fiona and her father were wondering how they would leave the court with their lives intact.


    "Have you found anything yet?" She asked her father, but he shook his head.


    Fiona snorted softly, and refused to mention the matter of insanity to him. He could sort himself out; after all, she had more crimes to atone for than he did.


    "Ahem, ahem..." Elder Timothy cleared his throat. Finally, the case wasing to an end. "Thank you, Athena, for the evidence you brought to prove your case. It was quite... enlightening..."


    Cheers of agreement erupted in the crowd, but Athena remained unmoved. She was also unfazed by Ewan¡¯s nk expression; his head was still bowed.


    He must be thinking of a way out of this, she thought, still angry that he had dared to suggest that she should see the children once a month. Her children, whom she had suffered for and toiled over? Even now, the matter was a joke to her.


    "Ewan, do you have anything to say? In defense... or anything at all?"


    Ewan shook his head without lifting it.


    Elder Timothy swallowed, feeling hurt on Ewan¡¯s behalf, not fully understanding the turmoil but knowing the pain the young man was enduring. It was as if his whole life had been a pack of lies!


    "Alright then, since that is the case, what do you want to do, Athena?"


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "I just want to take my kids and leave; that¡¯s all."


    Ewan finally lifted his head, but his expression remained nk.


    Seeing this, Elder Timothy tried to plead on his behalf, recognizing that Ewan wasn¡¯t in the mood to speak.


    "I¡¯m sure Ewan has learned his lessons, and considering the evidence presented today, he is not exactly fit to be with the children, but please let him have a role in their lives."


    "They are not his children, Elder Timothy," Athena interjected, causing another wave of silence to hold the people captive.


    What was the doctor talking about? They wondered. They had all seen the DNA results!


    Elder Timothy shared this confusion as he picked up the test results Ewan had submitted earlier.


    Ewan watched him, watched Athena, feeling like an outsider.


    "What are you saying, Athena? There is proof, and it is right here. Are you suggesting that it is fabricated?" Elder Timothy nced at the twins, who were replicas of Ewan. There was no way the DNA test could be fabricated.


    "Not at all, Chief Elder. But Ewan was just a sperm donor. The twins already have a father, and there is proof of that."


    A furrow marred Ewan¡¯s smooth forehead, the first expression he had shown since Athena¡¯sst evidence.


    He watched, seemingly tepid, as Athena beckoned to the male he had seen earlier whispering into her ear. Ewan couldn¡¯t even scoff or chuckle; his mind was too strung up for that,pounded by the increasing pain in his chest.


    He had thought Zane was hispetitor¡ªalthough that perception had lessened with the tension between him and Giana¡ªbut he had been mistaken. It seemed there was nopetition at all. He had lost. He thought, watching the guy join Athena in her stand.


    "Everyone, this is Antonio, and he is the father of my children. We have evidence of an adoption contract," Athena announced, plunging Ewan into another state of shock and pain.


    An adoption contract? It was already legal? He rubbed his chest to alleviate the growing pain, but nothing happened.


    He inhaled deeply¡ªor tried to¡ªbut couldn¡¯t. It felt as though there was a wedge lodged in his throat and chest.


    What was happening? He wondered, attempting again and getting the same result. Perhaps this was due to the five pills he had taken instead of the one Athena had instructed him to take a week ago.


    He clutched his knee, pain rocketing through his entire system. Why wouldn¡¯t he ever listen? He mused bitterly, feeling blood begin to trickle from his nose and his vision clouding, worse than before.


    <i>Please wait, </i>He mentally pleaded, tilting his head up. <i>Wait until this court is over.</i>


    Struggling against his pain, he strained to hear what Athena was discussing with Elder Timothy.


    "So, what do you have for Ewan? You wouldn¡¯t really want him near the children, would you? Are you sure about that?"


    At this point, Ewan could no longer see anything in front of him; seeing had be a painful ordeal, but he kept his eyes open. He settled for hearing, even though that was hardly any easier.


    He never knew that hearing took an immense amount of strength, too. How he had taken so many things for granted!


    "I will offer him the same deal he offered me back then. He will see the children once a month, on my own terms. I think that is fair."


    Ewan shut his eyes, keeping his head lifted, distinctly hearing Sandro and Zane¡¯s iprehensible musings.


    "Okay, thank you for your amicability, Doctor Athena. What do you want for Fiona and her family?"


    Ewan strained his ear nerves more, to hear Atheba¡¯s decision, causing an explosion of stars in his vision as he clutched his knee tighter.


    "I want them to be thrown into the ck cell."

 Chapter 154: The Court Case XVII

    <h4>Chapter 154: The Court Case XVII</h4>


    The ck cells were a myth, a legend¡ªsupposedly bedtime stories used to scare children into obeying their parents.


    Because the actual location or condition of these cells remained a mystery to researchers, people had dismissed them as just another conspiracy theory about the government and how lethal they could be to prisoners at one point.


    Most folks were inly unconcerned because they weren¡¯t terrorists, after all. The government had no scores to settle with them.


    And that¡¯s why Fiona burst outughing, echoing her father¡¯s sentiment; there was a noticeable subtle tug at the corners of his lips.


    Ewan, however, couldn¡¯t afford the luxury ofughter; he was battling pain. He thought it was foolish for Fiona tough though, especially given the chilling way Athena had articted her desire for justice against her enemies.


    "Is something funny, Fiona?" Athena asked, her voice colder than ice.


    Fiona cackled even louder, speaking between fits ofughter. "The ck cells? Do you think I¡¯m a child to be scared of them? Don¡¯t you have another trick up your sleeve?"


    Athena didn¡¯t bother to respond. Instead, she turned to Elder Timothy. "Do I have the elders¡¯ permission to take Fiona and her father away? I can punish them for the council."


    But Elder Timothy was too startled to speak, just like the audience. Unlike Fiona, they took her words seriously.


    Without waiting for a response, Athena signaled to Eric and Shawn to do what was necessary. The men nodded and stepped forward from the audience, moving into the space before the elders¡¯ tform.


    However, upon noticing the seriousness on their faces and the strange gait in their movements, Fiona realized that, perhaps, Athena really had ess to the ck cells.


    This was the perfect moment to act!


    She sprang to her feet and pushed the desk with all her strength, amazed as it quaked on its hinges.


    "How dare you, Athena? Constance is going to deal with you!" She shouted thereafter, roughly pushing her father aside as she stormed out from the bench seat.


    Without hesitation, she charged at Athena, who stared at her with a nk expression and a raised eyebrow, wondering what this new act was about.


    But before Fiona could reach her, Eric seized her from behind.


    "Let Constance go!" Fiona screamed, wing at Eric¡¯s face.


    Fortunately, he was quick enough to hold her hands captive.


    "Does she have multiple personality disorder?" One of the onlookers whispered.


    "I think so," Another replied. "That could exin how she can be both evil and pretend to be good at the same time. It must be a side effect of the drowning incident."


    <i>"You fools! This is just an act! She is trying to escape justice, but that will not happen!" </i>


    <i>"You think so?" </i>


    <i>"I know so! That woman is worse than vermin! I hope the elders see this for what it is..." </i>


    Elder Timothy, watching Fiona behave like a madwoman with multiple identities, felt suddenly weary, as if he had aged an extra ten years just from witnessing this spectacle.


    "Athena, please take her away. I¡¯m sure she will be cured in the ck cells," He said with fatigue.


    Athena smiled and bowed, but Fiona shrieked loudly, so piercing that many people covered their ears. "You won¡¯t take me anywhere! Athena, fight Constance like a woman!"


    Ewan staggered to his feet then, drawing attention to himself. With what little strength he had left, he resolved to bring this agonizing case to an end, having heard the final say about the twins.


    "Let her go..." He said to Eric.


    Eric nced at Athena, who nodded her head, and he released Fiona from his grasp.


    Athena pursed her lips as she watched Ewan stagger out of his seat like a drunken man, his head slightly tilted upward. She knew exactly what was happening. The foolish man had taken more medication than she had instructed, thinking it would speed up his recovery.


    The disobedient fool! She cursed mentally, clenching her fists as Ewan approached Fiona.


    "You can take Alfonso..." Ewan said, looking at the man.


    Alfonso fell to his knees and crawled toward Ewan.


    "Don¡¯t touch me!" Ewan shouted, or rather tried¡ªfor because he was so weak, his voice was the same.


    Alfonso stayed on his knees, looking up at Ewan like a loyal dog. "Please have mercy on me!"


    Ewan couldn¡¯t even shake his head in response. "Save your pleas for Athena," He replied before turning to Athena.


    "You can take him. For Fiona, I¡¯ll take her. There is a psychiatric clinic where I can keep her. I¡¯ll ensure she is cured and that she doesn¡¯t disturb you or the children again." He spoke, utilizing hisst ounce of strength.


    Fiona held back a smile. The n had worked. Morgan could break her outter. It was too bad her father was going to the ck cell. Though she didn¡¯t know what happened there, just the name gave her the creeps.


    Athena shrugged her shoulders, satisfied as long as she was free from Fiona¡¯s antics. She gestured to Shawn, who then pulled Alfonso up off the floor. "Let¡¯s go..."


    Alfonso wouldn¡¯t move. He turned to Elder Timothy to plead for help, but the elder was already rising from his seat, ready to leave the hall.


    When Alfonso saw that his old friend wouldn¡¯t aid him, he turned to Zack. "Zack, please..."


    Zack cursed him and got up from his seat. "Don¡¯t ever call my name again..." He said before leaving the hall, grumbling about his poor decisions from six years ago.


    If those idiots hadn¡¯t framed Athena, would he even be in this precarious situation? By now, he would have been a richer man, still in control of Ewan and his daughter.


    Margeret was the next person Alfonso turned to. But Margeret, crying, stood up from her seat and ran out of the hall, devastated at being bereaved of her two closest people.


    Then Alfonso turned to his daughter, but Fiona wouldn¡¯t even spare him a nce. He knew she was faking the mental episode, but he thought it wise to show her hisst love as a father, uncertain if he would survive whaty ahead.


    Hence, he kept quiet and surrendered, allowing Shawn and Eric to escort him out of the council.


    Ewan, suddenly slumping to the ground, however, halted everyone in their tracks.

 Chapter 155: Commotion

    <h4>Chapter 155: Commotion</h4>


    For a few seconds, a huge drop of silence settled in the hall as everyone paused in disbelief at the sound of the thud.


    The silence was so thick that it even, to an extent, clogged the minds of the people as they stood immobile at first, not offering help to the pale Ewan, who looked lifeless on the floor.


    Elder Timothy and the other elders, who had been about to leave the hall, halted in their steps, their heads all turned aside to consider this act of shock, this event that spoke of an impending doom.


    Eric and Shawn, who had been about to lead a stoic Alfonso out of the hall, also stopped and turned aside to behold this mystery.


    Margeret, right at the doorpost, couldn¡¯t move out, as people who heard the thud¡ªwhich had echoed as if announcing the fallen person was important¡ªremained unmoving, and she, seeing this, had turned too. Disbelief riddled her expression when she saw what was causing themotion.


    Even Athena, who had actually predicted this happening, was at a standstill, probably because she hadn¡¯t expected Ewan to fall like a man petrified in ice and then pushed away to break.


    Only he didn¡¯t break; rather, he was bleeding from his head due to the force of impact with the ground.


    This was bad. Athena¡¯s subconscious managed to drive past the thick shock embedded in her mind.


    Then Fiona screamed in agony, shattering the illusion of calmness.


    Sandro and Zane sprinted toward a fallen Ewan, not minding the influx of people again into the hall.


    They pushed aside a screaming Fiona, who had tears streaming down her face, and bent to check on Ewan, ignoring the crowd surrounding them.


    Even those who had left minutes ago, rushed back in after seeing that they weren¡¯t being followed on the way, by the other townspeople.


    Eric and Shawn had to shift Alfonso aside with them so that the people wouldn¡¯t push him down; Alfonso, whose eyes kept straining to see what was going on with Ewan.


    Sandro lifted Ewan¡¯s bleeding head with his two hands and rested it on his thighs, as he had sat on the floor when getting there, not minding the stain that would bring to his clothes.


    "Ewan, Ewan..." He muttered repeatedly, tapping Ewan¡¯s cheeks with his bloodied right hand.


    "Ewan, please say something..." Zane added, but Ewan was far gone at the moment to even know what was going on around him.


    Adjacent to them, yet seeing clearly what was happening, Athena stood still, watching them, thinking that Ewan looked like someone battling with death.


    This was the time to fulfill her own side of the deal. Right at that moment when she thought that, Zane and Sandro nced at her as if pleading with her to consider Ewan.


    "Everyone disperse..." She spoke softly at first, seeing the throng of people surrounding the source of the spectacle.


    When she saw there was no movement, she raised her voice louder. "Out, everyone! Court is over!"


    Then she turned to Elder Timothy, whose face was still riddled with shock and disbelief. "Please send them away. I need to treat Ewan."


    <i>"Did you just hear what the doctor is saying?" someone asked.</i>


    <i>"I heard it clear and straight. She wants to treat him, and to think he had wronged in so many ways ever since their unfortunate marriage nine years ago."</i>


    <i>"She is the perfect woman, to be honest; gracious and virtuous."</i>


    <i>"But do you think she has something else in mind for saving him? Do you think she will demand something in exchange for her services?"</i>


    <i>"Do I look like I care? Even if she demands hispany, she deserves all that and more!"</i>


    <i>"You are right. From her row of testimonies which she gave today, you will note that this is not the first time she has healed him."</i>


    <i>"You are right, but I dare say this might be the most critical time. He looks as if dead. Can¡¯t you see his lips turning blue? If Doctor Athena doesn¡¯t work her magic, Ewan wouldn¡¯t be alive to run thepany or watch over Fiona¡¯s psychiatric treatments."</i>


    <i>"Please don¡¯t mention that evil woman. It will bring bad luck. Her name is synonymous with misfortune."</i>


    <i>"I¡¯m telling you, I won¡¯t give any of my children that name, for whatever reason!"</i>


    <i>"See, he is convulsing!"</i>


    Athena paused her lips, tuning away from the conversations surrounding her as she beheld this strange anomaly. Ewan was suddenly jerking, convulsing, and foaming at the mouth. He would be a dead man if she didn¡¯t do something soon!


    She turned to Aiden, aware of Timothy¡¯smand that everyone should leave the hall.


    "Please take the children and Gianna home. I will meet you allter. And please, get me my work bag from my chambers. I¡¯ll send you the coordinates through a text," She said, already typing away on her phone.


    Aiden nodded smartly and turned to Gianna. "Let¡¯s go. Ewan doesn¡¯t have much time."


    He really doesn¡¯t. Athena thought, taking a glimpse of Ewan, still surrounded by his friends. Even though he had stopped convulsing suddenly, he was looking worse.


    "Let me take a guess: the chambers you were talking about are not in your house," Antonio said, after Aiden had left with Gianna and the twins who had looked grief-stricken.


    Athena smiled thinly but gave no reply to Antonio¡¯s statement.


    Antonio chuckled softly, looking at her intensely. "I taught you secrecy, and you are better at it than I am."


    "I am sure you have more secrets than I do. Please go with Aiden. Wait for me at home. I will meet you there."


    Antonio shook his head. "I am done waiting around, Athena. I will follow you wherever you go now."


    Athena paused, looking away, having noeback.


    "Mr. Thorne, you wouldn¡¯t be joining Aiden?"


    Old Mr. Thorne shook his head. "I have already sent some of my men to follow him. I will be following you with the others to the hospital. They are waiting for yourmand."


    Athena sighed and held Old Mr. Thorne on the shoulders. "You know I can¡¯t thank you enough..."


    Old Mr. Thorne waved her away. "Don¡¯t do that. We are friends. Hurry up to thed; his life is oozing away."


    Athena nodded and sauntered over to Ewan. "How is his temperature?"


    "Cold. Very cold, like a man in a coffin," Zane answered, looking up at Athena.


    "When are we moving?"


    "Right now. Aiden went to get my work bag. But we will be transported to the hospital first so I can run some tests."


    "So, what are his chances of living?" Sandro finally spoke, not taking his eyes away from Ewan, who was getting paler by the passing second.


    Athena paused her lips. Less than twenty percent, she would have said, but she didn¡¯t want to puncture Sandro¡¯s hope.


    Fiona, who had read the report off Athena¡¯s facial expression, clicked her tongue in disgust. "You knew he was dying all these weeks ago, and you couldn¡¯t do anything just to prove a case in court. And even now, you sure took your timeing here to see him..." She spoke, looking at Athena with disdain. "You want him dead, right? You are even more wicked than I am!"


    But Athena ignored her on both counts. Rather, she turned to Sandro. "Take her out of here. She is not good for Ewan¡¯s health."


    Didn¡¯t he know? Sandro thought, relinquishing his hold on Ewan to Zane.


    When he stood to his full height, Fiona staggered back under the full gaze of his hot re. But he didn¡¯t go to her. Instead, he walked up to Old Mr. Thorne and took him aside to talk.


    A few minutester, five hefty men in ck soldier uniforms with bulletproof vests walked into the courtroom.


    "Take her into the hot room for safekeeping. When Mr. Ewan is awake, he will know what to do with her, since we have no idea where the psychiatric hospital he had in mind for her is," Old Mr. Thorne spoke to two of the bodyguards.


    Fiona staggered back until her back hit the wall of the hall as the men approached her. Hot room? What was that? Was it a ce where they would burn the skin off her bones? She couldn¡¯t let that happen!


    She immediately opened her phone to call Morgan for help, but one of the trained guards, seeing this, hurried over and wiped the phone out of her hands.


    "Follow us calmly, Miss Adams," He spoke when she attempted to bypass him.


    Fiona looked around her. None of the townspeople were left in the hall, not even her mother. Her father was still in the hands of Athena¡¯s men, looking at her steadfastly.


    Fiona tsked her lips and offered her hands to the guard. "Take me out of here, then," She said finally, watching as the other men gently lifted Ewan in their arms, carrying him as if he were a dead man, toward the exit.


    But before they could all leave the hall, Alfonso shrugged his arm away from Eric and Shawn and barked: "You can¡¯t keep me in confines, Athena! I refuse it!"

 Chapter 156: Escape Plan

    <h4>Chapter 156: Escape n</h4>


    "Alfonso, this line of yours is getting boring," Old Mr. Thorne started immediately after Alfonso¡¯s fierce deration.


    "Get him out of here. I¡¯m sure the ck cells are dying to have him." He said, this time around looking at Eric and Shawn.


    The duo, having done their homework on who Old Mr. Thorne was, nodded respectfully and roughly jerked Alfonso¡¯s arms, preparing to drag him away, but Alfonso pulled his weight, refusing to be moved.


    Instead, he kept talking. "Since there is a higher chance that Ewan won¡¯t see the light of day tomorrow..."


    "Alfonso!" Sandro and Zane echoed at the same time, while Fiona wondered what her father was up to this time around.


    A shuffle of feet from the exit door caused everyone to turn aside, their eyes furrowing when they saw Margeret walking in.


    Seeing that the guards stationed at the exit had let her in, Athena believed thetter had told them that she wanted to give her husband and daughter herst regards before they were taken away.


    But Margeret paused when she noticed that she was the center of attention.


    "Did I interrupt something..." She muttered, tad bit scared, but was greeted with no response.


    Alfonso swallowed painfully, knowing that the next step in this n would offend his wife greatly but had no choice but to continue, especially since Athena just called him out.


    "You were saying, Alfonso..." Athena had said, folding her arms across her chest.


    Alfonso opened his mouth to speak, but Athena still cut him off by raising her hand. She turned to the men carrying Ewan. "Please take him to the hospital. When you get there, ask for Doctor Finn. He will tell you what to do."


    The men and Zane nodded before carrying Ewan out of the hall.


    Athena quickly sent a text to Finn before turning to Alfonso. "You were saying?"


    Alfonso bit his lip, controlling his simmering anger at being treated like a nobody. "I said you can¡¯t confine me now. It¡¯s possible that Ewan could be dead in a few hours¡¯ time..."


    "And what is your point exactly, Alfonso? Get to it; we have no time to waste here!"


    "Since Ewan is incapacitated at the moment, a shareholders¡¯ meeting has to be held to determine who will be the acting director for the time being. Since I and Fiona are among that group, we can¡¯t be confined at the moment. We have to be present at the shareholders¡¯ meeting."


    Old Mr. Thorneughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "You want Ewan dead then, to save your asses? What is even your amount of shares in thepany?"


    Alfonso ignored his wife¡¯s stare of shock and red at Old Mr. Thorne. "With Fiona¡¯s shares, it is more than enough."


    Athena wasn¡¯t surprised. With the way Ewan had allowed the two idiots to use him as a pawn in their game, it would even be shocking if he hadn¡¯t given them a share in thepany. But that wasn¡¯t a problem. She had her game cards ready.


    She watched Alfonso turn to Sandro. "If you want Ewan to be happy, you have to keep thepany afloat. To do that, you have to let the shareholders¡¯ voting to take ce, so that an acting director can be appointed..."


    Alfonso paused andughed sarcastically. "Of course, I might not be the best candidate for that position, but my votes count. And you know Ewan¡¯s rule: all shareholders must be present in the meeting for any voting to take ce. No representatives are allowed either."


    Sandro balled his fists, wondering how long he had to deal with this scum of the earth. However, as much as he hated Alfonso, the wicked man was right on this point.


    Of course, he was hoping for Ewan to wake up fast; he trusted Athena to do all she could¡ªshe was a woman of her word¡ªbut he didn¡¯t trust the townspeople who had all seen Ewan fall.


    Words spread fast, and before one knew it, the shareholders of thepany would get wind of the information. It was best the voting exercise was organized now to prevent issues in the future.


    "Are you seeking to escape punishment, Alfonso?" He finally asked, rxing his fists.


    Alfonso smiled thinly. "Of course not." He then looked at Fiona, who was struggling to hide her own smile.


    The voting process and arrangements could take a few days, at least three; it was ample time for Morgan to get them away from the shackles of Athena and Old Mr. Thorne.


    "It¡¯s okay, Athena. I will take care of them."


    Alfonso¡¯s smile dried up after hearing those words. "What are you talking about?"


    Old Mr. Thorne chuckled snidely. "You just have to be around for the voting process, right? Then I will make sure of that. But until then..." He turned to his agents. "Take them both to the cottage, and make sure they are adequately taken care of."


    Alfonso exchanged a frantic nce with Fiona. What does ¡¯adequately taken care of¡¯ mean in this context?


    But before he could say another word, Eric and Shawn dragged him out of the hall, with Fiona following right behind him.


    As she walked past Athena, however, she paused, hissed and spat at thetter. But before she could gloat over the look of shock on Athena¡¯s face as the spittlended on her right cheek, Fiona received a huge blow to her nose, causing it to bleed again.


    "How dare you?"


    She distinctly heard a rageful voice for her senses were still buzzing with static; she couldn¡¯t see or hear anything clearly for a few moments.


    "Fiona!" She heard her mother shout, and tried to cuss at the woman who hadn¡¯t been of any help to her since her cure, but she couldn¡¯t even speak as her tongue was coated with blood.


    "How dare you beat a woman?! Aren¡¯t you ashamed of yourself? Didn¡¯t your mother teach you better?" She heard her father¡¯s muffled voice.


    What was going on? She thought numbly, disoriented and still trying to regain her senses.


    "Well, why didn¡¯t you train your daughter to be aware that spitting on people is disrespectful and downright disgusting?"


    Fiona heard the rageful voice again.


    "And if you call my mother again, I will cut off your tongue; after all, it¡¯s your hand that you will use to vote."


    Fiona tried to remember the man who had been standing beside Athena, but her mind was failing her, just as her head began to pound.


    "Fiona, are you okay?!" She heard her father scream, his voice echoing and reverberating in her head. She tried to nod, but her head was too heavy. Darkness was approaching; she tried to fight it but failed, and then she weed it.


    "What did you do?!" Alfonso screamed at Antonio again, but thetter folded his arms nonchntly, watching boredly as Fiona slumped to the floor.


    Lucas found it funny¡ª the only thing funny since Ewan had slumped. He had stood to one side watching the subsequent events unfold. Now, he spoke to the guards who were handling Fiona. "Please take her away."


    Alfonso red at him, but Lucas wasn¡¯t bothered. He only wanted to be out of there so he could see his daughter.


    The guards looked at Old Mr. Thorne for permission, and when thetter nodded, they dragged Fiona away, letting her feet scrape the ground, not bothering to lift her in their arms.


    Alfonso watched angrily as they treated his daughter like dirt. Margeret, seeing this, sighed, shook her head, and walked away without a word.


    Alfonso, watching his wife exit, turned to Eric. "Get me out of here."


    "With pleasure, old trash."


    Alfonso blinked furiously, not expecting the jab, but he kept his mouth shut, giving up for the moment, hoping that Morgan would be able to trace them and get them out of Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s custody by all means. <i>He just had to!</i>


    After they had left, Lucas walked up to Athena. "Can I see her now?"


    Athena nodded. "Thanks for today..."


    Lucas shook his head. "I should be the one thanking you, Athena. If I hadn¡¯t given a false testimony six years ago, you wouldn¡¯t be in this trouble now..."


    Athena said nothing. She turned to Old Mr. Thorne. "Please drop him off at Ste¡¯s ce. I¡¯m sure Ste would know what to do."


    Lucas wasn¡¯t sure who Ste was, but he nodded his thanks at Athena and followed Old Mr. Thorne out of the hall.


    "Do you think things would have been better if he hadn¡¯t used you falsely six years ago?"


    Athena shook her head at Antonio¡¯s question. "I don¡¯t think so. Considering the desperation of Fiona and her father, which I have seen during this case, I can say that I would have died if I had continued to stay in that house."


    Antonio nodded. "And I wouldn¡¯t have met you too."


    Athena nodded curtly before turning to Sandro, who had retraced his steps and was now standing where Ewan had slumped to the floor, his blood still sttered everywhere.


    "Don¡¯t worry, Sandro; cleaners have already been called to take care of it."


    "I will wait until they arrive," Sandro answered without looking up from the pool of blood.


    Athena sighed and started out of the hall with Antonio, but Sandro¡¯s voice called her back. "Will he survive?"


    Athena sighed. "I will try, Sandro. I will do my best to make sure he survives."

 Chapter 157: Impersonator

    <h4>Chapter 157: Impersonator</h4>


    Outside the council hall, the area was so deserted that if Athena hadn¡¯t been present for today¡¯s court case, she would have thought no meeting had been held.


    Yet, it was quite understandable; the excitement was over, and everyone had rushed home as the day began to fade.


    "Is it snowing now? Seriously?" Antonio asked, just at the same moment that Athena saw the cold white kesnd right in front of her.


    A childish happy smile stretched across her lips as she looked up and beheld the falling snow. Not only had an unfortunate event been thwarted today, but it felt as if nature was favoring her. She thought this as she put out her hand to catch some of the kes.


    "Goodwill?" Antonio muttered, his eyes fixed on Athena¡¯s smile with fondness and love.


    "I will take it as so." Athena responded, chuckling softly at the freedom she felt; a chuckle which was followed by a deepughter at the case well won in the elders¡¯ council today.


    Athenaughed until her eyes became wet, happiness washing over her in waves as she spread her arms out, swirling slowly and catching snow in her hands while intermittently sniffing them.


    Beside her, Antonio watched with a deep longing evident in his eyes.


    "You really like the snow, Athena. I didn¡¯t know that."


    Athena¡¯s enjoyment was cut short by Sandro¡¯s voice.


    She swiveled and looked at him. Although his eyes were sad, there was a thin smile on his lips.


    "Yeah, I do like the snow. It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve been blessed with its presence. Did you change your mind? Are you heading to the hospital now?"


    Sandro furrowed his eyebrows. "Not exactly. The cleaners are already here, so I have to take my leave."


    Athena¡¯s eyes were riddled with confusion as she turned and looked at Antonio, but thetter chuckled softly. "Yeah, they arrived on foot. When they saw how engrossed you were with the snow, I gestured for them to use the other entrance."


    Oh. Athena thought, shaking her head. Well, it was time to head out then. She could enjoy the snowter. "So, are you heading to the hospital now?"


    "Yes." Sandro said, pointing at his car. "I¡¯ll meet you there?"


    Athena nodded and wished him a safe ride.


    "You know, I still think it¡¯s crazy that Ewan literally ghosted on his friends¡¯ advice, choosing to listen to the witch. Do you think the drugs had anything to do with it? Do they havepelling or maniptive abilities?"


    Athena pressed her lips together, her mind racing with theories. "I¡¯m not sure really. I haven¡¯t treated the effects of the drug before, but I¡¯ll know after today when I conduct the necessary tests."


    Just then, she noticed ady in a ck face cap approaching them.


    "Who is that?" Antonio asked, immediately standing slightly in front of Athena, ready to shield and protect her from any potential attacks.


    Athena found it cute but she already knew who was approaching.


    "Stand down..." She said teasingly to Antonio when thedy halted before them.


    Antonio nced back at her with furrowed eyebrows, concern etched clearly on his face, before stepping aside.


    "I take it the case went well..." Thedy spoke, tilting her head up so Athena could see her face. Although that wasn¡¯t even required.


    "Yes, everything went well, Susan¡ªor should I call you Magdalene?"


    Susanughed, shaking her head. "That was my most tiring role yet. Please don¡¯t ask me to y that witch¡¯s maid again. I lost count of the many times I thought of strangling her, whether for sending me on ridiculous errands, or for poisoning Ewan, or while she dressed up to entertain Morgan. You are really going to increase my pay, even though it was oddly satisfying for me to make that video, knowing her game was up."


    Athenaughed. The reason she had been waiting around the council hall was actually for Susan; thetter¡¯s identity needed to remain unknown to both Morgan and Fiona, or else the real Magdalene would be in danger, and she didn¡¯t want an innocent person to suffer for nothing.


    "Sure, I had already nned on doing so after watching the video. What about Magdalene?"


    Susan shrugged. "She will be resuming at the mansion tomorrow. I already told her a couple of things that happened, things she needed to know, so she won¡¯t be caught unawares. I even gave her a few fashion tips... anything can happen."


    Didn¡¯t she know? Athena thought, though she hoped that the "anything" wouldn¡¯t involve Fiona.


    "And what about your mask?"


    "Burnt, as it should be. Seeing it reminds me of the hell I went through at the hands of that witch. You don¡¯t know how happy I am to be free from that role."


    They shared a pause,ughing together.


    "So, I¡¯ll be returning to headquarters now?"


    Athena cocked her head to the right. "Just wait around for a while. As you said, anything can happen. I might need your skills soon." A slight pause. "Were you able to get Fiona¡¯s act?"


    Susan smirked and cleared her throat. "Of course, bitch!"


    "Wow!" Antonio gasped in surprise upon hearing Susan¡¯s words, or rather Fiona¡¯s. "You are really good at your job."


    Susan nodded, smiling. "Of course. That¡¯s what puts food on my table after all... and to be honest, I kind of enjoy it." Then, she engulfed Athena in a hug. "I will see you around?"


    "Sure, see you around."


    "You really know how to spot them, don¡¯t you?" Antonio asked as soon as they were alone again.


    "I try," Athena replied, walking toward the lone car parked in front of them.


    "How do you make them fiercely loyal?" He continued once they were in the car. He started the vehicle and put it in motion.


    "I don¡¯t know. I guess by being a good boss."


    When Athena arrived at the hospital, the ce was buzzing with activity.


    "Good afternoon, Doctor Athena..." kept echoing around her. Athena threw out replies, barely knowing who had greeted her.


    As she hurried into the ward where Ewan was kept, her phone dinged with a message. Quickly, she brought up her phone to her field of vision and read it mentally:


    <i>"The gang is on their way to blow up the hall. Should we intercept them?" </i>


    It came from Old Mr. Thorne.


    For a few seconds, Athena halted her movements. She would love the gang to remain unimpeded, so they would still think they were in control, but there were cleaners in the hall, and probably the elders too, and she couldn¡¯t risk their lives for a mere gamble.


    She swiftly typed away, resuming her movements. <i>"Intercept them, but do it in a way that seems coincidental. Thank you, my friend." </i>


    She received a message just as fast.


    <i>"Stop thanking me, Athena. By the way, I¡¯ll be waiting at your ce. I think the children need somepany." </i>


    Athena sent back<i> ¡¯okay¡¯ </i>and then sighed. Of course, the children neededpany; they had literally seen their real father at the brink of death¡ªthe previous grievances against him wouldn¡¯t matter to them now.


    "What is the matter?" Antonio asked, having noticed Athena¡¯s sudden sad expression.


    "It¡¯s nothing much. Just the gang being on the move again, but the agents will handle it."


    In Ewan¡¯s ward, Zane and Sandro were sitting on a nearby cushion with their heads close together, discussing something. Upon Athena¡¯s arrival, however, they stopped talking and stood up quickly.


    "Has Aidene?" Athena asked, beelining to the bed where Ewany as if dead. She furrowed her brows when she noticed how much paler he looked than before. What was going on?


    "Yes. He gave the bag to us, although your assistant was less than pleased; he almost called security on us."


    "Ciara?" Athena asked incredulously, looking away from Ewan.


    Zane shook his head. "No. Doctor Finn, the one you assigned to Ewan¡¯s medications until you came."


    "Oh..." Athena muttered. "Sorry about that. I¡¯m sure he was just being cautious. Where is the bag, and where is he?"


    Zane walked to the other side of Ewan¡¯s bed, bent down when he got there, and lifted the ck medium-sized box. "I don¡¯t know where the doctor is. He just took Ewan¡¯s blood and left, probably to run some tests; then returnedter and put him on a drip."


    Athena nodded and returned her attention to Ewan, aware of Zane walking toward her with the box. "Thank you," She said when he dropped the box close to her feet.


    "I never got your name..." She heard Zane ask Antonio sincerely.


    "Antonio."


    Zane chuckled heartily. "So, you¡¯re the reason she wouldn¡¯t say yes to me..."


    "I¡¯d like to think so," Antonio replied, looking at Athena, but she was no longer interested in their talk; her focus was drawn to the drip, as she just noticed something unusual.


    "What is the matter?" Antonio asked, noticing the frown on her face.


    "Something is wrong with the drip," She answered, urgency creeping into her voice. "Please get Doctor Finn here."

 Chapter 158: Murder Attempt

    <h4>Chapter 158: Murder Attempt</h4>


    "Doctor Finn, what is this?" Athena started when Finn entered the ward, pointing at the drip she had deftly stopped administering to Ewan.


    "Why is there an overdose of digoxin administered to Mr. Ewan? And why are there traces of sinycholine in the drip?"


    Finn looked as confused as the other males in the room, who didn¡¯t know the drugs Athena was talking about but realized from the scowl on her face that a mixture of the two was not exactly good news.


    Yet Finn was now the center of attention because he recognized the drugs Athena referred to.


    "That cannot be possible," He uttered vehemently, walking up to the bed and picking up the drip bag positioned near Ewan, who was oblivious to his surroundings.


    Athena waited, though impatient, her face still scowling, as Finn¡¯s eyes scanned the drip bag slowly.


    Meanwhile, Finn couldn¡¯t fathom how Athena had discovered that there was sinycholine in the drip. The liquid was colorless, for goodness¡¯ sake! Just who was this woman?


    "I don¡¯t know how this happened. I was sure I only put digoxin as medicine. I honestly can¡¯t tell how this mistake urred. Maybe it¡¯s from thepany in charge?"


    Athena pressed her lips together as she observed the earnestness in Finn¡¯s face. He didn¡¯t seem to be lying, but it didn¡¯t ease her unease; she knew thepany was trustworthy. She had also seen the needle scar on the drip bag. Someone had injected sinycholine into the standard drip to either paralyze or kill Ewan.


    But why? Who was after Ewan¡¯s life?


    She looked at the male on the bed, who appeared near death, and inhaled deeply. It seemed he had be a target as well. This meant she had to manage his treatment alone; she couldn¡¯t trust anyone.


    "You can go, Finn. It¡¯s okay. Hopefully, we can salvage the situation."


    But Finn hesitated. "I¡¯m truly sorry, ma¡¯am. I really am. I could have killed a patient..." His face contorted with pain, and his familiar eyes brimmed with tears.


    Although Athena knew of Finn¡¯s innocent demeanor, she didn¡¯t quite know how to handle an overemotional man, so she remained professional. "It¡¯s okay, Doctor Finn. Have you gotten the results?"


    Finn immediately backtracked on his feelings before giving Athena the file in his hands. He had assumed she was seeking him for the test results at first.


    Athena took the test results and bid him goodbye. "Thank you, Finn. About thepany, I will send a letter ofint to them. You can take care of the other patients on your list. I will take care of Mr. Ewan."


    Finn nodded, tilted his head in a curt bow, and left the ward.


    "Do you think he is telling the truth?" Sandro asked, speaking up for the first time since Athena walked into the ward.


    Athena paused, then shrugged her shoulders."To be honest, I am not sure. I don¡¯t know why he would give Ewan a higher dosage and a strange drug altogether. It doesn¡¯t make sense; it doesn¡¯t add up. He is the mostpetent hire that Herbert sent for me." She darted a nce at Zane as she mentioned his father.


    Sandro exhaled harshly and returned to his seat, bowing his head into his hands thereafter.


    "So what are we going to do? Since this ce isn¡¯t safe?" He continued after a few beats.


    "I will treat him at a secure location. I just have to get in touch with Aiden." As Athena spoke, she typed a message and sent it to Aiden, resolving to show her appreciation for troubling him so much since his return.


    "Thank you for this, Athena. I really appreciate it. I¡¯m sure Ewan would feel the same."


    Athena waved away Sandro¡¯s appreciation. "It was part of the deal too, remember? Don¡¯t worry; he will survive."


    She would make sure of it. Athena vowed silently. How dare they try to poison her patient? Did they not have regard for her practice?


    She deftly opened the file in her hand and pulled out the test results. Her eyebrows furrowed again as she tried to make sense of the findings.


    What is this? She wondered, reading over the file once more. Just a mere food poisoning? Was Finn¡¯s head not in his work today? Did something happen that was messing with his mind?


    How could he run a test on Ewan¡¯s blood and only conclude with a mere food poisoning diagnosis, rmending a drug that would worsen Ewan¡¯s situation?


    She thought about calling Finn again, this time with theb scientist, but changed her mind. If she kept asking, it would give a heads-up to whoever was ying this dangerous game. It was better to stay quiet for now.


    "The result is wrong too?"


    Athena looked at Antonio¡¯s deep-set, beautiful eyes, which were intensely focused on her. Of course he would notice, even when she tried to keep a neutral expression.


    "Yeah. But it¡¯s okay. It¡¯s probably a reaction to the drug. Aiden will soon be here. We will be transporting Ewan to a safe location." This time, she was looking at Zane and Sandro.


    "Where is that?" Sandro asked, getting to his feet.


    Athena shook her head. "I can¡¯t say, but I can assure you he will be adequately taken care of. You just have to trust me, Sandro."


    "I trust you, Athena. I have always trusted you, despite everything," Sandro dered without the slightest hesitation.


    Athena nodded, pleased with this. "But you all have to wait until Aiden is here. Aiden might be strong, but he is nomando..." Her effort to lighten the atmosphere worked as the males in the room chuckled, even though the tension still lingered in the air.


    Fifteen minutester, Ewan was well secured in the back of a ck van. Athena didn¡¯t know where Aiden had gotten the vehicle in such short notice, but she was very grateful.


    "Thanks, Aiden..."


    Aiden¡¯s response was to ruffle her hair. This time, Athena made no attempt to push it away; she allowed the calming effect of such an act to wash over her, soothing the panic that threatened to build up within her when she nced at Ewan.


    "So, I will see you guyster?" She spoke to Zane and Sandro thereafter.


    "Sure. Send us word when you are ready to ept visitors," Zane said, waving to her before they got into Sandro¡¯s car.


    When they zoomed off, Athena turned to Antonio.


    "Don¡¯t tell me to leave. As I said before, I will follow you anywhere. I would be like your shadow now."


    Once again, Athena had noeback. Instead, she turned aside and entered the van.


    Antonio joined her immediately, ignoring Aiden¡¯s short, questioning nce at Athena when he shut the door after him.


    Meanwhile, at the cottage where Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s men had kept Alfonso and Fiona in, Alfonso was conflicted¡ªconfused and, at times, surprised by their circumstances.


    He had expected a dirty cottage, a torture chamber disguised as a cottage, or a ce where he would be locked in without food and water, but the opposite was true.


    The cottage was surprisingly neat, even resembling a vacation home. There was enough food and freedom to move around the house. The only downside was the many guards stationed outside and the cameras located in almost every area of the house, creating a sense of difort that pervaded the space.


    It was as if they were prepared not to be outwitted by either him or his daughter, or even Morgan, if the kind of weapons he had seen in a van outside was any indication. It was safe to say they were trapped until the shareholders¡¯ meeting.


    "Dad, what do you think about this reception? They even let us keep our phones. They are not afraid of me contacting Morgan or what..." Fiona started, her surprise evident as she watched a maid roll a trolley filled with food, snacks, and drinks into the center room where they were currently situated.


    Alfonso didn¡¯t say a word until the maid left the room, keeping his guard up.


    "I don¡¯t know, Fiona. It¡¯s possible that this room is wired too, so they can hear us speak."


    Fiona exhaled harshly. "So, we are in a beautiful prison?"


    Alfonso clicked his tongue, frustration creeping into his voice. "At least it¡¯s better than the dark cells, or the hot cell Thorne wanted to put you in."


    Fiona nodded in agreement, catching the somber reality of their situation.


    Since the room might be wired, she picked up her phone and sent a text to her father. "How are we escaping this hole in front of us? As much as I had wanted the psychiatric sentence, it¡¯s no longer appealing. I need freedom. How do we get it?"


    Alfonso replied in his text with one word after carefully checking the message: "Morgan."


    __________________


    A/N:


    1. Digoxin¡ªa drug used to treat heart failure, and atrial fibrition. Controls heart rate.


    2. sinycholine¡ªa skeletal muscle rxant. Can cause paralysis when abused.

 Chapter 159: Healing Ewan

    <h4>Chapter 159: Healing Ewan</h4>


    Athena heaved in and out roughly, wiping the beads of sweat off her forehead as she rxed into the ck cushion that sagged against the whitewashed wall of the closed room with no windows.


    Despite the cold ravaging outside, it was null and void in the apartment where Athena ran her personalboratory and treatments. The room was coated with soundproof material and insted with aluminum, keeping the cold at bay.


    The only source of venttion was provided by the air conditioner stationed in the upper left section of the room, but at the moment, it was turned off because of Ewan.


    Athena breathed in deeply, needing to center her sweating self while checking out the fruits of her uninterruptedbor over the past few hours. Aiden had only knocked when he wanted to give her food, snacks, and cans of water since the one here had been finished on the medicine she had concocted for Ewan.


    Notfortable with the sweating episode anymore, she tiredly stood up from the cushion and walked to the other side of the room, where the presence of a ck door signified there was another room behind the surface.


    Taking a deep breath, Athena opened the door and walked into the dark space, which could pass as a storage area, and brought out a rechargeable fan along with its charging cable. Slowly, she connected an end of the cable to the fan¡¯s charging port and trudged back to her cushion.


    Sitting down, she plugged the other end of the cable into the socket, ced the fan on the table in front of her, and directed it solely toward herself. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as the fan sted a soothing wind onto her face.


    <i>I should have done this earlier. </i>She thought, reclining deeper into the cushion, her eyes fixating on Ewan. His entire body was coated with a yellowish medicine, his lower region safely covered by his boxers. Aiden had helped her remove his other clothes.


    Beside his bed stood a trolley filled with acupuncture needles, their sharp points tainted with dark blood. She had used them earlier to stabilize him and had been shocked when ck blood oozed from those center points after several minutes.


    It had further confirmed the nature of the poison and the suspicions of Old Mr. Thorne and Sandro¡ªthat perhaps the threatening drug, Avanti, had been mixed with anotherpound, most likely a ketamine, to aid in keeping Ewan under subjection.


    Athena had therefore used water and a clean dish rag to thoroughly cleanse Ewan¡¯s exposed body before applying the medicine.


    Now, she sighed in relief as she noticed that his color was returning and his breathing was getting steadier. He was out of the woods, for now.


    Exhausted, she threw her head back against the apex of the cushion, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, her mind nk for a moment. Then, her phone dinged with a text.


    Frowning, she lowered her head, her eyes searching for her phone on the exposed areas, finally resting when they found the device in the secondpartment of the trolley.


    Breathing deeply for strength¡ªshe was thoroughly famished despite the food and snacks Aiden had brought for her earlier¡ªshe wearily stood up and trudged to the trolley. When she picked up the phone, her eyes widened as she saw the time.


    <i>Nine PM? How!</i> So, she had actually spent more than five hours working on Ewan¡¯s health? <i>Well, that would exin my tiredness.</i>


    Her eyebrows furrowed when she saw that the message was from an unknown number.


    <i>Maybe a client?</i> She thought, unlocking her phone and clicking on the message. She raised an eyebrow a secondter as she digested the contents.


    <i>"You think you are smart; I¡¯ll teach you that you still have a lot to learn. I think I will start with the children."</i>


    Athena shook her head, a thin smile forming on her lips as she deleted the message from her phone. She already knew who had sent it¡ªMorgan.


    <i>He must be so frustrated. </i>She thought gaily before cing a call to Old Mr. Thorne.


    "Athena... thank God. Where are you? I checked for you in the hospital a few hours ago, but the doctors imed you had left with Ewan moments after you arrived. Then I called Aiden for an update, and he told me you were working and needed no interruptions. What is happening? Why did you take him away from the hospital?" Old Mr. Thorne rattled off immediately after picking up the call, without waiting for a reply.


    Athena smiled tiredly and rested her back again against the cushion. "There was an audacious attempt on his life in the hospital. His medicine was tampered with. It was good that I got there on time; it would have been a different story otherwise."


    A pause settled on the other side of the phone. "Who do you think is behind it?" Old Mr. Thorne finally spoke after a few beats.


    Athena pressed her lips together. She wasn¡¯t sure, honestly, and she was too fatigued to dwell on it. All that mattered was that the gang¡¯s ns had been foiled, at least for now. "I don¡¯t know, Mr. Thorne. I was in a hurry to get Ewan out of there; time was running out."


    "I see. I will run an investigation then, if that¡¯s okay..."


    Athena nodded, then remembered she was on the phone. "Of course, I would really appreciate that."


    Old Mr. Thorne tsked softly. "How is Ewan doing? Is he looking better?"


    "Yes, he is better now. I¡¯ll be tracking his progress from here until the hospital incident is resolved. I¡¯m in my personalboratory."


    Old Mr. Thorne wisely didn¡¯t inquire about theb¡¯s location but cleared his throat instead. "So, the men sessfully stopped the bombing. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve figured that out..."


    Athena chuckled softly, knowing Old Mr. Thorne still wanted to talk; he enjoyed conversing with her.


    "Yes. I even received a text from a strange number, a threat. I know it¡¯s from Morgan, though. He ims he would start with the children first..."


    Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s bark ofughter rxed Athena further. For some reason, this old man felt like close-knit blood kin.

 Chapter 160: Her Gut Feelings

    <h4>Chapter 160: Her Gut Feelings</h4>


    "So why haven¡¯t you given the go-ahead order to attack them?" Old Mr. Thorne asked after a while, his voice sounding more rxed than when he had first spoken.


    "We have their coordinates and the nature of their movements every day... why aren¡¯t we doing anything yet? We could eliminate them once and for all and face the future. I am sure that will be a source offort even to the nation."


    Athena took her lower lip in, pondering the best way to answer the question without her older friend thinking she was na?ve or foolish. But then she let her thoughts flow out, choosing to damn the consequences. "I don¡¯t feel it is the right time."


    A thick pause enveloped the conversation on the other end of the line. Unconsciously, Athena waited with bated breath for the response, finding herself questioning why Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s words meant so much to her now.


    "If you feel the time isn¡¯t right, then the time isn¡¯t right. I learnt the hard way that if we disregard our instincts¡ªour gut feelings¡ªit often leads to trouble."


    There was a second pause.


    "If I had listened to my gut feelings twenty-nine years ago, I wouldn¡¯t have lost my daughter and her precious husband."


    The mood nosedived quickly, and Athena felt a weight of sudden grief crashing over her.


    "I¡¯m sorry about that, friend." She spoke aloud, feeling an immense sorrow for her olderpanion, even as she wondered why her heart ached when she didn¡¯t even know his daughter.


    "It¡¯s alright. It¡¯s all in the past. So, should we just keep watching them?" Old Mr. Thorne asked, his tone chirpy once more.


    "Yes, please. Are they still engaged in those strange activities?"


    "Yes," he replied. "As a matter of fact, the boxes they carry on a daily basis have increased. We are keeping our distance, so we can¡¯t check them out."


    "Do you think it¡¯s drugs?" Athena asked, ncing at the ceiling with furrowed eyebrows, her mind racing with the implications.


    "I don¡¯t know. We can¡¯t know for sure unless we check the boxes. Should we send a spy in?"


    "Not now. The unrest in their circle is high considering their disrupted ns. We should let everything lie low for now. We can send in a spyter."


    "Alright then. Are you visiting Mrs. Thorne anytime soon? Since I told her you will be joining the kids this time around, she has been excited, arranging and rearranging the house."


    Athena chuckled deeply and stood up from the cushion. "I will being soon, hopefully a few days from now."


    Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s voice got even chirpier. "That¡¯s great! I will see you then! Greet Kate and Nate for me! Gianna too! I had to leave them after a couple of hours; Florence was missing me."


    Athenaughed as she bent down to pick up her tote bag. "I will, old friend. Have a beautiful night with Mrs. Thorne."


    With that, she ended the call and walked to the exit door. When she opened it and stepped into the corridor, she heard nothing. She wondered if Antonio and Aiden had fallen asleep while waiting for her.


    She sighed gratefully. <i>These two good men in my life...</i>


    But when she stepped into the living room, she found the two men hunkered over a game of cards.


    Athena tsked, shaking her head.


    "I see you both have made yourselvesfortable to spend the night here," She started when they didn¡¯t notice her presence.


    The two men jerked in surprise¡ªmaking herugh¡ªand turned to face her. They both cursed at their startled reactions.


    "Sneaking up huh..." Antonio spoke, rising to his feet.


    "I didn¡¯t! You both were just too engrossed in your games," Athena retorted, casting a nce at Aiden, who had mirrored Antonio¡¯s movements.


    "Are you done treating him? How is he now?" Aiden asked, putting the cards into their container.


    "Yeah. He is getting better. I will be checking in on him from time to time, though, to see how he is doing. Hopefully, he will be up and about very soon."


    Aiden nodded and gestured toward the door. "Are you ready to leave, my lord? I might faint if I spend another hour inhaling the scent of herbs."


    Athena and Antonioughed, shaking their heads, but they walked toward the exit door.


    "You are crazy, Aiden," Athena replied just before stepping through the door.


    In the car, on their way home, Athena recounted the text that Morgan had sent her. The trioughed heartily at Morgan¡¯s obvious frustration before settling into a more serious discussion.


    "Can it be traced?" Antonio asked, referring to the phone number.


    "I doubt it. Morgan is wiser than that," Aiden replied as he cut through a bend in the road.


    As they approached Athena¡¯s street, she turned to Antonio. "Where will you be sleeping tonight? You never mentioned it. If at my ce, I can ask Gianna to move over to my room... or you can even stay with Aiden. I¡¯m sure he won¡¯t mind. There is enough space in his house."


    Aiden agreed with a nod, but Antonio shook his head. In a perfect world, he would have loved to sleep in Athena¡¯s house, in her bed... with her. But this wasn¡¯t a perfect world.


    "I already have somewhere to be. It¡¯s just by the way."


    Athena nodded and looked ahead, counting the minutes until she would be with her children. It had been a long day, and she deserved a very long rest.


    "You mentioned that your house is by the way..." Athena began, a few minutester, turning to Antonio again. "The next stop is my house, and you haven¡¯te down yet."


    Antonio chuckled mischievously. "That¡¯s because I have not gotten there yet."


    Athena huffed and looked away, deciding not to pursue the topic until they got home.


    When Aiden parked in the building¡¯s garage, Antonio followed them into the building. Athena and Aiden exchanged curious nces but said nothing.


    In the elevator, the silence was broken when Antonio punched in the floor number below Athena¡¯s.


    "You sly cow!" Athena shouted,ughing with Aiden now as she yfully punched Antonio on the shoulder. "You should have told me you rented out the space from the vacationing couple!"


    "And where is the fun in that?" Antonio asked, winking at Athena when she huffed and gave him no reply.

 Chapter 161: The Twins’ Help

    <h4>Chapter 161: The Twins¡¯ Help</h4>


    "Mom!!" Nathaniel and Kathleen eximed happily, relief washing over their faces as they saw their mother walk into the living room.


    Athena chuckled at the sight of them awake at such ate hour. She squatted to their height and opened her arms wide for them to rush into her embrace. As they nestled into her bosom, she kissed their heads and cheeks intermittently, inhaling their calming, familiar scents.


    "Couldn¡¯t sleep?" She asked them when she finally disengaged from the long hug.


    The twins shook their heads in unison. "We were waiting up for you with Aunt Gianna. How is Mr. Ewan? Is he better now?"


    Athena nodded with a smile, grateful she could even provide that answer, having seen the sorrow in their eyes as they posed the question. She watched as they sighed with relief before looking ahead.


    "Father Antonio!" They screamed, rushing to hug Antonio, who had chosen to wish them goodnight before heading back to his apartment. He lifted them both in his arms and tapped their foreheads gently with his.


    "How are my babies doing?"


    "Fine!" They chorused, before turning to greet Aiden, who was rxing against the doorframe.


    "Good evening, Uncle Aiden!"


    Aiden ruffled the hair on their heads, pleased when theyughed and tried to move away from his hand but to no avail. He then walked into the living room proper and sank into the sofa.


    Turning to Gianna, who was talking with Athena with distinct enthusiasm, he shed a wide grin, signaling his desire to make a request.


    "Please, tell me there is food. The Chinese noodles we had earlier made no impact on our stomachs!"


    Athena scoffed. "So you knew, and you brought them to me..."


    Aiden shrugged. "That¡¯s why I added the snacks you liked. Don¡¯t be so ungrateful..."


    Athena opened her mouth, suddenly energized for a banter, when Gianna cut in with augh. "Please, you two should cool off. There is food, and that is all that matters."


    Aiden grunted happily. "You are the best, Gianna. Don¡¯t mind your friend."


    Athena mimicked his sentence with aical expression that made Antonio and the twins burst intoughter, while Gianna disappeared into the kitchen to start dishing out the food.


    Momentster, everyone lounged around on the thick Persian rug, its lush texture and intricate patterns exuding luxury as they settled in to watch a cartoon on the television. It felt like carpeted heaven beneath them, warm and inviting, muffling all sounds. The richness of its fibers lent an air of opulence to the cozy living room, enveloping them in aforting embrace.


    That was until Athena yawned. "You all should go to sleep," She said, prompting Antonio and Aiden to scoff.


    "That you are sleepy doesn¡¯t mean we should all go to sleep," Aiden retorted.


    Athena paused, surveying the two men, each wearing a smug smirk. "Well, this is my house, and it¡¯s time for my children to go to sleep..."


    "But Mom, school hasn¡¯t opened yet! Can¡¯t we enjoy somete-night TV watching?" Nathaniel pleaded, employing his best puppy-dog eyes.


    But Athena remained unmoved, especially when she nced at the clock and saw the time¡ªtwenty-five minutes past eleven.


    She shook her head and got to her feet. "Up, up..." She pped her hands. "Let¡¯s go to bed and leave the adults to their vices!"


    Gianna stood up, dusting off her backside as though it were covered in dust. "I am going to bed too. I think I am sleepy."


    Aiden and Antonio sprang up before she even finished speaking, pulling the kids along with them. "Go with your mother because we¡¯re heading out too." They ruffled the kids¡¯ hair and wished Athena and Gianna goodnight before walking out of the living room.


    Gianna followed them to lock the door behind them, leaving Athena alone with her children.


    "What are you waiting for?" She asked them, holding back a smile. "To your room now!"


    Kathleen pouted but began to move with her brother, whose only sign of dissatisfaction was the slight frown etched on his face.


    Athena let out augh when they disappeared into the corridor. <i>Those children will not be the death of me.</i> She thought with a mix of amusement and exasperation.


    On second thought, however, she decided to follow them, wanting to appease them with a bedtime story.


    Three bedtime storiester, the kids were still wide awake. Athena¡¯s voice was growing hoarse from tiredness, and Gianna, having peeked in once and wished them goodnight, hadn¡¯te to her rescue.


    Instead, thetter had sent a text that read: <i>Good luck! I hope to see the eyebags tomorrow morning! </i>


    What fickle friends!


    Athena tsked, looking at her children, who were staring back at her with wide, innocent eyes. "Why aren¡¯t you two sleeping?"


    "We slept in the afternoon while waiting for you."


    Oh, that would exin it, Athena thought, cing the storybook on the nearby drawer. She was done with reading.


    "So..." She adjusted the duvet snugly across their chests, seeing as they had chosen to sleep on the same bed. "I hope you are okay..."


    The twins, noting her assessing gaze, nodded, understanding why she asked. Hadn¡¯t they all seen Ewan bleed from the head before Aiden had turned their heads away?


    "We are okay, Mom. A bit shaken at first, but we¡¯re fine now that he¡¯s better." Nathaniel answered, gently tapping his mother¡¯s cheek.


    Athena sighed in relief, holding his little hand to her cheek. "I¡¯m sorry you had to see that. I am sorry for the stress I have put you both through during this period. It was selfish..."


    "Mom, please..." Kathleen interrupted. "Don¡¯t beat yourself up now that this is over. After all, we didn¡¯t do the research all by ourselves. We had help! So don¡¯t worry about our health or brains."


    Athena¡¯s jaw dropped in surprise. "You had help? From where?"


    Nathaniel and Kathleen exchanged furtive nces, their eyes alive with mischief.


    "Well, I... Nathaniel stumbled upon a group of elite cyber warriors in the dark web. He impressed them enough that they added us to their elite group. We solicited their help during this period; they did most of the work. They also help us run the presspany. They¡¯re actually co-shareholders."


    Athena¡¯s eyebrows almost touched her hairline at Kathleen¡¯s words. Her children never ceased to amaze her.


    "So, quit worrying, mom. We are learning at our own pace. The group usually do the tough work."


    Athena smiled then and dropped a kiss on their foreheads. "You will tell me about your friendster so I can thank them properly..."


    Nathaniel chuckled. "Mom, they don¡¯t know we are six years old. And we¡¯d rather it remain like that..."


    Athena pressed her lips together and nodded, rising to her feet. "I see," She said, actually grasping the situation. "Goodnight then. I love you."


    "I love you too, Mom," The twins chorused chirpily before shutting their eyes.


    Athena watched them for a few moments, her heart full of gratitude, before walking out of the room. It was time for that long sleep.

 Chapter 162: Visiting Mr. Thorne

    <h4>Chapter 162: Visiting Mr. Thorne</h4>


    "Mom! Are you ready?!"


    <i>Am I ready?</i> Athena mused after Kathleen¡¯s shout, ncing at her reflection in the mirror.


    Donning a blue two-piece ensemble¡ªa crop top paired with pzzo trousers¡ªthat Areso had gifted her for her birthdayst year, she hoped she looked good enough to meet Mrs. Thorne¡¯s standards.


    Having read about the woman, Athena knew that thetter was even stricter than her husband.


    Although she wasn¡¯t one to care much about what people thought of her, Old Mr. Thorne had be a dear friend, and she didn¡¯t want to jeopardize that rtionship by creating any tension between him and his wife, much like what had urred with her foster parents.


    Despite her friend assuring her that his wife was eager to meet her, Athena remained skeptical. But a promise was a promise, and she wouldn¡¯t go back on her word. So, with a deep inhtion to rx, she took her Birkin clutch and walked out of her room.


    Outside her door, Kathleen struggled to zip her little handbag. When she saw Athena, she sighed in relief and lifted the bag towards her mother.


    Athena took the bag, expertly zipped it up, and handed it back to her. "Where is Nathaniel?" She asked as they strode into the living room.


    "He is talking with Mr. Jake downstairs."


    Athena nodded and turned toward the door, stopping abruptly as Gianna walked into the room holding a long sheet of paper and a pencil. "You sure you don¡¯t want to join us?" Athena asked for the tenth time in four days since the court case.


    Giannaughed and flopped onto the longest sofa. "Nah, I¡¯ll pass. Enjoy the afternoon with Mrs. Thorne."


    Athena huffed and looked away, pondering why she had even bothered to ask. Everyone seemed so busy despite it being the holidays; it was a new year, after all.


    Aiden only drove her to check on Ewan and then rushed off to work on research with Old Mr. Thorne. The only time she saw Antonio was at night when he came to see her and the kids. He was always vague about what he was working on, iming to be busy with something. But hey, everyone was entitled to their secrets, right?


    As she took Kathleen¡¯s hand and sauntered to the exit, Athena reminded herself that she, too, was busy. She usually went out in the mornings to check on Ewan, then off to the hospital to work on the patients on her files.


    Even after delegating more work to the other hires, she still felt swamped. It seemed the disease had spread further into other regions despite their efforts.


    <i>Well, happy holidays, Athena!</i>


    Downstairs, true to Kathleen¡¯s word, Nathaniel was chatting animatedly with Jake.


    Athena couldn¡¯t quite decipher what they were talking about, but the enthusiasm radiating from Nathaniel made it seem interesting.


    "Good morning, ma¡¯am," Jake greeted with a curt bow as he stepped away from Nathaniel.


    Athena chuckled at the sight. "Jake, I won¡¯t kill you for talking with my child. He seemsfortable enough around you."


    Jake smiled nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "Thank you, ma¡¯am," He replied before opening the car door for them.


    Fifteen minutester, they arrived at Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s ce. A security personnel was already waiting at the gate for them. Upon sighting their car, he gestured for his colleague to open the gate, allowing Jake to drive in smoothly without stopping.


    Before the car could glide to a halt, Old Mr. Thorne stepped out of the house and hurried over. The twins, alreadyughing, jumped out and rushed into his arms.


    "My Nate, my Kate, how are you two doing?" Old Mr. Thorne asked, bending down to their heights.


    "We are fine!" The twins chorused, hugging him tightly.


    Athena stepped out then, smiling as always, never tired of witnessing the rapport her children shared with her older friend.


    "How about you, Athena? How are you doing?"


    Athena nodded, still smiling with twinkling eyes. "All good. Ewan is better too," She added, knowing that this would be the next question the older man would ask.


    Old Mr. Thorneughed, standing tall as he gave Athena a side hug. "That¡¯s great. Thank you very much for taking care of him. I hope he isn¡¯t giving you too much trouble?"


    Athena considered the stress, mostly borne by Aiden, who insisted on keeping Ewan clean and didn¡¯t want her to do it as well.


    Shaking her head, she answered, "He isn¡¯t giving me any trouble." After all, what was the point of bothering her older friend? She wouldn¡¯t ept anyone into her privateboratory.


    "So, where is Mrs. Thorne?" She inquired, holding Nathaniel¡¯s hand while Old Mr. Thorne held Kathleen¡¯s.


    "She is in the living room, hassling the servants to provide cookies and whatnots for the children."


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows at that. "She shouldn¡¯t stress herself too much. I¡¯m sure the children are used to whatever she brings to them by now."


    Old Mr. Thorne paused mid-stride and looked at Athena, as did the twins.


    "What is the problem?" Athena asked, hoping she hadn¡¯t spoken out of turn.


    "She hasn¡¯t met them before, Athena. I thought I told you that she was out of the country for business. She just came back a few days ago."


    Athena raised an eyebrow. Old Mr. Thorne hadn¡¯t mentioned that before, but she nodded nheless. "I must have forgotten with all the activities going on. But all the more reason she shouldn¡¯t be stressing herself¡ªshe needs to rest."


    Old Mr. Thorne smiled, resuming his brisk walking pace. "She says she has rested enough and wants to attend to you specially."


    Athena said nothing after that; she simply crossed off <i>"Mrs. Thorne¡¯s knack for busyness"</i> from her mental list consisting of the woman¡¯s attributes.


    When she stepped into therge living room and saw Mrs. Thorne talking with the butler, she steeled herself for a thorough lookover as the woman turned to face her.


    But to her surprise, Mrs. Thorne paled with fright and shock.


    "Emily...?"

 Chapter 163: Visiting Mr. Thorne II

    <h4>Chapter 163: Visiting Mr. Thorne II</h4>


    <i>Emily? Who is Emily?</i> Athena thought in confusion, rooted to the spot as she watched Old Mrs. Thorne stagger toward her slowly. The mix of sheer happiness and uncertainty on the older woman¡¯s face was striking.


    "Emily..." She called out again, each step bringing her closer to Athena and deepening the confusion.


    Athena was so shocked that she didn¡¯t notice anyone else in therge living room; her entire focus was on the woman who looked at her as if she were a long-lost treasure.


    "Mom, what is going on?" Kathleen¡¯s voice broke through the haze in Athena¡¯s mind. Blinking furiously, she stared at the woman, who had now closed the distance to just a foot away from her.


    "Emily, you are back... are these your children?"


    But before Athena could ask the woman who Emily was, thetter engulfed her in a tight hug. Athena, taken aback, remained stiff until she felt the woman begin to weep against her back.


    She nced over at Old Mr. Thorne, who stood with the twins, watching them, with glistening eyes.


    <i>What the hell is going on? </i>Her eyes seemed to ask him. Yet, he said nothing at first until Nathaniel tapped his hand gently.


    "My mother is ufortable," Nathaniel observed, his voice steady as he tried to make sense of the situation.


    This seemed to yank Old Mr. Thorne from his reverie. He hurried over to his wife, who still clung onto Athena tightly. "Florence, please let Doctor Athena go. She isn¡¯t our Emily. Remember, Emily is dead."


    But his words appeared to fall on deaf ears, as Florence continued to hold onto Athena.


    Old Mr. Thorne gently tapped his wife on the back. "Please, Florence, you are making our guest ufortable. This is Doctor Athena, not Emily. You must have seen her pictures countless times on social media, so why are you doing this now?"


    Athena wondered the same thing. Surely the older woman had done her due diligence in researching her, so what was going on now?


    After a few more seconds of maintaining the hug, Florence finally released her grip.


    Dabbing at her eyes with a neat white handkerchief, she signaled to Athena that she was as fastidious as the inte had portrayed.


    Athena felt a curiosity well up within her¡ªwhat had caused the woman to let down her guard, even for a moment?


    "Edward, you can¡¯t me me for this. Don¡¯t you see she is wearing Emily¡¯s blue collection?"


    Athena was more confused than ever as she looked down at the outfit Areso had gifted her.


    She was slightly startled when Florence turned sharply, her gaze scanning Athena from head to toe, just as Athena had expected before.


    "Where did you get that collection, child?" Florence asked, her tone cutting through the air.


    Athena paused, disliking the questioning nature of her words. She nced at Old Mr. Thorne, raising an eyebrow at him.


    Old Mr. Thorne, recognizing his wife¡¯s intent, opened his mouth to speak, but Florence sensed his words before they could escape his lips.


    "There is nothing wrong with my question, Edward. If our mighty Doctor Athena has nothing to hide, then she should answer."


    Athena inhaled deeply to regain herposure, allowing herself to scrutinize Florence in turn. She wasn¡¯t about to lose face in front of this formidable woman, no matter how powerful her aura was or how strict she seemed.


    Florence pursed her lips as she noticed Athena appraising her.


    She did not appear pleased and even considered it disrespectful, but this was Doctor Athena¡ªthe woman who had treated her Edward. Therefore, she had to be patient, especially since Athena had broughtfort to her husband through the children she thought were beautiful and smart.


    "My friend Areso gifted me this collection on my birthdayst year. Satisfied, mighty Mrs. Florence?" Athena noticed the displeasure etched on the woman¡¯s face yet did not falter. Instead, she held her head high, though her heart raced with the fear that her worst expectations might being true.


    Then, in a twist, Florence burst intoughter, and to Athena¡¯s surprise, Old Mr. Thorne joined in.


    Athena exchanged a furtive nce with her children, bewildered. <i>What in the heavens is going on?</i>


    Just then, Victoria and Cedric stepped into the living room.


    "Grandma, we have been waiting here for forever! Our visitors haven¡¯t arrived yet?!" Cedric eximed, then noticed the children and Athena¡¯s presence. A slight surprise shed on his face before he masked it with his signature gentle demeanor.


    Old Mr. Thorne hadn¡¯t informed his family, apart from his wife, that Athena was the esteemed guest they had been expecting.


    "Edward, did you see her face?!" Florence started, chuckling and shaking her head, pulling Athena¡¯s gaze from Cedric back to her. "She must have thought that everything she read on the inte about me was true..."


    Athena couldn¡¯t believe that she had been yed for a fool. How hadn¡¯t she realized that the whole situation was a joke?


    She red at Old Mr. Thorne, who was still chuckling, as he led the now smiling children out of the living room and towards the dining room.


    "You really got me..." Athena muttered as Florence approached her again.


    "Ah, I¡¯m sorry about that. You have to forgive this old woman for seeking a bit of fun now and then..."


    Athena smiled as the anxiety weighing down her shoulders began to lift. "That¡¯s okay. I need to do that sometimes as well."


    Florence winked at her. "Then we are going to be great friends, just as you are with my husband."


    Athena was surprised when Florence linked their arms together and started moving toward the dining room.


    "But you know, you really resemble my daughter, Emily. Did Edward tell you about her?"


    Athena nodded, still wondering if all the hugging and tears had been part of the n. "He didn¡¯t mention her name, though."


    Florence nodded in understanding. "I see. Well, wee to my house, Athena."


    "Thank you, new friend."


    The twinkling in Florence¡¯s eyes reassured Athena that she had made the right decision. The older woman simply wanted to be loved, much like her husband.


    Right behind them, watching the lovely spectacle unfold, was a fuming Victoria.

 Chapter 164: Visiting Mr. Thorne III

    <h4>Chapter 164: Visiting Mr. Thorne III</h4>


    "Victoria, stop picking at your food! You know my grandmother hates that!" Cedric whisper-yelled, pretending to remove something from Victoria¡¯s hair while the table buzzed with discussions about Athena and her children.


    Victoria mentally cursed him, feeling a surge of annoyance as she stabbed the meat on her te with her fork and shoved it angrily into her mouth.


    She was tired of catering to the whims of that old, stupid woman, and she was fed up with Athena being thrown in her face at every opportunity. Why hadn¡¯t the old man given them a heads-up or something?


    Now, here she was in her simple gown, while Athena sported a dazzling collection from Areso!


    Victoria turned her fork against the vegetables on her te, as if they had personally offended her, shoving them into her mouth with an ungraceful huff.


    How could that woman be so lucky to be friends with Areso and Chelsea, the wonder pediatrician? And now, she was even on friendly terms with her inws, as if they¡¯d known each other all their lives!


    ring at Athena, who wasughing with Florence, Victoria could hardly contain her anger. They had only met moments ago, and now they were acting like best friends! Did this woman have a lucky charm hidden somewhere?


    Cedric had tried to smooth the way between her and his grandparents, but their best behavior toward her was hardly anything to write home about, and she knew it was all because of Cedric. Was it because she wasn¡¯t as popr as Athena?


    Victoria gritted her teeth, letting her fork ng against the te, tired of eating. Would she now have topete for their attention now that Athena was here?


    Before, she hadn¡¯t cared¡ªthere was no other daughter-inw to vie with¡ªbut with Athena¡¯s appearance, the dynamics had shifted.


    "Athena." Victoria muttered the name under her breath, anger simmering. She wouldn¡¯t allow Athena to seed in her ns, nor would she let thetter usurp her ce or Cedric¡¯s.


    It was true that Cedric was known to be the next in line for thepany¡¯s leadership, but who was to say Athena wouldn¡¯t weasel her way into the old man¡¯s heart, especially since they referred to each other as "friends"?


    After all, he seemed to enjoy spending time with the kids more than going fishing with Cedric.


    She shot a re at Cedric when he tapped her arm, urging her to continue eating. When would he man up? When would he do what was necessary? How long would he keep deferring to <i>"my grandmother said" </i>and<i> "my grandfather said"? </i>


    She huffed and picked up her fork again. If it weren¡¯t for the treasure trove that the Thornes represented, she wouldn¡¯t be caught dead with him.


    "Athena, do you want more meat?" Florence¡¯s voice cut through Victoria¡¯s thoughts, and she held back a scoff. The woman hadn¡¯t asked her anything since the meal began!


    Victoria watched as Athena gracefully declined, then saw Florence insist again.


    Athena eventually epted, prompting Florence to fuss over the twins with a level of attention that made Victoria¡¯s stomach churn.


    The fondness in Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s eyes only made things worse, and Victoria let her fork ng violently against her te once again. This time, the sound sessfully halted the cheerful atmosphere around the dining table.


    "Victoria, is anything the matter?" Florence asked, her brows furrowing as she focused her gaze on the woman Cedric had chosen to marry. Although she found Victoria somewhat materialistic, she endured her presence because of Cedric, who was dear to her.


    Now the center of attention, exactly what she had wished for, Victoria suddenly found herself at a loss for words.


    She stuttered under Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s sly gaze, wondering if the old man had somehow developed the ability to read minds.


    "I just don¡¯t feel well..." She finally managed to say, cleaning her mouth with a napkin. "I think I will use the restroom. I apologize for the trouble."


    Florence waved the apologies away. "It¡¯s okay, Victoria. Please take your time." Then she turned to Cedric. "You should follow her. Help her get sorted out."


    Cedric wasn¡¯t pleased with this directive; he didn¡¯t want to miss anything said at the dinner table. Still, with a sigh, he stood up, gently held Victoria by the arm, and led her out of the room.


    "So, where were we?" Old Mr. Thorne asked as soon as the couple had left.


    Athena chuckled. "We¡¯re full, the children and I. That¡¯s where we are..."


    Florence shook her head, pointing toward the abundant food in the bowls and the desserts lining the table. "See, I prepared a lot. Surely, you won¡¯t want all of this to go to waste."


    Athena shook her head, acknowledging the strategy employed by the older woman. "I¡¯m not changing my mind, but it can be packaged for us to take home."


    "You¡¯re going? I thought you were spending the night with the kids."


    Athena was taken aback by Florence¡¯s words. She turned to Old Mr. Thorne for support, but the old man looked eager to have them stay for the night, too.


    With a smile, Athena shook her head. If she stayed here, Victoria would probably have a meltdown. Not that she particrly cared, but Athena had enough trouble with her at the moment.


    "Maybe some other time," She said, reaching apromise after seeing Florence¡¯s disappointed pout.


    Florence¡¯s expression brightened. "You promise?"


    Athena nodded, choosing silence, relieved that the woman was too consumed by happiness to press her for words.


    Just then, Old Mr. Thorne got to his feet and beckoned to the children. "I¡¯m sure you both have a lot to talk about as women, but I want to y with my favorite people..."


    Immediately, Nathaniel and Kathleen jumped from their seats, not without grabbing a generous amount of cake. They followed the old man out of the room after Athena nodded at them.


    "You really do look like Emily... it¡¯s so uncanny..." Florence started, catching Athena¡¯s attention just as she had been watching the door through which her children had disappeared.

 Chapter 165: Visiting Mr. Thorne IV

    <h4>Chapter 165: Visiting Mr. Thorne IV</h4>


    This again? Athena thought, cleaning her mouth elegantly with the wipe that had been kept for her.


    The sensation of the soft cloth against her skin could hardly cleanse the difort she felt now at the dinner table; a stark contrast to her earlier feelings amidst theughter and the bustling energy of family camaraderie while a few minutes ago.


    "I guess people do have look-alikes in this world of ours. Part of life¡¯s humor," She finally said, trying to inject a lightness into the conversation.


    "I see..." Florence muttered soberly.


    Athena could detect a trace of bitterness in Florence¡¯s words, and her heart ached for the older woman, wishing she could do something to alleviate the evident distress the woman was in.


    Florence¡¯s eyes glossed over slightly, and for a fleeting moment, Athena could see theyers of pain and nostalgia weave through her expression.


    "Tell me about her, your daughter, I mean... Emily..." She offered, surprised at how natural the question felt in the air.


    A flicker of brightness illuminated Florence¡¯s face, as if a distant candle had suddenly been reignited.


    "Emily was a beauty to behold, the perfect daughter and child anyone could ask for," Florence began, her voice taking on a dreamy lilt that resonated with memory. "Of course, she had her ws, but they were barely noticeable under the shade of all her goodness. She was a bright one, a purity in this dark world of ours."


    Athena paused, allowing the tale of perfection to wash over her, recognizing the bittersweet nature of Florence¡¯s words. Grief had a way of twisting memories into something both beautiful and painful. "So, what happened to her?" She asked gently when she noticed Florence¡¯s mood darkening again.


    Florence shrugged her shoulders, rising to her feet with a heaviness that seemed to linger in the air. "She died."


    The abruptness of that statement hit Athena like a cold gust of wind.


    As the words left Florence¡¯s lips, however, she began packing the tes from the table with a practiced, almost mechanical efficiency.


    Athena quickly got to her feet, not wishing to impose but feelingpelled to y her role as a good guest. She helped Florence clear the table first, then followed her into the kitchen, where the woman told the servants not to bother when they tried to help.


    Athena knew from experience that the woman needed this bout of house chores, a familiar routine to help untangle her thoughts.


    So, when Florence stood over the sink, washing the tes slowly yet methodically, Athena stood by her side, assisting with the rinsing and wiping down of the tes with a damp cloth.


    "You look so much like her, and I don¡¯t even know if that is a good thing or a bad thing..." Florence remarked, her voice trailing off as she focused on the task at hand.


    Athena said nothing this time, focusing intently on the small duty in front of her, thankful for the mundane distraction.


    "But seeing as Edward has chosen to see it as a good thing, I will do the same," Florence added, a bittersweet smile touching her lips.


    "Forgive me, Athena. I didn¡¯t mean to make you ufortable or confused. One moment I¡¯mughing with you, and the next, I¡¯m pondering if it was a good decision to bring you here."


    Athena shook her head soberly. "No, it¡¯s okay. I understand theplexities of grief. If I were in your shoes, I¡¯m sure I would have acted the same way. Grief can manifest in so many ways." She paused, studying Florence¡¯s face. "Your husband tells me Emily¡¯s best friend was Ewan¡¯s mother."


    Florence nodded, her eyes lighting up with the memory. "Yes, they were best friends from their college days. It fostered a close rtionship between our two families. We sometimes visited Ewan¡¯s family. That must be why I couldn¡¯t bring myself toe for the court case when Edward told me about it. I couldn¡¯t stomach a second round of heartache at what Miley¡¯s son has be, or rather how he¡¯s been pulled down by evil associations. Edward says it¡¯s probably because of the drugs. Is that true?"


    Athena nodded, feeling a somber weight settle in her chest. "But it doesn¡¯t exempt him from his crimes. As much as the drugs wreaked havoc on his brain, I¡¯m sure he had moments of rity."


    Florence shook her head slowly, her expression darkening. "You know, we wanted to adopt him after his parents died, but he chose Alfonso and his daughter because the girl had saved him from drowning some years back. Now, seeing the extent of that girl¡¯s wickedness, I doubt that story is true as well."


    "We share the same feelings on that topic." Athena said, collecting another te from Florence¡¯s hands. "But I wish he had epted your offer. He would have turned out better."


    Florence nodded, her gaze lost momentarily in thought. "But there¡¯s a reason for everything, I guess. Maybe if he were with us, he wouldn¡¯t have married you, and you wouldn¡¯t have such beautiful kids..."


    The statement hung in the air like a heavy fog, and Athena paused, contemting the ¡¯what if¡¯s in that sentence.


    Even if Ewan had been adopted by the Thornes, Zack still had his father¡¯s property and would have likely made the same offer. The only difference would have been that Old Mr. Thorne might have yed a wiser game.


    But all of these thoughts were merely spective, meandering through the mind like thoughts on azy river, swirling but not necessarily leading anywhere meaningful.


    "After he chose Alfonso, we tried to maintain the rtionship, but that family was just as toxic then as it is now. I don¡¯t think young Ewan had any choice. He was too young to navigate those treacherous waters. I truly feel for him; it hurts me to see him going through all this. I wish him peace... Watching that video of the case, seeing his face and expressions, especially when he fell¡ªit was clear he¡¯s someone who hasn¡¯t seen many good things in this life."


    Florence paused for a moment, lost in her thoughts. "You would have given him that, I believe. But it seems he just has bad luck. Now, he only gets to see the children once a month!"


    The statement drained the light from the room, and Athena felt a heavy weight settle around her heart. She drained the sink, cleaned her hands, and stepped back, all the while nursing a frown.


    Old Mr. Thorne had the court case covered? She hadn¡¯t been aware of this! Why would he do that?


    But Florence wasn¡¯t aware of Athena¡¯s burgeoning list of questions. Instead, she turned to Athena, her expression shifting to one of request.


    "Can you join me in the adjoining room? We use it for family discussions..."


    Athena nodded, recognizing the significance of the invitation. She followed the woman¡ªintrigued yet apprehensive¡ªsince the twins were still with Old Mr. Thorne.

 Chapter 166: Visiting Mr. Thorne V

    <h4>Chapter 166: Visiting Mr. Thorne V</h4>


    "Would you like to take anything? Maybe coffee?" Florence asked, as Athena settled into one of thefortable seats in the room, which the older woman had imed was small, yet which wasrger than Zack¡¯s living room.


    The room was a sanctuary of warmth and personality, adorned with an eclectic mix of furnishings that told stories of family gatherings and cherished moments.


    Arge library stand filled with books, some with worn spines and dog-eared pages, beckoned from the right side of the space. To the left stood a piano alongside a well-loved guitar, their seats inviting anyone who passed to take a seat and create music.


    Everywhere Athena looked, she found elements of warmth: throw pillows scattered across the sofas in various colors, inviting visitors to sink into their softness; and projectors mounted on the walls, evidence of countless movie nights spent together as a family.


    A box of toys rested at the far end of the room, overflowing with stuffed animals, building blocks, and board games, transforming the space into a true family room. It was a ce whereughter could echo, where memories could blossom, and where joy held a permanent residence.


    When Athena finally nced up at the older woman to respond to the usual tea or coffee question, she noticed that Florence was looking around the room as if she didn¡¯t live there.


    "We wanted more children, Edward and I..." Florence began, picking up a delicate doll from the toy box, its porcin features still bright with youthful innocence.


    Holding the doll brought a flicker of nostalgia to Florence¡¯s eyes, but it was quickly reced by a shadow of sorrow. "We dreamed of arge family. We¡¯ve always loved many children. But it seems the curse of Edward¡¯s family wasn¡¯t going to allow that to happen."


    Athena frowned, intrigued and rmed by the term "curse."


    "Curse? What are you talking about? What curse?" She eximed, her eyes widening slightly.


    Thoughts raced through her mind, and she prepared herself to spring into action, potentially whisking the children out of there if there was some sort of impending doom. But did things like that even exist?


    Her frown deepened when Florenceughed lightly at her concern.


    "I don¡¯t mean it like that, dear. It¡¯s just that Edward¡¯s family has always been small. His ancestry tends to have one child, or at most two¡ªif they¡¯re lucky. Cedric is the only child of his father, who is also the only child of Edward¡¯s sister." Florence paused, dropping the doll back into the box as if relinquishing a part of herself.


    "I thought that would change with me. I tried everything to have another child after Emily, but nothing seemed to work. It was as if my womb was locked or something."


    The weight of her words hung in the air, and Florence sighed as she sank into the chair directly opposite Athena, her posture reflecting the burden she carried.


    "So, we hoped that Emily would have many children since she married very early like her best friend. But then..." Florence¡¯s voice cracked, and she sniffed, clutching her hands together as if attempting to hold on to something precious that might slip away.


    Athena stood up when she heard the woman¡¯s silent sobs, instinctively moving closer. She sat beside her, cing a gentle hand on thetter¡¯s back.


    "I¡¯m really sorry about that, dear friend." She said softly, rubbing the back gently, wishing to offerfort in a time of palpable grief.


    Florence sniffed, dabbing her eyes with the end of her cloth. She turned to face Athena, who was suddenly startled by the closeness.


    In this moment, Athena noticed the simrities between them, especially the way Kathleen shared the same distinctive eye quality that sparkled with unshed tears.


    "Thank you, Athena, for the gift of your friendship to my husband," Florence said, her voice steadying just a little. "I¡¯ve never seen him so happy since our daughter¡¯s death. Thanks for letting the kids y with him sometimes. You may not know it, but those moments mean the world to him."


    "You don¡¯t have to thank me, dear friend. I enjoy our friendship too. He feels like family now," Athena replied, her heart swelling with warmth.


    "Would you be okay with being adopted by us? I heard Zack isn¡¯t your father..."


    Athena¡¯s jaw ckened, wide-eyed and speechless, the mere suggestion catching her off guard.


    Just then, the tension in the room was broken by the entrance of Edward, apanied by the children.


    "Stop that, Florence..." He said, treating the atmosphere as if he were walking on eggshells, causing the two women to turn toward the door.


    As Cedric and Victoria followed behind Old Mr. Thorne and her children into the room, Athena noted the frowns on their faces.


    There was an unease in the air, and she was sure they had caught wind of Florence¡¯s proposition.


    Oh well, she sighed internally¡ªcatching sight of Victoria¡¯s balled fists¡ªgrateful for the interruption.


    Old Mrs. Thorne wasn¡¯t finished, however. "But, seeing as she has no parents, is it wrong to adopt her?" She asked Edward as he entered into the room fully with the twins.


    The iing fellows took their seats on the avable sofas, a tableau of difort forming at the crossing of issues.


    Old Mr. Thorne swallowed hard, ncing at Athena, whom he could see was bing visibly ufortable.


    "Please drop it, Florence. This is not the time for that," He urged gently, but firmly, trying to steer the conversation away from the delicate topic.


    Florence paused, her lips pursing into a thin line as she dropped the subject, but not without taking Athena¡¯s hands in her own. "Athena, if you ever need anything, you cane to me..."


    Athena, pondering if Florence was determined to fill the void left by her daughter through her, nodded in agreement. The conversation had spiraled intoplexities she was unprepared for, and all she wanted was to be past this topic.


    Edward could only sigh, the tension palpable.


    "So, how did Emily die?" Victoria asked suddenly, breaking the silence that had descended, and immediately regretting her audacity as she realized her words had been insensitive.


    At her question, a thick silence enveloped the room.


    Cedric wished the ground would open up and swallow him, shooting a re at his fianc¨¦e as if to ask why she felt the need to speak.


    A few secondster, Old Mr. Thorne cleared his throat, the sound reverberating with authority.


    "Cedric, take your fianc¨¦e home. I¡¯m sure she is tired. You must be too; your parents must be missing you," He stated matter-of-factly, his gaze unwavering.


    Cedric opened his mouth to object that he had already informed his parents he would be staying over for the night, but as he met the cold look on his grand uncle¡¯s face, he thought better of it and closed his mouth.


    "Okay, grandfather. I will see you some other time," He spoke softly, ncing at Athena for a brief moment before guiding Victoria out of the room.


    Once outside the house and sitting in the car, Victoria opened her mouth to unleash her grievances against Athena. But Cedric wasn¡¯t having it.


    "Keep your mouth shut, Victoria. You are not helping my ns here," He managed through gritted teeth, his frustration boiling just beneath the surface.


    Victoria¡¯s mouth dropped open in shock. "How dare you talk to me like that, Cedric?"


    Cedric hissed under his breath, turning the ignition as he prepared to drive away. "A word from you again, and I¡¯ll make sure you visit the hospital today."

 Chapter 167: Visiting Mr. Thorne VI

    <h4>Chapter 167: Visiting Mr. Thorne VI</h4>


    The silence in the room had be unbearable for Athena, suffocating even, as she sat amidst the palpable tension.


    Old Mr. Thorne and his wife, Florence, both seemed to stare into the depths of their own thoughts, looking down not just at the plush carpet beneath their feet but into the chasms of their grief.


    They wore expressions that reflected aplex mix of emotions¡ªdowncast yet somehow angry. Athena couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of frustration directed at Victoria.


    How could she be so insensitive as to bring up such an unreasonable question? Where had Cedric found such an oblivious woman?


    She exchanged furtive nces with the kids, seated nearby and clearly as confused and ufortable as she was.


    Inhaling deeply, she opened her mouth to suggest an exit for herself and her children, but before she could speak, Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s voice cut her short.


    "My Emily was poisoned. She and her husband. They were poisoned with my own poison, right in my own house. I have never stopped ming myself."


    Athena furrowed her brows, grappling with the weight of his words and their shocking implications.


    "Your own poison?" She echoed, her confusion evident. The phrase sent chill bumps across her skin, igniting an intense curiosity alongside a tinge of fear.


    "You remember the poison that had been used on Fiona¡¯s friends?" Old Mr. Thorne continued, and Athena nodded slowly, gripped by the grim narrative unfolding before her. She felt Florence tighten her grip on her hands, as if seeking her support amidst the turmoil.


    "The same poison was used on my daughter and her husband. I kept the poison around as a keepsake, remnants from a trip to one of the middlebelt countries. After their death, I held onto it as a memorial¡ªa reminder of my foolishness for not listening to my instincts, or to my wife."


    "Edward..." Florence whispered, her voice a soft echo of concern and heartache, but Old Mr. Thorne was on a roll now, lost in the torrent of his memories.


    "That night, I told them to stay over. After months of being unavable, burdened with work, they finally came for a visit. My daughter especially had been out of my sight for nearly a year, and I was desperate to spend time with her. They agreed to stay, even though they weren¡¯t entirelyfortable with the presence of the entire Thorne family. My Emily was an introvert, and she married another introvert¡ªthey detested family gatherings."


    Old Mr. Thorne paused, the sorrow evident in his furrowed brow. "That night, I woke up suddenly with an instinctual nudge to check around the house, but I was too tired¡ªhaving had too much to drink and feeling oddly euphoric¡ªto act on it. The morning brought the horrifying shock of a maid¡¯s scream, waking me from a peaceful slumber to a living nightmare. She found the couple dead in their room."


    Pain etched deeper into his features as he paused, allowing the words to sink in. "If I had listened to my instincts that night, I might have caught the person who did this. If I had heeded my wife, I wouldn¡¯t have kept such a deadly poison around, even if it was supposedly secured in a safe. Twice it has been breached. Twice, two sets of people died before I finally learned my lesson. I am truly a stupid old man."


    "Please don¡¯t say that," Athena spoke up, her heart aching at the somber atmosphere that wrapped around them like a heavy nket. "We all make mistakes sometimes; it¡¯s what makes us human."


    "Worse still, I¡¯ve never been able to uncover the identity of the perpetrators. One of the guards confessed being behind the murder, butter, it reeked of being a setup. The real culprits likely threatened him..."


    "Do you think it¡¯s one of your family members?" Athena asked, the question tinged with a dangerous curiosity.


    "I don¡¯t know, Athena. I don¡¯t want to make baseless usations. But since then, I¡¯ve stopped entertaining family in my home. The only one I allow here is Cedric. His parents sent him to live with us while he was still young, hoping to keep uspany..."


    Athena held back a scoff. Parents sending their only son to live with a rtive? Obviously, they wanted Old Mr. Thorne to groom him to take over the Thorne empire, but she kept that thought to herself.


    "He¡¯s dear to us now, which is why he can be here. As for his fianc¨¦e¡ªthat¡¯s another matter. I honestly don¡¯t know where he found such a materialistic woman..." Old Mr. Thorne shook his head tiredly, leaning against the plush cushion behind him, his eyes momentarily closing.


    "If only Emily had been allowed to have children, I would have spoiled them rotten. But here I am..." He paused, and opened his eyes.


    "Well, Kathleen and Nathaniel, with or without adoption papers, are my children." He said with a gentle pat on their heads, for Kate was nestled at his right, and Nathaniel sat on his left. "And for that, I¡¯ll be fine."


    Athena smiled thinly at the tenderness disyed, noting that there was obviously a power struggle in this family, and she couldn¡¯t help but wonder why Old Mr. Thorne didn¡¯t see it. Or perhaps he did?


    She shook her head slightly; whatever the case may be, she wasn¡¯t about to allow her children to be caught in the crossfire. There needed to be caution regarding their visits; perhaps she would assign a guard to them, even if they wouldn¡¯t be entirely happy about it. Thest thing she wanted was to lose her kids to power-hungry individuals.


    "So, what about the shareholders meeting? Do you think Ewan will be around for it?" Old Mr. Thorne unexpectedly changed the topic, as though the previous subjects had never entered the conversation.


    Athena felt the shift, expressions of grief melting into business like water washing away footprints on a beach.


    She bit her lip, mentally calcting her response. "I¡¯m not sure, but I will do my best. Whatever Alfonso ns, rest assured it wille to naught."


    "Are you a shareholder in thepany?" She inquired further, her interest deepening.


    Old Mr. Thorne nodded. "As I mentioned earlier, we were quite close to the Gietti family. We held shares in each other¡¯spanies. Even though Ewan distanced himself from us and hasn¡¯t attended the meetings, he still owns a significant number of shares in my empire."


    Athena cocked her head slightly to the side. "Are you sure he¡¯s aware of his status in yourpany?"


    Old Mr. Thorne exchanged a confused look with his wife, their shared bewilderment evident. "We handed the documents to Alfonso, seeing as he was the closest to the family back then. Ewan was right there, but I assumed he was bright enough to grasp what we were discussing..."


    "I¡¯m sorry, my dear friend, but as Ewan¡¯s doctor, I don¡¯t think he is aware of the status he holds in yourpany. I think we need to question Alfonso."

 Chapter 168: Visiting Mr. Thorne VII

    <h4>Chapter 168: Visiting Mr. Thorne VII</h4>


    A thick silence descended upon the room after Athena¡¯s statement, pressing down like a heavy nket.


    Old Mr. Thorne stared at his wife, then turned to Athena, trying to grasp the gravity of her implication. "You mean to tell me that all these years, Ewan isn¡¯t aware of the shares he holds in mypany? Both the ones my daughter willed to him on his second birthday?"


    His voice trembled, a blend of disbelief and mounting anger.


    Athena shook her head, feeling the weight of the conversation heavy on her shoulders. "I don¡¯t think so. It¡¯s like you said earlier; you gave Alfonso the documents. The evil man probably withheld them for his own reasons. I can¡¯t say for certain what they are, but has he approached you about anything?"


    Old Mr. Thorne shook his head vigorously. "Even when I was a frequent visitor at the Gietti mansion, I never saw eye to eye with Alfonso. The only reason I handed him those documents was because Ewan chose to stay with him."


    A shadow of regret crossed his face, and the lines of worry deepened, etching themselves further into his skin.


    Athena briefly pressed her lips together in thought, her mind racing. Based on her medical conclusions, Ewan had been fed with drugs since childhood. Most likely, he wouldn¡¯t truly remember his connection to Old Mr. Thorne or consider it significant¡ªjust another face from a distant memory.


    "That Alfonso deserves to be imprisoned for life..." Florence spoke through gritted teeth, her voiceced with a fierce anger.


    "He promised me he would care for Ewan! He assured themunity he would look after him. That Ewan was better off with someone from his town than an outsider. And now here we are, with Ewan nearly mentally deranged!"


    The pain was evident in Florence¡¯s voice, and Athena held back a gasp of pain as the old woman tightened her grip on her hands.


    "Edward, call the guards in charge of them now! Let¡¯s find out where those documents are! If he hesitates, then have them slice off Fiona¡¯s fingers to start with!"


    Athena nced at her children, noting the look of mixed concern and anger on their faces.


    Old Mr. Thorne appeared to consider the suggestion as he picked up the phone, already dialing the security detail assigned to Alfonso and his daughter.


    It struck Athena that Old Mrs. Thorne was far fiercer than her husband¡ªmore resolute in her desire for justice.


    "Hello..." Old Mr. Thorne greeted when the phone connected, his voice carrying a tense authority.


    He looked around the room, noting the expectant gazes of those with him. Without hesitation, he dropped the phone onto the table and switched it to loudspeaker mode, ready to confront whatever awaited on the other end.


    "Good day sir..."


    "Good day, Henry. How are the culprits?"


    "They¡¯re fine, sir. Haven¡¯t stepped out of line yet."


    "Good. I want you to give Alfonso the phone. I want to speak with him."


    Athena could hear the shuffle of feet on the other end, apanied by a door creaking open and shutting, until Alfonso¡¯s voice emerged, strained and cautious.


    "What is it?"


    "My master wants to speak with you," Henry replied before stepping back, leaving the line open.


    A pause hung in the air, heavy with the tension of unspoken words, before Alfonso¡¯s voice broke through again, louder this time. "Mr. Thorne, good day. To what do I owe this unexpected call?"


    Old Mr. Thorne clenched his fists, struggling to keep his burgeoning anger in check. "The documents I handed you concerning Ewan¡¯s shares in thepany¡ªwhere are they?"


    A thick silence fell on the line, followed by Fiona¡¯s whisper, filled with confusion. "What is he talking about, Dad?"


    "I gave them to Ewan," Alfonso replied, avoiding his daughter¡¯s question entirely.


    "I will ask again, Alfonso. If you don¡¯t provide me a reasonable answer, I will ensure you regret lying to me. Where are those documents?" Old Mr. Thorne couldn¡¯t help the tremors in his voice this time, anger leaking through with every word.


    "I am saying the same thing, Mr. Thorne. I gave them to Ewan. I know I might have a track record of lying..."


    "Henry!" Old Mr. Thorne shouted, cutting Alfonso off before he could weave another deceptive excuse.


    "Yes, sir!" Henry responded, his voice quick and steady, ready to act on his boss¡¯smand.


    "Cut off the fingers on the right hand of his daughter. Slowly."


    "Yes, sir!"


    But before Henry could fulfill the order, a panicked scream burst from Alfonso. "What are you trying to do?! Mr. Thorne, I will speak! The documents are in my drawer. My wife knows the one!" His voice shook, the tremors echoing not just with fear but with realization.


    "Why did you keep it from Ewan?" Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s voice had taken on a calmness, but it was the kind of calm that often precedes a storm.


    "I kept them away, saving them for when he is older. He has the other documents showing the shares of his father¡¯s work," Alfonso replied, his tone defensive yet quaking.


    Old Mr. Thorneughed bitterly. "So, Ewan Gietti isn¡¯t a grown man at thirty one?"


    Silence enveloped them once more, heavy and suffocating.


    "I swear, Alfonso, you will pay for this. Henry!"


    "Yes, sir!"


    "Make sure not to give them food for two days!"


    Before Alfonso¡¯s protests could truly be heard, Old Mr. Thorne hung up the call.


    "How much is the value of those shares now?" Athena asked, watching her friend¡¯s expression shift as he buried his face in his hands, the weight of years of deception crashing down around him.


    "In billions," Florence replied, shaking her head, disbelief syed across her face. "When the KN press attacked hispany, we thought he might reach out for our help. We assumed he knew his worth in our empire, but it seems we were just making assumptions."


    Old Mr. Thorne lifted his head, determination returning as he picked up his phone and dialed another contact.


    "Who are you calling?" Florence asked, her voiceced with concern.


    "I¡¯m calling his wife, Margaret."


    Just as he spoke, the call connected. Again, he ced it on loudspeaker.


    "Hello? Mr. Thorne?"

 Chapter 169: Visiting Mr. Thorne VIII

    <h4>Chapter 169: Visiting Mr. Thorne VIII</h4>


    Athena couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Margaret had been crying for the past four days.


    The croaky quality of thetter¡¯s voice was unmistakable, reminiscent of a frog¡¯s croak, and her words came out almost in whispers, as if they were fragile and could shatter at any moment.


    "Margaret, how are you doing?" Old Mr. Thorne asked, embodying the gentleman he had always been, his concern shining through despite the gravity of their impending conversation.


    "I¡¯m fine, thank you," Margaret replied, her voice trembling slightly. "I heard you¡¯re keeping my family until the shareholders¡¯ meeting..." There was a pauseden with tension. "Are they still alive?"


    Athena sighed, reclining deeper into the plush sofa, feeling the weight of the moment settle heavily on her chest.


    Florence mirrored her actions beside her, and the twins, usually restless and full of energy, were still with Old Mr. Thorne; eyes alert and ears attuned to the adults conversations, instead of moving away to y with toys as children of their ages would have done in this scenario.


    "Yes, they are. They must be present at the shareholders¡¯ meeting, don¡¯t they?" Old Mr. Thorne confirmed, his brow furrowed in thought.


    "They do," Margaret agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. "So, why are you calling? Did something happen?"


    "I just found out that Ewan was never given the documents detailing his shares and position in my empire. I had thought he had chosen to stay away, until I discovered otherwise..." Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s voice became more resolute, but Athena could hear the undercurrents of frustration and sorrow weaving through each word.


    A soft cough echoed from the other end, and Athena¡¯s worry deepened. Though Margaret had seemingly ovee the devastating effects of the Grey disease, it remained imperative for her to stay healthy, as a second attack could be deadlier than the first.


    "Yeah, I think Alfonso mentioned the documents at one time. But that was all. I thought he had given them to Ewan. I didn¡¯t know he kept them aside. I can help you look for them if that¡¯s why you¡¯re calling..."


    "Good. He mentioned it was in a drawer and that you would know which drawer. Do you?" Old Mr. Thorne kept his tone steady, determination wing at his insides.


    "Yes, I do. I¡¯ll bring the documents to the house now, if it¡¯s not too much hassle."


    Old Mr. Thorne paused for a moment, pressing his lips thoughtfully from one side to the other. "Don¡¯t worry; I¡¯ll send a driver to pick it up from you. You should rest. You don¡¯t sound well."


    A croakyugh escaped Margaret, tinged with regret. "It¡¯s nice that you still care after all that I and my family had done to Athena and Ewan..." She hesitated, a weary sigh escaping. "It might not mean much, but I am sorry. I would have said the same to Athena, but I don¡¯t think she would believe me. I really made her life miserable during the three years she stayed married to Ewan. I wish..."


    A cough interrupted her, sounding painful.


    "I wish I had known better. I wish I had taught my daughter better. I didn¡¯ty a good foundation, and now we are all suffering the consequences. Now, I can¡¯t even show my face to my granddaughter. What would she think of me?" A sob broke free, unraveling the fragile strength she had left.


    Old Mr. Thorne nced at Athena then, but Athena shook her head; she wasn¡¯t interested in ying peacemaker between Margaret and her granddaughter.


    If Margaret wanted to be a part of Kendra¡¯s life, she needed to make that effort herself, as Lucas had done. But she doubted that Lucas would allow Margaret back in.


    "Margaret..." Old Mr. Thorne began wearily, his voice firm despite the exhaustion visible on his features. "Lucas thought the same before meeting his daughter. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s room for forgiveness for you in his heart, in the little one¡¯s heart. You should try to get in contact with them."


    "Do you think so?" Margaret¡¯s sobs turned into full-blown cries now, her vulnerability raw and exposed over the phone. "Do you think he will forgive me?"


    "I don¡¯t know, but there¡¯s no harm in trying. You¡¯re not getting any younger, and you should mend things before it¡¯s toote. Goodbye, Margaret. My driver will be with you soon."


    "Thank you very much, Mr. Thorne. Thank you for being on Athena¡¯s side, too. God knows the girl needs all the help she can get."


    Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s brows furrowed again, confusion mirrored in the expressions of those gathered in the family room. "What do you mean by that, Margaret?" He asked, his voice tinged with bewilderment.


    But Margaret only ended the call, leaving an echo of uncertainty lingering in the air.


    "What do you think she means by that?" Florence turned to her husband, her gaze piercing and probing.


    Old Mr. Thorne blinked incredulously at her. "Woman, we listened to the call together! You heard when I asked her that question. How am I supposed to know what she meant by herst statement?"


    Athenaughed lightly, her voice breaking through the tension like a ray of sunshine, when she noticed Florence pout her age-worn lips, slicked with a fresh gloss of pink lip balm.


    Old Mr. Thorne shook his head, resting it back against the sofa as if the weight of the world had settled on his shoulders. "You are right, Florence. Alfonso and his daughter deserve to be imprisoned for life. But Athena here offered a better solution, the ck cells."


    He turned to Athena, his eyes glimmering with a mix of admiration and mischief. "I¡¯m not sure how you did it, but if you are taking Alfonso there, I would love to see it for myself."


    Athena chuckled, shaking her head yfully. "I don¡¯t know how feasible that would be, old man. You seem to forget that you¡¯re no longer as young as you were when you were coaching Aiden."


    She had done her research on the toon they both had served in, and was grateful the old man had survived so many turbulent times.


    Old Mr. Thorneughed heartily, patting his lean arms with a sense of pride. "Trust me, I¡¯m stronger than I look."


    The twins chucked. "We are sure you are, grandpa."


    Athena¡¯sughter dried up as fast as the smiles on Mr and Mrs Thorne faces.


    <i>Grandpa?</i>

 Chapter 170: Visiting Mr. Thorne IX

    <h4>Chapter 170: Visiting Mr. Thorne IX</h4>


    The twins avoided their mother¡¯s gaze, choosing instead to focus on Old Mr. Thorne, who lookedpletely shocked at the term these children had just used for him.


    The colorful innocence of youth seemed to envelop the room, drowning out the tension that had previously hung in the air.


    Athena felt the heat creep into her palms, making them sweaty and mmy, as Florence gently pried her hand free from hers and stood up.


    The older woman walked over to the long sofa where her husband sat with the children, and took a seat to the left of Nathaniel, who turned then, and gazed up at her with his bright, puppy-like blue eyes.


    But by the sight of her children¡¯s affection, Athena felt both confusion and immobility wash over her. What were they ying at?


    Yet the twins, having heard the tales about the old couple, had decided, quite reasonably in their childlike minds, that bing the grandchildren of Old Mr. Thorne and his wife might serve a dual purpose: bringing joy to the Thorne family while also earning themselves easier ess to sweets.


    Indeed, for days now, their mother had put a firm limit on their sugar intake, recing treats with nd vegetables, and had enlisted Aunt Gianna in this torturous endeavor.


    "Nathaniel, Kathleen, can you say that again?" Florence broke the spell of shock that had engulfed the old couple.


    The twins exchanged amused nces, their little faces bursting with delight as they repeated their earlier words with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Grandpa sure looks like a youthful man!"


    Tears sprang to Florence¡¯s eyes as the words melted from the children¡¯s lips. "What about me?" She asked, patting her chest slowly, her expression focused solely on the adorable children.


    "Grandma looks youthful too!" They chimed in, their voices light and full ofughter, and just like that, Florence cried out in happiness. She embraced Nathaniel first, who was the closest, and Kathleen quickly joined the delightful tableau.


    It took Old Mr. Thorne a moment to emerge from his shock. When he finally did, he looked from his sobbing wife to a stupefied Athena, who sighed in resignation, fully recognizing that the situation was spiraling out of her hands.


    "Are you okay being called our daughter, Athena? Because it would be my immense pleasure," He ventured, his eyes glistening with hope after sharing such affection with the children.


    The four pairs of young and old eyes fixed on Athena expectantly, with the twins giving her their best puppy-dog eyes, silently pleading for her to embrace their ns.


    Athena sighed again, rising to her feet as she fought back her own tears. This moment felt monumental, as if she were about to be woven into a loving family tapestry that she had long been denied, aside from herte mother.


    For she believed Old Mr. Thorne would be a great father figure to the children, given how he had shown moral support and friendship to her over the past month. Still, it was hard to fathom how quickly everything hade together.


    Gianna would be ecstatic! The thought made her hands tremble slightly as they rested on her thighs.


    "You don¡¯t have to sign any letter... I just¡ª"


    "It¡¯s okay, dear friend. Although you have to bear with me not calling you ¡¯Dad¡¯ for now," Athena interjected, causingughter to bubble from Old Mr. Thorne, even as tears pooled in his eyes.


    He stood up, hurriedly crossing over to Athena, who was already walking towards him. They met in a warm hug.


    Florence and the twins joined the hug, theirughter mingling in a chaotic symphony of joyful noise.


    "This is the best time of my life since Emily¡¯s death," Florence said thereafter, his voice breaking slightly with emotion. "I can feel her presence right now. Can you, Edward?"


    Old Mr. Thorne looked at his wife, who was still recovering from her emotional outburst, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He nodded, the disbelief in his expression unmistakable.


    He had only taken an interest in Athena because she seemed genuine and bore a striking resemnce to histe daughter. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that she might one day fill the void left by Emily¡¯s absence and be a daughter to him.


    "Thank you, Athena..." He muttered repeatedly, patting her back fondly as if he were trying to anchor himself to this newfound happiness.


    But Athena¡¯s mind was already in motion, pulling her away from the euphoric moment they were all sharing.


    "There is a condition, however, if we are to continue to be affiliated with you in this manner," She said, her tone shifting to one of earnestness. "If there¡¯s going to be a signing of papers at all..."


    Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s face lit up at the mention of papers, and he eagerly disengaged from the hug he had shared with the children, his hands itching to take care of any formalities. "Sure, say anything. I will do it."


    Athena nodded and took a deep breath. "Don¡¯t include us in your inheritance, in your will. Don¡¯t give us any of your shares."


    A frown masked Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s face, as had Florence¡¯s. "Why? How can I be a grandfather if I don¡¯t leave everything to my child and grandchildren?"


    Athena pinched the bridge of her nose, mentally chastising herself for having to exin this. But it was important to bring it up now rather thanter. "What about Cedric and his family?" She asked, echoing her earlier thoughts, folding her arms across her chest.


    "I can¡¯t afford to find myself and the children in the middle of a power tussle. I suspect they were behind Emily¡¯s death, your extended family, I mean. No offense."


    "None taken," muttered Old Mr. Thorne, ncing at his wife, who had fallen silent in thought.


    "But I can take care of them," He insisted, his voice firm with determination. "Surely, you and the twins will be safe."


    Athena shook her head, an unwavering refusal surging through her. The safety of her children was her top priority, and she was weary of constantly fighting for their well-being. "I¡¯m not taking that, old friend. It¡¯s either that or nothing."


    Florence opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. How could she not leave anything for the kids? The question hung in the air like a heavy weight.


    "Okay then," Old Mr. Thorne finally spoke, startling her. "I won¡¯t include y¡¯all in the family business."


    After twenty minutes passed, with the atmosphere transformed,bining both resolution and the echoes of newfound joy, Athena was prepared to leave with the twins, having promised to return soon.


    Old Mr. Thorne apanied them to the door alongside his wife, who was still engaged in yful banter with the children.


    "I finally got the investigation on the hospital incident," He said, watching his wife interact with Nathaniel and Kathleen. "Both the doctor and theb scientists seem to be innocent. Maybe you can involve your own hackers. You know they are on another level."


    "Sure," Athena replied, though internally she had no intention of involving her children in this matter again.

 Chapter 171: A Grey Problem

    <h4>Chapter 171: A Grey Problem</h4>


    Athena downed a bottle of water in one go, the cool liquid refreshing yet insufficient to quell the fatigue weighing down her limbs. She exhaled loudly when she finished, the sound echoing in the quiet of her office.


    Feeling increasingly overwhelmed by the daunting stacks of paperwork, she stood up and tossed the empty stic bottle into the trash can beside her desk. The relentless pressures of work were encroaching, and she desperately needed to escape the confines of her work space, even if only for a moment.


    She walked up to the window, peering out at the bustling city below. The skyline shimmered with the golden light of a fading afternoon sun, clouds delicately brushed in hues of pink and orange.


    Very beautiful. She thought, before her attention was caught by a Whitman¡¯s ambnce speeding past in a hurry, sirens wailing as it approached the hospital gates.


    Her brow furrowed as she mulled over the implications of that scene.


    What was happening? She wondered anxiously while eying themotion below.


    If she thought the past week had been busy for the hospital, this week was shaping up to be a nightmare. The resurgence of the Grey disease seemed to create a frenzy, an outbreak that had spiraled beyond anyone¡¯s expectations.


    Previous patients were returning for second treatments, those once healed now suffering again. ording to the news, entire poptions were migrating from infested cities, creating a potential crisis where non-infested areas might soon impose drastic barricades to keep the infected at bay.


    Athena sighed, feeling despair cling to her like a damp nket. This wasn¡¯t looking good for anyone, especially not for her or the hospital she poured herself into every day.


    More Grey patients meant more ie, yet the suffering etched on the faces of the afflicted gnawed at her conscience. She couldn¡¯t reconcile the moral implications of profiting from their pain, and all she wanted was to help.


    The only way to do that, she reasoned, was to uncover the root cause of this spiraling crisis.


    Investigations had begun anew in the headquarters, but apathetic bureaucrats in high positions refused to take the issue seriously. So, she and Aiden decided to pursue their inquiries independently.


    So far, nothing had turned up. It felt like wading through darkness, too many dead ends and false leads.


    Athena ced her forehead against the cool surface of the window, eyes shut tight, and sent out a silent prayer to whatever force governed the universe. She needed help to navigate this overwhelming mess.


    Just then, a sharp knock on her door broke her moment of contemtion. Another patient?


    She inhaled softly for strength, steeling herself for what was likely to be another arduous consultation. At this point, she was considering showing the other doctors her proposed cure process for the Grey disease.


    "Come in!" She called, when the knock sounded again, her voice firm yet echoing with fatigue.


    The door creaked open, and Finn stepped inside, his expression somber.


    Athena recognized his scent immediately, a blend of antiseptic and ozone¡ªa hallmark of a hard day¡¯s work in the hospital.


    "Good afternoon, ma¡¯am," He said with a sense of urgency that made her stomach twist. "We have a problem with patient 409."


    Athena gently hit her forehead against the ss pane, feeling the heat of frustration wash over her.


    <i>Focus, Athena. Concentrate.</i> She took a moment to breathe deeply, calming the rising feelings of panic. Turning away, she returned to her desk and slid into her chair, trying to stabilize her rattled nerves.


    "Good afternoon, Finn. What exactly is the problem?" She asked, her tone encouraging but edged with tension.


    Finn frowned, a regr urrence since she had begun delegating greater responsibilities to the other doctors. But Athena wasn¡¯t bothered.


    "He seems to be convulsing more than usual," Finn replied. "He also refuses to eat the daily food necessary for his recovery."


    Death. A bitter thought shed through Athena¡¯s mind, squeezing her heart with apprehension.


    Patient 409 was a returning case, a person attempting tobat the insidious grip of the Grey disease. But now, he seemed to have developed a certain resistance to the drugs she had painstakingly created¡ªa development that felt like a personal failure.


    "What should we do, ma¡¯am?" Finn¡¯s eyes held both concern and a hint of desperation.


    Athena bit her upper lip, contemting the options¡ªorck thereof. The only choice left was to return to the drawing board; she needed to reevaluate and upgrade her drugs urgently. The sheer magnitude of effort ahead overwhelmed her, sapping her energy before she even began.


    A wave of gratitude washed over her for Old Mr. Thorne and his wife, who had stepped in to help care for the twins during this tumultuous time.


    Gianna too was a constant support, stopping by frequently withughter, warmth, and always a meal that made the twins¡¯ faces light up. It felt incredible to have people she could trust, especially now.


    A faint smile graced Athena¡¯s lips as she thought of the Thornes, eliciting a deepening frown from Finn.


    What was there to smile about with the growing unrest in the city concerning the Grey disease?


    "Just give him a triple dose of the drug," Athena finally said, her voiceced with resolve while the urgency for action pulsed in her veins.


    Finn paused, disbelief ring in his eyes. "A triple dose? Won¡¯t that kill him?"


    Athena looked at him, furrowing her brows in irritation. "It shouldn¡¯t, unless I¡¯m mistaken or it gets tampered."


    Finn¡¯s jaw ckened. "I told you, I didn¡¯t do it."


    "Then stop making me draw those assumptions. A triple dose won¡¯t kill the man. If anything, I hope he¡¯s not resistant to it. I hope it works for him," She muttered, almost to herself, allowing her voice to sink into a whisper.


    Finn calmed himself, hiding the irritation that flickered beneath the surface. He nodded respectfully before turning to exit, the door closing with a soft click behind him.


    Athena exhaled, resting her head on the back of her chair, staring emptily at the ceiling tiles.


    The investigations surrounding the hospital incidents¡ªthose involving Finn and theb scientists¡ªhad yielded nothing but shadows, just like the enigmatic report Old Mr. Thorne had submitted.


    She might have pursued it further, maybe handed it over to her children¡¯s brilliant friends, but she just wasn¡¯t up for what it entailed.


    Maybe it had all been a mistake.


    Another knock sounded at the door, pulling her from her spiraling thoughts. What now?


    She felt a wave of irritation wash over her, staring at the door as if she could will away the interruption. It seemed ridiculous, considering how many people were counting on her. Yet she didn¡¯t want to deal with more queries or concerns at that moment.


    "Come in," She replied, her voice weary.


    Ciara poked her head into the office, her familiar bright smile cutting through the haze. "Good afternoon, ma¡¯am. You have a visitor."


    <i>A visitor?</i> Athena¡¯s mind raced. <i>Who could that be?</i>


    Arranging the files on her desk distracted her momentarily, but curiosity was bubbling up within her. "Who is it?"


    "Mr. Sandro," Ciara replied, her tone clipped, hinting at urgency. "He mentioned it is urgent."


    "Send him in, then,"

 Chapter 172: A Grey Problem II

    <h4>Chapter 172: A Grey Problem II</h4>


    Athena pressed her lips into a thin line, her mind racing as she wondered what had gone wrong now. Just as she was pondering this, Sandro walked into her office.


    He looked haggard, his eyes surrounded by dark circles of exhaustion¡ªhad he been treating the Grey disease too?


    She couldn¡¯t recall thest time she had seen him not clean-shaven, and now his jawline sported more stubble than usual.


    "Good afternoon, Athena. How are you doing?" Sandro greeted, slumping into one of the chairs positioned across from her desk.


    She couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as she noted his disheveled appearance. "I seem to be doing better than you are."


    Sandro let out a dryugh, ruffling his hair as he settled to a morefortable position. "Try handling apany with diverse branches, stepping into the shoes of your boss, and see if you won¡¯t grow an extra finger and two eyes."


    Athena grinned, shaking her head. "We can run an exchange then. You handle the recent Grey disease problem, and I¡¯ll handle Ewan¡¯spanies..."


    Sandro pretended to consider it seriously, his finger tapping thoughtfully against his jaw, but he shook his head the following minute. "I think I¡¯ll pass. I¡¯d rather stick to my own problems, thanks."


    Athena scoffed. If Sandro tried to battle the Grey disease, he just might lose his sanity amidst the chaos. "I thought as much..." She muttered, sinking deeper into her chair.


    "So, why are you here? My assistant mentioned it was an urgent matter," She asked, hoping his news didn¡¯t involve her friend being stricken by the Grey disease. She was already stretched thin by the fight against the outbreak.


    "As you know, I¡¯ve been trying to stall the shareholders¡¯ meeting as long as I can until Ewan wakes up. I believe he¡¯d handle it better than I will, even from a hospital bed. But the shareholders are growing restless; they¡¯re demanding that the meeting be held next week. They¡¯re also asking for a status report on Ewan¡¯s health, wanting to know if they¡¯re just selecting an acting director or if we¡¯ll be looking at his will soon to see who he¡¯d passed down thepany to."


    Athena shook her head. "Probably Fiona," She mused, bitternesscing her voice. "The fickleness of men, huh..."


    "Yeah. But I guess they are businessmen first, before friends or partners. Still, I would¡¯ve preferred a show of solidarity. I mean, imagine asking for his will? It¡¯s like they¡¯re signing a contract with death itself!"


    "I get your point..." Athena muttered, rummaging through the third drawer of her desk. She pulled out a lined piece of paper, ncing at it as if it held the answers they desperately needed. "This is Ewan¡¯s situation at the moment," She said, holding it out to Sandro.


    He took a quick look but didn¡¯t take the paper from her grasp. "I¡¯m no doctor, Athena. I suggest you interpret this foreignnguage for me."


    Athena¡¯s eyes widened slightly as she let out an "Oh" of realization regarding her oversight. "It means he¡¯s getting better. But to know if he¡¯ll be awake by next week, I¡¯m not sure. Most of it depends on his will to live, something I unfortunately have no control over."


    Sandro nodded solemnly. "So, we¡¯ll just keep praying then." He sighed deeply, ruffling his hair again, a nervous gesture that was bing more indicative of his stress.


    "I really need him to wake up. I don¡¯t know why Alfonso suggested the shareholders¡¯ meeting, but I have a feeling that the man is up to no good¡ªespecially with Fiona lurking in the shadows."


    Didn¡¯t she know? Athena thought, inhaling deeply to dismiss the matter from her mind. The Adams family was no longer her concern.


    "I¡¯ve moved all of Fiona¡¯s things from the mansion to their house," Sandro said out of the blues, a hint of mischief sparkling in his eyes. "Good thing Margaret was there to receive me, because I was ready to drop them off right at the gates."


    Athena chuckled softly at the thought, both at Sandro¡¯s aggrieved tone and the image of tossing Fiona¡¯s expensive items onto the road for scavengers to pick through.


    "How is she¡ªMargaret, I mean? Thest time I heard her voice, she had a cold," She asked, her tone momentarily shifting to concern.


    Sandro shrugged his shoulders casually. "I don¡¯t really know. But she was wearing ck, like she was in mourning."


    She hadn¡¯t taken Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s advice then. Athena surmised.


    "Did you even know Fiona had some of the guards under her thumb?" Sandro pressed, his voice rising slightly with indignation.


    Athena shook her head, weing this rant, as she too needed a distraction amidst the turmoil surrounding her life now.


    "I sacked them all then blocked her ounts with the bank," Sandro continued, his tone already lightening. He reached into the front pocket of his shirt and pulled out two short bars of chocte, handing one to Athena as if it were a lifeline.


    "I thought Ewan had the sole authority to do that?" Athena asked, epting the chocte gratefully.


    "I thought so too, until I tried. Turns out Ewan had given me more ess than I had bargained for. Good thing, really, because Fiona isn¡¯t touching any of his money again¡ªneither is Alfonso."


    "That¡¯s good. But how many shares does the Adams family hold in Ewan¡¯spany? That would y a role in whatever Alfonso is nning."


    "Quite a lot, actually. Each of them has some amount of shares," Sandro replied, the worry creeping back into his expression.


    "I wouldn¡¯t expect anything less." Athena sighed.


    "About 15 percent, give or take..."


    Athena nodded slowly. "Then I don¡¯t think there¡¯s much to worry about."


    Just then, Sandro¡¯s phone rang, and he scowled at the screen. "I¡¯m sorry. Got to go; work is calling," he said, clearly frustrated at the interruption.


    "That¡¯s okay. Thanks foring; I needed the distraction," Athena replied, grateful for the brief reprieve from her worries.


    Sandro stood, giving her a smile that attempted to mask his stress. "See you around, Athena."


    "See you around, Sandro. Send my regards to Zane," She called after him as he stepped out of the office.


    Only ten minutes had passed before there was another knock on the door. Athena didn¡¯t bother to wonder who it could be; her patience was waning.


    "Come in," She said, trying to keep her voice steady.


    The door swung open, revealing Herbert, who looked stricken with grief. For a fleeting moment, panic surged through her.


    "What is the matter, Herbert?"


    "I think I have the Grey disease."

 Chapter 173: A Grey Problem III

    <h4>Chapter 173: A Grey Problem III</h4>


    "Athena, hey, you don¡¯t look okay. What¡¯s the problem?" Aiden¡¯s voice wasced with concern as he approached her, but Athena merely sighed, unsure how to respond.


    She kept her silence, feeling the weight of her exhaustion pressing down on her. Instead, she opened the car door and slid into the front passenger seat.


    Aiden, sensing that something was amiss, hurried to the driver¡¯s side, his brow furrowing deeper as he searched her face for answers.


    "Athena, what¡¯s the problem?" He pressed gently once he got settled.


    "Just work. I¡¯m just tired," She replied, shaking her head dismissively, as if her weariness was an all-epassing shroud that she couldn¡¯t quite shake off.


    Her thoughts immediately drifted to Herbert, who she had confirmed was indeed suffering from the Grey disease after running tests.


    He had asked her to keep it a secret, the distressed look on his face haunting her.


    How couldn¡¯t she break the news to Zane? She was lost in that moral dilemma, feeling the weight of responsibility and the crushing need for honesty.


    Fortunately, they had caught Herbert¡¯s condition in the early stages, and it was treatable, but the stinging reality of the situation still tugged at her heart in unanswered questions.


    The panic didn¡¯t stop there; it spread like wildfire whenever she thought of the recent influx of returning patients¡ªif not more than ten for today alone¡ªwho were all resistant to their medications.


    Worse, patient 409 teetered on the brink of death; her triple dose treatment hadn¡¯t stopped the tides of his illness, yet it had inflicted severe adverse reactions.


    Athena¡¯s desperation wed at her, knowing she needed to find a viable cure immediately.


    "It¡¯s alright, Athena. Take in a deep breath," Aiden encouraged, his voice soothing her inner turmoil just a little.


    Guided by his words, she inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly, allowing the rush of air to help steady her racing heart.


    She loathed feeling this way, hated the pressures that came with caring for her patients¡¯ lives. The thought of losing another one was almost too heavy to bear.


    "This is little. We¡¯ve been through worse ande out better. You will rise above these too. Those patients won¡¯t die either. I¡¯m sure you will find a cure," He continued, his unwavering faith trying to lift her spirits.


    "Why are you so damn sure?" She snapped, her frustration bubbling over, but Aiden remained unfazed.


    "Me?" He chuckled, putting the car into motion. "Athena, you are the baddest doctor I know, the most dedicated and determined. I believe you¡¯ll do it. I don¡¯t know how, but I know you will find a way. You always do. So, chin up!"


    Athena took another deep breath, inhaling the lingering scent of leather and the faint echoes of Aiden¡¯s optimism, and felt the tension begin to ease a little. "Thanks, Aiden. You are the best."


    "You¡¯re wee, Athena. Anytime. Any day."


    "But has anything turned up for the disease? Are you people making headway?" She asked, turning her gaze to her friend, hoping for some relief.


    Aiden shook his head, and disappointment washed over her. "Not really. But I¡¯m hopeful. With Herbert¡¯s connections and Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s resources, we should be able to do something, even without the headquarters¡¯ go-ahead."


    Athena nodded, furrowing her brows in contemtion. "You know the reason why I listened to you and joined the society, leaving the CIA, was because it was independent of the government, daring, ready to take on responsibilities that mattered and didn¡¯t turn against their own. But this time around, I don¡¯t know what to think. Why aren¡¯t they interested in solving the Grey situation? Are they kneeling to someone else now?"


    "I don¡¯t know, Athena. I¡¯m just as confused as you are. But answers wille soon. Nothing stays hidden forever," Aiden replied with a perplexed expression.


    "Well, it should arrive soon, because time is of the essence. Many people are dying in areas where I can¡¯t even get the medicine to. We have to stop this madness, Aiden," She insisted, her voice rising in intensity as raw frustration bubbled to the surface.


    "I know, Athena. I know. And we will stop it," He reassured her, a weight of unwavering support in his tone.


    Athena sighed again, this time in resignation, and turned her focus outside the window. "And what about the gang? Any news on them yet?"


    Aiden shook his head once more. "Not really. Just the usual. Moving boxes from one area to another, but it doesn¡¯t mean we should rx our guards. We both know how tricky Morgan can be."


    Athena nodded, a sense of foreboding creeping back in.


    "We have to remain vignt while we wait for your signal to bust them, because we can¡¯t uncover much without intercepting one of those deliveries. Should we stage a ruse to capture one of their delivery vans?"


    "No, not yet," She responded, shaking her head with determination.


    "What about a spy? Maybe Susan?" Aiden suggested, his brows lifted in hope.


    Athena shook her head vehemently. "That¡¯s not Susan¡¯s field."


    "How would you know, Athena? You wouldn¡¯t even give the youngdy a chance!" He pushed back, an edge creeping into his voice.


    Athena bit her lip, caught in the crossroads of protecting Susan and the risks they faced. "I can¡¯t. It¡¯s not her field. You just have to trust me on this one, Aiden."


    Aiden said nothing, the weight of silence falling heavily between them.


    "Aiden..."


    "You are overprotective of her. Why? The others in HQ are noticing this, and she can¡¯t pretend or impersonate people forever. What if she loses her identity?" He pressed, his eyes carrying an urgent plea.


    "She won¡¯t!" Athena eximed, a fierce conviction ringing through her voice. "I promised her mother before she passed, and I am bent on keeping that promise." Her voice softened as she continued, "I won¡¯t put her in danger. Not like that."


    "Still, you have to ask for her opinion. Because Susan would make a good spy," Aiden countered gently.


    Athena sighed in resignation, knowing Aiden wouldn¡¯t let this go easily. "I¡¯ll ask her then. But I¡¯m not letting her be an operative in the Devil¡¯s Scorpions gang. She isn¡¯t ready for that turf."


    She returned her gaze outside, confusion brewing within her as she watched a familiar figure weaving through the bustling streets.


    "Where is Antonio heading to?" She asked, keenly observing him as he hurried away.


    "Probably to meet Herbert. He works with us now," Aiden replied, ncing over just in time to see Antonio slip into a side alley.


    Athena¡¯s frown deepened as she turned away from the window and squared her shoulders. "And why am I thest person to know about this?"

 Chapter 174: News Of Death

    <h4>Chapter 174: News Of Death</h4>


    Aiden¡¯s eyebrows shot up to his hairline as he pressed his lips into a thin line, mulling over Athena¡¯s question.


    "Aiden? When did Antonio join the research team? He has apany to run back in Whale¡¯s City, and operations in several other countries."


    Aiden exhaled slowly, wrestling with the possibility that he may have crossed an unspoken line. But then he shrugged it off; Antonio hadn¡¯t asked him to keep it a secret from Athena.


    In fact, he had assumed she would be the first person Antonio would want to tell, especially given the depth of his feelings for her.


    "I don¡¯t know, Athena. I actually thought he had told you. Maybe he left thepany in the care of a family member¡ªhis brother, perhaps? If he¡¯s decided to stay here, I guess you know the reason."


    Athena shut her eyes, pressing her fingertips to her temples as if trying to massage away the throbbing in her head. Each pulse felt like a carpenter striking a hammer against her skull. She rubbed her forehead tiredly yet gently, hoping to ease the mounting pressure.


    "Athena, you aren¡¯t saying anything," Aiden prodded, sensing her silence.


    "Aiden, you already know my situation. I¡¯ve tried; it just isn¡¯t working." Her voice was heavy with resignation, and a hint of sadness crept in. "My heart isn¡¯t cooperating with my mind. I doubt it will change its mind if I ept his proposal of marriage."


    "No, it won¡¯t. You¡¯ve already experienced one loveless marriage; I wouldn¡¯t want you to go through that again," Aiden said as he maneuvered the car around thest bend leading to their secure location.


    "That¡¯s right. I wouldn¡¯t want to do that to Antonio either. He deserves more," She admitted, a wave of uncertainty washing over her.


    If Antonio was so intent on being in her life, how would he ever see his forever girl, even if thetter stood right in front of him?


    Five minutester, as they stepped out of the car and faced a dpidated, old rusted phone booth that had clearly seen better days, Aiden broke the tension. "So, I¡¯ve got some news for you."


    "Good or bad?" Athena asked, stepping into the booth first, followed closely by Aiden.


    She nced around the empty environment, the crumbling concrete and overgrown weeds stark against the gray sky, before pressing a rusted button on the machine. With a whirring sound, the tform beneath their feet descended like an elevator, but faster, whisking them down to a cool underground level.


    "Aiden..." She began, turning on the switches that flickered weakly with the effort.


    "Bad," He finally admitted, his tone grave. "Why did we follow this route again?" He asked, feeling the tension in his gut knot tighter.


    "I don¡¯t know. I felt watched thest time we were here, so this route seemed safer. But that¡¯s beside the point. What¡¯s this bad news?" Athena got a cobweb caught on her face and brushed it away as she approached an iron steel door that loomed before them.


    Aiden made noment, as he walked past her to the door, his focus set on maneuvering the heavy wheel on the door to the right. He strained and grunted, relief washing over him when the metal door finally groaned open.


    "Master Shen is dead," He said after a few beats, each wordnding like a brick in Athena¡¯s heart.


    She froze for a heartbeat, her body cking against the dusty wall, struggling toprehend the weight of his words. She felt a cold rush of air against her skin, as if the world around her was beginning to fade.


    Aiden sighed and stepped closer, his presence afort in the surreal moment.


    "I got the news this morning. Heart failure, they said..." He continued, his voice barely above a whisper.


    "Are they sure? Maybe..." She started, grasping at straws, unwilling to ept this grim reality.


    "Athena, please... he¡¯s been having heart issues recently..." Aiden¡¯s voice trailed off, a pause pregnant with the unsaid. "Not every death is orchestrated by the gang."


    Athena turned on him, her eyes narrowing into a furious re. "And why wasn¡¯t I told about this?"


    "He didn¡¯t want to bother you, seeing as you had a lot of work to do here," Aiden exined, his toneced with regret.


    "A lot of work?!" She felt the pain swell within her, hitting Aiden¡¯s chest repeatedly, tears spilling from her eyes.


    "What do you mean? It would have taken just a flight¡ªtwo at most. How could...?" Her words fell away as a wave of sorrow crashed over her, and Aiden instinctively held her tightly, offering the support she desperately needed.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Athena..." He murmured, patting her back gently, an anchor in the storm of her emotions. "I¡¯m so sorry."


    Tears ran freely now, unbridled and raw. She wept for Master Shen, the man who had picked up the broken pieces of her life, the second person who had taken her in after Antonio, the first stranger who had made her feel safe enough to share her darkest secrets.


    He had taught her martial arts, imparting wisdom and strength, and had even signed the papers for her CIA recruitment along with Aiden.


    And now she¡¯d never have the chance to see him onest time before he passed away. He had never seen the twins again, and knowing they would be heartbroken over this news filled her with a bitter rage¡ªmad at Aiden for not telling her and angry at the world for its cruelty.


    She hit Aiden¡¯s chest with renewed fervor. "You¡¯re going to pay for this, Aiden," She muttered, stilling only after a while to regain someposure before stepping out of his embrace.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Athena," Aiden repeated, concern etched into his features.


    "Get ready to exin this to the twins," She said through clenched teeth. "When is the burial?"


    "Three days from now."


    "And so I still have to travel out of town, right? What¡¯s the difference?"


    Aiden had no answer for her, and silence enveloped them as despair settled in.


    Athena scoffed bitterly, turning her back to him as she walked inside the passageway leading to her privateboratory. She needed space to think, to process this unbearable news.


    She walked straight to Ewan¡¯s room, her heart racing as she prepared herself to check on him before turning her attention to the drugs that would consume her thoughts for the next couple of days.


    Hopefully, work would be a weed distraction from the reality of death pressing in from all sides.


    She had to be present at the burial; she needed to perfect the drug before then. Two long days, she reminded herself.


    Her gaze drifted over Ewan, and for a moment, her heart lifted. His color had returned to normal, though he was thinner than before.


    "You¡¯re going to eat a mountain when you wake up," She mused as she adjusted the drip. He had been through so much, and it seemed like Sandro¡¯s prayers were finally working, evidenced by the bright color of his fingers and toes.


    By next week, Ewan Gietti should be back in action.


    Finishing her inspection, she turned away, typing a quick message on her phone as she exited the room.


    <i> "I won¡¯t be back home tonight," </i>She sent off to Gianna.


    And so she didn¡¯t see the subtle twitch of Ewan¡¯s left fingers.

 Chapter 175: Funeral Service

    <h4>Chapter 175: Funeral Service</h4>


    "We are here to pay ourst respects to our father, brother, and friend, Shen Tao..."


    The words hung heavy in the air, twisting tight around Athena¡¯s heart. She turned her head into Aiden¡¯s hard chest, allowing the tears she had fought so hard to contain to finally flow.


    It was a moment of surrender amidst grief, the acknowledgment of loss as the funeral service reached its peak, the moment where they were about to close the coffin of Master Shen.


    The memories flooded in then, uninvited yet insistently vivid.


    She had met Master Shen at one of those ridiculous parties organized by Antonio¡¯s parents six years ago, a world she desperately tried to fit into but continuously stumbled out of,nding back in the dust.


    Antonio had been a darling six years ago, when she had arrived at the mansion gates, with nothing but the knapsack Gianna had given her, and the directions and contact on the piece of paper¡ªeven though she had arrived a monthter than the time Gianna had given this friend of hers whom she had met in college.


    Three rows with three different guardster, Antonio had finally appeared, in a Lambo(car) and with a bimbo, who had kept eyeing her badly thinking she was another of Antonio¡¯s girlfriends.


    Antonio had listened to her, had given her a room in the mansion, ignoring his parents insults and threats. He had even risked his ce, his birthright as a first son, when he had a row with his mother because the woman had attempted converting her to a maid.


    It had all gotten worse as her pregnancy started to show. The whispers andbeling had grown louder in the halls of that extravagant mansion, pushing her further away from the parties until one fateful night where she had finally met Master Shen at a celebration for Antonio¡¯s sister.


    She had been outside in the garden, rubbing her conspicuously round belly and asionally muttering to her babies when she heard a smooth male voice behind her, sending a ripple of anxiety through her.


    "What are you doing out here alone? Aren¡¯t you joining the party?" He had asked, taking a seat beside her on the bench.


    Fear flickered through her at first, seeing as she was all alone in the garden. In her state, she wouldn¡¯t be able to fight a ravenous man. But as she turned to meet his calm gaze, she felt her defenses begin to crumble.


    "I¡¯m just here for the air," She had replied guardedly.


    "The babies, huh?" He had nodded toward her belly with that knowing grin that seemed to promise understanding rather than judgment. "Antonio told me about you¡ªthe one who has been rejected in all circles... Where is the father?"


    "Absent," She had answered curtly, the bitterness in her voice betraying the pain she held inside.


    "Do you want to live? Not merely exist like you are doing now?" He had offered after a few minutes offortable silence passed between them.


    Her positive response to that question, stirred by determination to get something out of life, to get something out for the child in her belly, had kickstarted a series of events that made her the woman she was now.


    Now, people thought she was perfect. If only they knew...


    She sobbed harder now as Aiden crossed his arms tighter around her. "It¡¯s okay, Athena. I¡¯m sorry."


    <i>I¡¯m sorry</i> has been thetest mantra of Aiden, especially after he broke the news to the twins, that their real godfather was dead. Zane was a second. Oh, her children had a lot of godfathers.


    With the twins, she had given him the silent treatment until today, because he had to be the one to pick her up for the funeral. The twins had wanted toe, but Athena wasn¡¯t feeling up to it.


    "Now, we are calling on Doctor Athena Caddell, to give an eulogy about this great man who has left us..."


    Athena paused her crying episode, wondering if she had heard the officiating priest wrong.


    "Doctor Athena..." The priest called again, slowly this time around, searching for her with his eyes.


    "Are you behind this?" Athena shot a re at Aiden, pulling away from hisforting embrace.


    Aiden¡¯s lips pressed together, his eyes full of unspoken words.


    "Why would you do that?" She whisper-yelled, hands flying up in frustration.


    "Because he would have wanted that. And I¡¯m sure you have a lot to say about him..."


    And he was right. She inhaled deeply, trying to swallow the tightness in her throat despite the knot of fear settling in her stomach.


    "What about you?! Since you kept him to yourself, you should have something to say too!"


    "You are really not going to let this go, are you?" Aiden¡¯s frustration seeped through his words.


    "Fine. I¡¯ll go, but I didn¡¯t prepare. You didn¡¯t tell me this!" She protested.


    Aiden silenced her with a calming finger on his lips. "You knew him the most, even more than his children. I¡¯m sure words won¡¯t be a trouble."


    Taking a deep breath, she nced at the priest, noting the confusion etched across his forehead.


    To spare him any further distress, she raised her hand. "Right here," She spoke, forcing herself to her feet and walking purposefully towards the pulpit.


    The priest gave her a broad smile, moving aside to allow her room at the podium as she stood before the microphone, feeling the weight of the crowd¡¯s eyes on her.


    "Um, hello everyone," She began, her voice shaky yet steadying as she focused on the coffin before her.


    "I stand before you today not only as Doctor Athena Caddell but as someone who loved and cherished the remarkable man we¡¯re here to honor: Master Shen Tao."


    She took a moment to collect herself, wiping away stray tears that lingered on her cheeks. "To some, he might have just been a martial arts master, but to me, he was so much more. He was a lighthouse amidst the stormy seas of my existence. You know, he didn¡¯t just teach me how to fight in the dojo; he taught me how to fight in life¡ªhow to stand tall when the winds of adversity threatened to knock me down."


    A gentle wave ofughter rolled through the audience as Athena recalled the countless lessons Shen imparted.


    "I still remember our very first training session. I thought I was ready to tackle the world, but there he was, sixty years old, casually dodging my attacks like he was dancing. I swear he made me feel like I was a toddler iling about!"


    She smiled softly, savoring that memory. "And then there was that day he told me, very seriously, that I need to focus on my breathing. ¡¯If you can¡¯t breathe, you can¡¯t fight,¡¯ he said. Little did I know he was also hinting at the importance of taking a deep breath in moments of stress! I guess I took a bit too long to learn that lesson sometimes."


    The warmth ofughter spread across the crowd, a salve to the raw emotions swirling within Athena.


    "Master Shen was not just my teacher; he was my mentor, my confidant. He took an incredibly out-of-ce pregnant woman and turned her into a warrior¡ªboth in mind and spirit. He helped me find my voice when I felt silenced by disappointment and betrayal from the world."


    Her voice cracked slightly, the weight of her memories pressing on her heart. "He may have left this world, but his teachings live on in each of us. Shen taught us that there is strength in vulnerability, that kindness is a powerful weapon, and that true courage is letting your heart guide you¡ªespecially when it feels like the world is telling you otherwise."


    She paused, gathering her emotions, her heart swelling with gratitude and sorrow intertwined. "And while we were all here to mourn his passing, let¡¯s also celebrate the legacy he leaves behind. Let¡¯smit to carrying forward his wisdom¡ªand perhaps even his rather questionable fashion choices," She added, chuckling as she quickly wiped her eyes. "I mean, who else could pull off colorful silk scarves with martial arts gi?"


    Theughter echoed a bit louder, drawing smiles from the audience that felt like warm hugs to her soul.


    "If he were here right now, he¡¯d be encouraging us to fight¡ªnot with our fists, but with our hearts. To cherish the moments, the lessons, and the bonds we share."


    Breaking from the podium, she looked to the coffin draped in flowers, a heavy sense of finality settling over her.


    "Thank you, Master Shen, for teaching me how to be fearless, for believing in a girl who didn¡¯t even believe in herself."


    With onest deep breath, Athena concluded, "May your journey ahead be filled with the peace you fought so valiantly to find in this life. And may we honor you not just in these moments of sadness, but through our unwavering resolve to live fully, just as you did."

 Chapter 176: Sighting A Criminal

    <h4>Chapter 176: Sighting A Criminal</h4>


    A pping ovation echoed in the hall after Athena¡¯s speech, for most people gathered knew who she was and how dear she was to the martial arts teacher.


    Athena gave a full bow, from the waist down, knowing how important that gesture was to the Chinesemunity that had turned up for the gathering.


    With a respectful nod to the priest, she stepped down from the podium, emotions still swirling inside her.


    She was on her way to her seat when the immediate family of the deceased stood up to meet her.


    "Thank you very much, Athena. Although, I was surprised you weren¡¯t around when he died," Master Shen¡¯s wife said, her voice quivering with grief, her eyes red from crying.


    Athena paused her lips upon hearing those words. "I got the informationte," She replied, keeping her tone level, aware of the charged atmosphere.


    "And why is that?" The woman pressed on, a scowl beginning to form on her face.


    The questioning felt personal, usatory, and Athena wouldn¡¯t let Master Shen¡¯s wife disrupt this respectful asion any further¡ªespecially since their conversation was beginning to garner attention.


    "We can talk after the service," She asserted firmly, giving a curt bow before turning away.


    Yet the woman¡¯s next words sent ice through her veins and made Athena falter in her steps.


    <i>"Obviously, you don¡¯t care for him, and yet, he added you in his will." </i>


    "What was that troublesome woman saying?" Aiden asked immediately after she sat down.


    But the answer he received was a re from Athena that spoke volumes. "You are the cause of all this!"


    Aiden sighed tiredly, looking away, weary of the perpetual cycle of apologies. Yes, he knew he was in the wrong, but he couldn¡¯t break a promise made to Master Shen, could he?


    "She was asking why I wasn¡¯t at his bedside during his final moments, and why I¡¯m in his will when, ording to her, I don¡¯t care," Athena exined, her voice lowering as she drummed a beat on her thighs in agitation.


    "But why would he do that? Put my name in his will? He should know the trouble it would cause!" She continued, shaking her head in disbelief.


    Aiden chuckled in disbelief. "The woman is just jealous. We all know who truly cared about the old man and who did not. And I¡¯m sure Master Shen saw that."


    "You don¡¯t seem surprised about the will, Aiden. You knew about this too?"


    Aiden had the grace to fall silent, the weight of the situation settling over him like a heavy nket.


    Athena shook her head and turned her face toward the pulpit. "And here I am, thinking you were a closer pal."


    He opened his mouth to speak, but the overall aura emanating from her gave him no chance. Instead, he inhaled in resignation, bracing himself for another round of silent treatment from her.


    Fifteen minutester, the service concluded, and everyone gathered on the terrace to eat, drink, and talk¡ªwell, everyone except Aiden and Athena, who stood side by side in tense silence.


    Aiden broke the ice first when he spotted a familiar face in the crowd. "I want to go over to greet someone..."


    "Sure. Knock yourself out," Athena interrupted, nonchntly picking up a cocktail from a tray gracefully passing by.


    Aiden sighed again, hesitating as he wanted to say something to ease the tension but ultimately decided to let it go. Having known Athena for a while, he understood the best course of action was to let her cool off.


    Watching Aiden saunter off to chat with his friends at the after-party, Athena clucked her tongue, shaking her head dramatically. Aiden was really something else.


    She was about to venture off for her own meet and greet¡ªseeing that the people were watching her, wondering if it was the best idea to approach her, for Aiden¡¯s presence had cushioned the celebrity effect¡ªwhen she caught a glimpse of a familiar face in a dash of ck.


    It was so sudden that the drink she was holding fell to the ground, sttering on the shoes of a nearby couple. She muttered an apology to them before hurriedly making her way toward the spot where she had seen the woman.


    Heronica.


    Athena was sure of it.


    The gang had followed her here.


    She darted a nce behind her to see Aiden still engaged in conversation andughter with his friend. And that made the decision for her.


    She hurried after the blur of ck into another vast area of a field that was quiet and vacant. Her senses heightened as she scanned her surroundings, her instincts kicking in for signs of danger.


    Her brows furrowed when she found no one in sight. A fleeting thought crossed her mind¡ªwhat if she was wrong?


    But just as she was about to turn back, her eyes caught sight of a narrow grassy passageway leading away from that area.


    Athena didn¡¯t know where it led, but adrenaline coursed through her as she took the risk. She sprinted down the narrow way, her heart pounding as she nced around at intervals, her instincts on high alert.


    Up ahead, she saw the dash of ck overalls once more and quickened her pace, bursting into another open field¡ªbut thedy had vanished.


    Athena kicked the air angrily. But when she turned to return to the party, ready to ept defeat, she suddenly found herself face-to-face with a gun in Heronica¡¯s hands.


    This time, the woman sported a blond wig and wore a Chinese ck coat over a red blouse, paired with ck leggings and ankle boots.


    Quite functional, Athena thought to herself, quelling the rising panic within her.


    "I can just shoot you now, thickhead, for all the troubles you have caused me and my family..." Heronica sneered, the gun pointed directly at her.


    "You mean the gang?" Athena asked, attempting to make small talk, searching for a way to distract the woman while calcting the angle of the gun¡¯s projection against her.


    "Of course, I¡¯m talking about the gang. They are the only family I¡¯ve got," Heronica replied, her voice dripping with contempt.


    Athena managed a soft chuckle that belied her pounding nervous heart. "That¡¯s one hell of a family you¡¯ve got. What are you doing here?"


    "To follow you," Heronica snapped, tightening her grip on the gun.


    "I would love to put a bullet in your head, but that¡¯s not the order."

 Chapter 177: Subduing Criminals

    <h4>Chapter 177: Subduing Criminals</h4>


    That order was stupid, Athena thought.


    If she were in the gang, she would have shot the target and med it on an ident. But the gang members were loyal to a fault.


    Still...


    "So, what are you going to do now? Walk away? That seems like cowardice?" Athena asked, flexing her fingers as if warming up for a fight.


    "Careful, Doctor Athena. I might not have been given the order to kill you, but it doesn¡¯t say anything about maiming you. I¡¯m the one with the gun here." Heronica¡¯s voice dripped with arrogance.


    Athenaughed, a sound that was both startling and cold, before a chilling glint settled in her eyes.


    "Not for so long..." She muttered, her instincts kicking into high gear as she deftly lunged forward, grabbing Heronica¡¯s wrists in a swift motion.


    In one fluid movement, she pulled the woman toward her, twisting her body around so her back was now to Heronica¡¯s front.


    With a sudden, sharp tug, Athena disarmed her opponent, the gun slipping from Heronica¡¯s grasp and into her own deft hands.


    "Who¡¯s holding the gun now?" Athena questioned, her voice steady as she aimed the weapon at Heronica, who stood there, bewildered, her bravado shattered by the rapid shift in power.


    "You..." Heronica stuttered, her confidence evaporating as she began to sweat, the cold glint in Athena¡¯s eyes amplifying her panic. "How did..."


    Athena, noting the silencer attached to the gun, thoughtfully clocked it in ce. Without hesitation, she shot the weapon less than a foot away from Heronica¡¯s foot.


    The loud bang echoed in the clearing, and the criminal jumped in fright, any remnant of her earlier bravado instantly dissipating.


    Athena chuckled softly, savoring the moment. "Not so tough, are we?"


    She paused, gesturing to the grassy ground. "Take a seat. Let¡¯s have a talk before I let my men take you away for questioning."


    With a reluctant nod, Heronicaplied, her eyes darting around the area as if searching for an escape.


    "What¡¯s the current n of the gang?" Athena asked, keeping the gun steady and trained on Heronica.


    Heronica shrugged, trying to y it cool despite the situation. "What else? To frustrate you at every turn, of course."


    Athena nodded, her mind racing. "Quite understandable. So, in what ways?"


    "In every way... the children, your practice, your ex-husband¡ªeverything!"


    Athena furrowed her brows, mentally recalcting the positions of everything that Heronica had just listed.


    The children were safe with Old Mr. Thorne. Gianna was with them too, given that they were on an extended holiday leave.


    The Whitman¡¯s hospital wasrger and more fortified than the gang, so it couldn¡¯t really be affected¡ªunless Heronica was talking about her privateb.


    Athena¡¯s brows knitted tighter. But theb was in a secret location. She had sensed she was being watched for a while, but she hadn¡¯t thought they would be able to discover the location. Even if they had uncovered it, they wouldn¡¯t be able to ess it; the doors only opened to her. And then there was Ewan...


    She pressed her lips together, considering that he was with Sandro. He had finally regained consciousness two days ago, even though his eyes had remained closed¡ªHe had murmured her name one night while she¡¯d been working in the drugb for the Grey disease.


    Immediately, at the early hour of three a.m., she had called Aiden to transport him to Sandro¡¯s house, providing Sandro with the necessary drugs to keep Ewan stable.


    She has done her work, and wasn¡¯t up for the mushy stuff that might arise when he opened his eyes, neither could she allow him to see her privateb.


    So, as far as she was concerned, there was no way the gang would have known about Ewan¡¯s whereabouts; Aiden wasn¡¯t a spy, and neither was Sandro.


    Looking down at Heronica, Athena felt a sense of conviction. Thetter was just bluffing. If anything, the gang was the one in the dark about what was going on around them.


    With a smooth motion, she pulled out her phone from her trench coat with her left hand while still keeping the gun pointed at Heronica.


    "Come to..." She rattled off the location to Aiden with urgency. "And be fast!"


    When she returned her attention to Heronica, she noticed the other woman smirking, a hint of malice in her gaze.


    "You are really going to regret a lot of things in theing days. I just wish I could see your face when it starts to happen..."


    But Athena¡¯s focus shifted as she caught a fleeting side nce from Heronica to someone lurking right behind her.


    Instinctively, she inhaled deeply, allowing her senses to sharpen, just like Master Shen had taught her.


    When she heard the swooshing sound behind her, Athena sidestepped with agile grace, releasing a gunshot without even glimpsing her attacker¡¯s face¡ªpartly as a precaution and partly to hurry Aiden along.


    When she regained her bnce, she was met by the sight of an unfamiliar male holding a nk of wood, shock painted across his features.


    "You don¡¯t have a gun?" She teased him, watching as he gasped in pain from the gunshot wound to the side of his belly.


    "Don¡¯t worry, you won¡¯t die. I know what I¡¯m doing," She said, blowing away the smoke from the gun, a sly grin on her face. "Now, we¡¯ll wait like obedient children for my partner¡ªunless one of you is ready to kick life goodbye."


    Heronicaughed, a sound devoid of real fear. "You think we are afraid of death?"


    Athena remained silent at that, stepping farther away from the couple.


    "Didn¡¯t yourst experience with ourst agent teach you something?"


    Athena scoffed, recalling the suicide bomber they had encountered. "It did teach me, really." Suddenly, her voice became more serious. "But if you were going to kill yourself, you would have done that already. Admit it, Heronica, the time is up."


    Heronica¡¯s jaw ckened, a flicker of surprise crossing her features, clearly not expecting Athena to remember her name.


    "Oh, and how is your brother? Did he survive the st?"


    Heronica¡¯s expression shifted as she gritted her teeth, bolting upright as if an animal cornered.


    In an act of desperation, she tried barreling into Athena, but thetter was far too quick. Athena sidestepped the attack effortlessly and shot Heronica in the leg.


    "Now, take a seat, honey," Athenamanded, her tone firm and unyielding.

 Chapter 178: Subduing Criminals II

    <h4>Chapter 178: Subduing Criminals II</h4>


    Aiden arrived four minutester, his breathless form standing beside Athena, who still had the gun trained on Heronica and Cole¡ªshe had finally pried thetter¡¯s name from his mouth by kicking his wounds.


    A hint of amusement danced in her eyes as she nced at Aiden.


    "Wow..." He muttered, taking in the scene unfolding before him.


    "You sure took your time..." Athena mused, dropping her hand to her side, flexing her fingers to ease the growing ache that had begun there. She knew Aiden was here now, and with him, the situation was bound to remain in their favor.


    "Four minutes out, Athena," Aiden stated, his toneced with concern. "I had to run here. Who are these people? Old rivals?"


    Athena¡¯s smile twisted, a mixture of amusement and venom on her face. "You wish."


    She shifted her aim to Heronica first, her eyes never leaving the gang member¡¯s face. "This is Heronica. She is part of the gang. The one who donned the features of an old woman to trick me into captivity, the one who cut my thighs, smiling as I shouted in pain..."


    Athena¡¯s smile grew, her eyes shing with a cold intensity. "You are really going to pay for that. I¡¯ll make sure of it."


    Heronica¡¯s face remained impassive, her lips pressed tightly together as a response.


    Beside Athena, Aiden¡¯s expression darkened. "And who is that?" He asked, his voice gruff with tension. He took a step forward, his eyes scanning the area before refocusing on Athena.


    "That¡¯s Cole. A colleague of hers. They were here to spy on me, have been tailing me since..." She shrugged her shoulders. "I don¡¯t even know. It means they must have put a tail on the kids and some we don¡¯t even know about."


    Aiden¡¯s jaw clenched, his hand dipping into the left pocket of his coat¡¯s inner lining, producing a familiar pistol. He aimed it at the two gang members with his left hand, using his right to pull out his phone and dial a number.


    "Get here soon. I¡¯m sending you an address." His fingers flew across the screen as he typed out a swift message.


    When he finished, he nced at Athena, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "Why didn¡¯t you tell me you had seen her before pursuing her, what if something had happened?"


    Athena¡¯s face scrunched up, a look of apology on her face. "You were busy meeting and greeting. There was no time to inform you. It was a split-second decision."


    Aiden sighed, choosing not to pursue the topic further.


    Athena, on the other hand, let her eyes linger on Heronica¡ªwhose eyes kept darting around the field¡ªa cold glint in her gaze. "Don¡¯t even bother straining your eyes looking for help. You are ours now. Too bad, you hadn¡¯t anticipated us catching up to you. Too bad there¡¯s no..."


    She hesitated for a moment, recalling the specifics of the conversation she had with Master Shen. "No ¡¯Nightshade¡¯ in your mouths. You two are here to stay." She chuckled, a hint of cruelty in her tone.


    As sheughed, Heronica¡¯s eyes darted frantically around the area, her expression shifting from defiance to panic.


    "You don¡¯t know what¡¯sing for you," Cole growled, a snarl on his lips.


    Athena¡¯s gaze locked onto him, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Oh, big man, just bother about yourself first and what¡¯sing for you and your girlfriend."


    Aiden¡¯s voice cut through the air, a warning tone to stop Cole¡¯s rant. "Listen to thedy."


    Five minutester, a van pulled up on the other side of the greenery, its engine rumbling softly.


    Aiden hurried over to the rusted gate, which he knew hadn¡¯t been used in years, and let it swing open, after handing Athena his pistol to add to the one she was still aiming at the criminals.


    Without a word spoken, safe for a greeting to Athena, the two agents who had emerged from the van walked up to Heronica and Cole, binding their hands and feet with the electric ve cuffs. They then dragged the two gang members into the van without hesitation.


    As they shut the van¡¯s back door, one of the agents turned to Aiden. "Where should we keep them?"


    Aiden¡¯s expression remained neutral. "In safe containment two. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll find better use there."


    The agent nodded, and Aiden turned away from them to Athena. "Since that¡¯s been taken care of, let¡¯s head over to Master Shen¡¯s private residence. They¡¯re looking for you."


    ___


    In the living room of Master Shen¡¯s private residence, a flurry of unexpected faces greeted Athena: Master Shen¡¯s wife, his five children - two boys and three girls - awyer, and ten more individuals she had never seen before.


    Athena¡¯s eyes scanned the room, taking in the ten unfamiliar faces. "Who are they?" She whispered to Aiden, her voice barely audible.


    Aiden¡¯s expression remained neutral, his eyes scanning the room as well. "They¡¯re his closest rtives. I don¡¯t know why they¡¯re here."


    As they walked towards an empty two-seater sofa, Aiden whispered, "We should tread carefully. There¡¯s something off about this gathering."


    Athena nodded, her eyes still scanning the room.


    "Wee, Athena and Aiden. We¡¯ve been waiting for you two for a while," Master Shen¡¯s wife said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.


    Athena¡¯s lips twisted into a polite smile. "Apologies for that. I had some business to take care of." She sped her hands together. "Can you get us the will, please? We have somewhere to be."


    Master Shen¡¯s wife scoffed, her eyes shing with annoyance. "Such rudeness. Late, and still making demands."


    Athena remained unfazed, her gaze never leaving thewyer.


    "As you wish, Athena." Thewyer smiled, a soft, reassuring smile, before opening the briefcase in front of him. He brought out a single sheet of white A4 paper,pletely nk on the back side.


    The room fell silent, the faces of the gathered individuals exchanging confused nces.


    "Shouldn¡¯t there be more pages?" Master Shen¡¯s son asked, a look of disappointment on his face.


    Athena and Aiden shared a nce, their expressions mirroring each other¡¯s confusion. What was Master Shen trying to aplish?


    Thewyer swallowed¡ªsignalling Athena that something huge was about to drop¡ªcleared his throat, took a deep breath before beginning his reading.


    "To everyone present for this will reading, know that I respect you and, of course, love you all, from the depth of my heart. And for that, I hope you respect my wishes for how my properties will be shared, without making a fuss."


    A pause.


    "...the academy, which is so dear to me, will be managed by my daughter Athena Caddels, and my young friend, Aiden Hunt."

 Chapter 179: The Will

    <h4>Chapter 179: The Will</h4>


    A thick silence nketed the room after thewyer¡¯s read, leaving the everyone in stunned stillness.


    Thewyer looking to be in his early forties paused, ncing curiously at the assembled guests, uncertain about how to continue.


    Then Mrs. Shen erupted, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "What nonsense!" She shouted, her fists pounding against her thighs in outrage. "I have no daughter named Athena. And I¡¯m sure he didn¡¯t impregnate any idiot outside!"


    But you did, Athena thought bitterly, a sharp edge of truth underlying her silence. Mrs. Shen had taken many lovers during her husband¡¯s frequent absences, seeking sce in the arms of others whenever Mr. Shen was called away for work.


    Athena had never disclosed this scandalous affair to her dear master, but she suspected he was painfully aware of his wife¡¯s indiscretions¡ªa situation that had onlye to a halt after a car ident left her with ugly scars that marred her face.


    "I¡¯m sure we all know the Athena being mentioned here is Doctor Athena," Thewyer replied, his tone both calm and authoritative.


    "To be honest, I don¡¯t think any of you should be surprised by this. Over the years, none of you have demonstrated any keen interest in the affairs of the academy; only in the money and fame that apanied it." He set the document aside momentarily to push back against the rising tide of discontent.


    "If we can be truthful with ourselves," He continued, "we would all agree that Athena and her friend, Aiden, are the best candidates to take care of the academy."


    Athena shared a nce with Aiden, both of them silently questioning thewyer¡¯s assertion. How could they possibly run an academy when they had moved from this county to the next?


    Athena was about to voice her concerns when another outburst from Mrs. Shen interrupted her.


    "Well, I don¡¯t agree, Mason!" She spat, her face flushed with indignation. "That old pig should have known better! He should know that family business stays in the family!"


    "No foulnguage against the dead, Mrs. Shen!" Mason shot back, his voice firm as he leveled a withering re at her. "I suggest you respect Mr. Shen¡¯s dying wishes, or I will personally walk you out of here!"


    Mrs. Shen¡¯s incredulous eyes widened further, taken aback by thewyer¡¯s audacity. "How dare..."


    But before she could escte her outrage, her third daughter, Hua, ced a calming hand on her mother¡¯s arm, silencing her. "Stop, mother. He isn¡¯t done reading the will. Let¡¯s wait until we hear the rest."


    Mrs. Shen fumed, gripping her knee tightly, but she fell silent, frustration radiating off her like heat.


    "Thanks, Hua, for calming your mother..." Thewyer acknowledged, receiving only a forced smile in return.


    He cleared his throat and resumed reading the will, his voice steady and measured. "For the money and property, I have worked diligently with my attorney to pay off my debts and calcte the entirety of myworth, including savings and investments across multiple sectors, all umting under a tag of one hundred percent."


    He paused for a moment, letting that sink in. "Each of my children will receive ten percent of these total collections, and I hope you use it wisely. Mason will provide each of you with the working amountster. You¡¯ll also find a second document detailing the specifics of the ten percent."


    Mrs. Shen adjusted her posture, a glimmer of hope creeping into her expression as she leaned slightly forward, eagerly expectant.


    "However, for the remaining fifty percent..." Mason continued, ncing over the gathered crowd.


    "Fifteen percent goes to Aiden Hunt for his cherished friendship over the years. Another fifteen percent goes to Athena Caddels for being the best daughter a man could ever have, despite the limited time we shared together. The remaining twenty percent goes to her twins, Kathleen and Nathaniel Caddels¡ªthe bundles of joy in theter years of my life."


    As his words hung in the air, Mrs. Shen¡¯s face fell, her eyes darting between thewyer and the paper as if she were losing her mind trying toprehend the unfolding situation. What about her?


    A low murmur rippled through the rtives, who had all anticipated their names appearing on the will.


    Mrs. Shen¡¯s protests bubbled up, but Mason¡¯s voice cut through again. "The money in my two Swiss ounts is not listed here, and that¡¯s because they are..."


    "For me!" Mrs. Shen interrupted, pointing at herself, a self-satisfied grin spreading on her face.


    Surely, she thought, there was no one else deserving of that honor. She shook her head, the disbelief painted all over her features giving way to relief, having almost convinced herself that her husband had really left her with nothing.


    However, Mason threw her a sidelong nce, one that was equal parts bemusement and pity.


    "The money in the first Swiss ount is for the running of the academy. Athena and Aiden will manage that," He exined, his tone unchanged. "The second ount is specifically allocated for the charities I support. Mason will supervise that. He is a trustedpanion."


    Athena felt a swell of amusement wash over her. Of course, he knew. It was the only exnation for why he had left nothing for his wife.


    She watched as Mrs. Shen struggled to grasp the reality crashing down around her, shaking her head in disbelief, her hand pressed against her chest as if trying to soothe the shocking revtion.


    "It¡¯s not possible," The woman muttered, her voice a mix of awe and desperation. "Shen wouldn¡¯t leave me empty-handed!"


    Thewyer cleared his throat, regaining everyone¡¯s attention as he continued reading.


    Mrs. Shen perked up once more, her gaze filled with tentative hope.


    "And for my dear wife, whom I have lovedpassionately since we got married in our youth, I leave her with her clothes and jewelry. I think that¡¯s the best I can do for a woman who spent more than half her marital life cheating on me with different men while I was away. Even going as far asmitting three abortions. The slut forgot I am connected to almost every person in our city."


    Silence reigned as the impact of the words settled over the room, heavy and suffocating.


    "She can sell the clothes and jewelry and use the money to feed herself. But," Mason continued sharply, his voice unwavering, "this is only under the condition she signs the divorce papers, which I signed prior to my death. This will relinquish her use of my name as well. Already, her ounts have been blocked..."

 Chapter 180: The Will II

    <h4>Chapter 180: The Will II</h4>


    "This must be a joke! Hand me that paper, you ipetentwyer!" Mrs. Chen screamed, vaulting off the sofa with a surprising burst of energy that even caught Athena off guard.


    The woman charged toward Mason, who stood his ground, seemingly unfazed by the chaos spiraling around him, by the thick cloud of whispers and gasps enveloping the room.


    "So, he knew of her habits all along. Here I was, thinking he was blissfully unaware, thinking him foolish for catering to her every whim. In the end, he had thestugh. In the end, he won." One of the rtives spoke, his voice tainted with both pity and disdain.


    "¡¯Won? I don¡¯t think so," Another rtive countered quietly, crossing his arms. "It¡¯s possible the cause of his heart attacks was witnessing his wife¡¯s escapades firsthand. He must have hired a private investigator to tail her. I think he should have divorced her long ago and found peace elsewhere."


    "Do you really think that would have brought him peace?" A rtive shot back, her brow furrowed. "This woman is a nightmare. Perhaps he orchestrated everything just so he could escape into the afterlife before she inflicted any more chaos."


    "But even though I¡¯m not happy that he left me with nothing..." The next rtive started, shrugging his shoulders, "I can¡¯t help but respect how patient he was. How did he manage to look her in the eyes and smile after everything? And what about their children? Do you think they¡¯re aware of any of this?"


    "Of course they are! They¡¯re just like their mother!" One retorted.


    Athena turned her gaze then to Master Shen¡¯s children, noticing that only Hua, the youngest, seemed shocked by the mention of their mother¡¯s infidelities.


    "Poor child," She thought, shaking her head in sympathy.


    "Stop dwelling on them and focus on how you n to run the academy without being present," Aiden whispered, pulling her back to the moment.


    Athena shrugged off her difort and turned her attention back to thewyer, who remained unppable in the storm of Mrs. Chen¡¯s fury.


    "Give me the paper!" The woman nearly howled.


    "I¡¯m sorry, but I cannot do that," Mason replied calmly. "I suggest you return to your seat so I can finish reading."


    "Damn your reading! Let me see it! How dare you use me of cheating on my husband?!" Mrs. Shen paid no mind to the gasps and snickers spiraling around her; her greed for an inheritance rendered her shameless.


    "Really? Because the next statement in the will provides a solution to that..." Mason continued, eyeing her coolly as he returned to the document.


    Mrs. Shen bit down on her lip, a flicker of uncertainty washing over her face. She held her breath as Mason progressed through the will, his tone neutral as he delivered the shocking revtions.


    "If she proves stubborn, the evidence of her adultery is in my personal files... Mason, you know what to do with them." With that, he closed the will with an air of finality. "Adieu, my lovely people. See you all in heaven if you make it."


    A quiet chuckle escaped Athena¡¯s lips at the Master Shen¡¯s closing remark delivered perfectly by thewyer, igniting an inferno of rage in Mrs. Shen.


    "What¡¯s funny, you leech?!" She barked, venomcing her words.


    Athena met her gaze with indifference before rising from her seat. Aiden mirrored her movements, standing with an air of resolve.


    "Email me the documents, Mason," Athena said, her voice firm. "I don¡¯t think I can wait around any longer. I have somewhere to be."


    Mason nodded, his smile quickly fading when Mrs. Shen suddenly lunged for the document, tearing it into shreds. Gasps filled the air, stark and sharp.


    "What the hell, Mom?!" Yue, her second daughter, shouted in disbelief. Content with her inheritance, she didn¡¯t like her mother¡¯s shamelessness.


    For earlier on, she had resigned herself to not expecting anything from her father after her recent indiscretion; running off with her boyfriend against her father¡¯s wishes.


    "Oh, don¡¯t worry, Miss Yue," Mason assured, opening his briefcase. "I have copies."


    He pulled out more photocopies of the will. "Everyone gets one. As for the second document, please meet me in my office to collect it."


    Mason stood up, casually cing the copies on the table.


    Mrs. Shen was left in a state of shock, the realization settling over her like a cold nket. Her game was up. She had thought herself clever, but now the facade was shattered. How could she relinquish the Shen name? That name was worth more than millions of dors!


    As the rtives collected their copies, Mason took his leave, the weight of the moment palpable in the air.


    Athena and Aiden began to follow him out, but Bolin, Mr. Shen¡¯s first son, called out, his voiceced with fury. "You took the inheritance that belongs to my siblings and me! You..."


    Athena scoffed and continued walking, Aiden following closely behind, leaving Bolin speechless, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.


    One by one, the rtives departed the living room, silence enveloping the once-chaotic space.


    "Mom, did you reallymit adultery?" Hua probed, her expression a mix of rage and desperation.


    "Of course not..." Mrs. Shen replied, turning to her favorite daughter; but Bolin scoffed in disbelief.


    "Stop the charade, Mother. We all knew but chose to keep it from Dad because we didn¡¯t want a broken family. It seems he was sharper than we gave him credit for. It¡¯s just a shame he left everything to outsiders instead of his own kin."


    But Yue stood, her face set in determination. "It¡¯s as thewyer said; let¡¯s be truthful. Dad was fair with his will. None of us are truly entitled to his money. If anything, he showed us mercy."


    "Get out of here, you bastard!" Bolin roared, his face contorted with rage.


    "Already on my way," Yue retorted, marching out of the house.


    Hua followed her sister, casting a final nce over her shoulder, leaving Bolin seething, fists clenched at his sides. He vowed to ensure that no outsider would ever enjoy his inheritance.


    Athena must return them all!


    Meanwhile, Athena and Aiden were already on their way to the headquarters. They had some criminals to interrogate after all.

 Chapter 181: At The Headquarters

    <h4>Chapter 181: At The Headquarters</h4>


    Athena and Aiden pulled into the parking lot of The Hidden Spoon, a run-down restaurant that stood on the outskirts of the busy city. The sign swungzily in the breeze, flickering between "Open" and "Closed" as if uncertain of its identity.


    Athena squinted at the peeling paint and cracked windows, a frown creasing her brow. "Why hasn¡¯t the organization refurbished this ce?" She mused aloud. "It looks like it hasn¡¯t seen a paintbrush since thete ¡¯90s."


    Aiden shrugged, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "All the money goes into the operations, not the decor. Besides, it blends in. No one would suspect this ce is a front."


    "That¡¯s true," Athena admitted, rolling her eyes. "But a little maintenance wouldn¡¯t hurt."


    They stepped inside, and the musty smell of fried food filled the air. The diner was nearly empty, with a few patrons scattered around booths, lost in their conversations or scrolling through their phones.


    A waitress with oversized sses ambled over, oblivious to the intentions of Athena and Aiden.


    "Table for two?" She asked, eyeing them suspiciously.


    "Just passing through," Athena replied, her gaze fixed on the waiter meaningfully.


    The waiter looked at them, more intensely this time around, and when she was satisfied they knew what they were talking about, she gestured to the door at the far end of the restaurant.


    "You will find what you are looking for, over there."


    Athena and Aiden nodded their thanks, before making their way to the door which led to the storage area.


    Athena pushed it open, revealing a narrow hallway lined with boxes of supplies. Dust floatedzily in the dim light, and the sound of clinking metal echoed from inside the storage room.


    "Here," Aiden said, spotting the old elevator. He stepped inside and gestured for Athena to follow.


    "I guess we¡¯re taking the elevator?" Athena raised an eyebrow. It felt out of ce in the dpidated setting.


    "Of course. Do you want to take the stairs?"


    Athena huffed, but said nothing.


    She rather joined Aiden in the elevator.


    The elevator doors closed with a shuddering ng, and the elevator creaked as it descended.


    Athena leaned against the wall, contemting the odd juxtaposition of the grimy restaurant above and the mysterious organization below. "What do you think we¡¯ll find down there?" She asked. "Do you think the director has started interrogating Heronica?"


    "I don¡¯t know. But I¡¯m really hoping for answers today. We really need to figure out what¡¯s going on with the gang," Aiden replied, his tone serious.


    The elevator finally came to a jarring stop, and the doors slid open to reveal a different world.


    The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, illuminating a vast, steelden corridor bustling with activity. Young agents rushed past, their expressions focused as they carried files and portable devices. The air buzzed with urgency, and the faint hum ofputers filled the space.


    "Wee to Nimbus Operations," Aiden said with a smirk, flinging his arms wide, as he stepped out into the chaos.


    The walls were lined with monitors disying multiple feeds of surveince, crime reports, and live data analytics. Rows ofputers upied the desks, each manned by operatives d in tactical gear, typing furiously or speaking into headsets.


    Athena stood captivated, her eyes darting from one screen to another. A digital map of the city glowed on the wall, pinpointing locations of recent criminal activity. "This ce is incredible," She whispered, momentarily forgetting their mission. "You didn¡¯t tell me there have been an upgrade."


    "I did mention it, before we entered the restaurant...But it gets better," Aiden said, leading her deeper into the maze of technology and intelligence.


    They approached a sleek ss office where an official in a dark suit was engaged in a conversation over the phone.


    "Director Alvarez will meet with you shortly," A technician said, motioning for them to wait. "He just needs to finish up this call."


    While they waited, Athena and Aiden observed the agents around them, agents who were also giving them subtle nces.


    Some were dressed in business casual, while others looked more like soldiers, equipped with tactical gear. A diverse group, they shared themon goal of keeping the organization running smoothly.


    "Do you think they know what¡¯s happening with the gang?" Athena asked, keeping her voice low. "With the equipment I¡¯m seeing, they should!"


    Aiden shrugged. "They might have intel but don¡¯t always share it. It all depends on the urgency and hierarchy. You know how it goes in this organization."


    "But we are high up, Aiden." Athena countered, watching as a particr agent approached them. A familiar male agent.


    "See what the lion brought in! As I live and breath, Athena Caddels!"


    Athena chuckled, as she weed the hug of an old partner. "How are you doing, Rick?"


    "I¡¯m okay. I¡¯m surprised you remembered to visit us today. I would have thought you had forgotten us if you didn¡¯t ask for our help a few months back." Rick spoke, disengaging from the hug, and shaking Aiden¡¯s hands smartly.


    Athenaughed. "Motherhood is demanding, that¡¯s all. Where is everyone? I¡¯m seeing new faces everywhere..."


    Rick turned around, chuckling when he saw they were the center of attention. "Everyone, this is the infamous Athena Caddels. A bad-ass in every field she is."


    Shock rippled through the faces of the agents, and murmurs broke out amongst them.


    But Rick was already talking to Athena again. "The old members were sent to develop new branches all over the world. You know how it is. You are here to see the director?"


    "Yeah, that. We are also here for the criminals we brought in."


    Rick nodded. "Yeah, I saw them." He looked into the office. "It seems Director is ready to see you two. I¡¯ll see youter?"


    Athena nodded, before turning away.


    "You know, he still has a crush on you..." Aiden started, after Rick left them. "I¡¯m sure he¡¯s running off to smooth his hair with gel, like before..."


    Athena rolled her eyes. "Not this again, Aiden." She muttered, and walked into the office.

 Chapter 182: At The Headquarters II

    <h4>Chapter 182: At The Headquarters II</h4>


    When Athena walked into the office followed by Aiden, Director Alvarez was on another call.


    Seizing the opportunity, Athena took a moment to scan the upgrades that had transformed this once-drab office into something impressive.


    Therge wooden oak table stood out, a far cry from the flimsy, non-quality pieces they had used before. Instead of a ceiling fan, a sleek air conditioning unit hummed in the background, keeping the room at afortable temperature.


    Cabs lined the walls, functional and neatly organized, while plush seats providedfort for long meetings. In one corner, a running mill and weights were stashed alongside freshlyundered towels, hinting at a more health-conscious atmosphere.


    <i>The organization is really seeing a lot of money now</i>. Athena thought, genuinely happy for the progress. It surely made the work easier for everyone. Maybe if they had this upgrade years ago, they would have conquered their challenges much sooner.


    Her eyes drifted over to the director, who stood near one of the ss walls, speaking politely into the phone. He looked like a submissive rat, a striking contrast to the assertive figure she remembered.


    Athena¡¯s brow furrowed. <i>When did he start acting this way? </i>The director had always been the epitome of determination, eager to do justice and relentless in his pursuits. Now, he seemed subdued, almost timid.


    She would have said that perhaps old age had humbled him, but he was only about forty-five years old¡ªnot old at all.


    "Should we take a seat?" She whispered to Aiden, who was still observing the director.


    "I don¡¯t know," Aiden replied, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "He could be in one of his moods and bark if we do that..."


    Athena¡¯s eyes widened slightly in disbelief, recalling when such worries had been nonexistent. They hadughed, danced, and even celebrated victories in this very room. Why the sudden strictness toward Aiden, one of the founders of the organization?


    "Aiden, we are higher-ups! Did you forget?" She pressed.


    He shook his head. "I didn¡¯t forget, but things have changed around here¡ªespecially the director."


    <i>Was it because of the money entering?</i> Athena pondered. Were external influences affecting their operations now?


    If not, why wasn¡¯t the director investing in stopping the artificially-created disease that threatened their city? She huffed and walked to the nearest plush seat, plopping down with annoyance and defiance.


    Aiden¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line as he noticed that Director Alvarez had instantly turned at the sound of fabric against the leather of the expensive chair; as he noticed that the director¡¯s scowl deepened when he saw Athena sitting without his permission.


    Seeking to provoke then, Aiden walked gantly over to a seat beside Athena and sat down with purpose. Athena chuckled softly, amused by the budding tension.


    "Did something crawl up your butt, old man?" She teased.


    Aiden tsked, shaking his head. "I just hate whatever happened to the director. It¡¯s like the money came, and he forgot his roots."


    Just then, Director Alvarez ended his call, setting the phone down on the table with a gentle thud. He nced at the two of them, a mix of irritation and surprise evident on his face.


    "Yeah, long time no see, Athena," He said, a strange smile curling across his lips. He extended his hand to greet her. "You always make an entrance. I knew after seeing those criminals that I would be seeing you again. Will this be a regr urrence?"


    Athena smiled and shook her head. "I hope not. You¡¯ll tire of me too easily, Director."


    Alvarezughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll ever bore me, Athena. Wee back."


    He then turned to Aiden and gave him a warm handshake. "Wee, old friend. Thank you for finally capturing those criminals. We haven¡¯t had the privilege of keeping one alive while they talk, for quite some time."


    The three shared augh that momentarily broke the tension in the room.


    "My pleasure, Director Alvarez. Have they started speaking?" Aiden asked, leaning forward in his seat, his body tense with anticipation.


    Alvarez sighed wearily as he settled into his own chair. "Not at all. They¡¯re incredibly tight-lipped. But I¡¯m sure that will change soon with you two here. After all, they are your catch."


    "So, before we dive into the interrogation, is there anything we should know about the gang? With all these equipment upgrades, surely something can be organized." Athena asked, sping her hands on her thighs.


    Alvarez paused, his lips pursed, as he weighed his response. "Sadly, that¡¯s not the case. The intel you¡¯ve received is the current status of things on the ground. This gang is slippery as a snake. With our upgrades came their own advancements."


    Athena nodded, a cold glint in her eyes. "Alright then. We¡¯re ready to interrogate the criminals now."


    Immediately, Alvarez led them to Containment Area Two¡ªan austere and sterile room lined with reinforced ss walls and thick metal doors. A heavy guard stood watch outside as they approached therge entry.


    "Heronica and Cole are in here," Alvarez exined, his voice firm. "Make sure they talk, by any means necessary. I¡¯ll see you two back at the office."


    With those words, the two agents entered the interrogation room.


    Athena smirked upon spotting the two criminals seated at a metal table, their hands and legs shackled with heavy metal bracelets.


    Cole¡¯s hard expression met her gaze, but a flicker of anxiety haunted the corner of his eyes. Next to him, Heronica sat defiantly, dark hair falling over one eye like a curtain shielding her from vulnerability.


    "Do you really think you can make us talk?" Heronica challenged, noticing Athena¡¯s almost yful smirk. "You¡¯ll need more than threats to get anything out of us."


    Athena shot Aiden a quick look, an unspoken understanding passing between them.


    "Of course, Heronica. We¡¯re not here to y games," Athena said, stepping forward confidently.


    Without hesitation, Aiden crossed the room, closing the distance in an instant. He delivered a sharp punch across Cole¡¯s face, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet room.


    Cole¡¯s eyes widened in shock, and the pain momentarily stole his breath, but he quickly regained hisposure.


    "Tell us what you know about the gang¡¯s next move," Aiden demanded, his voice low and serious. "Or we can make things a lot more ufortable for you."


    Heronica¡¯sugh was bitter,ced with bravado. "You think we¡¯re scared of a little rough stuff? You don¡¯t know who you¡¯re dealing with." She turned to Cole, who maintained a strange smile. "How do you feel, lover boy?"


    "Never better," He shot back with confidence.


    Athena knew they needed a different approach. She turned to Aiden, a sly smile ying on her lips. "I think you should get the tools. We have some tough ones on our hands."


    Aiden nodded with an agreeing smile and quickly left the room. He returned just three minutester, holding two handheld devices. They resembled a small lie detector but were modified for a more sinister purpose.


    Heronica and Cole exchanged mocking nces, clearly unimpressed by the technology.


    "What nonsense is this? You must really not rate us at all!" Heronica scoffed.


    Athena responded with icy confidence. "Of course I do, which is why I brought this. This device will tell us if you¡¯re lying. And if you lie, you¡¯ll feel about 80 jolts of electricity coursing through your body." She tsked for dramatic effect. "That¡¯s quite deadly, don¡¯t you think?"


    Heronica¡¯s bravado faltered momentarily as the realization dawned on her. "You wouldn¡¯t dare. You need us alive to make a bargain!"


    "Try us," Aiden replied coldly, his expression unyielding. "We really don¡¯t need you. You see..." He paused, walking toward them with the device. "The gang is not really sovereign. That¡¯s just an illusion. You will understand soon."


    Heronica and Cole exchange curious nces. What the hell?!


    They gritted their teeth, when Aiden strapped the device to both of them, inhaling sharply once the device was activated¡ªit hummed with electricity, sending a wave of intimidation through the air.


    Athena leaned forward, her voice steady andmanding. "Who sent you to kill me years ago? Who sent you now?"


    The two criminals stared back, unwilling to divulge any information.


    "Your mother, bitch!" Heronica finally spoke, screaming in mighty pain the next second when the bolts of electricity zapped through her.


    "Heronica!!" Cole shouted, when Heronica¡¯s head fell loosely by the side.


    "Heronica!!!" He screamed the more, but Heronica gave no reply.


    So, he turned to Athena and Aiden, who stood watching the spectacle, thoroughly amused.


    Their nonchnt demeanor grated on Cole¡¯s nerves. "You¡¯ve killed her!" He screamed. "Well, you have to kill me too, because I won¡¯t talk!"


    Athena chuckled softly. "All these talks about kill...." She shook her head. "I should probably do that, and send your body parts to Morgan in a box. Your innocent victims over the years deserve that sense of justice at least."


    Cole shuddered before he could help it. Still... "No one is innocent."


    "What is my crime then?" Athena asked, piquing an eyebrow.

 Chapter 183: At The Headquarters III

    <h4>Chapter 183: At The Headquarters III</h4>


    Cole was speechless momentarily at Athena¡¯s question.


    What was her crime? Her crime was disrupting their ns at every turn! Wasn¡¯t that obvious?!


    "Are you speechless now? Tell me, Cole..." Athena continued, stepping closer to the male, who red at her hatefully. "What is my crime?"


    Cole bit his lips. If he dared mention what was on his mind, he might be electrocuted to death like Heronica had been!


    Athena, as if reading his thoughts, smirked devilishly. "Oh, don¡¯t worry, Cole. Your dear Heronica is still alive. Just a bit... burnt on the inside."


    As if on cue, Heronica¡¯s head began to rise from its earlier droopy state.


    Cole¡¯s eyes widened as he watched Heronica struggle to keep her head erect and steady.


    "What...what... happened?" She muttered, her voice barely audible.


    Cole swallowed and looked at Athena.


    "You see, she is alive. Now answer my question."


    Cole took his lips in, but hurriedly opening his mouth when Athena tapped the small ck object in her hand, which could be used to manually electrocute them if they chose to remain silent.


    "Your crime is upsetting my boss. You have given him sleepless nights for the past few weeks. But rest assured, that won¡¯t be the case for long."


    Athena was pleased to hear that Morgan was in a hot seat. "That¡¯s huge talking from someone about to be electrocuted,"


    Cole mped his mouth shut.


    "So, I am guilty of upsetting your boss? That¡¯s a stupid statement. Well, I wouldn¡¯t expect anything less from deranged killers."


    Heronica finally managed to lift her head, her eyes still disoriented, to the amusement of Athena.


    "How do you feel, Heronica?" She asked, gesturing to Aiden to bring one of the metal seats by the door. She would need to sit for this round of interrogation. Aidenplied without hesitation.


    Meanwhile, Heronica finally managed to retain a reasonable steady gaze on Athena, while wondering for the umpteenth time how this woman was able to escape them at every turn.


    She questioned who Athena was even working with. She scanned the cell for the tenth time since being dumped in there, yet she couldn¡¯t decipher which operation ran this unit, because it surely wasn¡¯t the CIA.


    <i>Which operation ran this?</i> Heronica thought, wetting her tongue which had gone dry during the electrocution.


    Heronica didn¡¯t think her boss was unaware of this operation, but he kept most of the information to himself. Their only job was to listen and take his orders. Why wouldn¡¯t they when he had saved their lives from penury and given them a job that paid more than some people¡¯s annual sry?


    "Heronica?"


    "I feel fine, Athena," She muttered, having no choice. When the electricity zapped through her, she thought she had finallynded in hell, considering the pain that hade with it. She didn¡¯t know electricity could be so painfully brutal.


    When she got out of here, she would tell the boss to incorporate it into the torture techniques of the gang. Maybe, if she was lucky, she would be able to use it on Athena.


    Fantasizing about that¡ªabout Athena¡¯s consistent cking out while she tortured her¡ªbrought a stupid smile to her face, one that even surprised her partner, who wondered if she had a way out of here.


    "I see you feel more than fine, Heronica," Athena began, taking a seat. Beside her, Aiden took a seat too and crossed his legs. "So, let¡¯s continue with the questioning. I¡¯d like to believe that you have learned your lesson, huh..."


    Heronica and Cole nodded immediately.


    "Good," Athena said with a smile. "Now answer my first question. Who is really behind my kidnapping? Who wants me dead? I know you people are just the hired guns for the job."


    Cole and Heronica exchanged strange nces. "We don¡¯t know," Heronica finally admitted, sweat beginning to bead on her forehead.


    "Truth," Athena murmured, noticing that there was no electric shock, a tight smile breaking through.


    She looked at Aiden, who shrugged his shoulders. "It would mean there is a limit to the amount of information that Morgan trusts with his people."


    Athena nodded. "I thought it would be different with her. She looked like a high-up in the organization. She and her twin brother."


    Heronica pressed her lips together. She was indeed a higher-up and had often wondered why the boss was so damn secretive. But now, observing her current situation, she admitted that perhaps her boss was right to keep most things to himself. How would she have escaped this unscathed otherwise?


    For had she known and divulged the gang¡¯s secrets to Athena, she would be on the run for her life since the gang wouldn¡¯t let her live either. She would be known as the snitch for the rest of her days! She abhorred that word with everything she had.


    With this knowledge of her uselessness to Athena came a certain reprieve and self-gloat¡ªAthena would have no choice but to trade her back to her boss now. Aha!


    But that rejoicing was short-lived.


    "Since you don¡¯t know who ordered my death, what¡¯s inside those boxes you guys transport every day?" Athena pressed, leaning in closer.


    A thick silence enveloped the room. Heronica was rendered speechless. How did they find out about the boxes?


    Athenaughed, seeing the question on her face. "Do you think you¡¯re the only one good with research?"


    She tsked and shook her head. "After all these years, you still underestimate me. Your loss, though. Now, answer the question. What¡¯s in those boxes?"


    "Just supplies like guns and all. You know how gangs operate," Cole spat defiantly, but the device emitted a low crackle, sending a massive shockwave through him.


    He gasped and grunted in pain, his face writhing and contorting with agony, his hands and feet shaking, his teeth knocking against each other. Beside him, Heronica observed with pursed lips. Did he have a death wish?


    "Not the right answer," Athena corrected, her toneced with subtle amusement. "What kind of supplies?"


    But Heronica remained mute, watching the painful spasms racking Cole¡¯s body.


    "Since the nightshade isn¡¯t avable, do you people want to die through electric voltage?" Athena asked, cocking her head to the side.


    "Because if that¡¯s your choice, I will make sure not to give you a quick, painless death. It will be so slow and torturous that you will keep urinating and shitting yourself, but won¡¯t get cleaned up. You will breathe in your feces, see your life sh before you, but you won¡¯t die. And to make it worse...."


    Athena looked at Aiden knowingly. "We will make cuts in your bodies for..."


    Aiden shed a grin. "More expression of the electricity."

 Chapter 184: At The Headquarters IV

    <h4>Chapter 184: At The Headquarters IV</h4>


    Heronica licked her lower lip in thought, trying to curb the nervousness she was feeling.


    Since she joined the gang, she never thought she would be caught at such a crossroad where she contemted leaking a gang¡¯s secret, one of the few that Morgan had let them in on.


    Slow death or risk Morgan¡¯s wrath? Heronica didn¡¯t even know which was worse. She was caught between the devil and a dark blue sea.


    "What are your ns with us after getting your answers?" She asked finally.


    "Does it matter?" Aiden said, crossing his arms. "You don¡¯t have a choice in this situation, only what you choose in your mind to answer about our questions."


    "And what¡¯s to say that we don¡¯t know what¡¯s in the box already? What if we are just asking this question to gauge how thick-skinned you are against snitching and against electricity? For all you know, we might just be ying games. For all you know, we might know all there is about the gang. Maybe I am just ying with you like you did with me when I was captured. One good turn deserves another, eh..." Athena added, winking at Heronica, who thought Athena was a wicked bitch.


    She kept her thoughts to herself though.


    "So, tell us... what kind of supplies?" Athena asked, piquing an eyebrow.


    Heronica and Cole exchanged daring looks, probably wondering who would out the gang¡¯s secret first, probably wondering if they should believe Athena¡¯s words and risk the gang¡¯s wrath.


    However, when Heronica turned and saw that Athena was about to press the ck object, she suddenly shouted, panic washing over her face. "Virusponents!"


    Another kind of panic, though, mixed with surprise, manifested on her face when she realized what she had just divulged.


    Athena was taken aback, her heart racing, but she skillfully maintained the amused fa?ade, the same as Aiden.


    "What virus?" She pressed casually, ying with the ck object in her hand.


    "Don¡¯t you know already?" Cole muttered bitterly, having not expected thisissez-faire attitude from Athena. It goes to show that their secrets weren¡¯t exactly secrets to the woman who had refused to die! But how did she find out? Did it mean that their location had beenpromised?


    Cole felt restless thinking about this; it would mean that the gang was in danger! If only he could get out of here to warn the others before a tragedy happens! His boss had really underestimated this insane woman!


    "Humor us," Aiden stated, resting his back against the seat.


    "The Grey virus," Cole finally said after some anxious seconds had ticked by.


    Years of trainingmanded Athena and Aiden to remain sitting, without showing any signs of surprise or shock, or even balling their fists in anger at the inhumanity of men. Instead, they nodded their heads slowly, in sync.


    "You both are truthful. Should we get rid of the electric gadgets? Are you two ready to talk without being prodded by electricity?" Athena asked, praising herself for her voice, which still managed to be steady amid the revtion.


    She literally had to stop herself from pping the duo when they nodded their heads fitfully.


    But Athena never nned on getting rid of the gadgets.


    She paused as if contemting, then shook her head. "Let¡¯s try some more truths before we free you both."


    The duo sighed wearily. Even though the lie detector was not shocking them, it still had humming charges at the point sped to their skin, making them ufortable.


    "Tell me more about the Grey virus. When I saw you guys traveling in that ck and white van of yours, away from the hideout, where are you people going?"


    Athena purposely added that information about the white and ck van to fan the illusion that she knew the answers to the questions she was asking. But the reverse was the case.


    "We carry it to cities where there is no asion of the virus and also ces where you have treated people of the virus, especially to homes of those you have treated."


    "And I suppose you people have someone in my hospital who gives you the patients¡¯ records?"


    Heronica nodded at Athena¡¯s question. "But we don¡¯t know who the person is. Boss kept that a secret from us too."


    Athena held back a frustrated sigh, seeing that the duo wasn¡¯t electrocuted. Why was Morgan so damn secretive? If not, most of their problems would have been solved now, including the person that had attempted to poison Ewan!


    "How do you people distribute the virus?"


    "Through air mostly. We either spray it in the room, doorpost, or wherever we know the person will show up," Cole answered softly, having no choice but to cooperate since his higher-up in the gang was talking without qualms, coupled with the fact that Athena already knew it all.


    "So do you people work alone, or does this unknown person hire another group to do this in other countries?"


    Heronica paused, then spoke after a few beats. "Just us."


    Athena waited for the electric shock, but there was nothing. Just them? Just how big was the ck Scorpion gang that they had coverage over many countries? Who the hell was sponsoring this madness?


    "The virus? What is it made of?"


    Heronica shrugged her shoulders. "We don¡¯t know. Our job is to make sure that it spreads and then to stop you from curing it."


    "And what is the essence of releasing the pandemic?"


    Cole was the one to shrug his shoulders this time. "I don¡¯t know. To curb the world poption? For gains? Maybe they have the cure and just want to make some money. But you having the cure is spoiling business. Thus the attempted elimination."


    "I see," Aiden said, really seeing. "So, how does the virus arrive in your camp?"


    Cole and Heronica exchanged curious nces but still answered. "Through a helicopter."


    Cole answered, "It arrives at three a.m. in the morning when the world is asleep."


    Athena nodded, seeing why Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s men hadn¡¯t gotten the info on this.


    Withholding a sigh of weariness, she got to her feet. She didn¡¯t think she could take any more of these ck revtions. Her head and heart were already aching. She needed her drugs.

 Chapter 185: At The Headquarters V

    <h4>Chapter 185: At The Headquarters V</h4>


    "Where are you going?" Heronica asked, her eyes narrowing quizzically as Athena stood up, as Aiden followed her; as they turned toward the ck heavy metal door.


    Athena and Aiden swiveled to face the criminals, whose recent revtions had rattled them more than they cared to admit as the seconds had ticked by.


    Their previously formidable defenses were crumbling, and if they were not out of here soon enough, the duo would know that they had been yed.


    Athena believed that if she stayed behind and kept questioning them, it would only be a matter of time before her trap was found out.


    "We are leaving to meet with the director. There are some things that need to be discussed concerning the matter at hand and your ce of rest until we decide what to do with you." She lied, meeting Heronica¡¯s gaze steadily.


    "Even though you have shown you can be truthful, you are still an evil criminal, just like Morgan. Who knows, maybe the ck cells would be the best option at this point."


    "The ck cells? But we have been forthright; the lie detector has proved that! You can trade us to our boss; I¡¯m sure you have something that you want from him!" Heronica shouted, refusing to ept the ck cells as a way to spend the rest of her life.


    Based on the words of the boss, it would be better that he was tied to a stone and thrown into the sea than to be held in the darker levels of the ck cells. Safe to say, that ce was evil, just as it was unknown to them.


    The boss never mentioned how he knew for sure that the ce existed. But when he had been shaken while watching the court case, when Alfonso and Fiona had been sentenced there before Ewan¡¯s intervention, she had been sure they existed. And now this woman wanted to put her there?


    No! She wouldn¡¯t risk it!


    "We can tell you more if you want. Just ask the questions."


    The two criminals, panting and visibly shaken now, had revealed the gang¡¯s location and activities, but Athena knew better. Ethics would prevent them from providing any genuinely useful information if she didn¡¯t scare them.


    Without the lie detector, they could easily manipte her off their tracks. Yet, a question popped into her head. "How are you people able to be free from the virus when you are always handling it?"


    "We are vinated against it, obviously. We are injected with a drug every week. I don¡¯t know the name," Cole answered.


    Athena folded her lips. "I will think about this matter and prepare my questions. For now, just stay put." She said, before nodding to Aiden. It was time to go.


    But before they could leave the room, Heronica called her back again. "What about this device? Since you are not questioning us at the moment, can you take it away?"


    Athena paused in her movements, but she didn¡¯t turn. "I think its current position is the best. I just hope you two will keep quiet and not speak lies to each other." She said with a chuckle before leaving the ce, followed closely by Aiden.


    Outside the closed door, Athena pressed the ck button after seeing they really were keeping quiet. She pressed it twice, nodding in satisfaction when she heard their screams.


    "Won¡¯t 160 volts kill them?" Aiden asked.


    "Nah. They will survive," She said, walking slowly in the well-lit corridor, a bit lost in thought, feeling the heavy weight of the revtions they had just gotten on her shoulders.


    Hopefully, Alvarez would be more open to discussing a way they would need to get rid of the gang, which had grown more than she had anticipated.


    As she walked, she inhaled softly and slowly to ease the ache in her heart and head, seeing as her drugs were back in her hotel room.


    "Who do you think is behind this madness?" Aiden asked a few minutester, a few feet away from the Director¡¯s office.


    Athena paused her lips. "Honestly, I don¡¯t know. It could be any of these rich stupid men."


    "What about hospitals or those rich men in the health field? It is obvious that anyone behind this has a foot in medicine and research," Aiden suggested, exhaling harshly, not believing in the wickedness of a man against his fellow man.


    And for what? A printed paper that could be here today and gone tomorrow, something as fickle as their own lives. What guarantee did the rich man have that he would live the next day to enjoy his blood money?


    Aiden shook his head. Sometimes, he just didn¡¯t understand people whose evilness was like this.


    "There are a lot..." Athena spoke, answering his question. "We can all check them out, but I doubt we will find anything. The gang, apart from being a good gunning agency, is also good at covering their clients. I don¡¯t think there are footprints left."


    A pregnant pause.


    "But we will check on it," She added, filing it away. She might need to ask for her children¡¯s help again with their elite friends.


    With that noted down, they made their way back to the director¡¯s office, where Alvarez was seated, engrossed in reports on hisputer screen. His brow furrowed with concentration as he sifted through data.


    "Director," Athena began, her voice steady butced with urgency. "We are done with the interrogations."


    Alvarez didn¡¯t look up. "And what do you have for me? What do they have to say for themselves? What are your deductions?"


    Athena thought that the director was too rxed upon hearing this gist, a far cry from the excitement that would have shown on his face had she said the same words a year ago. Still...


    "We need to pursue the Grey disease case," She said simply, too unsettled to sit down. Seeing as Aiden remained standing, she believed he felt the same.


    Alvarez looked up then, a skeptical expression recing his focus. "That¡¯s a high-risk operation, Athena. We can¡¯t divert resources for something we¡¯re not a hundred percent sure about. Plus, it¡¯s not on our radar right now. There are more pressing issues to focus on."

 Chapter 186: At The Headquarters VI

    <h4>Chapter 186: At The Headquarters VI</h4>


    Pressing issues? What was the damn nuthead talking about? Athena wondered, weing the tense silence that ensued after the director¡¯s deration.


    She exchanged a confusing nce with Aiden. Was there any other pressing issue she was not aware of? Maybe a bomb threatening to wipe out a whole country or even the world? Or maybe some other disease ravaging the nation that she wasn¡¯t aware of? What was that pressing issue?


    Aiden, sensing Athena¡¯s line of thought, shook his head subtly to indicate there was really no issue more weighty than what the Grey disease represented.


    Athena inhaled deeply for control before speaking, because this man was still above her in rank after all.


    "Pressing issues? Isn¡¯t it the gang that is giving us the headache here? Isn¡¯t that your life mission? Or has that changed? One of the mottos for this organization, is the preservation of lives first¡ªlives that the government doesn¡¯t care about¡ªbefore anything else. So what is more pressing than the Grey disease sacking people out of their homes and cities?"


    "Athena..." The director called, in a warning tone.


    But Athena wasn¡¯t one to be deterred on issues like this. "This matter should be on your radar, Director," She pressed, her heart racing. "Because the gang is sponsoring it! They are sharing the disease from one city to another! From the intel we just got, they are infecting those who have been cured already. And having treated these unfortunate ones, they are highly resistant to the drug I created as a cure!"


    Athena didn¡¯t add that she had found a remedy for that, for she believed that would pave a way for the director to ck around as usual, so she fired on.


    "This could escte quickly to a worldwide pandemic, and we can¡¯t waste any time, Director. We need to tackle this now, or will you be able to take it if your family gets infected? Will your conscience push you to do something then?"


    Alvarez furrowed his brow, not happy with Athena¡¯s statements, but he had no choice but to consider her words carefully.


    "Athena, I¡¯ll need more than just spection to justify diverting our attention to this. It¡¯s obvious a lot of things are going to be involved in this. A lot of secrets. A lot of ass-goring. A lot of back bending..."


    "Spection?" Athena shot back, recovering speedily before Aiden, from the director¡¯s stupid statement, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.


    "We just had two criminals admit it! If we don¡¯t take action now, it could be toote." She said, flinging her arms in frustration. "And what is this about ass-goring and back-bending? When has that mattered to you before? What happened to you, Director Alvarez?!"


    Director Alvarez hit his palm on the table then in anger. "You don¡¯t talk to me like that, Athena! You seem to have forgetten your ce." He said, getting to his feet.


    Athena held back a snort. "And what ce is that?"


    Aiden¡¯s jaw ckened at the sharp insubordination, while Director Alvarez¡¯s mouth dropped open in shock.


    He recovered swiftly, though, nodding his head, staring at her with a thin smile on his lips.


    But as the tension crackled in the air, Athena held his gaze, each second heightening the stakes. The fate of the world hung in the bnce, and Athena knew they had to act fast.


    "I¡¯m still waiting for your answer, Doctor Alvarez..." She said, impatient with the passing seconds.


    "Do you think you are indispensable, Athena Caddels? Do you think because you are now a popr doctor, I wouldn¡¯t have cause to fire you?"


    Athena scoffed, tired of ying the submissive subject.


    Aiden was no longer surprised; the director had finally crossed Athena¡¯s tolerance level.


    "And why would you fire me, Alvarez? Have you forgetten who put you in the chair?" She ced her hand on the desk and leaned forward, looking deeply into the man¡¯s eyes.


    "We all left the CIA at the same time with the others. And we elected you to manage the organization because of your leadership abilities, not because of your age or that you are better than us. If you are tired of doing your job, let us know so I can call another meeting. I will see what the others have to say about the matter at hand: why you will ignore the lives of people because of... ¡¯a lot of ass-goring, a lot of back-bending.¡¯" She said, imitating the director¡¯s voice at thetter end as she threw his words back at him.


    Director Alvarez was boiling with anger, his fists curled by his side, hating his authority being questioned. But with Aiden beside Athena, he could almost do nothing. Almost.


    "Athena, you don¡¯t have to talk to me like that if you want to make your point," He said in a gentler voice that belied the fury brewing in his eyes.


    Athena rolled her eyes. "I tried the calm way, Director, but you wouldn¡¯t listen. Imagine talking about ass¡ª"


    "Please don¡¯t say that again," The director said, stopping her with his outstretched hand, managing to smile through the anger he was feeling. Luckily, it fooled his two old partners.


    Athenaughed and jabbed his shoulder from across the table. "Wee back. Now, what are we going to do about this matter?" She asked, finally taking a seat, seeing as the tension had been dissolved.


    Aiden followed suit, pulling his chair forward as the three put their heads together.


    "Honestly, I don¡¯t know. I think you should make the calls now. You are the one in the same vicinity with the gang; what do you think should be done?" Alvarez spoke thoughtfully.


    Athena paused, her lips drawn tight. "There is a shareholders meeting that will be held tomorrow or next. After that, we will attack the hideout. So, keep the attack team ready and prepared with all the protection masks. The virus might be there..."


    Athena paused again, as she mentioned the virus. Attacking head-on, even with masks, without preparation on what to do about the virus, might cause more harm than good. What to do?


    "You know what... just keep them on standby. I will send a spy into their zone. We need to get the remaining boxes of the virus out of their location and attack before the next shipmentes. We also need all the research teams¡¯ hands on deck. We need the identity of who is sponsoring this madness. I¡¯m sure if we can get the person and nab him for good, all this nonsense would stop."


    Alvarez nodded his head slowly. "That¡¯s a good one. I¡¯ll get the research team to do the job. But what spy would you send in?"


    "I am not sure yet," Athena said slowly, taking her lower lip in.


    "And what if the person behind this is greater than we are..." Alvarez raised his hands in surrender when Athena red at him. "Sure, our first priority is saving lives."


    Ten minutester, Athena and Aiden were bidding their goodbye to the director after some more nning was done on the subject matter.


    "And please make sure the audio is on in Safe Containment Two. Who knows? Those two might divulge important information," Athena spoke when she opened the door to leave the office.


    "Of course, I will do that. Have a safe flight back home; I hope to see you soon."


    "The same here, Director," She said, and left the office with Aiden.


    "You really went wacko in there, Athena..." Aiden started as they made their way to the elevator that would take them out of here. They had spent much more time than they had bargained for.


    "I needed to. The man was just spitting gibberish about ass-goring..."


    Aidenughed, shaking his head. "You are really something, but I am proud of you nheless." He spoke, ruffling her hair.


    Athena red at him in return. "Don¡¯t think I¡¯ve forgiven you for earlier today."


    Aiden¡¯sughter was caught short. He sputtered and then shut his mouth, taking his hand down from her hair.


    "I¡¯ve apologized countless times, Athena," He spoke finally as they walked past the armory room.


    Athena ignored him, taking in the sights of the guns. She paused when she spotted a sleek gun.


    "Wait," She said, retracing her steps and walking into the room. She met an agent at the desk.


    "My name is Athena; I want that gun." She said, pointing at the gun in question.


    The agent, familiar with the name rted to exploits, immediately stood to his feet and hurried to retrieve the gun.


    "What do you need a gun for?" Aiden asked from beside her. "I already have one."


    Athena twitched her lips. "I don¡¯t know, really. I just feel like it."


    Aiden let the matter lie low. Another mad thing about Athena was her ever-true instincts. If she felt like getting a gun, then get it she shall.


    The agent arrived with the gun and its documents in record time. "Here it is. It is a SIG P226, a recent version," He said.


    Athena nodded and took the gun while Aiden collected the documents from the waiting hand of the agent.


    Athena flexed the gun, practicing shooting and catching. So far, so good, she mused, putting the gun in the inner pocket of her coat.


    She couldn¡¯t wait to find out why her guts wanted her to get this baby.

 Chapter 187: A Shoot-Out

    <h4>Chapter 187: A Shoot-Out</h4>


    <i>"Those men are still following us,"</i> Athena texted to Aiden as thetter talked with the hotel manager, who happened to be an old friend of his.


    Aiden, hearing the ding of his phone and sensing Athena¡¯s sudden, purposeful closeness, excused himself from his friend¡¯s speech for a second and looked at his phone, maintaining a calmposure when he saw the message.


    He didn¡¯t even turn to look at Athena or the men she was referring to. Rather, he kept a concentrated gaze on the phone, as if he was still reading the message.


    Were the men here to kill them, or just capture them? He wondered, finally letting a furrow to mar his forehead.


    They had first noticed they were being followed a few minutes away from the Hidden Spoon restaurant. If Aiden were to take a guess, the followers had checked in at the restaurant, but because they didn¡¯t know the code word to pass through the waitress, they had chosen to wait outside for them at a separate spot.


    And so, he had seen them finally, tailing his car, on the way to the hotel; the men were in a ck Cadic with tinted windows.


    "Is there a problem? Do you have an urgent ce to be at?" His friend asked him, having noted the slight furrow lines.


    Aiden nodded slowly, pleased his n worked. "Yeah, that was a work message. I will see you around..."


    The manager nodded, shook his hand, and gave a short wave to Athena, whose hand was tucked inside her coat. She returned the wave with her left hand before the man left them to their devices.


    "Let¡¯s go to our suite. I¡¯m not hoping for a shootout here," Aiden said, nodding toward the elevator as he finally took a good look at the men who loitered around the hotel¡¯s reception. They pretended to be busy in a way that amused Aiden.


    Didn¡¯t their senders give them proper information on who they were supposed to tail?


    One man pretended to read a newspaper¡ªthough it was upside down, a dead giveaway. Another was pointing out something to a kid. The next was flirtatiously engaging a waitress. All five men sported ck trousers but wore different colors of shirts.


    "Do you think they will follow us to the elevator?" Athena asked, walking leisurely with Aiden toward the lift.


    "We will have to see about that."


    Once they entered the elevator, Aiden consciously waited a few seconds, a smile touching his lips when the five men suddenly rushed into the elevator.


    They gave respectful nods to Aiden and Athena, a form of greeting that the two reciprocated, barely holding back theirughter.


    Stuck to one side of the elevator like a couple, Athena leaned slightly, with her chest, against Aiden, her hand still hidden in her pocket. Hence, the five men were oblivious to the position of her hand, just as they were oblivious of Aiden¡¯sfortable grip on the head of his gun, nestled against the denim of his pants, concealed by Athena¡¯s body.


    Then it happened in the blink of an eye. One moment, the men were pretending to be strangers, and the next, they drew their pistols, aiming them at Aiden and Athena.


    "What¡¯s the meaning of this?" Athena cried out with an exaggerated whine, pressing against Aiden as she smoothly pulled out her own gun, thrill coursing through her veins at her neat little weapon.


    "Sorry, finedy, but you offended someone that you shouldn¡¯t," One of the men in a green shirt replied, his gaze trailing over her lustfully.


    "And who is that? I don¡¯t remember offending anyone," Athena replied, maintaining her facade of terror.


    "We can¡¯t say, but you took the person¡¯s stuff." The same guy responded.


    "There should be a mistake somewhere..." Athena began, but she was interrupted by a taller man in a brown shirt.


    "I think we should stop with these games. ording to him, these two aren¡¯t new to martial arts and guns. I¡¯m sure they¡¯re just buying time and making ns. Let¡¯s just kill them and get out of here. Get your head out of the clouds!" He snapped, disdainfully tapping the first guy on the head.


    The first man pouted and cocked his gun while the others followed suit, ready to unleash chaos.


    But Athena, also tired of the charade, was done ying. With startling speed, she swerved away from Aiden as he lifted his weapon. In a fluid motion, he aimed and shot the first guy right between the eyes, right before Athena sank a bullet into the heart of the second man.


    The remaining three men froze momentarily, disbelief washing over their faces as it all unfolded before their very eyes.


    "We are two against you three, but don¡¯t doubt that we can take you down at lightning speed. Who sent you all to kill me?" Athena demanded, blowing casually the smoke from her gun, while Aiden maintained his aim on the middle guy.


    The three exchanged nces, horror growing at the piles of their fallenrades. Gritting their teeth in anger, they began shooting sporadically, their bullets scattering in a haphazard frenzy.


    Anger propelled them, convinced that in the confines of the elevator, at least one bullet would hit its mark.


    Yet, before the thought could settle, Athena spun through the chaos, dodging the flying bullets like a wraith, while hitting her mark.


    Aiden followed suit, targeting the second shooter with unerring precision.


    Thest man faltered, realizing he was the sole survivor.


    "Are you going to tell us who sent you for your freedom?"


    Thest guy in a yellow shirt scoffed at Athena¡¯s question, his bravado waning as he lowered his weapon.


    "You¡¯re going to kill me anyway," He muttered, resignation settling in.


    "No, we won¡¯t. You can try us," Athena replied, her voice steady andmanding.


    The man, less bulky than the rest and likely the youngest, sighed wearily. "Bolin. We work for Bolin Shen."


    Athena¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, surprised at the quickness of Master Shen¡¯s first son. "He has a gang now?"


    He nodded. "Not really. Just a small group of us that do his bidding."


    Athena considered his words for a moment before responding. "I see. You can go," She said, pointing her gun toward the elevator doors. "When we have left for our floor."

 Chapter 188: Foiled Plans

    <h4>Chapter 188: Foiled ns</h4>


    Thest gangster standing¡ªor rather sitting now¡ªon the floor of the elevator, whom Athena didn¡¯t bother to get the name of, gazed in admiration at his captors, marveling at their speed and expertise as he recalled again the gun battle that had unfolded between them in mere seconds.


    The air was still heavy with the scent of gunpowder, mixing with the sharp tang of fear that gripped him. Then, he nced at his fellow gang members, sprawled lifelessly in a pool of their own blood, their eyes open and staring vacantly into the void.


    He would close their eyes, but he feared that any movement from him might warrant a gunshot. So, he remained sitting, nerves racking his frame as the elevator continued its ascent, the numbers flickering by in a relentless countdown.


    Would they keep their word and let him go? That kind of mercy was unheard of in his circles, and the fear tightened its grip around his chest like a vice. He didn¡¯t want to die.


    Just then, the elevator dinged, the sound echoing ominously in the small space, and the man, overwhelmed with anxiety, urinated on his pants.


    The warmth spread, mingling with the cold sweat of panic. Athena tweaked her nostrils and red at him with a mix of disgust and annoyance.


    "You know what, just stay here. You will follow the elevator down," She said, covering her nose, mirroring Aiden¡¯s actions.


    The two of them stepped out into their lobby, their senses, should the remaining gangster decide on revenge.


    "Thank you!" They heard the gangster call out just before the elevator doors closed, sealing him off from their sight.


    "What are we going to do about the mess in the elevator? It¡¯s possible that the guy will run once the door dings open..." Athena asked, as they moved into their VIP suite, which boasted threevish bedrooms, each more extravagant than thest.


    "That¡¯s if the hotel security doesn¡¯t catch him first," Aiden murmured, removing his coat and tossing it onto a plush chair. He felt a sense of relief wash over him as he shed the tension of the moment.


    Athena sighed, running a hand through her hair, tiredness etched across her features.


    "I hope he runs away first. I don¡¯t have the strength for questioning and answers from the police."


    Just then, Aiden¡¯s phone started ringing, shattering the silence of the suite. He nced at the screen and shrugged his shoulders at Athena, who was now removing her coat.


    "I guess your wish isn¡¯t riding this time around," He said as he answered the phone, noting the name shing on the screen. It was his manager friend.


    "Hello, Sunny, what¡¯s happening..." He began in a jovial tone, after hearing his friend¡¯s gruff ¡¯hello¡¯


    "What¡¯s happening? Aiden, my security detail caught a man with blood-soaked hands running out of elevator seven! And when they caught him and retraced their steps, they discovered four dead bodies in the elevator. I thought you weren¡¯t working, Aiden... at least that¡¯s what you told me."


    "It just happened. They were assassins. It was an impromptu incident," Aiden replied, putting the phone on loudspeaker.


    "So, why didn¡¯t you do away with the fifth? You left him for me to handle?" Sunny pressed incredulously.


    "We promised to let him go." Aiden darted an amused nce at Athena as she raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued.


    Sunny chuckled in disbelief. "You gotta be kidding me. I¡¯m handing him over to the police. No way am I inviting interrogations to my staff and all, and I am sure you don¡¯t want that for yourself..."


    "No, I don¡¯t. Thank you, Sunny. I owe you one."


    "That¡¯s a wrong calction, Aiden. You owe me ten."


    Before Aiden could ask what thetter was talking about, the manager hung up, leaving Aiden staring at the phone in disbelief.


    "So, I take it that he is not going free?" Athena asked, settling on a sofa.


    Aiden shook his head, plopping into one of thefortable seats too. "So, what are we going to do about Bolin?"


    Athena sighed, leaning back as she contemted their next move. "No matter what, he is Master Shen¡¯s son. I just can¡¯t take revenge or something. This is his first strike, so I will pardon his stupidity, but I won¡¯t be lenient the second time. As a matter of fact..."


    She brought out her phone, her fingers flying across the screen as she scrolled to Bolin¡¯s contact. In moments, she dispatched a message, a direct line to the man who¡¯d underestimated her.


    <i> "I got your message, Bo. This is your first strike, so I will pardon you. But if you dare the nonsense again, I will make sure you join your father in his grave. I¡¯m sure your other siblings will have better use of your inheritance." </i>


    "There, done," Athena stated, dropping her phone onto the space next to her with a soft thud. "Let¡¯s see his next step."


    "I hope he takes the hint, though. I don¡¯t want his blood on my hands," Aiden remarked, his voice serious.


    Athena nodded. "Word."


    However, their conversation was interrupted as her phone buzzed once more. Thinking it was Bolin, she squinted at the screen until she saw Sandro¡¯s name shing across.


    "Hello, Sandro..." She answered, causing Aiden to pique his right eyebrow in curiosity.


    "He is awake now? Can he talk and walk?"


    Aiden gestured that Athena should put the call on loudspeaker. Sheplied immediately.


    "...he might be around for the shareholder¡¯s meeting tomorrow," Sandro¡¯s voice came through, his tone infused with relief and gratitude.


    Tomorrow? Aiden and Athena exchanged knowing nces, urgency overtaking them. They had to devise a new n and return to their city now.


    "I will see you tomorrow then, Athena. Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it."


    "You¡¯re wee, Sandro," Athena replied, right before the call ended abruptly.


    "We have to go," She stated, pushing herself to her feet with determination. "I am sure Old Mr. Thorne has some things to share with me concerning the meeting tomorrow. I missed two calls from him when we were back at the headquarters."


    Meanwhile, in the Shen¡¯s residence, Bolin was fuming, having just received Athena¡¯s message a few minutes ago.


    The text carried an unmistakable air of superiority; it was clear she had done away with the men he had sent to kill her so that her inheritance would fall to him.


    "What the hell?" He hollered, throwing his phone in a fit of rage. It struck the wall and shattered into pieces.


    "What is the problem, Bo?" His sister¡¯s voice cut through his anger.


    Hearing her call him "Bo" reminded him of the nickname Athena had used for him, and he shot her a hot re.


    The first daughter ofte Master Shen shrank under his searing gaze, looking away in swift submission.


    "What¡¯s the problem, Bolin?"


    "She escaped the attacks. Sent me a warning message to watch my back." He answered, frustrationcing his voice as he spoke to his brother, who sneered in anger.


    "Threatening us, is she? We will have to deal with her properly then," The brother said, a dark smirk forming on his lips.


    "But how?" Bolin asked, anxiety creeping into his voice as he began tapping frantically on his thighs, seeking a solution.


    His brother smiled cunningly. "What other way than the twins?"


    "I am not in for that," The first daughter protested immediately, rising to her feet. "The twins are innocent in all of this!"


    "You are really stupid. No wonder Hua wouldn¡¯t listen to you at all. Get out of here! And if you spit a word of this to anyone, you are dead!" Bolin shouted, with fiery eyes.

 Chapter 189: More Deaths

    <h4>Chapter 189: More Deaths</h4>


    "Athena, what¡¯s the problem? Why are you frowning?" Aiden asked worriedly, stepping closer to Athena in the elevator, trying to peer down at her phone, which she was frowning at intently.


    When Athena said nothing in response, he leaned down further, his eyes scanning the screen for any clues. However, due to the dim light illuminating the phone¡¯s screen, all he could make out was that it was on, and that was about it.


    Aiden paused, his lips parted in concern, and decided to wait. He didn¡¯t have to wait long, because just then, Athena let out a deep sigh of frustration and pocketed her phone, stepping backward and rxing tiredly against the elevator wall.


    The sound of her sigh seemed to fill the small space, and Aiden¡¯s concern grew. He wanted to reach out to her, tofort her, but he waited for her to open up to him. He needed to know what was troubling her first.


    "What¡¯s the problem? Who sent the message?" He pressed again, maintaining his position this time, his eyes locked on hers.


    "It¡¯s from Doctor Finn. There¡¯s an emergency at the hospital. He didn¡¯t specify what, but I was able to glean some details from the doctors¡¯ group chat. I think patient 409 is dead."


    Aiden¡¯s brows furrowed immediately, his mind racing with questions. He knew how much Athena cared about her patients, and the thought of losing one was always devastating for her.


    "What are you talking about? I thought you gave him the newly improved drug! So how can he be dead?" His voice wasced with confusion and concern. Athena had been working tirelessly to perfect the new drug, and the thought of it failing was unbearable.


    How could it?


    "I don¡¯t know, Aiden. I just don¡¯t know," Athena replied, shutting her eyes wearily, her hands falling limp by her sides.


    She looked like someone who had given up, and Aiden didn¡¯t like that. He hated this image of her, the one that made her seem defeated. He wanted to see the fire in her eyes, the determination that drove her to be the best doctor she could be.


    "Athena..." He paused, struggling with how to continue. He knew firsthand how much she loathed losing patients to the grip of death. It made her feel inadequate, as if she weren¡¯t doing enough. Even though, sometimes, one can¡¯t do anything when it¡¯s someone¡¯s time to die.


    But Athena never seemed to grasp that reality. She always took it personally, always wondered if there was something more she could have done.


    He sighed when he noticed a trail of tears slip down her cheeks. "Athena, please... Did you know the patient?" He asked, his voice soft and gentle, trying to coax her into talking.


    She nodded, her eyes still closed. "We talked about a few things. I kept herpany sometimes. She wasn¡¯t supposed to die. The drug was supposed to heal her." Her voice was barely above a whisper, and Aiden had to lean in to hear her.


    Suddenly, Athena¡¯s eyes flew open, glinting with determination and an immediate realization. "What if the drug had been tampered with? Remember that Heronica mentioned gang members having someone in the hospital? What if it has been tampered with?"


    She wiped her eyes as she stared at Aiden, her gaze intense and searching, but thetter was speechless.


    Yet, for the love of his life, he didn¡¯t negate the statement at least. "It¡¯s a possibility." He ventured, grasping her arm when she attempted to stop the elevator.


    "Wait! You have to see the kids first. I know you¡¯re in a hurry to check out the hospital emergency, but let¡¯s see the kids. They have been waiting the longest."


    He knew that the kids would be a wee distraction for Athena, a chance for her to clear her mind and focus on something other than the hospital.


    Athena sighed, retracting her hands. "But they would want to hear about the funeral service, and I don¡¯t have the luxury of time. Gianna too." She looked at him, her eyes pleading for understanding.


    "I¡¯ll handle that. Don¡¯t worry," Aiden assured her gently, his smile reassuring.


    Just then, the elevator beeped, and the doors opened. A smile crept onto Athena¡¯s lips when she saw her children already waiting in the corridor, with a grinning Gianna behind them.


    The kids looked happy and excited, and for a moment, Athena forgot about the hospital and the emergency. She forgot about the patient and the drug, and all she saw was her family, waiting for her with open arms.


    "Mom!" The twins screamed, rushing toward Athena, who quickly ced the bag she was holding on the ground. She squatted to their height and opened her arms to wee them, enveloping them in a warm hug.


    "My darlings! I¡¯ve missed you so much!" She eximed, showering kisses on their necks and inhaling their familiar scents, which calmed her racing heart.


    "We missed you two, mom!" The twins echoed, disengaging from the hug. "Mom,e, we prepared arge meal for you and Uncle Aiden!" They spoke, after greeting Aiden, dragging Athena by her hand toward the apartment.


    But Athena darted a nce at Aiden, and he immediately sighed and moved into y.


    "Kate and Nate, Momma has an emergency at the hospital. She will join uster. But I¡¯m eager to taste your food. I¡¯m absolutely famished!" He spoke with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.


    But the twins weren¡¯t moved. They rather turned to their mother, with Gianna in tow, their eyes asking a lot of questions.


    "What¡¯s the problem, Aiden?" Gianna asked finally, noting for the first time, the tiredness on Athena¡¯s face.


    "Some issues at the hospital came up; she has to be present to resolve them. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll give you the gist of the funeral service..."


    Kathleen and Nathaniel exchanged furtive nces, and then embraced their mother¡¯s legs. "We¡¯ll see youter, mom."


    Athena, emotionally moved at their disy of tender maturity and understanding, bent down and dropped a kiss on their foreheads. "I¡¯ll be back as soon as I can." She said, before walking up to Gianna and giving her a hug.


    "I¡¯ll be back for the meal. Please wait up!"


    Gianna chuckled. "Of course, I¡¯ll see youter."


    Athena nodded, gave Aiden a side nce and hurried to the elevator.


    Downstairs, Jake was already waiting with the immacte car. Aiden must have contacted him, Athena thought as she stepped closer to the vehicle.


    "Good afternoon, boss. Where to?" Jake inquired, his voice low and smooth.


    "The hospital," Athena responded, taking a seat in the car.


    Ten minutester, she arrived at the hospital. The first thing she noticed was a throng of people surrounding the entrance, while security personnel struggled to keep them at bay.


    The scene was chaotic, with people shouting and screaming, and Athena¡¯s heart sank. She knew that something was terribly wrong.


    Jake turned, confusion evident in his expression. "What should I do, ma¡¯am? Should I park and call one of the doctors?"


    "No need," Athena muttered, pulling out her phone to call Finn.


    "Finn, what is going on? Why are people clogging the hospital entrance?" She demanded, her gaze still focused on the chaotic scene outside.


    A heavy sigh echoed on the other end, a soundden with evil foreboding. "Doctor Athena, all the returning patients you administered the new drugs to are dead."

 Chapter 190: Arrested

    <h4>Chapter 190: Arrested</h4>


    A part of Athena¡¯s world came crashing down around her as Finn¡¯s words pierced her like a dagger.


    The phone slipped from her grasp, falling to the floor with a faint thud. Her hand trembled uncontrobly, as if it had a mind of its own, and her thoughts spiraled wildly out of control.


    More than twenty-five patients dead in a single day? It was unfathomable, unless... <i>unless the gang was involved. </i>


    The thought sent a chilling shudder down her spine as a mixture of panic and anger bloomed in her chest. She couldn¡¯t seem to stop the shaking of her hands or ease the sharp, painful throbbing in her head and heart.


    "Ma¡¯am, are you okay?" came Jake¡¯s concerned voice, but it felt as if he were miles away.


    The buzzing in her ears drowned out everything else, and in her desperate bid for rity, she bowed her head to her thighs, gasping for control. She clutched her ears, trying to stop the relentless ringing, but it was futile.


    When her phone rang beside her, the sound became unbearably loud, and she inadvertently shoved it aside, overwhelmed.


    "Ma¡¯am?" Jake probed again, but when he saw Athena¡¯s detached demeanor, he quickly dialed Aiden¡¯s number, knowing thetter needed to intervene.


    Meanwhile, Athena was attempting to focus on her breathing patterns, reciting them in her mind like a mantra. She couldn¡¯t allow herself to fall apart like this; she had to regain herposure, clinging desperately to the fraying thread of her sanity.


    By instinct, she reached beside her for her bag, eager to search for her medications. But her hand met only emptiness, and an icy realization washed over her. She had left her bag with Aiden, and her emergency drugs were even safely tucked away in her private cab. She hadn¡¯t thought to travel with them.


    "Breathe, Athena," She murmured feverishly to herself, gripping her thighs tightly as she strove to steady herself, taking long, deliberate gaps of air.


    Minutester, she looked up, feeling slightly better, the haze of anxiety starting to lift.


    "Drive through the backyard," She instructed Jake hoarsely, gesturing with trembling fingers toward the back entrance.


    Jake didn¡¯t hesitate; he had never witnessed his boss in such a fragile state. He drove the car quickly to the area, stopping at the entrance where three nurses could be seen whispering among themselves.


    Gossiping, it seemed. Athena muttered under her breath, stepping out of the car, her presencemanding the attention of the nurses, who stopped their hushed conversations upon catching sight of her.


    "Good afternoon, ma¡¯am..." They greeted too eagerly as she passed, but Athena was too shaken to respond.


    Jake followed her closely behind. He didn¡¯t think it wise to leave her alone in her current condition, and Athena didn¡¯t feel the need to shoo him away.


    Instead of heading to her office, Athena walked directly to the doctor¡¯s lounge, knowing it would be crowded with medical staff discussing the catastrophic turn of events. She halted at the door, eavesdropping as she caught snippets of conversation.


    <i>"Do you think Doctor Athena is losing her mojo? How could those patients die like that? Was it a willful act?" </i>


    Athena recognized the voices and kept silent, yearning to hear the opinions of her lesser colleagues.


    <i>"I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a willful act. What would she gain from killing those people? She¡¯s not that kind of person. Maybe she made a mistake..." </i>One doctor spected.


    <i>"A mistake? That¡¯s a costly one! More than twenty patients dead! Do you think their families will take kindly to being told it was a mistake? She should have tested the drugs on a specimen first! Isn¡¯t she supposed to be a brilliant doctor, or was she just feeling overconfident?" </i>


    Athena¡¯s anger simmered just below the surface, but she remained silent, listening intently. Behind her, Jake pursed his lips, an unreadable expression on his face.


    <i>"Probably, but she¡¯s going to reap the consequences now, along with the hospital. I think I should resign at this point because I¡¯m sure the media won¡¯t let this rest. An incident of this magnitude at one hospital is a blockbuster news story," </i>Another voice chimed in, thick with disdain.


    <i>"And let¡¯s not forget the police to consider... oh my God, this situation is a disaster!" </i>


    Silence enveloped the room like a thick fog.


    Then, an exmation broke through it.<i> "But how did the families get wind of this?! It¡¯s barely been hours since their deaths. Who informed them? We all agreed to keep it under wraps until she returned."</i>


    <i>"It¡¯s clear one of us betrayed the group, and now we all have to face the consequences." </i>


    Athena couldn¡¯t bear it any longer. She thrust open the door and entered, her presence silencing the room like a sudden ckout.


    "Finn, follow me," Shemanded immediately, disregarding the startled faces that quickly turned to her.


    Finn, who hadn¡¯t uttered a word while the gossip flowed, stood up promptly, following her out of the room.


    "Show me the corpses," She ordered as they strode through the corridor.


    Finn nodded quietly, his own demeanor subdued and crestfallen, and led her into the dimly lit room where all the bodiesy.


    Athena felt a lump rise in her throat as the sheer number of dead bodies overwhelmed her. She steeled herself against the wave of grief threatening to crash over her. She couldn¡¯t afford to break down here¡ªnot when her colleagues might start viewing her as a mental case, in addition to a suspected mass murderer.


    "Where is patient 409?" She asked, her voice strained as she fumbled with the cloths draped over the faces of several corpses.


    "She should be here... somewhere." Finn muttered, averting his gaze as he rushed from row to row, pulling back the sheets with shaking hands as he searched for patient 409.


    By the tenth attempt, Athena¡¯s patience began to wear thin. She was about to urge Finn to check thest corpse by the window when the door to the room burst open, and three police officials strode in, holding a warrant.


    "Doctor Athena..." One of them announced, his voice firm and devoid ofpassion.


    Athena turned to confront them, surprise flitting across her features. "I am she. What can I do for you?"


    The officer¡¯s expression twisted in disgust. "You are under arrest for producing a mass-killing drug. You are expected to remain silent, or anything you say now will be used against you in court."

 Chapter 191 - 8pm News

    <h4>Chapter 191: 8pm News</h4>


    <i>Was this truly what Heronica meant when she spoke of immense sorrow befalling me soon?</i>


    Athena found herself brooding on a solitary bench, her gaze fixated on the swirling eddies of air around her, blissfully ignorant of the fric activity bustling in every direction.


    She had once fancied that an attack on Whitman Hospital was impossible. But now, as the insidious rumors and sensationalized headlines infiltrated the news cycle, the bitter joke was unmistakably on her. How could she have failed to consider such an oue?


    Clenching her fists together, she reyed the nagging questions for the umpteenth time.


    Why hadn¡¯t she learned from Ewan¡¯s tragic case of poisoning? Why hadn¡¯t she enlisted her children¡¯s friends to help ferret out the individual who had dared to insult her practice? Or better yet, why hadn¡¯t sheunched her own thorough investigation?


    She couldy the me on her grueling schedule over the past few days, but a small voice inside insisted she should have checked. If only she had taken the threat more seriously¡ªif only she hadn¡¯t been so arrogant about staying one step ahead of the gang¡ªperhaps this catastrophe could have been avoided.


    The relentless "what-ifs" churned within her, suffocating her spirit.


    Heronica and Cole had underscored an undeniable truth¡ª the gang had struck at her deeply, hitting her in one of the most agonizing ce of all: her patients¡¯ lives.


    A hard breath exited her lungs as she leaned her head against the cold, unyielding wall, her eyes involuntarily locking with those of an officer who peered at her from across the counter. His gaze was prating, heavy with an emotion she couldn¡¯t quite decipher.


    Was it pity? Sadness? Perhaps something darker?


    His gaze faltered first, and he turned away to make a discreet phone call.


    Who was he calling? She thought, having a feeling that the call was about her predicament.


    After the police had thrust an arrest warrant into her hands and cuffed her like a criminal in front of colleagues and fellow doctors, she had turned to Finn, instructing him to secure a forensic pathologist capable of conducting thorough autopsies on the deceased patients.


    Then, she had asked Jake to track down Aiden, before submitting herself to the police¡¯smands and following them dutifully to this bleak holding area.


    Mercifully, her position in the city had granted her a modicum of respect; they had refrained from shoving her into a cell. Yet the thought of Morgan loomedrge in her mind like a menacing shadow.


    Athena gritted her teeth at the very thought of his name. He would pay for this transgression¡ªshe vowed, feeling a solitary tear slip down her cheek. She would ensure it, even if it became herst act before she drew her final breath.


    A female police officer approached her then, breaking the mounting silence.


    "Where¡¯s thewyer and friend you spoke about? It¡¯s been two hours, and there¡¯s no sign of them. Once it¡¯s eight PM, you¡¯ll be locked inside the cell for the night," She said gently, a glimmer of empathy reflected in her eyes as she noted the tear that shimmered on Athena¡¯s cheek.


    When Athena failed to respond, the officer chose to settle on the adjacent bench, a gesture ofpassion amidst the turmoil surrounding them. "Should I get you your phone?"


    "No," Athena replied decisively, shaking her head. She didn¡¯t need it; she had already briefed Jake on her situation.


    Losing herself in pity wouldn¡¯t aid her escape or protect her work. Besides, the scandal of her leaving the hospital in handcuffs was already sshed across the media, headlines bold and sensational, like graffiti scrawled on a crumbling wall.


    "Are you sure? The flood of calls blowing up your phone is rather concerning. Perhaps one of them could help..." The officer persisted, her voice steady, exhibiting an unexpected depth of concern.


    "Why do you wish to assist me? Granting me ess to my phone would be breaking the rules here..." Athena finally murmured, refusing to turn her gaze from the wall that framed her world in despair.


    "You saved my mother. She had the gray disease, and you saved her," The officer paused for a heartbeat, allowing the gravity of her words to settle like dust in the air. "I don¡¯t know the full story, but I don¡¯t believe that you would intentionally inflict harm on your patients. You are an exceptional physician. Perhaps you simply made an error in dosage..."


    "I didn¡¯t make a mistake with the dosage," Athena interjected sharply, urgency igniting within her. "The drug was perfect. I administered it myself to the first five patients, and they exhibited significant improvement. So how did they suddenly die?"


    Her sense of frustration erupted as she continued, "Someone tampered with my drugs! All I need is a chance to prove it, to get out of this hell and confront the person responsible!"


    The officer nodded slowly. "You¡¯ll need a formidablewyer to navigate this mess then. The chief has gathered incriminating evidence regarding the drugs. I overheard them discussing locating your privateb since the hospitalb technician revealed that you don¡¯t conduct your experiments within the hospital¡¯s confines."


    A wave of unease crashed over Athena. The gang was clearly attempting to leverage the police against her, targeting herb, putting the cornerstone of her invaluable research directly at risk.


    She couldn¡¯t let that happen. "You¡¯re right. Please, get me my phone."


    The officer nodded and stood up, intent on securing the connection Athena desperately needed. However, as she made her way toward the counter, the male officer who had earlier scrutinized Athena blocked her path with a stern demeanor. "What do you want?"


    "Her phone. It¡¯s gettingte, and no one hase for her yet..."


    "Can¡¯t do that. It¡¯s against the rules," The male asserted, casting a disapproving nce at Athena that was both dismissive and usatory.


    An employee of the gang disguised as a cop or merely an overzealous officer? Athena wondered, scrutinizing the young man, who seemed to be in his early thirties.


    A sudden thought crystallized in her mind, turning her focus into steel. She stood up, her intentions unfurling as she approached the man, whose eyes narrowed with suspicion with each measured step she took.


    "I haven¡¯t made a single call at all," She stated firmly, halting in front of him.


    "So?" He replied curtly, raising a skeptical eyebrow. Annoyance radiated from him like heat from a sun-baked pavement.


    "It¡¯s my right to make at least one phone call to my family or mywyer. That right has yet to be fulfilled."


    "Then why did you waste our time sitting there?" He gestured dismissively toward the chairs that had offered her littlefort. "Or do you prefer to spend the night in a cell?"


    Athena felt a swell of indignation rise within her, but she held back the retort she longed to unleash. Instead, she remained silent, contemting the severity of her situation.


    The man sighed heavily then, bent to pluck her phone from the shelf, and thrust it into her hands harshly.


    Athena dialed Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s number immediately, her heartbeat pounding in her ears, each ring amplifying her anxiousness.


    "Athena, thank God!" Old Mr. Thorne eximed, his voice crackling with urgency as soon as she answered. "Don¡¯t worry. Just sit tight. Aiden and I are making arrangements to get you out of here. We¡¯ve discovered some clues that are leading us somewhere."


    A wave of relief cascaded through Athena, igniting a flicker of hope that had dimmed too often. "Thank you, friend. I¡¯ll see you soon."


    "Athena, wait..."


    Athena paused, her finger hovering over the end call button as anticipation rippled through her. "What is it?"


    "Patient 409, is it?"


    "What happened to Patient 409?" She asked, a sudden surge of excitement slicing through her.


    "She¡¯s alive. And she has a wealth of information to share. We¡¯re organizing a press conference. If there¡¯s a television nearby, ask the police to turn it on¡ªwe¡¯ll be going live in two minutes."


    Inexplicably, a smile broke across Athena¡¯s face, lighting her features in a way that felt foreign amidst the gloom.


    No wonder they had taken so long, she thought, filled with newfound vigor. Handing her phone back to the police officer, she returned to her seat, feeling invincible. Perhaps this was the break she so desperately needed.


    She looked up at the television, which was just starting to announce an emergency news concerning the case at the Whitman¡¯s hospital.


    <i>"Good evening, everyone. Sorry to interrupt our scheduled programming for the eight p.m news, but we bring you news of a surprising turn of events..." </i>


    Athena watched, with the people in the station, as an excited press official interrogated a fellow, who was carrying some documents in his hand.


    Aiden. Athena thought in appreciation, rxing her head on the wall.


    "Mr. Aiden, you mentioned earlier that you are a close friend of Dr. Athena. What can you share about the recent developments?" The reporter asked, voice steady but undeniably excited.


    Aiden¡¯s expression was serious, the weight of the situation etched across his brow. "The one thing that needs to be said is this: Dr. Athena¡¯s drug was tampered with. With the assistance of highly experienced forensic pathologists, we discovered high doses of opioids in the blood of the deceased patients, drugs that were never used in the production of the new drugs. Furthermore, we unearthed evidence suggesting that the medication administered to the patients while she was unavable had beenpromised. This leads directly to the suspicion of foul y¡ªnot negligence on Dr. Athena¡¯s part. Secondly, this is patient 409..."


    As Aiden spoke, he turned aside, gesturing to the uncovered part of the scenery. Athena watched as Mrs Mendoza, patient 409, stepped in front of the camera.


    "Mrs. Mendoza, wee. You were said to be infested with the Grey disease for the second time, but you look better, despite being injected with Doctor Athena¡¯s newly improved drug. Can you exin to us your own view on this case? How are you alive, while your fellow patients are dead?"

 Chapter 192: Patient 409: Vindication

    <h4>Chapter 192: Patient 409: Vindication</h4>


    Athena¡¯s tears fell unbidden when she saw the bright color of Mrs. Mendoza countenance, patient 409, a sharp contrast to the previous near-death state of the aged woman.


    She didn¡¯t care for the police officials and people who turned to stare at her in surprise, wondering why she was crying so unabashedly.


    They wouldn¡¯t understand, she thought, wiping off the tears that refused to heed hermand to stop falling. Her life¡¯s work had been on the brink of being contaminated, being extinguished, and yet there stood a flicker of hope that maybe the gang¡¯s ns would be foiled once again.


    She was so engrossed with her thoughts, fighting to stop her tears from falling, that she didn¡¯t notice when the female officer sat near her again, until thetter tapped her reassuringly on the shoulder.


    "You see, everything is working well. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be out of here soon."


    Athena nodded her thanks, fixing her eyes on the screen. Mrs. Mendoza was about to speak.


    "Hello, my name is Mrs. Vanessa Mendoza. Some of you might be familiar with the name. My husband and I run the popr Mendoza¡¯s Motors Company."


    Patient 409¡¯s voice was very steady and clear, and Athena¡¯s heart warmed at seeing the woman full with life again.


    "Well, I met Athena a few months ago upon her resumption at Whitman Hospital. At that time, I was already a patient there, afflicted with the Grey disease, just waiting for my death day because, as we were told, there was no cure. But then, she came, and everything changed."


    Athena leaned in closer, her heart pounding.


    "I was cured at the first trial..." Mrs. Mendoza paused, her voice thick with emotion as tears streamed down her cheeks, tears of gratitude mingling with relief.


    The station was silent; curiosity and anticipation filled the air, pulling everyone closer into Mrs. Mendoza¡¯s story.


    "Then I was infected again. I don¡¯t know how it happened, but the symptoms just returned. My husband rushed me to the hospital. This time, though, it was different. The disease progressed rapidly, degenerating my body at an rming rate. I barely had time to process it."


    A brief pause.


    "Doctor Athena gave me the usual dosage, but nothing happened. Then she tried a triple dosage, as her assisting doctor had informed her while administering the medicine, but my body resisted the drugs, birthing more problems. Honestly, I thought I would die then. The pain was too much..." The woman shook her head, visibly shuddering at the memories of the agony she had endured.


    "Two dayster, Doctor Athena came to my ward with an injection. She said it was newly improved. I trusted her, just like I did the first time, and gave her consent. She injected me, and a few hourster, I was already feeling better. My improvement motivated the others to give consent too... and one by one, they got better as well... but then, something changedst night..."


    Tension swelled in the room now, and Athena pressed her head forward as if doing so would allow her to absorb everything Mrs. Mendoza was sharing. She didn¡¯t even notice that the female office beside her had mirrored her actions.


    "Last night, we were moved to one room by a nurse on duty. He mentioned it was a safety measure for those infected with the disease..."


    Athena furrowed her brows. A male nurse? Who was that? When had thatmand gone forth? Who had given it? Was it Finn?


    "He was with two other men." Mrs Mendoza continued, breaking Athena away from her thoughts. "They guided us to this room. We didn¡¯t think much of it at the time; we were just trying to avoid infecting others. Butter, I woke up to voices in the middle of the night¡ªlike an argument. I didn¡¯t catch much, but they were discussing injecting our drips with a particr medicine..."


    Athena¡¯s heart raced. What medicine could that be? Sinylcholine again? The implications were rming, and she couldn¡¯t help but feel the urgency wing at her.


    "I had to do something," Mrs. Mendoza continued. "So I tried waking up the patients, but they were mostly still unconscious. I had no choice but to hide in the cab, listening and watching through a tiny crack. I watched them enter the room and inject something into the drips. Their maniacughters, as they left the room thereafter, filled me with dread; I heard them say they would see how Doctor Athena would escape this one."


    "Can you identify them if you see them?" The reporter asked, his voice firm.


    "No," Mrs. Mendoza replied, shaking her head. "The hospital was quite dark then."


    Nice answer, Athena thought. If the woman had imed she knew, she would be a target for immense retaliation. It was better thetter imed to be unknowledgeable about the men. That would keep her safety intact.


    "Didn¡¯t they notice your empty bed?" The reporter pressed.


    "They did. But I had taken my drip stand to the toilet. I left it there when I discovered what was happening. They thought it was just an empty bed, and the noise of the hospital security walking around distracted them."


    "What did you do afterward?"


    The woman gave a slight shrug. "I waited until everything was quiet, then ran home to my husband to tell him what had happened. There was nothing I could have done to save those other patients; I didn¡¯t know if the criminals were still around, or if they were watching. What if I reported it and the person turned out to be one of them? But when I saw the news casting Doctor Athena as a murderer, we knew we had to act. We couldn¡¯t let our city¡¯s saviour to be killed right before us!"


    She paused, casting her eyes on the camera, her voice resolute. "Doctor Athena is no killer. She really cured me! As you can see, I¡¯m feeling better now. Someone wants to stop her research. It goes to show that the Grey disease might be artificially engineered to kill us. We are sad about the deaths, but instead of rising against Athena, I suggest we join forces to eradicate whoever is behind this!"


    Athena smiled, a ripple of pride washing over her as Mrs. Mendoza¡¯s voice lifted, pitch rising higher as she raised her right hand in determined defiance. "Let¡¯s do away with these killers, whoever they are!"


    Murmurs of agreement echoed throughout the police station, the atmosphere thick with solidarity and newfound resolve.


    Athena rested her head against the wall, her heart swelling with gratitude as Aiden moved in front of the camera again, after Mrs Mendoza was ushered away.


    "Do you have anything else to say, Mr. Aiden Hunt?" The reporter prompted, and Athena leaned in closer again, curious about his next words.


    Aiden nodded, and to Athena¡¯s astonishment, the camera revealed Mr. Thomas, the Minister of Health, standing beside him.


    How did Aiden manage to get the minister on such short notice?


    With the utmost respect, the press official weed the government figure before returning his attention to Aiden.


    Without hesitating, Aiden stated the purpose of Mr. Thomas¡¯s appearance. "Our able minister is the one who presented the award to Dr. Athena for finding the cure for the Grey disease. He is also aware of the threats she has faced from various groups, particrly the Devil¡¯s Scorpions gang, who have been hired to eliminate Athena and her research."


    Athena watched, wide-eyed, as the minister confirmed Aiden¡¯s ims, urging citizens to trust in Athena¡¯s good intentions and not to sumb to the fabrications sttered across the headlines.


    Aiden leaned forward. "We want to be clear. There are two members of this gang in our custody. Yet, those group are still dangerous. Be cautious of Morgan Steels..."


    Just then, Morgan¡¯s picture shed across the screen, causing murmurs to break out in the station again.


    Athena couldn¡¯t help but stare in awe. Aiden and Old Mr. Thorne surely were relentless. They had gone all out!


    "You have good friends. You are lucky," The female officer said.


    Athena nodded gratefully.


    "Yes, I do. Every day, I am grateful for their presence. And thank you for being here with me. What¡¯s your name?"


    "You¡¯re wee. My name is Leah," The officer said, a hint of warmth in her voice.


    "Thank you, Leah..." Athena noticed then that the male office was approaching her. Without words, she stretched her cuffed hands to him, and the male quickly unlocked the metal bracelets.


    His face, previously masked with annoyance, softened into something more gentle and apologetic. "I¡¯m sorry for earlier. I was just frustrated and annoyed with the situation involving the dead patients."


    "It¡¯s okay," Athena responded, rising to her feet and flexing her hands as she relished the freedom. "I¡¯m annoyed too."


    Meanwhile, miles away in a dark hideout, Morgan hurled a bottle of beer at the television screen, smashing it in a burst of rage.


    "Athena, I will kill you!!!" He screamed, his voice echoing with a chilling promise of vengeance.

 Chapter 193: Attacked!

    <h4>Chapter 193: Attacked!</h4>


    "Can I leave now, since I have been acquitted, or do I have to wait back and sign some papers?" Athena asked the male officer a few minutes after he uncuffed her hands.


    The male officer exchanged nces with Leah, seeking validation or guidance before responding. Leah said nothing, but she nodded at Athena, her eyes reflecting reassurance.


    "You can leave. I am sure that the chief would understand this case, since everything is out in the open. But don¡¯t you want to wait for your friends to pick you up?"


    Athena¡¯s brow furrowed as she considered this suggestion. She shook her head after some mental deductions weighed heavily on her thoughts. "No, I think I can handle going back to the hospital."


    From the video coverage aired by the 8 PM news crew, the background used for the little conference and interrogation was the hospital¡¯s garden. She could recognize that scenery anywhere, even in her sleep. If she hurried up now, she would be able to catch up with Aiden.


    "But what if the gang has eyes on you? What then? You should stay here; we can protect you..." Leah insisted, her voice rising slightly as concern etched across her features.


    Athena¡¯s gaze roamed the entirety of the police station, taking in the sight of officers chatting animatedly about the news coverage that had just aired¡ªa few were even casting nces in her direction. She shook her head, feeling a mixture of frustration and determination. If Morgan came for her here, she didn¡¯t think they would stand a chance against him and his gang.


    If anything, it was more reason for her to leave, ensuring that innocent lives wouldn¡¯t be at risk; because if she was to take a guess, Morgan would be furious at the turn of events. As much as she loved stepping on his toes, she loved keeping people alive more.


    "Don¡¯t worry, Leah. I will be fine. Thanks so much for your concern. I really appreciate it." She finally said, her voice steady as she gave a curt nod to the male police officer and strode confidently out of the police station.


    Outside the station, the evening air was cool and refreshing. Athena inhaled deeply, savoring the freeness that apanied her newfound freedom. It was exhrating.


    She lifted her phone to check for missed calls and notifications. The screen lit up with the startling number¡ª107 missed calls. She raised an eyebrow at the sheer volume. Among them were calls from Chelsea and Areso.


    Did Gianna inform them of the situation? She wondered as she paused to hail a cab. Or had the news coverage spread past the confines of the country, affecting others abroad?


    Well, should she be surprised? This was a scandal that involved the disease ravaging many nations at the moment!


    "Ma¡¯am, where are you heading to?" A voice interrupted her thoughts.


    Athena focused her attention on the cab driver. He was a middle-aged man, perhaps in his forties, with a bright smile that did little to hide his mismatched clothing, a missing tooth, and unkempt fingernails.


    She cocked her head to the left, essing the harmless man. Surely, this person couldn¡¯t be part of the gang.


    "Whitman¡¯s Hospital," She called out, showing her phone to the man, who had leaned over slightly to peer at her. "I can pay through a transfer; I¡¯m not carrying cash or my card."


    The man nodded amiably and waved her in. "Not a problem, ma¡¯am. Let¡¯s go."


    Athena hesitated for just a moment, her instincts ring. She studied the man once more. He had turned his attention back to the road, nodding along to the jazz music ying on the radio.


    She sighed, mentally pleading with fate. Please, don¡¯t be a gang member. She mused as she settled into the car, which smelled faintly of peppermint, citrus, and something slightly sweet, like cigar smoke. She couldn¡¯t afford any more drama for the night, not after everything she had been through.


    Several minutes into the drive, Athena began to admit that the ride was going smoother than she had imagined. The driver didn¡¯t talk much; he simply minded his business and moved at a reasonable pace, which was a blessed relief.


    This sense offort was short-lived, though.


    Athena would never be able to tell how the next sequence of events unfolded when they stopped at a junction where the traffic light stubbornly stayed red. It all happened so fast it felt surreal.


    One moment, she was nodding along to the music, and the next, a violent force struck the car, sending it tumbling into the adjacentne. In a dizzying whirl, the vehicle was hit again by a speeding car. The world around her flipped upside down as the car somersaulted, rolling over more than once beforending upside down on the pavement.


    "Hey..." She tried to call out to the driver, who had not thought to wear a seatbelt. His head was twisted at an unnatural angle against the car¡¯s interior, a grotesque sight that sent chills racing down her spine. But he didn¡¯t respond.


    "Hey..." She tried again, forcing her voice above the rising panic, but there was only silence in return.


    Tears burned her eyes as reality sank in; the driver was still and lifeless. She was about to stretch her bloodied hand out to him¡ªan injury somewhere, surely, but she felt too numb to locate it¡ªwhen a series of gunshots rang out in the distance.


    Her heart leapt into her throat as she jerked her head to the side, staring through the shattered window in horror. Her eyes widened as she saw figures d in ck, masked; some brandishing guns and shooting them into the air.


    An unsettling sensation wed at her gut as they scared bystanders away froming to her aid. The gang!


    Sirens wailed in the distance, and she knew the police were on their way too¡ªperhaps Leah had put everyone on alert, anticipating trouble.


    Athena felt a strange rush of hysteria bubble up inside her, and she attempted tough, but it turned into a choked gasp as pain tightened around her chest. She sighed again, shaking her head to focus.


    As reality came crashing back, she hurriedly unlocked her seatbelt and fell to the bank of the car. After a moment of hesitation, she crawled out through the window, which had broken during the collision.


    Once she was outside, the cool night air rushed against her skin, mingling with the various scents clouding her senses.


    She realized then the injuries that marred her hand and face. She didn¡¯t notice the jarring pain in her leg until she attempted to stand when she saw the approaching gang members.


    She bit down the shriek that threatened to break free as pain shot across her body when she tried moving the slightly broken leg.


    What to do? She wondered in panic, clutching her injured leg and scanning her surroundings. She was close to a small patch of vegetation, but it wouldn¡¯t do much for hiding. She couldn¡¯t risk running either; that would only raise a red g, revealing her location to the gang. In her current state, escape felt impossible.


    Fresh tears pooled in Athena¡¯s eyes, and despair washed over her. She felt cornered; it was suffocating. She had nothing to defend herself with, merely her phone.


    Frantically, she fumbled to tie her hair back in a bun, desperate to keep it from obscuring her vision. As she did so, something cold and heavy on her coat brushed against her side.


    A flicker of hope ignited within her when she realized she still had the gun with her.


    Exhaling harshly in a mix of pain and relief, she reached into her coat and pulled out the weapon. <i>Thank God.</i>


    She dared another nce at the driver¡¯s twisted form and, in that moment, shut her eyes tight, whispering a silent prayer for him. Then, recalling her immediate predicament, she darted into the small bush nearby.


    Steadily, Athena navigated through the row of tall bushes, desperately hoping they would conceal her profile until she could figure out what to do next. But when she heard rustling in the bush behind her, muffled murmurs and shing lights, she realized it was only a matter of time before they found her.


    She quickened her pace, dragging her injured bleeding leg, gritting her teeth against the onught of pain that threatened to overwhelm her senses. This was a fight of life and death, and she couldn¡¯t afford to lose.


    Her twins were waiting for her!


    When she finally spotted a tall tree a few paces ahead, she hesitated, biting her lip. Could she climb it? Maybe she could hide among the thick branches and perhaps take out some of the gang members¡ªif it came to that.


    But then she realized her precarious position; how many could she realistically kill before being overwhelmed? She had counted at least five gang members, but what was to say there weren¡¯t more?


    In her urgency, she also noted that she couldn¡¯t hear the police sirens anymore, only the rustling of bushes as the gang members searched for her. <i>What happened?</i>


    A shout from behind her pierced through her thoughts, and without deliberation, she started moving again, this time toward the tree. When she reached it, dizziness threatened to pull her under. She shook her head, feeling the world spin, and it hit her hard: she couldn¡¯t climb in this condition.


    Instead, she sank to the ground behind the tree, resting against its sturdy trunk. She sat still, and spread her legs before her.


    <i>Is today the day I die? </i>


    Resting her head on the tree, she started counting numbers, her heart pounding in her chest, while keeping the gun poised strategically in her hand. If she was going to die, she wouldn¡¯t go down without a fight.


    She felt her breath catch when the rustling ceased, reced by an eerie silence that signaled the gang¡¯s heightened alertness.


    They were damn close now. She concluded, about to inch her head around to peer, curious to know what was happening, when a gunshot rang out nearby. Then another, and then a barrage of frantic gunfire erupted.


    The police?


    "Athena?"


    The familiar voice shot through her like lightning, unsettling yetforting all at once. She immediately pointed the gun in the direction where she heard the voice, disregarding how familiar it sounded despite the fog clouding her thoughts.


    She exhaled painfully, tears spilling from her eyes when she finally saw who was standing just a few feet away from her.


    "Zane?"

 Chapter 194: Rescued Again

    <h4>Chapter 194: Rescued Again</h4>


    Zane was still surprised that he had actually found Athena. He remained unmoving, even after Athena called his name tentatively, making her think that she was hallucinating.


    He watched her shake her head slowly as if to shake him out of her vision, watched her lift her eyes again to him, brow furrowing, most likely wondering what he was doing in front of her as an illusion.


    "Why am I seeing you then?" He heard her mutter intermittently, as she rested her head on the tree and closed her eyes, finally giving up on shaking him away, while her hand tightened on the gun.


    It was then that he snapped out of his haze, and took a good look at her. She was looking bloodied, from head to toe, like she had swum in blood. Was all that blood hers? He wondered, stepping closer to her.


    As his boot scrunched the crawling vegetation, Athena¡¯s eyes flew open, and she pointed the gun at him.


    Zane instantly threw his hands up out of habit. "Athena, it¡¯s me, Zane. I am sorry I didn¡¯t speak at first; I was just too shocked," He spoke out hurriedly, seeing the expert way Athena held the gun.


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows, ignoring the headache pumping her head. "Zane? You are real?"


    Zane nodded and slowly knelt in front of her. "It¡¯s me, really."


    Athena stretched her bloodied hand and tapped him on the cheek. When she was assured of its soft matter, she dropped the gun by her side, sighing heavily. "How are you here? Where is Aiden?"


    Zane pointed at the vegetation in front of her, needing to keep her active as he could see her voice tiring out, and her eyes drooping shut at intervals. He couldn¡¯t have her dying.


    He had made that promise with Sandro to Ewan; it had been the only way to keep him from zooming out of the house to the location of the ident when someizens had uploaded the video file, which had depicted some masked fellows shooting, some feet away from the car.


    It had taken the ck scorpion tattoos on the hands of the masked men as they raised their hands and shot the guns into the air to inform theizens that the masked men were members of the ck Scorpions gang.


    And who else would dare provoke the gang in such a way that they would be that careless? Athena.


    The realization had set off another pandemic; even the higher security details of the country, apart from the local police, were involved, seeing as she was a national treasure, considering the level of evidence that Aiden had presented in the news about an hour ago.


    "He ising with the others..." Zane finally said, sitting close to her, taking her head and resting it on his thighs. "Everything is fine now. Only don¡¯t shut your eyes to the darkness. Remember the twins are waiting for you. You still have patients waiting too. And not just that... the lives and economy of our nation and others are depending on you. So, don¡¯t give in."


    Athena, who had been just about to surrender to the enticing darkness, opened her eyes. "I won¡¯t die," She muttered, or tried to, because she couldn¡¯t hear herself.


    She clutched Zane¡¯s clothing to remind herself she was alive and safe. She could hear, as if from a far distance, his phone beeping at intervals, and knew he wasmunicating with the others toe and pick them¡ªto be on the safe side. Who could say that the gang might not have a backup n?


    Meanwhile, Zane just sent Aiden their location. <i>"The first tree in the bushes,"</i> He had typed before sending a message to Ewan: <i>"I have found her, big man. You can rest easy. Remember to take your drugs."</i>


    <i>"Thank you, Zane." </i>He got a reply from Ewan immediately. A soft smile touched his lips as he rested his head on the tree, absolutely grateful that he had found Athena and that they would be on their way soon.


    "Zane..." He heard Aiden and Sandro¡¯s worried voicester. He looked down at Athena. Her eyes were still open, focused on a grass with pink and yellow coloring, as if studying it. But from experience, he knew that this was the only way she could keep away from the darkness¡ªto keep focus on something else.


    "We are here..." He finally said.


    Immediately, Aiden and Sandro appeared in front of him, breathing harshly. Zane willingly surrendered Athena to Aiden, who carried her gently in his arms and nodded at him. "Thank you, Zane."


    Zane nodded, taking note of the security detail behind his friend.


    "What the hell, man! When did you disappear from my sight? How did you know where to find her?" Sandro asked as they followed Aiden out of the bush area.


    As they walked along the path, Zane pursed his lips, seeing dead bodies here and there. The gang had clearly anticipated a face-off; why else would they send more than ten skilled men on this mission?


    "Aiden told me to go look for her. He told me to follow the blood trail. I had to obey. Sorry about leaving you in the midst of a gun battle."


    Sandro sighed. "That¡¯s okay," He said, giving the big gun in his hand to one of the security men behind him. "So long as she is fine, all is well."


    "Are you sure?" Zane asked as they broke out of the bush confines, seeing the citizens that had crowded around the area with their phones raised, their faces tainted with curiosity and sorrow.


    "Is she okay?" came the echoes around the crowd.


    When Aiden nodded, before cing Athena on the stretcher, a cheering began, and people even hugged each other as if they had just won a football match.


    "Are things well? I think things might just get worse from here on out, especially with the public involved." Zane continued, entering the car that had brought him and Sandro to the junction, watching as the stretcher was lifted and put into an ambnce.


    "You are right," Sandro agreed. "This is far from over. Knowing Athena, she won¡¯t be pleased with the amount of security detail that will be following her from henceforth. Ewan mentioned that the eyes of the government of other nations are on her. Our nation too. As a matter of fact, our government sees her as a treasure now. And you know what they do to treasures..."


    Zane nodded tiredly. He knew, and he believed it would only make things worse¡ªmore casualties, more deaths.


    As he thought of this, he remembered the innocent driver that they had pulled out from the car first. Dead already on impact, he had guessed, noting the twisted nature of his neck. All because he wanted to convey a passenger to the hospital.


    "She should have stayed back at the station, waited for Aiden and the rest..." He heard himself speak, but even as he did so, even as Sandro met his gaze, he already knew the reply to that.


    If Athena had stayed at the station, there would have been deaths, this time in the police force. Three policemen had died in the gun battle today, but more would have died if she had remained in the station. He sighed and looked away.


    "Where should I go, sirs?" Ewan¡¯s driver asked, breaking the silence. "After the ambnce, or to the house?"


    Sandro and Zane exchanged furtive nces. "To the hospital," Sandro finally answered. There was no need to go to the house now. Ewan would have their heads if he found out that they didn¡¯t go to the hospital to get a doctor¡¯s report on how Athena was doing.


    An hour and two surgeonster¡ªafter they had gotten to the hospital¡ªZane and Sandro were pleased to hear the news from Aiden that Athena would be fine.


    "Thank you two foring," Aiden spoke, as he apanied them out of the hospital, for the doctors hadn¡¯t allowed visitors for Athena until the next day.


    "It¡¯s nothing, Aiden. You already had it covered," Zane spoke,ing to a halt before the car.


    Aiden shook his head. "She probably wouldn¡¯t have made it if you two hadn¡¯te. So, thank you."


    Sandro and Zane nodded, throwing a nce at the dark hallway. "You spending the night?" They both asked, swishing their noses at the same time when they realized they had spoken the same thing at the same time.


    "Yes, I have to. The twins cane in tomorrow," Aiden said, then paused. "Will the shareholders meeting still hold tomorrow, considering Athena is one of the shareholders?"


    Sandro shrugged his shoulders. "I am not sure. They might not consider her because the shares were not bought, just handed over by Ewan. Also, she is not really around in thepany..."


    Aiden wanted to say that those conditions didn¡¯t matter, but he was too tired, and Ewan¡¯spany was thest thing on his mind. So, he nodded and wished them a good night.


    "Say hello to Ewan for me. And of course, a ¡¯thank you¡¯ to him too," He said with a thin smile.

 Chapter 195: Conscious

    <h4>Chapter 195: Conscious</h4>


    A loud ng of metal on a hard surface nearby brought Athena out of the state of ck and bleak unconsciousness into the realm of the living.


    Eyes closed, she inhaled softly, allowing her brain to take a check of how her body system was, both inward and outward. The sharp pain in her left leg, as she tried to adjust herself, informed her it had been treated the best it could, and that she would be able to walk soon; this was because the pain disappeared as soon as it came.


    <i>Aiden must have hired as many doctors as he could</i>. Augh bubbled up to her lips at the worry that must have wrecked her friend, but she held it in as she heard noises around her now, her nerves restoring to default mode.


    "Kathleen! See what you have caused now?!"


    Athena paused her lips at her son shouting at his sister. It rarely happened, and she was curious to see what the matter was. Slowly, she popped open her right eye, as the noise hade from that direction, and saw Nathaniel picking up a metal tray from the floor. She noted the two white pills close to it too and concluded that they were probably for headaches.


    Athena squished her nose, intrigued, when she realized that the doctors had expected her to actually wake up around this time. Their confidence was quite interesting, and she was curious to know who her doctors had been.


    She smiled when Nathaniel¡¯s gaze connected with hers as he attempted to drop the tray on the stand beside her bed. A pause where shock fleeted past his features, and then the tray fell to the ground again with another nging sound that buzzed loudly in Athena¡¯s ears.


    "Mom!!" The boy screamed, speedily climbing onto the bed, however conscious of not lying or stepping on his mother, for the bed was arge one. At his shout, Kathleen, who had been sulking earlier, lifted her head in shock too.


    Seeing her mother¡¯s smiling expression, she ran the remaining distance to the bed. She tried climbing, believing that what her brother could do, she could do too, but she kept flipping dramatically.


    "Nate, help me!" She screamed in frustration when she failed for the third time, forgetting their earlier squabble.


    Nathaniel stretched his hand, and holding her hand tight, drew her up to the bed. Beside them, Athena was watching with faint amusement.


    "My son is a strong man now..." She said, ruffling his hair. But due to her posture, she couldn¡¯t do much, so she shooed them away to a certain distance on the bed and then propped herself up, with a pillow behind her, against the headboard. Then she surveyed the room.


    It was the most luxurious private room in the hospital, reserved for presidents and rulers of nations. If she was here, then Herbert had given the order. She didn¡¯t know what to think of that.


    "How are you doing, Mom? How are your legs?" Kathleen asked, crawling closer to her mother.


    Athena stretched her hands toward them, but the twins hesitated to burrow under her arms, fearing for her safety.


    Athena chuckled softly. "I am fine, you two. Don¡¯t you see?"


    Nathaniel and Kathleen could see that their mother looked better, even chirpier for someone that had survived a near-death experience and had her leg almost broken, but they still doubted. They knew their mother to be so optimistic sometimes; they didn¡¯t know if this was one of those times.


    When she winked at them, however, they couldn¡¯t resist rushing into her arms, tears slipping from their eyes before they could help it. By her sides, they sank their nostrils into her hospital gown, not minding that it smelled of medicines and the hospital atmosphere, happy that their mother was alive. They cried and clutched her tighter while she tapped their backs reassuringly.


    "It¡¯s alright, my darlings. Mommy is fine. I am sorry for making you worry."


    Nathaniel shook his head, lifting his head away from her a little. "Don¡¯t apologize, Mom. It¡¯s not your fault."


    Athena¡¯s smile dried up then. "It¡¯s actually mine. If I had taken the threat in the hospital seriously the first time it had urred, I wouldn¡¯t have been in this situation now. I would have been able to avert it, to avert the deaths of many patients."


    Nathaniel and Kathleen didn¡¯t know what their mother was talking about, but they refused to let her dwell in self-me. "Mom, please stop it. The gang was at fault here, not you. You don¡¯t have to feel guilty either about the deaths of the patients."


    Athena sighed and rested her head on the headboard, grabbing her children closer to her. She still med herself, of course, but her children didn¡¯t need to be aware of that.


    "Where¡¯s Gianna and Aiden?" She asked a few minutester, realizing that her children had been alone in the ward.


    "Aunt Gianna went out to get something for us to eat. Uncle Aiden went out with Grandpa to make some research into the hospital event..." As Nathaniel spoke, Gianna walked into the room with bags of takeout.


    "Please don¡¯t drop the food!" Athena screamed when she saw the ckening of her friend¡¯s jaw and hands. Fortunately, Gianna was fast enough to recover from her shock. Sheughed and shook her head thereafter, mirroring the actions of the children.


    "First time waking up after such an ordeal, and your first problem is that I shouldn¡¯t drop the food."


    Athena said nothing, only staring longingly at the takeouts Gianna was bringing out of the bag.


    "You are lucky that I got this for you, that I had joined my faith with the awesome doctors who believed you would be awake by noon. If not, you would have just relied on hospital food."


    Athena scrunched her nose and took the takeaway that Gianna handed to her.


    "It¡¯s your favorite," Gianna added, before beckoning the twins to get away from Athena so that they could each have space to eat their food.


    "Thank you, Gia..." Athena murmured, already munching the very much peppered food. She inhaled and exhaled in satisfaction when the effect of the hot spices kicked in, brightening her senses and alerting her further. "So, tell me... who are these doctors? Are they from the Whitmans¡¯ hospital?" She asked, needing to know.


    Gianna shook her head, opening a takeout for Kathleen. "They were sent from Ewan. They mentioned you might know them. They are twins¡ªMatthew and Mary."

 Chapter 196: Conscious II

    <h4>Chapter 196: Conscious II</h4>


    Athena choked on her food, coughing so hard that her sides ached greatly. She dropped the food on the bed and held her sides as if to quell the pain. How could she have forgotten the impact of the car ident on her body? But would one me her? Hearing the names of those devilish twins was enough to do that to anyone.


    "Athena, what¡¯s the problem?" Gianna asked, handing her a bottle of water, at a loss with the children, who had long abandoned their food and hurried toward their mother when she started coughing.


    "Did you just say Matthew and Mary?" Athena asked after taking a gulp of water. "They are supposed to be countries away. How are they here, in this city?"


    Gianna¡¯s brow furrowed. "Didn¡¯t you hear me earlier? Ewan sent them. Do you know them?"


    Athena¡¯s brow raised to her hairline. She hadn¡¯t heard Ewan¡¯s name earlier, or rather, the mention of the twins¡¯ names had sessfully erased his name from her hearing nerves. "Why would he do that? Shouldn¡¯t he be recuperating?" She asked, ignoring Gianna¡¯sst question as she picked up the takeout again.


    Gianna shrugged. "I don¡¯t know. I just got the info from Aiden when the children and I arrived this morning. He can fill you in when he arrives. For now, just eat and take your..."


    Gianna¡¯s eyes widened when she didn¡¯t see the drugs that had been kept on the tray on the stand. She immediately looked at Nate and Kate. "Where is the drug that Doctor Mary kept there?"


    Nate and Kate remained silent, their heads bowed in shame. After all, Gianna had trusted them to behave while she was away.


    "Don¡¯t be too hard on them, Gianna," Athena spoke, seeing Gianna¡¯s hot re on her two children. "I pushed down the drugs unknowingly. It¡¯s probably aspirin. We can get another one. Besides, I am okay. I don¡¯t feel headaches..."


    "But you held your sides when you just coughed!" Gianna interrupted, sighing heavily. She stood up from the chair and walked toward the door.


    "Where are you going?" Athena asked her, feeling for her children, whose heads were still bowed. She hoped their mood wasn¡¯t ruined.


    "To get another set of drugs," Gianna replied, and left the room.


    "Eat up, Nate, Kate. Don¡¯t beat yourselves up. You know, your Aunt Gianna is just tired..." Athena said, turning to her children, gesturing to the takeouts.


    "But we promised her..."


    "It¡¯s okay, Nathaniel. I promise that she won¡¯t be angry with you once she is back. You can eat your food."


    Nathaniel nodded, picking up his food again with Kathleen.


    Times like this, they really act their age, Athena thought, taking a mouthful of food.


    A knock sounded on the door then, alerting the three upants to a visitor that wasn¡¯t Gianna or Aiden.


    "Come in," Athena said hesitantly, her grip on the food paper-made container tightening. She frowned when she saw two doctors enter the room¡ªthe twins, Mary and Matthew.


    "Hello, Athena," They both greeted at the same time, a slight smirk on their lips. Not taking cognizance of Kathleen and Nathaniel¡¯s presence, they bounced their way to Athena¡¯s bed and sat down on either side of it.


    "I didn¡¯t ring a bell for your presence, nor did I tell you to sit," Athena spoke gruffly, scooping food into her mouth. Far be it from her to give an unnecessary reaction to them or stop eating because of them, never mind they were acting like they weren¡¯t seeing the kids a few feet away from them.


    She wasn¡¯t surprised, though. They had always existed in their own bubbles, so full of themselves. It was no surprise either that none of them had asting rtionship or ever got married.


    Look at the pot calling the kettle ck, her mind popped up then. Athena mused and scooped another bite, deciding to wait out the silence that ensued after her question. A few beatster, the twins caved.


    "We are your doctors, of course. We have that right, don¡¯t we?"


    Athena didn¡¯t bother answering them; she rather focused on her food.


    Mary tsked, shaking her head. "Such an ungrateful brat. We saved your life, and you can¡¯t even show appreciation."


    Athena scoffed lightly. "I¡¯m sure Ewan has done that well enough. Knowing you two, you charged the hell out of him."


    What the hell was Ewan thinking, hiring these two bimbos? She wondered for the second time, taking in their appearance. Simr blond hair and style, pink at the edges; the same pink two-piece clothes (different styles though), simr wristwatches, bangles, and nes. They even wore matching pink shoes!


    "Well, good service costs a lot. Admit it, we did good with your injuries." Mary answered, cocking her head to the left.


    "At what cost?" Athena retorted, feeling the urge to speak some sense to Ewan right at that moment. Thetter was so intent on being foolish at every turn! Didn¡¯t he do the necessary research on these two? Didn¡¯t he find out why it was mostly criminals that hired them?


    "At the right cost," Matthew finally answered. "You left us no choice, after all, after stealing our awards."


    Athena sighed tiredly, losing her appetite. "I didn¡¯t steal your awards; I earned them. And for heaven¡¯s sake, don¡¯t me me for your evil practices that demean the medical profession!"


    "Evil practices?" Maryughed in disbelief, getting to her feet. "We cured you, you ungrateful bitch! Show some appreciation, at least! Or is it because you have be the treasure of nations? Are you swimming in pride now?"


    Athena had no time for this gibberish; she could feel a headacheing on. "Just get out of here, devils. You can consider your debt repaid."


    She paused, seeing their disbelief. "Or have you forgotten that I cured your father of the Grey disease for free? I did something you two couldn¡¯t do, even when put together. Did you thank me? No! You two rather tried to spoil my practice and steal my research."


    Athena shook her head in anger as she remembered it all. "Get out of here now, or else your shameless rankings in the doctoral field will be taken away!"


    "You can¡¯t do that..." Matthew retorted defiantly.


    Athena shed her teeth in a sardonic smile. "Try me."

 Chapter 197: Ego

    <h4>Chapter 197: Ego</h4>


    "Really, Athena, you just escaped by a hair¡¯s breadth a couple of hours ago, and you are already trying to loop yourself into another trouble?" Aiden asked, stepping into the room, followed by Gianna, after Mary and Matthew had angrily stormed past them¡ªthey had been eavesdropping.


    Gianna was nonplussed, to say the least.


    Athena snorted softly and turned away from them, toward her children, who also wore expressions of surprise on their faces.


    "You can¡¯t me me. They just had to don those stupid airs of theirs in front of my children," She finally said, swinging her legs out of the bed, testing their strength by tapping them softly on the floor.


    Aiden shook his head. "You should have just ignored them."


    Athena cursed and swivelled to face him, ring at him hotly. "Why are you sounding like you don¡¯t know what those two are? Why did you even let them treat me?"


    Gianna immediately walked toward the twins and hugged them to herself. Together, the trio watched Athena¡¯s sudden outburst of anger, and Aiden¡¯s unflinching gaze, which spoke of a man not backing down from this particr fight.


    "Be reasonable, Athena! So you would have preferred to be dead? You would have preferred to be disfigured by other doctors, or maybe die before your favorites arrive from their far ces, just because you didn¡¯t want to be touched by Matthew and Mary?"


    "I would havested until my trusted range of doctors arrived! Why would you even listen to Ewan?" Athena retorted, not backing down either.


    Aiden flung his hands in frustration. "You wouldn¡¯t havested if those two hadn¡¯t been here any sooner. The doctors of your Whitman Hospital had almost rejected treating you because of your state! Don¡¯t you understand? If Ewan hadn¡¯t pulled the strings he pulled¡ªI don¡¯t know how he did it really¡ªyou would have left your children as orphans! So, can you put aside your ego for once and listen!"


    Athena¡¯s eyes shed with anger as she stood to her feet, looking at herself from head to toe. "Please tell me there was a supervisor at least when they were doing their work?"


    Aiden¡¯s deep silence told her what she needed to know. She angrily walked up to him and jabbed her index finger against his chest¡ªonce, twice, four times in total¡ªwhile ring at him fiercely.


    "You left me naked with them? Who says they hadn¡¯t left something in me?!" She screamed up at Aiden¡¯s face. "Damn you, Aiden! You know how despicable they are!"


    "They didn¡¯t. I tasked Finn to check after they were done."


    Yet Athena wasn¡¯t satisfied with that response. "I can¡¯t believe you let them touch me."


    Aiden sighed tiredly and ced his hands on Athena¡¯s shoulders, but she shrugged them away.


    "Can¡¯t you let go of your grievances toward them for one day, at least as a ¡¯thank you¡¯ for saving your life? Because I did. There was no other choice. I even owe Ewan a thank you."


    Athena scoffed at that. "Did you ask him how he was able to get them here on such short notice? We both know what those two are like. If anything, we should be worried about their payments."


    "I¡¯m sure Ewan can handle himself, especially since Sandro gave me the report that he is getting better. He is eating normally, too. Give him a few weeks, and he¡¯ll be back to his normal weight." AIden stated calmly.


    Athena retraced her steps back to her bed. "Did the shareholders meeting still hold today?" She asked, taking the takeout from the bed and cing it on the stand, arranging the bed. She was done with the hospital atmosphere. There was work ahead.


    "No, but it will hold tomorrow. Will you go?"


    Athena looked at Aiden as if he were asking an unnecessary question. "Of course, I will go. I am a shareholder. And did you forget that we have Alfonso and Fiona to take care of?"


    Aiden shook his head, taking a seat on one of the sofas in therge room. "Not at all. I just think you need to rest. You don¡¯t need to be in the meeting."


    And miss the hot gossip? Nah, Athena thought, walking toward Gianna and the children. "I will be there with Old Mr. Thorne. The agreement is still on. Are you two ready to go home now? Mommy is fine."


    The twins nodded, understanding their mother¡¯s prickly state. She needed to be away from those doctors.


    "One more thing, Aiden..." Athena muttered as Gianna finally handed her the aspirin to take.


    "What is it, Athena?" Aiden got to his feet. It was time to go home.


    "This is a one-time visit, right?"


    Aiden furrowed his brows. "You have to be more clear, Athena."


    "The doctors..." Athena began impatiently. "They just came to treat me, right? They won¡¯t be suddenly hired here by Herbert, right?"


    Aiden pursed his lips. "I don¡¯t know, Athena. I guess we have to find out. And even if they are, what are you going to do? Quit your practice?"


    Athena said nothing to that, though furrow lines marred her forehead.


    "You seem to forget they upy the second rank behind you in the doctoral field. They would have been first, but for your existence. They are good at what they do, Athena."


    Athena looked at Aiden as if he had just grown a new face. "What is wrong with you, Aiden? Why are you talking like you don¡¯t know how these two are? Like you don¡¯t know the ridiculous way they practice medicine?!" Her voice started rising again.


    Aiden scoffed, startling Athena. "It¡¯s easy for you to talk now; you are fine and good. Maybe if you were in my position, watching your friend struggle with life and death, rejected by doctors, perhaps you would speak much better."


    After he spoke, he walked out of the room first without another word.


    "Aiden!..."


    "Athena, that¡¯s okay... rest it..." Gianna spoke for the first time since the fiasco started.


    Athena turned to look at her, surprised that Aiden had walked out on her.


    "I don¡¯t know much about your history with those twins, but Aiden does. I wasn¡¯t around when they brought you in, but Aiden was. For him to allow them to touch you, you must know that the situation must have been dire. And if I were him, I wouldn¡¯t appreciate you attacking me for making sure you lived. Don¡¯t you see he is stressed out? Or do you only care about your ego and feelings?"

 Chapter 198: Ego II

    <h4>Chapter 198: Ego II</h4>


    Even Gianna was against her too? Didn¡¯t they understand the havoc those evil twins could wreak if given even the slightest chance to thrive? Why couldn¡¯t they see things from her viewpoint? Athena wondered, taking note of Gianna¡¯s calm expression.


    However, from experience, she knew better than to be fooled by that exaggerated tranquility. Her best friend was angry with her.


    She nced at her children; they seemed confused by the situation, but they also didn¡¯t appear happy that she had chased Aiden away with her barrage of questions. She exhaled harshly and looked up at the ceiling, as if asking for grace to push through this.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Gianna. I guess you¡¯re right. I will apologize to him. Meet me with the kids, at the car park," She said, hurrying out of the room.


    In the hallways, as she searched for Aiden, she found herself being stopped repeatedly and congratted by both patients and medical staff alike, such that by the time she finally reached the reception area, more than fifteen minutes had passed.


    She sighed in relief when she saw Aiden and Old Mr. Thorne engaged in a conversation with Finn. She hastily covered the distance between them.


    Finn noticed her first, as he was facing the angle from which she wasing. "Doctor Athena! You look well! Thank the heavens!" He eximed, his voice pitched a bit higher with excitement.


    Old Mr. Thorne quickly turned, a smile breaking on his lips when he saw Athena. He excused himself from Aiden and engaged her in a tight hug.


    "For a second there, I thought I was losing another daughter..." He muttered, clutching her tighter.


    Athena sighed, hearing his ragged voice, knowing the old man was on the brink of tears.


    "I am fine, dear friend.Thank you for all you did yesterday," She said, ncing at Aiden, who hadn¡¯t turned at her appearance.


    Instead, his gaze was fixated on the wall, as if there were something especially interesting to look at there.


    Old Mr. Thorne disengaged from the embrace. "Don¡¯t worry about that. It¡¯s my job to take care of you. Have you eaten?"


    Before Athena could respond, he waved his hand dismissively, as if to say it didn¡¯t matter.


    "My wife ising with a lot of food. Come, let¡¯s return to your ward. We have a lot to talk about..." He paused when he noticed Athena was still staring at Aiden.


    "So, you¡¯re the reason he¡¯s in a foul mood?" He asked, taking her hand in his. "You know, Athena, you shouldn¡¯t annoy your savior so soon after waking up..."


    Athena sighed and faced Old Mr. Thorne. "It couldn¡¯t be helped."


    She looked at Finn, who had been standing there all along, quietly observing the exchange. "I heard you checked me for any... troubles... did you see anything?"


    Finn shook his head. "The doctors did a perfect job."


    Athena bit her lips to suppress a refutation of that statement, instead nodding and gesturing for him to excuse them. Finn nodded with a smile and walked away.


    "Excuse me, old friend. I need to apologize to my friend."


    Old Mr. Thorne gently let go of her hand. "Sure. I¡¯ll be waiting for you in the ward."


    "No need," Athena replied, shaking her head. "I was actually heading home. I think you should call your wife. Maybe we could divert to my ce? Or better still, I can spend a few days at yours..."


    Old Mr. Thorne loved thest idea better and nodded his head happily. "I¡¯ll let her know so she can make adequate preparations. Where are Gianna and my grandchildren?" He asked, smiling widely.


    "I told them to meet me at the park. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll see them there."


    Old Mr. Thorne nodded and left.


    After watching him walk away, Athena turned to Aiden. He was still gazing at the wall, standing in the same position. Her shoulders drooped as she approached him, not pleased with the tension lingering between them. She couldn¡¯t remember thest time she had such a troubling fight with him.


    "Aiden..." She called,ing to stand beside him.


    "I thought you were going to die," Aiden started, without any prompt. "You were awake when Zane transferred you to my hands, but on the way to the hospital, you suddenly... stopped opening your eyes. You stopped breathing. I thought you were dead, Athena. The pain that wrecked my heart while watching the doctor, who hade with the ambnce, trying to resuscitate you..."


    He paused, searching for the right words, as if the words he had on his lips were too feeble to convey the depth of his feelings. "It was like watching my own daughter die. The pain was unbearable. I almost pushed the doctor away and started the CPR myself..."


    Athena held back a chuckle at the imagery.


    "In the hospital, Finn and the other doctors believed you wouldn¡¯t survive. That was until those two arrived, sent by Ewan. They saved your life, Athena. And I don¡¯t care if you hate them; I¡¯m just grateful they saved your life, and nothing can change that."


    "Thank you, Aiden," Athena said after a beat. She stepped in front of Aiden and opened her arms with a smile. "Hugs hugs..."


    Aiden scoffed and looked away, refusing to be moved by her carefreeness now.


    Athena chuckled and wrapped her arms around him all the same. "Thank you, Aiden. Forgive me for my foolhardiness."


    But Aiden said nothing.


    "Say something, big man. Am I forgiven?" She asked after Aiden refused to hug her back.


    "Do I have a choice?" He muttered, snorting.


    Athena smiled into his chest. "Of course not."


    Five minutester, they were on their way to Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s house, as thetter had already left with Gianna and the twins.


    "So, Sandro and Zane never mentioned what Ewan had given those twins for treating me?" Athena asked, as she went through Aiden¡¯s ylists.


    Aiden shook his head, cutting through a bend in the road as they entered the estate that belonged to Old Mr. Thorne.


    "I don¡¯t think they know. If you¡¯re so interested in finding out, you¡¯ll have to ask Ewan yourself." He looked at her as he said this, smiling when he saw her pout her lips.


    "I take it that you¡¯re not that curious?"


    "Not at all." Athena answered with a shrug.

 Chapter 199: Game Changer

    <h4>Chapter 199: Game Changer</h4>


    "So, dear friend, what did you find out?" Athena asked Old Mr. Thorne as they settled onto the sofas in the family discussion room.


    With them were Florence and Aiden, as Gianna and the twins had gone to sleep already. Old Mr. Thorne exchanged nces with Aiden before speaking.


    "I think there is more to these gang attacks than meets the eye. It is highly likely that their backer is from the government. As a matter of fact, it¡¯s a surety."


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "That isn¡¯t anything new to me. Of course, the person who would want my research is most likely from the government. It¡¯s why my director at my second ce of work talked about ass-kissing and bootlicking..."


    Aiden chuckled, breaking Athena¡¯s mid-sentence. She turned to him,ughing as well. Old Mr. Thorne and his wife exchanged confused nces.


    "Is there something funny that I¡¯m missing out on?" He asked, darting a side nce at Florence.


    "Not at all. Just an old memory." Athena replied, before returning to the topic at hand. "But as I was saying, that is obvious. Yet we owe it to the people to find out who the person is, understand their motive, and then stop this madness once and for all."


    Florence nodded in support.


    "So, was there anything else discovered during this period of crisis?" Athena questioned, looking between Aiden and Old Mr. Thorne.


    "Well, we started with that preamble because the gang covered their tracks well enough in the hospital. We couldn¡¯t get anything from the cameras; they had all been stomped dark. There were no visuals, nothing at all to prove that some male nurses had attacked the patients. We checked out the hospital staff, and none seemed suspicious; neither did they know of anymand to push the patients into one room. To be honest..." Aiden paused, a furrow marring his forehead. "The gang is quite smart."


    Athena scoffed. "Are you just finding that out? The only careless tactic I¡¯ve seen from them is the attack theyunched on mest night. I guess Morgan must be very infuriated."


    Florenceughed lightly. "He should be. You really frustrate him at every turn."


    Seeing that not much else hade from the investigation, Athena was d she had already instructed her children to enlist the help of their friends.


    "But don¡¯t worry; I¡¯ve got an elite team of researchers and hackers working on this matter. They will get us a reply soon. Hopefully, it will be positive. Because since the court case, it seems the gang has upped their tactics."


    As expected, Athena thought, regarding Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s statement.


    "So, are we still nning to attack their hideout after the shareholders¡¯ meeting, seeing as we already know what they transport on a daily basis?"


    Athena nodded at Aiden¡¯s question. "Yes. We need to intercept them as soon as possible. But Aiden... you will need to work on the best infiltration tactic. If there¡¯s even a little possibility of not losing anyone, I will take it."


    Aiden nodded. This was his field; he would make sure to do his best in theing days.


    "So, Athena, have you heard anything from Herbert concerning the role of those doctors, Mary and Matthew? And what he ns to do regarding the infiltration in the hospital?" Florence asked, yawning a little. It was obvious to everyone that she was getting sleepy.


    Athena shook her head. "Not yet. Maybe after the shareholders¡¯ meeting tomorrow. He is one of the key shareholders in Ewan¡¯spany."


    "Speaking of Ewan, how is the young man doing? I heard he was the one who sent those doctors to save your life?" Florence continued, a bit eager now.


    Athena paused, still not pleased with the idea of those despicable twins saving her life.


    "Yeah, he did. He¡¯s fine, ording to Sandro. He might even be around for the shareholders¡¯ meeting tomorrow."


    "That would save us a lot of trouble," Old Mr. Thorne added, considering also giving Ewan the documents containing the shares of thetter¡¯s parents in his ownpany.


    "Yeah, it will," Athena said, getting to her feet. It was gettingte, and she had something to do before turning in for the night.


    "I will be turning in now. Goodnight, everyone..." She said, darting a furtive nce at Aiden. Thetter, very sensitive to her expression, rose to his feet too.


    "Me too. Thank you for letting me stay a while at your ce..."


    Old Mr. Thorne waved Aiden¡¯s thanks aside. "You shouldn¡¯t count that. I¡¯ll see you all tomorrow morning. Have a good night."


    "You too," Aiden and Athena echoed as they walked out of the room.


    "You know they¡¯re not going to sleep right now, right?" Florence remarked.


    Old Mr. Thorne nodded at his wife¡¯s statement. "Of course. But that is to be expected. They may have one or two things to sort out. That isn¡¯t our concern unless we are involved, Florence. Come on, let¡¯s go to our room. I¡¯ve missed you."


    Florence blushed, dramatically pushing Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s hand away when he tried to touch her. "Oh, Edward..." She sighed, unable to refuse him a second time.


    Meanwhile, in front of the room assigned to Athena, Aiden was contemting an issue while Athena offered suggestions on how they would infiltrate the gang¡¯s den.


    "Aiden, you¡¯re not listening..." She mused, folding her arms across her chest. "What are you thinking about?"


    Aiden sighed and rested his back against the wall. "I think you should send in Susan."


    Athena¡¯s mouth fell partially open as she stared at Aiden, as if he had lost a knot in his brain. "We can do this without Susan," She finally said softly.


    "As much as we n smartly, we need an inside person. And who better to y that role than Susan? I promise you, that would be a game changer..."


    Athena paused. "If anything happens to her, Aiden..."


    "I know. I know. I will keep vignt watch on her..."


    "Still, I need to get her permission..."

 Chapter 200: Game Changer II

    <h4>Chapter 200: Game Changer II</h4>


    "Hello, Susan, I¡¯m sorry to call you thiste..." Athena began as Susan answered the call, steeling herself to address this matter once and for all. She hoped her young friend would actually decline the offer.


    "Hello, Athena... Good evening..." Susan greeted, her groggy voice suggesting that Athena had woken her from a deep sleep.


    Athena inhaled softly and sidestepped out of the door when Aiden gestured for them to walk into her room to continue the call. Inside, they settled into the two chairs avable, adjacent to the queen-sized bed.


    "I am sorry for disturbing you at thiste hour, Susan..." Athena continued, cing the phone, which was already set to loudspeaker, on the center table.


    "It¡¯s okay, Athena. I know that for you to call thiste, the matter must be very urgent. What is it? Do you need my help, my expertise?"


    Athena couldn¡¯t suppress the sigh that escaped her lips at the hint of excitement in Susan¡¯s voice as she mentioned ¡¯help¡¯ and ¡¯expertise.¡¯


    The thin smile on Aiden¡¯s lips only exacerbated it. What was there to smile about? She wondered.


    "Yes, I actually do. I want you to infiltrate the Devil¡¯s Scorpion gang as a spy. Can you do it?" She said, dropping the bombshell.


    "..."


    Silence greeted Athena for a couple of tense seconds. She looked at Aiden, who seemed utterly confused.


    Athena sighed again and shook her head, ready to tell Susan to forget she had ever asked the question, thinking her friend had been put off by the audacious request. But then Susan spoke up, breaking the tension.


    "Really? Do you mean it?" The excitement in her voice was so palpable that Aiden shed a winning smile at Athena.


    Yet, Athena remained cautious. After all, she had made a promise to the girl¡¯s mother to keep her safe.


    "Who am I impersonating? Please, someone cool, not stupid like Fiona. Please, Athena..."


    Athena shot Aiden a stern look then, a silent vow in her gaze that if anything happened to Susan, she would demand repercussions from him.


    Aiden nodded immediately, silently agreeing to take care of her.


    "No, I don¡¯t think she is as stupid as Fiona. As a matter of fact, she is badass, wicked, and all. About your age too. Her name is Heronica."


    A pause lingered on the other end of the line. "Is she among the gang members captured by our organization?"


    Athena nodded, and Aiden whispered to her, "You¡¯re on a call..."


    "Oh," She acknowledged, then spoke out loud. "Yes, she is. But don¡¯t worry about the publicity that has garnered; we will use that to our advantage; maybe orchestrate an escape story, and all. You don¡¯t need to worry about that. I¡¯ll take care of it from our end..."


    After a brief pause, Susan replied, "I will do it. Thanks for giving me the chance to prove my worth to the organization."


    Athena shook her head. "Your worth is not decided by your actions for the organization, Susan. You are already a valued personnel. Thank you for epting the job."


    "It¡¯s a pleasure, ma¡¯am. I promise that I won¡¯t disappoint you."


    Athena chuckled softly, feeling a swell of emotion. "You can never disappoint me, Susan. Not even if you tried."


    Susanughed. "Do I have to report to the headquarters? When will I start my work?"


    "Tomorrow. I would email Director Alvarez of the n tonight. You should get ess to Heronica by tomorrow. Be careful, Susan."


    "That¡¯s my second name, ma¡¯am. Thank you for this opportunity. Good night."


    "Thank you for this opportunity? She is the one doing me a favor." Athena muttered, when the call came to an end.


    "You see, it went well..." Aiden gestured to the phone as he spoke.


    Athena scoffed, picking her phone from the table. "Of course it would go well either way. The main problem is the job itself. I just hope it will go as smoothly as this call."


    "It will. Stop worrying," Aiden reassured her as he got to his feet. It was time to turn in. "I will see you tomorrow, yeah..."


    Athena nodded. "Goodnight," She said, ncing at her phone and tilting her head when she noticed a missed call from Antonio from a day ago.


    "Aiden..." She called, halting him in his tracks. "What¡¯s up with Antonio?" She asked, rising to her feet. "I missed his call a day ago¡ªsome hours before the ident. Are you sure he is okay? He hasn¡¯t called back, nor has he visited me?"


    This was very unusual, she thought, eyeing the missed call again. Antonio would generallye to see her, especially after the news.


    Aiden furrowed his eyebrows, uncertainty etched on his face. "I don¡¯t actually know. I just know he is working with Herbert in hispany. I don¡¯t know which sector. You should ask him yourself."


    "I know. But why hasn¡¯t hee to see me?"


    Aiden was at a loss himself. "I don¡¯t know, Athena..."


    "You don¡¯t think something has happened to him?" She asked, her eyes widening as the implication sank in. It would exin his absence, but she wasn¡¯t hoping for that oue either.


    "I don¡¯t think so. Antonio can handle himself, even being a father. Should I try calling him?"


    Athena shook her head resolutely. She would do it herself. Dialing his number, she tapped her foot on the floor in impatience with every dial tone. Finally, he answered the call.


    "Athena..."


    He sounded so groggy, as if he had just woken up from a deep sleep. Athena thought, putting the call on loudspeaker.


    "Antonio, are you okay?" She asked, a hint of concern threading through her voice.


    "Yes, I am fine. Is there a problem since you are calling at this time?"


    Athena furrowed her brows and shook her head. "There is none. I was just returning your call..."


    "Oh, that¡¯s okay. Can we speak tomorrow? I feel very tired."


    rm shot through Athena. Was Antonio infected with the Grey disease? "Antonio, how else do you feel? Is your eyesight greying out?" Sheer panic was evident in her voice.


    "No, not at all. I am just too tired. No one ever told me that working nine to five was so stressful..."


    Athena chuckled, relieved. "We will talk about it tomorrow, Father Antonio. Goodnight."


    "Goodnight, Athena. I love you."

 Chapter 201: The President’s Order

    <h4>Chapter 201: The President¡¯s Order</h4>


    "You really are not going to let this go?" Athena queried as she adorned her finely smooth wrist with a silver bracelet.


    "Why would I? It¡¯s not every day that I get to hear Antonio¡¯s vulnerability," Aiden replied cheerfully, munching on an apple.


    Hisidback attitude this morning made Athena almost regret letting him into her room.


    Sighing, tired of his relentless banter, she turned and shot him a re. But that didn¡¯t faze Aiden, rather he mimicked Antonio¡¯s words fromst night just before the call had ended.<i> "Goodnight, Athena. I love you." </i>


    Athena shook her head, resolutely refusing to find amusement in Aiden¡¯s taunt.


    "Shouldn¡¯t this y be behind your age grade?" She asked, picking up the brown leather tote bag that contained herptop and a couple of files from the bed, bracing herself for whatever challenges the day would fling her way.


    In there too was her bottle of pills.


    After the troubling episodes of two days ago, she vowed never to go anywhere without them. She had even transferred them to a gum container to deflect any suspicions from those around her.


    Aiden stood up and chuckled, shaking his head. "Not at all. I can¡¯t wait to see his face today... Do you think he will remember?"


    Athena¡¯s brow furrowed as she hoped for the opposite oue. "I don¡¯t think so. He was too consumed by sleep, remember? So, I would appreciate it if you kept your thoughts to yourself. Your sense of humor won¡¯t be appreciated in this regard; you¡¯ll just end up embarrassing me and putting me in a bad spot."


    Aiden punched the air in mock frustration. "Damn! I would have loved to tease him about this."


    Athena huffed and started toward the door. "Grow up, Aiden. You talked about me forgetting the grievances of the twins toward me, and here you are, ready to dunk on Antonio because of his actions toward youst year..."


    Aiden snorted. "This is different! The dude hadn¡¯t let me hear the end of it for weeks because I slept on a stripper¡¯sp instead of doing what I was supposed to. Worse, I ended up spouting gibberish..."


    Athenaughed out loud then, reliving that hrious episode, much to Aiden¡¯s chagrin.


    "Let it go, Aiden. Take your own advice." She opened the door and walked into the hallway, Aiden trailing closely behind.


    In the sitting room, Old Mr. Thorne and his wife were already waiting. After exchanging greetings, Athena asked, "Where are Gianna and the kids?"


    "She went to drop them off at school. Don¡¯t worry; there¡¯s arge security detail following them¡ª very trained personnel," Mr. Thorne reassured her.


    Athena nodded, willing her racing heart to calm down. Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s security teamprised some of the most skilled personnel she had ever encountered.


    "Alright then, shall we...?" She began, but stopped when Old Mr. Thorne pointed toward the dining table. There was breakfast waiting for her.


    "You have to eat something, and take aspirin at least..."


    Athena shook her head; there was no time for breakfast. They were just ten minutes out from the shareholders¡¯ meeting. "I¡¯ve had some apples..." She lied, knowing Aiden wouldn¡¯t call her out.


    "Besides, I don¡¯t feel any aches in my head or legs..." She flexed her legs as proof, suppressing a wince when a sharp pain shot through her leg. Nothing a few days and some medication wouldn¡¯t fixter.


    "Alright then. But you will have arge lunch. I will make sure of that."


    Athena bobbed her head, managing a smile. "That would be a pleasure."


    However, when they stepped into thepound to get into the ck bulletproof cars, eager to reach Ewan¡¯spany, they were halted by the sight of a group of men in ck suits and white shirts outside the gate, requesting entrance.


    Athena furrowed her brow. "Who are these people?" She asked, looking around. Aiden and Old Mr. Thorne shook their heads in confusion.


    "No idea. Maybe we should ask them," Florence suggested.


    Old Mr. Thorne waved at one of his security detail, and thetter opened the gate. The strange men outside immediately strolled in.


    From their gait and facial expressions, Athena could tell they were a security detail¡ªbut from whom?


    When she saw Antonio walk into thepound with a worried expression on his face, she guessed they were from him.


    Oh Antonio, she thought ruefully.


    Well, she was mistaken.


    "Good morning, Doctor Athena," The leader of the group, a man nearing forty, spoke, his eyes darting around thepound, examining her people in a matter of seconds.


    "Good morning," Athena responded, ncing at Antonio, who stood at a respectful distance from the men. Yet...


    "You need not have bothered. Mr. Thorne has me covered." She said to him.


    Antonio furrowed his brows, alerting Athena to some misunderstanding. "I don¡¯t know them, Athena. I just met them on the way. As a matter of fact, the only reason I sessfully walked through the gate was because I proved I knew you..."


    Athena steeled herself, turning her full attention to the chief. "Who are you?"


    "I am Valentine. We are the special forces of the president, deployed to ensure your safety considering the turn of events..."


    Athena raised an eyebrow, incredulity etched on her face. A chuckle escaped her lips a secondter. "The president? This must be a joke, right? Why would the president deploy troops to keep me safe?"


    Aiden pursed his lips; he had expected this, but not so soon. Athena wasn¡¯t going to like this.


    "You are an asset to the government¡ªof great value to the nation. We can¡¯t afford your life to be at risk. The economies of nations, the poptions of nations depend on your safety and that of your research. Hence, the order. We are here to ensure that what happened two days ago won¡¯t happen again."


    Athena shook her head, her displeasure evident. "My friends can do the protecting..."


    "They didn¡¯t do enough two days ago..." The chief agent sharply interrupted, his gaze fixed solely on Athena.


    Athena scoffed and stepped closer to him. "Now, listen to me, Valentine... I have no use for your troops, nor do I admire the idea of being followed around by the government. I can take care of myself! Now move out of my way!"


    "I¡¯m sorry, but I cannot do that, ma¡¯am," Valentine replied, maintaining his calm demeanor.

 Chapter 202: The President’s Order II

    <h4>Chapter 202: The President¡¯s Order II</h4>


    Athena inhaled deeply, striving to calm the rage simmering beneath the surface as she observed Valentine, who was expertly maintaining his stoic facade.


    Yes, she needed protection. That was a fact. But she didn¡¯t want¡ªor need¡ªthe government¡¯s protection. Hadn¡¯t she once worked for them? She was all too familiar with their operations, and now, she wanted nothing to do with them.


    How could she disentangle herself from this entanglement? Was it even possible?


    "What else did he ask you to do? Surely, the order isn¡¯t just to look after me like a nanny?" She finally asked, stepping back.


    Valentine pursed his lips, a fleeting frown passing across his face, but Athena noticed his budding annoyance. "He also ordered that you hand over the research material..."


    "It¡¯s not happening, Valentine. Get that message back to him. It is absolutely not happening. My research, myb, everything stays with me."


    Valentine furrowed his brows, astonished by the audacity of this woman whose name was on the lips of nearly everyone he knew. "You would dare disobey the president of the country?"


    "Yes, Valentine. I would dare to. After all, I have citizenship in other countries. If he tries to y a chess game with me, I can simply move to another board. So, what¡¯s it going to be, chief security officer?"


    Valentine quelled the anger that surged within him, especially in the presence of her entourage.


    Aiden Hunt, his senior during their time in the army, regarded him with a bored expression, as expected. And there were Mr. and Mrs. Thorne, owners of one of the leadingpanies in the country.


    They could likely keep this smart-mouthed doctor safe¡ªhe certainly had no interest in babysitting a rude woman¡ªbut this was a direct order from the president, and defying it was not an option.


    "I can¡¯t disobey a direct order from the president..."


    "You don¡¯t have to..." Athena interjected, ncing at her wristwatch, impatience creeping in. "Just ry my message back to him. If he wants to talk, let him schedule a meeting to discuss my protection and research¡ªthat¡¯s the most I can agree to. But having you all tailing me? I can¡¯t have it. That would do more harm than good. As you can see..."


    She gestured to the security detail standing behind her. "My friends have me covered. Still, thanks for your concern, Valentine."


    Valentine clenched his jaw so tightly that his lips burned from the friction. "Okay then," He finally said. "I¡¯ll take your report back to the president."


    Athena sighed in relief, but that relief was short-lived when Valentine added, "But I¡¯ll leave three of my men here. They will join your security detail. That¡¯s thepromise I can offer until I get in touch with the president."


    Athena¡¯s retort was caught in her throat as Aiden spoke. "Okay, Valentine. Keep the three men with us and go. We have a meeting to attend to."


    Valentine bowed his head slightly to Aiden, a reflexive gesture¡ªstemming of years of following ranks in the military¡ªcatching himself a moment toote.


    Athena¡¯s lips thinned in amusement. She knew she shouldn¡¯t push her luck. She watched as the frustrated man bit back a hiss, turned around, and walked out of thepound with his detail, leaving three hefty guards behind.


    She didn¡¯t bother asking for their names; she simply walked toward the car waiting for her. There was no need for introductions, she thought, settling into her seat, because they wouldn¡¯t be there long. She was determined not to allow any government spies into her research.


    "Athena..." Antonio¡¯s voice broke into her thoughts as he joined her in the car.


    From the view mirror, Athena caught the amusement lurking in Aiden¡¯s eyes as he sat in the front seat with the driver.


    "You didn¡¯t tell me you were attacked! I didn¡¯t know really! I turned off my phone after calling your number then; I was just so tired..."


    "It¡¯s okay, Antonio," Athena said, trying to smooth the worried lines on her friend¡¯s face. But Antonio wasn¡¯t ready to let it go.


    "It¡¯s not okay, Athena! I saw the video¡ªboth the ident and when Aiden carried you from the bush. There was nothing okay about that! We must kill Morgan! Please tell me there¡¯s a n in motion because I already have one..."


    Athena was left speechless. "Uhmm..." What could she say? "We already have ns in ce. Don¡¯t worry, Morgan will pay for what he did. You can be assured of that."


    Antonio sighed heavily and pulled Athena¡¯s face towards him, shocking her.


    "Don¡¯t scare me like that again, Athena..." He spoke softly, his eyes scanning her face as if searching for the scars he¡¯d seen in the video, finally resting on her pink, plump lips.


    "I won¡¯t, Antonio," Athena muttered, gently pulling away. "You don¡¯t have to worry."


    Antonio sighed and turned away, unaware of Aiden¡¯s internal battle not to say,<i> "Goodnight, Athena. I love you,"</i> as it seemed Antonio didn¡¯t remember his words from the previous night.


    Momentster, they arrived at Ewan¡¯spany.


    As Athena stepped out of the car, she was immediately taken aback by the cheers echoing around her from passersby and workers alike who had paused to see who the convoy was bearing.


    She pursed her lips and hurried into thepany alongside Aiden and Old Mr. Thorne with his wife¡ªthey had dropped Antonio off at Herbert¡¯spany¡ªknowing that it was only a matter of time before the press arrived there.


    Oh Lord, she mused as she walked toward the conference room, with Old Mr. Thorne leading the way.


    They met Zane by the door, on a call.


    Spotting them, he greeted them with a smile.


    Then he hung up and enveloped Athena in a hug.


    "You¡¯re looking even better than before..." He said when they separated.


    Athena continued to smile. "Thank you, Zane. And thank you, too, for saving me."


    Zane shrugged his shoulders, nonchntly. "I think the person deserving of thanks is Ewan. He made it all possible."


    Athena raised an eyebrow. Ewan again? "Will he be around for today¡¯s meeting?"


    "I don¡¯t actually know. Neither he nor Sandro are picking up my calls."

 Chapter 203: Shareholders Meeting

    <h4>Chapter 203: Shareholders Meeting</h4>


    Alfonso and Fiona struggled to sit confidently among the shareholders, who were muttering amongst themselves about the director¡¯s seat.


    Almost all of these shareholders were clearly ignorant about the happenings in the elders¡¯ council, but it didn¡¯t stop the anxiety intensifying at every turn, in their belly¡ªprobably because Zack and Herbert were present.


    The duo were regarding them as the scum of the earth, and several sensitive shareholders were beginning to notice.


    "Alfonso, it¡¯s obvious that your daughter might take the seat. Isn¡¯t she Ewan¡¯s fianc¨¦e? And didn¡¯t she study business administration at university? Surely, she must be good at something apart from being Ewan¡¯s fianc¨¦e..."


    Alfonso found it difficult to interpret the words of the shareholder closest to him as either support or mockery. What kind of insinuation was this¡ªthat Fiona had no skills?


    Yet, could he deny there wasn¡¯t a hint of truth in that? For months, that¡¯s all he hadined about, right before Athena began to tear them down.


    Turning to nce at his daughter, he noticed she was busy chatting on her phone. Likely with Morgan.


    Alfonso gritted his teeth in frustration. If Fiona had shown any interest in business, she could have been managing some of Ewan¡¯spanies or perhaps even secured the position of managing director in this one!


    But no, his daughter insisted on depending on a criminal who couldn¡¯t even get the job done when it came to eliminating Athena after several failed attempts!


    Tsk! What kind of powerful gang was that if they couldn¡¯t carry out such a simple task? And to think both of them had paid heavily for the gang¡¯s failure just two days ago¡ªthey had been starved by Mr Thorne¡¯s men until this morning!


    Alfonso darted another nce at Herbert and Zack, who were seated together with another shareholder between them; they were casting curious nces toward his daughter.


    "Fiona, drop that phone. You¡¯re garnering unnecessary attention..."


    Fiona scowled, looking up only to further scowl when she met the gazes of Zack and Herbert.


    Zack quickly averted his gaze, but Herbert remained fixed on her, leaving Fiona with no choice but to look away.


    "What is wrong with that man? What¡¯s his deal? It¡¯s not like I did anything to him..." Fiona muttered, switching off her phone.


    They had prepared their ns meticulously, and this time, their escape would be sessful. There would be no hitches, noplications in getting away from Athena and her backers.


    She managed a smile, visualizing her freedom in just a few hours, her simmering anger directed at Athena, whom she had decided was determined to be a constant thorn in her side. Only death of theter will serve to appease her totally now.


    "Who else are we waiting for?" Zack asked aloud after a few moments, his difort bing palpable. Ever since the trial in the elders¡¯ council, he¡¯d felt uneasy in his own skin.


    "Just Old Mr. Thorne and possibly the Doctor. They each hold a reasonable amount of shares in thepany," A shareholder replied, rifling through some files before her.


    "Do you think the good doctor wille? After the ident... I think she should be resting..." Another chimed in.


    She should, Fiona answered in her mind. Even though Morgan¡¯s n to eliminate Athena had failed, at least it should keep her away from today¡¯s meeting. Wasn¡¯t that the chief aim of trying to kill her?


    Athena was a detrimental addition to any arrangement; her presence spoiled everything!


    Unfortunately for Fiona, just then the door to the boardroom creaked open, and Athena stepped inside, nked by Old Mr. Thorne, his wife, Zane, and Aiden.


    "I apologize on behalf of all of us for ourteness..." Athena announced as she entered, immediately bringing smiles to the shareholders¡¯ faces, who had been eager for her presence unknowingly.


    She shot a discreet nce at Ethan, who gave her a curt nod. No one else seemed to notice, not with her being the center of attention.


    "That is not a problem, Doctor Athena. We actually didn¡¯t expect to see you, given the recent turn of events. You are absolutely wee," One of the shareholders offered, weing Old Mr. Thorne as well.


    "Thank you very much," Athena responded with a warm smile. "And I hope you¡¯ll all pardon the presence of my friend here. I have to go everywhere with a bodyguard now."


    "Quite understandable, Doctor Athena. Please, take a seat," Ethan said, maintaining the calm fa?ade that was his trademark in business circles.


    Athena nodded in appreciation and walked with her group to an empty row of seats.


    Once they were settled, a heavy silence enveloped the room as the shareholders exchanged nces, almost as if they had forgotten the purpose of their gathering.


    The absence of Sandro¡ªEwan¡¯s right-hand man and assistant, perfect for conducting the meeting¡ªwas profoundly felt. Old Mr. Thorne had to break the silence for the sake of expediency.


    "Good morning, everyone..." He began, pausing to let the echoes of greetings fade. "We know why we¡¯re here: to elect or select an acting director while Ewan is currently unavable. So, let¡¯s get down to it. Who do we think should take the position?"


    A nket of silence fell over the group as they all regarded one another.


    Athena sighed. "I think Sandro would be the best fit. He has been with Ewan the longest and knows the ins and outs of this business. He should take the reins until Ewan is out of the woods. I believe that¡¯s the best course of action at this point. Most of us have businesses to run, and we wouldn¡¯t really have the time to properly vet another candidate. So let¡¯s all do the right thing and choose Sandro."


    "Seconded," Herbert spoke up, raising his hand. Ethan followed suit.


    "Doctor Athena is right. That is indeed the best course of action. He is the assistant to Ewan Gietti, after all..."


    nods of agreement rippled through most of the shareholders.


    But then Zack croaked out, "He... is..."


    He cleared his throat, struggling to regain his confidence. "Sandro isn¡¯t around. What do we do then?"


    "Simple..." Alfonso interrupted, his voice steady. "We choose another person."

 Chapter 204: Shareholders Meeting II

    <h4>Chapter 204: Shareholders Meeting II</h4>


    Athena bit her lips to refrain from calling out Alfonso; from rehashing the evidence of the abominationsmitted by him and his daughter in front of the shareholders. That would be against the council rules.


    Instead, she inhaled deeply, reclined in her chair, and asked lightly, "And who could you have in mind, Mr. Alfonso?"


    Alfonso shook away the dread that enveloped him as he met Athena¡¯s steadfast gaze¡ªand not just hers, but also Old Mr. Thorne and Aiden, both impressive generals in their own right. He had done his research, of course.


    Yet, he could never be intimidated by a woman. No matter what! No matter how fast and how much she had wrecked his life upon her return from exile.


    "Who else but my daughter, Fiona? She is Ewan¡¯s fianc¨¦e after all and the closest to him. They have been close since childhood, so I think she surpasses Sandro in the closeness ratio. She also has a degree in business."


    At her father¡¯s praise, Fiona sat up proudly in her seat, attempting to project the calm of a businesswoman, as if that alone would make her one.


    Murmurings broke out among the shareholders.


    Athena felt a notable anguish when she heard one suggest that they allow Fiona to take the seat.


    Were these people daft? Handing over a man¡¯s sweat and blood to someone with no real experience in business? A generational business at that?


    Over her dead body! Athena mentally screamed. Being a CEO herself, she knew how draining it was, handling apany with subsidiaries. So, why would she let another man¡¯s hardwork go to waste?


    Yes, she had evidence against Fiona and her father, but it would be useless in this boardroom. The only way to tackle these foolish goats was to approach it from a business perspective.


    "Did you just mention Fiona?" She finally asked, calmly, leaning forward and cing her hands on the table.


    Old Mr. Thorne and Aiden smiled, rxing in their seats. Athena would take care of this spectacrly without breaking any rules.


    Alfonso furrowed his brow, his expression dramatically scanning the room. "I guess everyone heard my option a few seconds ago, Doctor Athena. I am sure you have grievances against my daughter, considering your past, but this is business..."


    "You must think so highly of yourself and your daughter, Alfonso..." Athena interrupted, causing an amused atmosphere to permeate the room. "But sorry to burst your bubble¡ªthe world doesn¡¯t revolve around you two. Grow up!"


    Smiles bloomed on the lips of shareholders, eager for drama, a mere shadow of theughter stirring in their minds.


    Alfonso chuckled snidely. "Get to your point, Athena... don¡¯t waste our time. Your choice, Sandro, isn¡¯t here. My daughter is the next option..."


    "She isn¡¯t even an option in the first ce. I know she is your precious daughter, but this is business, as you said, Alfonso. This is somebody¡¯s sweat and blood; we surely can¡¯t pass it down to someone who has never worked in her life, who has never utilized the business degree you im she has, who has spent her life living off Ewan¡¯s money because she saved his life years ago. No, Alfonso. We can¡¯t do that unless we want to sink this empire..."


    She paused, cocking her head at Alfonso, whose fists were clenched in hisp. "Or do you want to control things behind the scenes? Was that your n?"


    For a second, Alfonso was stumped, especially with the growing murmurs around him.


    The people were swallowing Athena¡¯s true deductions hook, line, and sinker. He gritted his teeth. Why had Morgan failed him? He hadn¡¯t even injured Athena enough to incapacitate her until this meeting was over!


    The smirk on Athena¡¯s lips indicated that she had an inkling of his thoughts.


    He was about to speak again, but Fiona was done being defended. She was a human being too. Before opening her mouth though, she arranged her thoughts carefully.


    "Athena, that¡¯s not true." Her soft voice calmed the murmurs as everyone leaned in to hear her defense. "I know you hate me, but you shouldn¡¯t lie in front of all this dignified people."


    A pause, where she expected her charm to take effect on the egos of the older people.


    "I worked while attending college; I even managed a coffee shop at one point..."


    Athena¡¯sughter escaped her before she could contain it.


    "Please pardon me..." She said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Go on, please. Where else did you work?"


    Fiona paused, ring hotly at Athena, not bothering to hide her disdain. "That is none of your business!" She retorted, her voice now higher than usual before turning to the others.


    "All you need to know is that I have worked, and I can handle thepany. I even help Ewan with the business in the evenings..."


    Anotherugh escaped Athena, and this time, she wasn¡¯t alone. Old Mr. and Mrs. Thorne, Zane, and Herbert joined in, while Aiden struggled to contain his amusement.


    Help Ewan with what? That evil witch couldn¡¯t even calcte her own expenses!


    "Why are youughing?!" Fiona screamed then, mming her hand on the table, unable to hold it in any longer.


    ring at Athena and her entourage, her shrill scream only provoked moreughter, and soon the other shareholders joined in.


    Alfonso bowed his head, feeling fresh embarrassment wash over him. Athena... he would kill her, no matter how long it took him!


    Seeing that everyoneughed at her, Fiona would have loved to walk out, but she needed to see if this n would work in their favor. It would make things better. She opened her mouth to speak again, but Athena had heard enough.


    "Please, sit down, Fiona."


    (Thetter had stood up while hitting the table.)


    Reluctantly, Fiona sat down, left with no choice.


    "I apologize for my behavior, and the shareholders too..." But as Athena spoke, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips, irritating Alfonso and Fiona further.


    "But we just couldn¡¯t hold it in since the lies pouring from your mouth keep getting funnier!"


    Fiona attempted to speak again, but Athena raised her hand, silencing her.


    "Fiona, you never help Ewan with the business. You seem to forget that Zane right here is his friend and a frequent visitor to the Gietti mansion. Secondly, how can youpare your work¡ªthat is, if it¡¯s even the truth¡ªto an empire like this? Thirdly..."


    Athena threw her hands up,ughing mischievously. "You didn¡¯t even finish college. So what degree are you talking about?"

 Chapter 205: Shareholders Meeting III

    <h4>Chapter 205: Shareholders Meeting III</h4>


    Fiona bit her lips in frustration this time around, her eyes fixed angrily on Athena¡¯s jovial face and the smirk ying on thetter¡¯s lips.


    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder, for the thousandth time, where and how Athena acquired her information, which always hit the mark every time.


    After the court case, when she had been allowed to stay in the cottage, Fiona had almost blown off Morgan¡¯s ears with usations, thinking that he had, to teach her a lesson, given Athena some clues about her. Yet, it turned out that Morgan hadn¡¯t even been aware of how he had lost Lana¡¯s phone, nor did he know how Athena had gotten her information.


    It all boiled down to one fact: Athena had many backers at her beck and call, along with numerous hackers.


    ording to Morgan, that woman was even swimming in much money, thanks to her medical inventions and investments made over the past four years.


    The main question, however, ording to Morgan, was how Athena had known which investments would seed. For every investment she did, was always like striking gold at one touch. It was like she had the Midas touch!


    Also, what did she have over the wealthy men sidling and hovering around her? Like now... Fiona thought, darting a nce at Old Mr. Thorne and his wife.


    Morgan had given her a rundown on these two¡ªexperts in both economic and political spheres... how had Athena gotten her hands on them? Or was it Aiden Hunt, the highly decorated military man, who had submitted himself to Athenapletely, bing a mere driver and bodyguard?


    "Fiona Adams, aren¡¯t you going to respond to the usations leveled against you?" A shareholder interrupted her thoughts; it was Ethan Patterson, another influential investor and rich businessman.


    Maybe she should set her sights on him, Fiona thought, checking out his handsome profile, since Ewan would most assuredly not take her back. Or would he? Well, it didn¡¯t matter; Morgan would being to their rescue today.


    "There is nothing to say to that, Mr. Ethan, because she is lying. How can I, Adams Fiona, be a dropout? It doesn¡¯t even make sense. My strict father here would have had my head..."


    Alfonso nodded quickly, having been shocked to his core when Athena spoke earlier. His Fiona didn¡¯t finish college? After all the money she had extorted from him during that period?


    He refused to believe it, thinking that Athena was just making small talk. But when he looked at Athena to speak, his heart paused at the all-too-familiar smirk on her lips.


    <i>Oh my goodness, did Fiona really...? </i>


    He turned to his daughter then, who was busy staring at Mr. Ethan a bit too intently. He pinched herp immediately in fury.


    Fiona bit back a hiss and turned to her father.


    Florence shook her head in disgust. She found Fiona even more despicable in person.


    "Is that so?" Athena finally spoke, drawing everyone¡¯s attention back to her. "Should I call the school¡¯s rector? He¡¯s an old friend of mine..."


    Fiona scoffed. "Call him then." She thought there was no way Athena would have the number of the man who had been her nemesis at one point. She had tried to bribe him more than once, yet the old fool had stubbornly clung to his beliefs.


    To her dismay, Athena pulled out her phone and ced a call, putting it on speaker. It didn¡¯t take long for the voice of a man toe through.


    "Athena? Is that really you..."


    "Yes, Mr. Murdock, how are you doing?"


    "Athena! Long time!!" The man eximed, genuinely happy to hear her voice. "You just upped and abandoned us four years ago... when are youing back?"


    Athena smiled. "Not sure. I¡¯m still swamped with work..."


    "Of course. I can see the news. Although I¡¯m not surprised; you have always been a bright student and the best lecturer we had at that time, even though you refused to appear in person to teach your students..."


    Athenaughed. "Well, they learned, didn¡¯t they? That¡¯s all that matters."


    "Of course. What¡¯s the problem then, since you¡¯re not nning on returning?"


    Athena paused and looked at Fiona, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Her smile widened as she noticed the bead of sweat forming on Fiona¡¯s forehead. "I want to ask about a particr student, Fiona Adams... do you know her?"


    A pause followed on the other end of the phone.


    "Of course, I remember that godforsaken student." The rector spoke calmly, quickly too, as if needing to get rid of a stain out of his mouth.


    "Buoyed by her father¡¯s money, she couldn¡¯t settle down to learn. Instead, she ran around the campus with that boy, Morgan Steeves, who, as I have seen on the news, is the chief of the Devil¡¯s Scorpion gang. I am not surprised to say the least. She also kept bribing lecturers with either her money or her body to pass courses. When it developed into a scandal, we had to expel her from the school. We covered the news quietly because of our school¡¯s pristine reputation. Why are you asking, though? Is she seeking a job in any of your establishments? Did she present a fake CV?"


    "Yeah, she did. I called to confirm."


    A gasp was heard on the other end. "Don¡¯t you dare do it, Athena. She will burn your business to the ground!"


    Athenaughed again, this time alongside her supporters. "Thank you for the information, Mr. Murdock. Let¡¯s talk again sometime."


    "Sure, Athena, it¡¯s always a pleasure." The call ended.


    "So, you were saying... do you want to lie against your rector too?"


    But Fiona was speechless, absolutely filled with shame. It was just like in the elders¡¯ council; Athena always made her feel small in front of everyone. How dare the bitch!


    Beside her, her father was clothed in shock.


    But Athena didn¡¯t give them time to recover, nor was she interested in hearing them speak again. Instead, she turned to the other shareholders. "As you all can see, Fiona is not worth the vote. Let¡¯s pick someone else, or better still, go with Sandro. He is..."


    "What about you?" A voice broke in then, interrupting Athena mid-sentence.

 Chapter 206: Shareholders Meeting IV

    <h4>Chapter 206: Shareholders Meeting IV</h4>


    Athena slowly moved her head in the direction of the woman who just nominated her while she was still talking, her brows furrowing as she saw the woman in herte fifties meeting her gaze calmly.


    Although Athena couldn¡¯t exactly recall who the woman was, she knew thetter was in the education sector of the country.


    "What about you?" The woman repeated, still looking at her. "I think you are the best to handle thepany, in Sandro¡¯s absence... since Mr. Ethan isn¡¯t exactly a permanent fixture in this country, as he has other investments outside the country."


    Ethan and Athena exchanged a furtive nce, the real reason lost to the shareholders staring at them, who thought the duo were just appraising themselves.


    However, Aiden was aware of the reason for the nce. Last night, after the call with Antonio and then Alvarez, Athena had sent a new email to Ethan about his position in the scheme of things, and now these people were thinking of making him head? It was good that Athena had thought ahead of them.


    Athena paused, needing not to stammer, and arranged her thoughts. "I don¡¯t think I fit the profile. As you all know, I have a lot on my te at the moment. I think someone else should take the bill..."


    The shareholders looked at each other, wondering who to pick next.


    Alfonso, seeing that things were not going his way, decided to forgo his desire to p his daughter and move to n B. After all, he wasn¡¯t the one who had been expelled from school.


    "Since we have reached an impasse about who to select for the seat of the directorship, I suggest that we select with the criteria of the shareholder with the highest number of shares, apart from the owner of thepany." He said, meeting the gaze of every shareholder, apart from Athena and Old Mr. Thorne.


    Old Mr. Thorne found this rather amusing, but they had expected this gamey too.


    "Considering the amount disyed on thepany¡¯s inner files, as of thest time, it is known that my family collectively has thergest amount of shares, and to that end, I suggest I be the director." Alfonso spoke when none of the shareholders said anything to his suggestion.


    "Because you are the head of the family?" The same woman who had nominated Athena asked, folding her arms across her chest.


    "Precisely that," Alfonso answered with a thin smile.


    Zack scoffed and looked away, needing to be out of this meeting already. There was no need for this. He had some arrangements to make to leave this country once and for all, having given up on his quest for revenge.


    Since after the court case, he had a rethink about his life¡¯s choices and decided it was not worth ying the game any longer; Athena was already the winner. And since he no longer had hispany, there was nothing really tying him down here; no wife, no children¡ªsince Athena wouldn¡¯t let him near the twins. He didn¡¯t want to be gued by the Grey disease either.


    "Do you have a problem with the suggestion, Zack? Please speak up..."


    Zack, hating to be the center of attention, shook his head to Alfonso¡¯s calm question. There was no need to stir trouble. After all, the only reason why he had a share in thispany was because of the truce his father had called with Ewan¡¯s father, a show of peace, or whatever.


    So if Alfonso was made director, he didn¡¯t want anything to sabotage his stream of ie from thispany. He still needed money to thrive!


    Alfonso, sensing Zack¡¯s line of thought, smiled and looked at the woman who was backing Athena for the seat of the directorship. "Do you have any other thing to say?"


    The woman sighed and shook her head.


    "So, how many percent do you have, Alfonso? Just to be aware..." Athena spoke then, drafting Alfonso¡¯s attention to her.


    He smiled. "Twenty percent..."


    "I take it Fiona has ten percent..." Athena continued.


    Alfonso nodded, wondering where Athena was going with the questioning.


    "So, Fiona, do you agree to hand over your share percentage to your father?"


    Alfonso furrowed his brows, the same with Fiona, both damning the stupid question.


    "Of course. Who else will I give it to?" Fiona spoke, no longer interested in thepany matter, but she would rather her father had her shares, after all, he had been with her through thick and thin.


    Unless... Ethan wanted it, in exchange for her hand in marriage.


    Looking at Ethan, she wondered if the proposition would work. Was he power-hungry? She thought, subtly licking her lower lip, as fantasies ran rent-free in her mind.


    Athena, clucking her tongue brought Fiona away from her daydream. "How many percent do you all have..."


    The other shareholders dropped their own figures.


    Athena made the calctions. The shareholders, numbering seven, apart from Ethan, shared fifteen percent. Ethan owned ten percent. Then the Adam¡¯s family took twenty percent, leaving Ewan with fifty-five percent.


    But he gave her twenty percent, so he had thirty-five percent in total.


    However, Ethan worked for her, so collectively, she had thirty percent.


    Not bad, she mused, a smile stretching her lips. A smile that suddenly caused a flutter of panic in Alfonso¡¯s chest.


    <i>What now was the witch nning?</i>


    "Well..." Athena started, breaking the curious silence in the room. "Ewan handed over to me twenty percent of thepany shares, in exchange for a good deal..."


    She paused, however, seeing the disbelief brooding in Alfonso¡¯s eyes, including the other shareholders.


    But that was understandable. She had been surprised too when she had seen twenty percent on her portfolio too. The deal had been ten percent. Seems that hadn¡¯t been enough payback for Ewan.


    "Well, it looks like Ewan didn¡¯t inform you all about this good deal... I would advise you then to check your tablets, check thepany¡¯s share details..."


    "That¡¯s okay, Athena..." The woman who had nominated her spoke up. "It was the first thing I had checked when I knew of your shareholding capacity in thispany. It was also one of the reasons why I had selected you as the director of thepany, in the absence of Sandro..."


    Alfonso¡¯s jaw ckened. Twenty percent? Ewan was a fool!


    Still...


    "We¡¯ll have to vote then..." He said, rubbing his palms together. It was good that he had put together a n C; making huge promises to the other shareholders if they made him the acting director.


    They would all vote for him! He held back the smile of victory threatening to slither across his lips.


    "Yeah, that would have been the case, Alfonso, but it¡¯s not necessary. You see, I actually have..."


    As Athena was speaking, smiling mischievously, the door of the room opened, and Ewan and Sandro walked in.

 Chapter 207: Shareholders Meeting V

    <h4>Chapter 207: Shareholders Meeting V</h4>


    Ewan¡¯s appearance in the boardroom brought every activity to a halt¡ªevery winding thought, every muttering, and every form ofmotion, including Athena, who had been about to reveal a little of Ethan¡¯s role in the Giettipany.


    Looking better than he had just a few days ago while struggling with death, Ewan was a sight to behold.


    Although his dark green three-piece suit now sagged at some angles and his skin was a bit pale, his enigmatic presence and the sharpness of his beautiful blue eyes were enough to capture attention as usual.


    Athena, for one, was surprised to see him looking so hale and hearty; it seemed her medicines had exceeded her expectations. She had told Sandro to give him a week more, and yet here he was, defying her logic.


    <i>Oh well...</i> she thought now, watching him stride confidently, closely followed by a stiff-faced Sandro, to the head seat. <i>He is still an ardent fan of poker faces. </i>


    "Good morning everyone..." Ewan greeted calmly, meeting the gazes of everyone in the room.


    When his eyes lingered a little longer on Fiona and Alfonso, the duo squirmed in their seats, unsure of what to expect from him now that he was no longer under the influence of drugs. Would he expose their atrocities here?


    Caught up in their thoughts, they didn¡¯t respond to his greeting, just like the others had done.


    Old Mr. Thorne found this amusing.


    "I would have apologized for beingte, but I wasn¡¯t reallyte..." Ewan began, his tone thoroughly businesslike, with no gaps that might reveal he had just survived a traumatic experience days prior.


    "I have been watching the meeting proceedings from my office. My friends, Sandro and Zane, thought it wise to do so, considering it was Alfonso and Fiona¡¯s idea to hold this meeting."


    Fiona opened her mouth to cry out, as usual, to plead innocence and y the victim, but when she caught Ewan¡¯s calm and collected nce, she suddenly recalled her position with him¡ªher game mask has been torn away.


    Hence, she mped her mouth shut, though the rising fear within her refused to be silenced.


    Athena reclined deeper in her seat, darting a curious nce at Zane, who shrugged, as if to say the matter had been a secret he wasn¡¯t allowed to divulge to her.


    This is going to be interesting, she thought.


    "Through their help, a sound and video technology was ced in this room. I was able to see who is truly interested in helping thispany and who should be outed." Ewan paused, surveying the room, aware of the rising tension in the air.


    He looked at Sandro, who immediately nodded sharply and produced arge brown envelope from aptop bag he had brought into the room. He handed it over to Ewan.


    Ewan elegantly opened the envelope and extracted some documents.


    With each passing second, Alfonso felt as if he was suffocating under the weight of the ominous foreboding threatening to consume him. Of course, he wasn¡¯t foolish enough not to know who and what Ewan was alluding to. He sped his hands together, anxious to know what information was in those documents.


    "Sandro, please get these documents to Alfonso and Fiona Adams, and Mr. rk."


    Mr. rk, who had barely said a word since the meeting began, a man with greying hair, in his early sixties, frowned visibly in confusion. Why was his name being mentioned alongside the Adams family?


    Before he could voice his thoughts, Sandro dropped the document in front of him with a thud, red, and walked away toward Alfonso and Fiona.


    "Good riddance to rubbish," Sandro muttered as he ced the documents in front of the Adams, giving those nearby an idea of what the documents could be about.


    Thick silence permeated the room as they awaited Ewan¡¯s speech and exnation; if a pin dropped, it would surely be heard.


    "Mr. rk, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re wondering why you are receiving the same letter as Alfonso and Fiona, when you haven¡¯t spoken during this meeting..."


    Mr. rk hurriedly nodded, having seen the title on the document:<i> "Order to Return Shares to Company." </i>


    His heart raced as he struggled to continue reading. He wanted to know why this was happening. He had risked so much to secure his position; how could he possibly lose it just like that?


    "Well, sometime yesterday, we received a report that Alfonso was sending texts to some of the shareholders here, seeking their votes for today¡¯s meeting. In good faith, we reached out to those shareholders, and received an honest recap of how things truly went¡ªexcept you, Mr. rk. You imed you hadn¡¯t gotten a message from Alfonso here." Ewan finally said, sping his hands on the table.


    Mr. rk opened his mouth, then shut it again, at a loss for words. How had they discovered the texts?


    He looked at Alfonso for answers, but thetter was just as shocked, unable to provide any insight.


    How had this leaked? Alfonso wondered, spittle drying in his mouth. He had sent the messages in text format; could one of the shareholders he met have betrayed him?


    It must be that! He thought, subtly examining the faces of those he had met. But everyone wore the same nk expression, their attention fixed on Ewan.


    "So, you inadvertently allied with the Adams to wreck mypany. That¡¯s a breach of the agreement, as you well know. You three should sign the documents, giving your shares back to thepany, and leave the boardroom immediately. Your bnces will be sent to you after deductions for breaking fees."


    But none of the culprits budged.


    "I give you twenty seconds..." Ewan spoke, his voice icy and steely.


    Athena raised an eyebrow, wondering if her drugs had made Ewan a bit aggressive.


    Mr. rk quickly picked up the pen to sign but paused, suddenly dropped to his knees, surprising everyone in the room.


    "Please, Mr. Ewan, forgive me! Alfonso was quite persuasive; he convinced me you wouldn¡¯t survive the illness he exined had beset you!"

 Chapter 208: Shareholders Meeting VI

    <h4>Chapter 208: Shareholders Meeting VI</h4>


    A smile slithered across Ewan¡¯s lips. A thin smile. A cold, thin smile that sent chills down the spine of everyone who saw it.


    The shareholders, apart from Athena and her group, all thought that whatever illness had beset Ewan had made him colder than usual. They weren¡¯t sure what to make of that.


    But the smile vanished as quickly as it appeared.


    Ewan found it tiring to put on a show for someone who wasn¡¯t worth his time. "And what did he say this illness was?" He asked, raising his left brow, genuinely curious, wanting to know if Alfonso had also broken the council rules.


    Mr. rk wetted his lips and swallowed, the name of the illness now heavy on his tongue.


    How could he have believed Alfonso? He wondered for the umpteenth time since Ewan entered the boardroom. Now, the valuable work rtionship that had boosted hispany¡¯s portfolio was about to be ruined because he knew Ewan would be signing out of his ownpany too. And if that happened...


    "Mr. rk..."


    "Sorry. He mentioned that you had a mental issue, that you were about to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital. He quoted misuse of hard drugs as the reason," Mr. rk hurriedly spoke, still on his knees, his hands before him in a begging stance.


    Ewan wasn¡¯t surprised anymore at whatever Alfonso and his daughter might do next; they had already sunk to the lowest. Too bad he couldn¡¯t let out their atrocious inhumane acts to the media. Too bad the elders were quite strict with their rules. This would have been a good time to bend it.


    "Mr. rk, do I look like a drug abuser?"


    Mr. rk shook his head. "I¡¯m sorry, Ewan. Please consider our long-time working rtionship..."


    "You should have considered that too, before moving to Alfonso¡¯s side. Consider all our connections cut off. My team will meet with yours with the details. Now sign the papers and get out of here, or else you will lose the rest of your remuneration. Or do you want to take me to court?"


    Mr. rk shook his head frantically to Ewan¡¯s question. That would dig the grave of hispany!


    Slowly, he rose from the floor, red at Alfonso¡ªwho watched the unfolding events with shock¡ªtook the pen, and signed the document. Without a word, he walked out of the room, shoulders slumped.


    Immediately the door shut on its hinges, Ewan turned to Alfonso and Fiona. "And what are you two waiting for? Sign the papers and get out of here. I¡¯m sure you have ces already arranged for your stay..."


    The other shareholders, who hadn¡¯t been at the council case, didn¡¯t understand this wordy, but they did grasp that the rtionship between Ewan and the Adams family was over. Yet...


    "Isn¡¯t she your fianc¨¦e? I¡ª"


    "Madam Ruby, I suggest you mind your business," Ewan clipped out calmly, cutting off the woman who had nominated Athena earlier.


    "And no, she¡¯s not my fianc¨¦e. The engagement has been off for more than a month now. You can help spread the rumors to the blogs..."


    Madam Ruby¡¯s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she mped her mouth shut.


    "Ewan..." Alfonso started, but didn¡¯t know how to finish the sentence. What could he say to move things in his favor?


    He subtly pinched Fiona on her thigh. But Fiona was clueless, too. Athena hadid all their cards on the table during the court case, and worse, things hadn¡¯t fared better in this room either.


    If Ewan had been listening, he would have heard the call with the rector. No, their only hope of escape from all this bullshit was Morgan.


    "Alfonso, you were saying..." Ewan asked after a lengthy silence.


    But Alfonso had no words, not even an apology; that would waste his breath, until a thought dropped in his mind. "My wife isn¡¯t here. She is..."


    "She already signed off her shares to Athena. And she is already on her way out of the country with Lucas and his daughter, along with the carer," Ewan interjected sharply, still leveling his cold gaze at Alfonso. "Is there anything else?"


    Alfonso shook his head slowly, his spirit sinking. His wife was leaving the country for good without telling him, not even a goodbye? How could she do that? What about the years they had spent together, the love they built? Didn¡¯t that matter enough for her to push it all away?


    Absentmindedly, hurt to the very core, he picked up the pen, ignoring Fiona¡¯s surprised look, and signed the papers.


    "Athena, he is yours," Ewan spoke, immediately after Alfonso finished signing, meeting Athena¡¯s gaze alone for the first time since entering the boardroom.


    Athena, surprised at Margaret¡¯s actions¡ªfirst the shares and then her reconciliation with Lucas¡ªwas caught off guard yet again, mostly at the intensity burning in Ewan¡¯s eyes.


    "Ehmm..." She actually stuttered.


    "Sure." She piped up finally, ignoring the curiositying from the shareholders.


    <i>What was Athena doing with Alfonso Adams?</i>


    "Fiona, what are you waiting for? Sign the papers, or do you think Ethan Patterson will save you?" Ewan asked Fiona next, after diverting his gaze from Athena.


    Fiona pressed her lips in anger, partly because she had seen the ice in Ewan¡¯s eyes melt for a brief moment when he looked at Athena, and partly because he had noticed her infatuation with Ethan, who now looked surprised at being mentioned.


    Hissing in frustration, she picked up the pen and signed the papers. "Now, what else?" She asked Ewan, when she was done, meeting his gaze head-on, having absolute faith in Morgan¡¯s ns.


    There would be no future for her and Ewan.


    "Nothing," Ewan replied. "Except doing as I ought to since you pleaded insanity at one point..."


    But there would be no need for that. Fiona wanted to say. Instead, she said, "Insanity?"


    Sheughed in disbelief. "Good way to treat people who have been with you since your parents¡¯ death."


    Fiona knew she was making empty talk now, but then the other shareholders, who hadn¡¯t been in the council hall, didn¡¯t know that. So, it was best to have them think Ewan was an ungrateful man.

 Chapter 209: Shareholders Meeting VII

    <h4>Chapter 209: Shareholders Meeting VII</h4>


    Ewan didn¡¯t know how he had stayed so long without seeing the monster that was Fiona. He guessed that was what was bound to happen when you trust someone blindly - you get the rug pulled out from under your feet.


    Well, no more of that theatrics; he had learned a lot that wouldst him a long time.


    "Sure, sure, Fiona. Whatever it is you say..." He spoke nonchntly, ncing at a side of the room, treating Fiona like a speck of dust on an abandoned armchair.


    Fiona jerked back as if pped; she was still getting used to this kind of Ewan. The Ewan that didn¡¯t bow to her demands, or try to make her happy; a far cry from the old Ewan that was ready to sacrifice anything and anyone to keep her reputation pristine clean.


    Fiona missed that Ewan so much that she could cry. She so wished Athena never existed; her good life would have been left untouched.


    "You¡¯re ungrateful, Ewan," She finally spat, her voiceced with venom, immensely irritated and frustrated. "Remember who had been with you, who had taken you in when no one else had thought to do so for the orphaned child of the Gietti family? You..."


    "Let this lie, Fiona. Aren¡¯t you tired of roleying already? Personally, I think you should have studied that, instead of giving your body to all and sundry while you tried to understand business in school." Ewan cut in sharply, still not looking at Fiona, his voice an epitome of boredom.


    But Fiona was desperate to hear an emotion in that voice, so she kept on. "Ewan..."


    Ewan finally looked at her, and the intensity she saw burning in his beautiful eyes stopped her short instantly.


    "We might be bound to the rules in the council," He said, his voice low and menacing. "But don¡¯t think for a moment that I won¡¯t bend the rules just for a little moment, to get rid of a stinking flea. Do you think the elders would mind if I happened to even a score right here and now, if I open up your wardrobe of sins?"


    "You...wouldn¡¯t...dare..." Fiona stuttered, losing face.


    "Try me," Ewan stated calmly, his voice icy cold.


    The shareholders, who hadn¡¯t been aware of the council meeting, now had an inkling of what was going on, seeing that they each had councils operating in their local towns for resolving special issues.


    It would mean that a special issue hade up involving Ewan, his fianc¨¦e, and Athena. Madam Ruby thought, tapping her feet slowly on the floor, excitement threatening to consume her whole. She needed to get the gist of this, no matter what!


    Alfonso, seeing the realization spreading amongst the earlier ignorant shareholders, cussed mentally at the foolishness of his daughter; the shameless girl was always causing more trouble than usual.


    He pinched herp with more force than he had intended, causing Fiona to scream in irritation. "Dad, what the hell!" She paused, however, seeing that she was the center of attention - hostile attention.


    She reverted her eyes to Ewan, who wasn¡¯t even looking at her. He was rather looking at Athena, whom she could see now had her eyes shut and head tilted at an odd angle on her chair, as if thetter was sleeping.


    But Fiona knew better. Athena would never be sleeping; the bitch was just ignoring her existence as usual, enhancing the ideology in everyone¡¯s mind that she wasn¡¯t worth a dime.


    Fiona gritted her teeth, then inhaled calmly, as if realizing something. She couldn¡¯t go on like this, reacting like a banshee to everything that was happening.


    Maybe, she could borrow a leaf from Athena, pretend to be in control at all times, and maybe she¡¯ll actually be in control.


    But before that...


    She ced her hands on the table, gripped it tightly, and began to shake her head maniacally.


    Murmurings broke amidst the shocked shareholders as they wondered what was happening. They looked at Ewan, and then Athena for answers.


    Athena, who had opened her eyes when her ears picked up on the murmurs, was thoroughly amused. What now?


    "If this meeting is over, then I would love to leave..." She finally said, pushing back her chair. "As you all know, I have patients to attend to. It was nice..."


    Athena paused, raising a brow, when Fiona stopped shaking like a mad woman.


    She watched as Fiona opened her eyes as if waking from a trance and wondered if thetter was going to start giving prophecies soon.


    "Apologies, everyone... Constance can be a pain in the butt. She¡¯s quite vindictive,"


    Athena bit back augh at Fiona¡¯s words. Really? She shook her head. Thedy never ran out of jokes!


    The shareholders who hadn¡¯t been aware of this were all the more confused.


    Ewan sighed tiredly. "It¡¯s okay, everyone. Fiona here is suffering from some sort of mental disorder. But that will be treated soon enough..."


    "Was it why you broke up with her?" Madam Ruby asked, before she could help herself, shrinking when she realized the implication of her question.


    "Not at all," Ewan replied. "This result came after. You should do your due diligence before asking irrelevant questions."


    Ewan paused and reverted his attention to the others. "Since the meeting has been concluded, and the traitors outed from our midst, let¡¯s all head out to our respective ces. I have to take Fiona to where she will be treated, away from her father¡¯s influence."


    Alfonso jerked with a frown. Ewan was painting him as the sole doer of these evils? Did it mean that he believed Fiona¡¯s act now?


    Alfonso sighed wearily when he discovered that he didn¡¯t really care for all that. He only cared about his wife, who had left without saying goodbye, who had given her shares to Athena.


    Alfonso couldn¡¯t believe the turn of events. He took his lips in. Maybe, if Morgan rescued them, if the brat did this thing right today, maybe he could pay a visit to his wife, wherever she was, and have a word with her.


    Thinking of this made him feel better, next to making sure Athena got what she deserved for absolutely wrecking his life and family to the finish.


    Meanwhile, Fiona was happy. Even though Morgan would rescue her today, she was happy that at least Ewan didn¡¯t see her as apletely bad person, just one with a disorder. She could work with that in the future. The thought put a smile on her lips.


    Athena, seeing this, shook her head in disappointment. It seemed Ewan still wasn¡¯t in the clear of Fiona¡¯s ys, and here she was thinking he finally had some sense!


    She looked at Ethan and gave him a curt nod.


    Ethan nodded the same, and then raised his hand. "Please, before we all go to our variouspanies, I have an announcement to make..."


    All attention, for a minute, was stripped from the Adams family and ced on the whiz businessman, who had suddenly appeared in the country months ago and began to make waves in the economy without even settling in.


    "And what is the matter, Mr. Ethan?" Ewan asked, sping his hands on the table calmly.


    Beside him, Sandro was hoping that Ethan wasn¡¯t about to announce his exit from thepany, after seeing the drama that had taken ce in this room.


    "Well, I will be leaving the city soon," Ethan said. "I have another investment to look into, some issues came up..."


    Ewan nodded. He had expected this, having researched Ethan, a wanderer in the business field.


    "What about your shares, and thepanies you have acquired here? Do you want us to buy them?" Ewan asked.


    "Not at all," Ethan replied, bringing out a file from hisptop bag. "They already belong to someone else. I¡¯m just here to make sure there¡¯s a seamless handover."


    "And who might that be?" Ewan asked, both for himself and the other shareholders.


    "Athena," Ethan said, his voice matter-of-fact. "I was just holding it for her, after all."


    For a full minute, silence descended in the room, as people were too shocked beyond words.


    Holding for her? What did that even mean? They wondered alike, darting nces at Athena, who seemed not to be moved.


    Even her group, except for Aiden, were shocked. It was obvious that the only one who was aware of this move was just Athena and her bodyguard.


    "Mr. Ethan Patterson, what are you talking about? What do you mean by ¡¯holding the shares for her, after all?¡¯" Ewan asked, calmly, aware of the ice creeping into his voice.


    What was with these people ying around with him?!


    Ethan smiled and pushed the document toward Ewan.


    Sandro stood up, stretched his hand, took the document, and gave it to Ewan, only glimpsing at the heading of the document.


    <i>"Request to handover shares to Athena Caddels" </i>


    It was nothing threatening. He thought.


    Not until Ethan¡¯s next words.


    "Mr. Ewan Gietti, what I meant by my words earlier is that..." A pause. "I¡¯m only a faithful employee of Doctor Athena Caddels."

 Chapter 210: Shareholders Meeting VIII

    <h4>Chapter 210: Shareholders Meeting VIII</h4>


    Shock and disbelief rippled through the boardroom, canceling every noise in every way that it could; and a tense silence settled in, heavy with unasked questions and confused emotions, underscored by barely restrained anger.


    Zack, for one, was grappling with a potent mix of rage and confusion, his heart racing in his chest.


    "So, you¡¯re trying to tell me, Mr. Ethan, that when you purchased mypany, it was actually Doctor Athena who gave the order? Thepany is actually hers?" He clenched his fists, needing to confirm this absurd reality for the sake of his sanity. His mind was threatening to unravel!


    "Yes," Ethan replied calmly, a single word that detonated a bomb of expletives throughout the room.


    <i> "Shit!" </i>


    <i>"Oh, my God!" </i>


    <i>"What the hell!" </i>


    <i>"This is crazy!"</i>


    <i> "Damn!!" </i>


    The shareholders could barely contain their shock, each voiceyering on the disbelief that permeated the air.


    Even Old Mr. Thorne and his wife were not exempt from the wave of astonishment washing over the assembly.


    So, all this time, Ethan, the business guru, had merely been a pawn in Athena¡¯s grand scheme? Old Mr. Thorne shook his head slowly, awe etched onto his features.


    He had truly adopted well! No wonder she disyed such little concern for his wealth; no wonder she didn¡¯t care if he left the twins anything in the inheritance. She had more than enough of her own.


    As he nced at his wife, he found a simr awe-stricken expression reflected back at him.


    "We have an awesome daughter," She whispered with a smile, her eyes glistening with pride. The smile widened when her husband bobbled his head eagerly in agreement.


    Meanwhile, Zack¡¯s fury escted, sparking as he mmed his fist angrily on the table. He couldn¡¯t contain his frustration any longer, rising to his feet. "How dare you, Athena?!!"


    "I suggest you watch your mouth, Zack. Don¡¯t forget your ce, unless you want to lose everything," Ethan spoke, tilting his head to the side with an air of calm authority. "Just because I¡¯m an employee doesn¡¯t mean Ick power over anything."


    "You... you..." Zack stuttered, baffled, turning to Athena, pointing a condemning finger at her.


    But Athena remained unfazed, nonchnt, her focus entirely on her nails as if she were getting a manicure in a salon rather than sitting in a high-stakes business meeting.


    Eventually, Zack copsed back into his seat, resigning himself to the futility of his fury when Athena didn¡¯t even spare him a nce.


    "You did it, didn¡¯t you? You finally achieved everything you wanted. You finally had your revenge." He muttered bitterly, but this time there was no response, no balm to soothe the gnawing ache in his soul.


    Here he had been,ughing at Alfonso for selling out to Athena, blissfully unaware that the same fate had quietly befallen him as well.


    "So, if Athena is really the owner of Zack¡¯spany, does that mean she is also the owner of Alfonso¡¯spany?" Madam Ruby asked, her voice rising to echo the thoughts of everyone in the room.


    "Yes, she is," Ethan replied, his tone as dispassionate as if he were discussing the weather, oblivious to the copse of Alfonso¡¯s world.


    He didn¡¯t need to remain in the oblivion for long. For within seconds, Alfonso surged to his feet and charged toward Athena, rage radiating off him.


    To strangle her neck? No one could tell¡ªhis anger seemed almost palpable, yet he didn¡¯t even cover five feet before Aiden intercepted him.


    "I suggest you stay where you are, Alfonso. Or leave, since you¡¯ve just signed the share transfer. You are no longer a shareholder in thispany," Aiden warned.


    Alfonso¡¯s bitterness manifested as an inward thought: <i>neither did he own apany of his own anymore.</i>


    <i>At least rk still has apany to run!</i> He wallowed in silent despair. <i>At least he has a family to return to. A grandchild, even,st I checked.</i>


    But not him. He had nothing now.


    Alfonso¡¯s mind and eyes burned with angry tears as he reflected sorrowfully on what he had lost: his wife, hispany, his position in the elders¡¯ council, his shares in Ewan¡¯spany, and what felt like his entire reputation among his townspeople.


    The only thing left was Fiona, and that was contingent on whether Morgan really would rescue them.


    <i>Well, if that brat doesn¡¯t pull through, I would rathermit suicide than be subjected to more of Athena¡¯s schemes¡ªmore of her revenge ys. </i>He thought, seething.


    Yet, if the Morgan did pull off this escape n, then Athena should brace herself for a fight to the death because he would make sure she regretted the day she was born.


    Meanwhile, while Alfonso battled with rage, Fiona grappled with disbelief.


    Was this what Morgan had meant when he suggested that Athena was an enigma? That she could never truly be the illiterate she was perceived to be six years ago, considering the extraordinary strides she had taken since then?


    "You are supposed to be an illiterate," She blurted out, her voiceced with incredulity.


    Ethanughed, a sound mismatched for the tension-filled atmosphere. "Didn¡¯t you learn enough from the council case? My boss was never an illiterate to begin with. You all just assumed that because she didn¡¯t attend a physical school..."


    "But..." Fiona felt herself cut off sharply by Ethan, who had taken on the role of Athena¡¯s advocate.


    "Be mindful of your next words, Fiona Adams. As you know, I¡¯m not from around here, so I¡¯m not beholden to the council¡¯s rules. I¡¯m free to speak about what transpired there merely days ago."


    Fiona went pale, her mouth snapping shut immediately. She couldn¡¯t afford to lose thest semnce of dignity and reputation she had left in front of these gossips.


    "Good," Ethan muttered, as if he were offering praise to a dog.


    "Is she the owner of yourpany too?" Madam Ruby asked, her inquisitiveness piqued, demanding further rity.


    "Yes, she is," Ethan confirmed, his voice remaining steady despite the chaos that apanied the announcement, the room now teeming with curiosity about the implications of Athena¡¯s power.


    "The branches too..." Madam Ruby continued, her awe evident in her voice.


    Ethan chuckled, appearing almost amused. "She is the owner of everything," He stated. "And with that, my work here is done. On to the next."


    "The next?" Zane finally found his voice, bewildered. "What¡¯s next?"


    Ethan raised an eyebrow, his expression yful. "That¡¯s none of your business, Mr. Zane."


    Zane swallowed hard and nced at Athena, who appeared lost in her thoughts, seemingly detached from the unfolding drama. He then darted a nce at Sandro, whose shock mirrored his own father¡¯s expression.


    Well, the old man had always suggested that Athena was an astute chess yer, but even this was unforeseen.


    Next, Zane turned to Ewan. To his disbelief, he saw admiration in Ewan¡¯s gaze directed at Athena.


    Zane¡¯s eyebrows shot up. Did his friend truly understand that Athena now held thirty percent of shares in hispany without lifting a single finger?!


    His mouth fell slightly open as he observed Ewan pick up the pen beside him and sign the document Ethan had handed to him. What on earth!


    "Wee to thepany officially, Athena. Everyone, give a round of apuse to the highest shareholder, Athena Caddels, second only to me..." Ewan spoke calmly, initiating the pping.


    The others followed suit, albeit slowly at first, the tempo speeding up with every passing second, spurred by renewed thoughts of Athena¡¯s cleverness and ambition.


    The apuse eventually came to a halt when Alfonso pounded his fists on the table¡ªrage spilling over as he rose to his feet.


    "Enough of this nonsense!" He yelled, ring at Ewan. "Can¡¯t you see she wants to take over yourpany too? Are you that stupid?"


    Ewan chuckled, a hint of defiance in hisughter. "Stupid? Alfonso, you need to tread carefully here. Trust me, you don¡¯t want to provoke me..."


    Alfonso gritted his teeth in response.


    "If Doctor Athena wanted to take thepany, she would have made her move by now. Do you recall the upheaval mypany experienced previously?"


    The shareholders nodded their heads; the grim memory was collective.


    "That was the perfect moment. If she wanted to seize mypany, she would have done it then. If not then, perhaps now. Maybe she would have poisoned my drug dosage while treating me, and then take control of my empire, considering she¡¯s the one with thergest amount of shares. But she did not."


    But Ewan wasn¡¯t stupid. Of course he knew now that taking over thepany had been Athena¡¯s first n when she had arrived in the city¡ªwhen he had provoked her on her first night in Zane¡¯s party¡ªjust like she had taken over Alfonso and Zack¡¯spanies.


    He wasn¡¯t stupid not to know that she had returned to have revenge on the people who had wrecked her life six years ago, of whom he was the chief oppressor.


    Ewan kept his calm demeanor as his eyes rove over Athena¡¯s beautiful face which was still masked with boredom. He would have preferred though, to be in his children¡¯s lives, to y with them, to see them everyday, than be a CEO of hispany.


    If there was an opportunity for a trade, he would have chosen the twins in every asion, without thinking twice. His children. His first strength. The next generation of the Gietti name.


    He sighed, as his thoughts spiraled, threatening to plunge him into a depressive state. But just then, Fiona dered her intent to leave.


    "I¡¯m being suffocated here. I¡¯m out." She stood, attempting to escape the clutches of the tension that had seeped into her very bones.


    "Oh, don¡¯t be so hasty, Fiona. Remember, we¡¯re going to the hospital together," Ewan said lightly, shaking off the oppressive mood.


    He would drown in his mncholyter; he would sulk over his many mistakes at another time.

 Chapter 211: Ewan’s Apology

    <h4>Chapter 211: Ewan¡¯s Apology</h4>


    Fiona darted a sharp, angry nce at Ewan, her frustration bubbling just below the surface.


    She was thoroughly pissed off at the moment, craving nothing more than to escape the confines of the boardroom, but Ewan just didn¡¯t care.


    "Sit down, Fiona," He stated calmly, his tone measured as he returned his attention to the shareholders. "I think we have covered all the grounds there are. This meeting has been dismissed. Thank you all foring."


    Echoes of "thank you" filled the air as the shareholders stood, collected their belongings, and sashayed out of the boardroom, their mingling voices fading into the distance.


    "Ewan, can I talk to you for a minute..." Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s voice cut through the remnants of the meeting as he approached the almost empty room, pausing before Ewan, who sat still in his chair, seemingly lost in thought, as if mentally sifting through the meeting minutes.


    Hearing Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s voice however, Ewan gestured for Sandro to take Fiona away and wait for him outside.


    At the same time, Athena gave a curt nod to Old Mr. Thorne and left the boardroom alongside his wife, with Alfonso, who was strictly kept in check by Aiden.


    "Is anything the matter, Mr. Thorne?" Ewan asked as Old Mr. Thorne settled himself into the chair right beside him. The weight of the old man¡¯s presence was palpable.


    "Do you want to hand over your shares to Athena too?" Ewan continued, noticing that Old Mr. Thorne had dropped a big brown file onto the table, the sound resonating like a prelude to an unexpected revtion.


    Old Mr. Thorne, acutely aware of the gentleness that had seeped into Ewan¡¯s voice, found himself reflecting on whether the younger man had fully regained his memories; if thetter remembered their favorite activity back in those days¡ªthey would often venture out fishing together with his father.


    The nostalgia hung in the air like a sweet yet bitter fragrance.


    "Mr. Thorne..." Ewan pressed gently when the old man remained silent, his gaze fixed on Ewan with an unreadable expression that suggested contemtion rather than judgment.


    "No, not that," Old Mr. Thorne finally replied, shaking his head. He pushed the file toward Ewan, who now regarded the old man with eyes full of suspicion and curiosity.


    "What is this?" Ewan asked, hesitating to touch the envelope.


    "Your rights in mypany," Old Mr. Thorne stated matter-of-factly, but Ewan¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion.


    Rights in the Thorne¡¯spany? How could that be possible?


    Slowly, he opened the envelope and pulled out the documents, feeling a chill run down his spine as his jaw ckened in disbelief at whaty before him.


    How could he have been unaware of this? Why was the old man revealing it now? Had the man been waiting for him to discard Alfonso and Fiona? Or had Old Mr. Thorne been aware of Alfonso¡¯s machinations even all those years ago?


    Ewan thumbed through the pages, each turn quickening his heartbeat in an irregr rhythm, yet not painfully¡ªa stark contrast to his previously tumultuous state. Whatever drug Athena had used to treat him had worked wonders, not only mending his heart but also clearing his mind.


    The fuzzy cloud of confusion that once shrouded his thoughts had lifted, and now, he could see everything with startling rity.


    Memories resurfaced¡ªof the man sitting beside him, of fishing trips that had once held joy and warmth. Looking at Old Mr. Thorne now, he couldn¡¯t deny the wave of longing that crashed over him¡ªthe innocentughter and thepanionship he¡¯d unknowingly lost. How could Alfonso have stolen all of that away? And all for what?


    "When your parents died, I gave these documents to Alfonso to keep until your eighteenth birthday, after you chose him as your foster father, or whatever that was," Old Mr. Thorne said, his voice tinged with the bitterness of past events.


    "It was only during the court case that we discovered he hadn¡¯t given them to you. I had Margeret bring it to me when I found out. It belongs to you."


    Another wicked act of Alfonso. Ewan thought, exhaling softly when he noted his parents signature on thest page. The weight of the investments and trust they had ced in Old Mr. Thorne struck him hard, generating a rush of emotion that was almost overwhelming¡ªshame, sorrow, and emotions he couldn¡¯t face.


    He sighed again, and closed the file.


    "I¡¯m sorry..." He muttered, dropping the documents back onto the table.


    Old Mr. Thorne furrowed his brow in confusion, not prepared for this reaction. "What are you sorry for?"


    Ewan inhaled sharply, struggling to articte the tumult within him. "For being a wimp, an easy target in the hands of the Adams family, for wrecking my marriage, for being a disappointment to my family and yours. I..." His voice faltered, cracking under the pressure of his emotions.


    He threw his head back against the seat and gazed at the ceiling, wrestling to maintain control as a torrent of self-recrimination swirled in his mind, reying all the decisions he had made since adulthood.


    "Oh, my son..." Old Mr. Thorne sighed, concerned as he noticed the distress etched on Ewan¡¯s face. His heart ached for him, and his eyes grew misty at the sight of such sorrow.


    He moved to cover the distance between them, cing aforting hand on Ewan¡¯s shoulder, a gesture meant to soothe the tempest raging within.


    "You shouldn¡¯t me yourself. You were just a child when it all started... there was no way you could have fought it. Alfonso was your father¡¯s best friend, after all. You had no choice but to trust him..."


    And that¡¯s what had shattered Ewan the most. Even as a small boy, he had been drawn to Old Mr. Thorne more, but Alfonso¡¯s ties to his father had forged an undeniable trust. It was the only reason why his mother had been epting, when Margret had arrived one morning with a jar of medicine she imed was expensive and known to be the best cure for his illness.


    If only they had known...


    Twin tears slipped from Ewan¡¯s eyes, falling unbidden as he wrestled with thoughts of the past.


    If only his parents hadn¡¯t died...


    If only he had listened to Sandro...


    If only...


    There were countless "if onlys" that could have rewritten the script of his life, yet they remained merely words, phantom echoes of what might have been. Now, he had to pay the price dearly for his choices.


    "My children..." He muttered painfully, desperately, unable to stem the tide of sorrow cascading down his cheeks.


    Old Mr. Thorne, battling tears of his own, ced his other hand on Ewan¡¯s shoulder, trying to impartfort. "Don¡¯t worry, Ewan. Everything will be fine. Just take it a day at a time."


    "Do you think they will forgive me?" Ewan asked, retrieving a pocket handkerchief from his breast pocket, dabbing his eyes with trembling hands.


    Old Mr. Thorne hesitated, hesitant to promise what he could not guarantee. His little boy had made monumental mistakes, the weight of which loomed over them like a storm cloud.


    "I don¡¯t know, Ewan. Let¡¯s just take it one day at a time. Just try to live a good life from here on out. Try to make better choices."


    Ewan nodded, took a shaky breath, and inhaled deeply, grappling with the reality that he had broken down in the boardroom. But it was either this, or he would have turned the table into a punching bag in a fit of rage.


    Rising to his feet, he met Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s gaze after swallowing his sudden shyness. "Thanks for your aid," He said, his voice steadying, thoughced with remnants of strain.


    Old Mr. Thorne nodded, his expression softening. "You are wee..."


    A brief pause hung between them before Old Mr. Thorne spoke again. "You mentioned taking Fiona to a psychiatric hospital. What hospital is that?"


    Ewan smiled then, a cold smile that conveyed to Old Mr. Thorne that there was nothing reassuring about the hospital where Fiona would soon be taken. Oh well...


    "Wait and see, old man. I will keep you updated."


    Old Mr. Thorne chuckled lightly, yfully hitting Ewan on the arm before they began to make their way toward the door, a quiet understanding passing between them.


    He had gotten his son back, and that, for now, was enough.


    Meanwhile, outside the boardroom, in the corridor, Athena was fuming.


    Her anger was directed squarely at Herbert, who wore a resigned expression, one that suggested he was all too familiar with her ire.


    Aiden had taken Alfonso away to the car to wait. From there, Alfonso would be transported to the airstrip, where Shawn and Eric would be waiting to transport him to the final destination. While Sandro was waiting with Zane and Fiona in another vehicle.


    "What do you mean they would be working in the hospital with me? The hires you made avable are doing their jobs perfectly fine! If not for the intervention of the gang, there would have been no trouble at all!" Athena spat, her frustration evident as she paced angrily.


    Herbert sighed, folding his arms across his chest as if bracing himself for her onught. "That is correct, but with the rate at which people are being admitted to the hospital for the grey disease, I think their expertise will be greatly needed."


    "They won¡¯t be doing anything that the other doctors haven¡¯t been doing! You could hire a different batch of doctors. Why would you make such a decision in the first ce without consulting me? Am I just a decorative presence in the office now?" She was nearly yelling by this point, her voice rising with indignation.


    "Athena, calm down, please..." Herbert attempted to cate her, darting a nce at Ethan, whose back rested against the wall, observing the escting conversation with an air of detached curiosity.


    "I couldn¡¯t inform you beforehand because you were battling with death then."


    "Still..."


    "Athena, it was what they asked of me before treating you. I was desperate; there was no other choice...," Herbert cut in sharply, frustration seeping into his tone, mirroring the tension crackling in the corridor.


    "Damn this!" Athena cursed vehemently, punching the air in frustration. "I knew it!" She added, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I knew it." She repeated again, leaning against the wall beside Ethan, her mind racing.


    <i>Those maniptive jerks! </i>She clenched her fists, her thoughts racing with questions that spiraled over and over in her mind.


    Why do they want to work with her now? What are they after? And what deal had they struck with Ewan?

 Chapter 212: Ewan’s Apology II

    <h4>Chapter 212: Ewan¡¯s Apology II</h4>


    The opening and closing of the door of the boardroom dragged Athena out of her frenzy thoughts about the twins who she termed "evil doctors of the West."


    She lifted her head, a furrow line marring her forehead when she saw the rxed features, the hint of a smile, on the lips of Old Mr. Thorne and Ewan. Their closeness too, and the walking rhythm, sessfully piqued her interest.


    What went on in that room, apart from Old Mr. Thorne handing Ewan¡¯s rights to him? She wondered, unable to be even amused when they came to a halt at the same time before her. Her anger was yet to be pacified.


    "I will see you around, Athena," Herbert spoke then, perceiving that it was time for him to leave.


    He gave a curt nod to Old Mr. Thorne and Ewan, and then turned away from them, walking down the winding corridor till he was out of sight.


    "It seems you both had some catching up to do..." Ethan spoke next, having noticed the same thing Athena had noticed, especially the rxation of Ewan¡¯s shoulders, which had been a different case during the meeting.


    It had been a subtle feature, but Ethan had eyes for these things.


    Ewan spared him an amused nce. "Yes, we did."


    "Good for you." Ethan said, before turning to Athena. "So, should I head off to the academy now, or do we have some other things to talk over? Should I wait for you back at the house?"


    Athena shook her head. "I don¡¯t think there is anything else. If there is, I will email it to you."


    "Academy? Is your new venture a school?" Ewan asked, but he got no response, only a cursory nce from Ethan right before he turned away and started down the corridor.


    Old Mr. Thorne followed him.


    "You two can meet me outside," He had said before leaving Athena with Ewan.


    That old sly lion! Athena cussed mentally, inhaling deeply for control, before turning to face Ewan, who didn¡¯t think he would be speaking with Athena face to face like this, so soon.


    Old Mr. Thorne had really set him up!


    "Uhm..." He actually stuttered like a teen before his crush.


    "Ewan, you look well. I¡¯ll see you around then. Have a nice day," Athena spoke, cutting in calmly, needing to be away from this growing awkwardness. But before she could turn away, Ewan called her back.


    "Athena, please wait..."


    Athena inhaled deeply again. "What is the matter, Ewan?" She asked, maintaining her cool.


    Ewan sighed, seeing the nk expression on her face. "I... I want to apologize for everything." He paused, inhaled deeply and exhaled harshly. "I am sorry for wrecking our marriage, for hurting you at every turn, for disregarding you, for allowing you to be bullied by Fiona and her family, for choosing Fiona every damn time over you..."


    A pause.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Athena. I am sorry for not being the man you needed six years ago when the usation was unjustly levied against you. I am sorry for siding with lies instead of with you. I¡¯m sorry for the times I abused the intimacy we shared every night. I am sorry for making you feel small and insignificant then, unwanted..."


    Ewan inhaled again to control the emotions assailing him; he couldn¡¯t bawl out his eyes in front of Athena. She would think him pathetic.


    "I am sorry for the kids, for the trouble you went through before and after giving birth to them. I am sorry I was not there..." He took a step closer to Athena, whose outward expression was still nk, aloof, but whose inward self was undergoing an emotional turmoil.


    Ewan listing these things dug up unfavorable memories, including the one where she had been robbed and almost raped while en route out of the town.


    It had been a group of passers-by that had saved her that night. She even had to stay with one of them for almost a month to lose track of the criminals.


    All these, because this man with beautiful eyes, eyes which she noticed now were wet, had been hell-bent on making her life a living hell.


    He was sorry? If sorry could fix everything, the world would have probably been a better ce.


    What if she had been raped and killed by those men? What would have been her fate? Would he even remember her again?


    Of course not! He would have gone ahead and married Fiona and lived happily ever after!


    Sorry? He could take his apologies and shove them right up his ass!


    She blinked, however, when she felt her tear nd getting messy. She needed to get out of here.


    But Ewan wasn¡¯t done yet.


    "Athena, I am truly sorry for the troubles I caused you since your return, for not believing you despite the hints you kept leaving for me to follow. I am sorry..."


    "That¡¯s okay, Ewan," Athena cut in sharply, making Ewan feel small before he could help it.


    He sighed shamefully, looked down, before looking up at her again. He opened his mouth to speak again, but Athena wasn¡¯t having it.


    "It¡¯s okay, Ewan. I have heard you. I hope you make the right choices now with the second chance at life you have been given. I hope you have learned your lessons."


    Ewan nodded. "I have. Thanks to you."


    "And how is your health?" Athena continued, not wanting to give any space that would make Ewanunch into another round of apologies.


    "Better."


    "Your heart and head? Do you still feel any pain?"


    Ewan shook his head. "Not at all."


    "So you have all your memories intact?"


    Ewan hesitated, still looking at Athena intensely. "I think so. Although some are still fuzzy."


    Athena nodded slowly, checking out the points. "That¡¯s okay. By the time you are done with the drugs, you should be better. So I guess you remember the camaraderie you used to share with Old Mr. Thorne, seeing as both of you had a smile on your face when you walked out of the boardroom."


    She raised an eyebrow when a hint of a smile blossomed on his lips, right before he answered. "Yes, I do. I have you to thank for that."


    Athena nodded. "And the girl? Do you remember the girl that had saved you from drowning?"


    A slight hesitation.


    "No." He answered with a straight face.


    But that was a lie.


    Athena cocked her head subtly to the side and regarded him. "Do you think it is Fiona?"


    "I don¡¯t know. And I don¡¯t care. It won¡¯t still change the ns I have for her."


    Athena raised an eyebrow. "You mean the psychiatric ward..." Her voice was tainted with sarcastic amusement.


    "Yes." Ewan answered simply, unable to keep the cold smile from slipping across his lips.


    Athena¡¯s two eyebrows shot up this time around. When Ewan talked about the psychiatric hospital, did he mean something else?


    Before she could ask him in detail, Ewan was talking again.


    "So, when do I visit the children? Do I start counting from today?" He asked, the earlier smile disappearing from his lips, reced with a firm line.


    Athena took her lips in, considering this matter. "If you are up for it, you can visit tomorrow night. I¡¯m sure they would want to see that you¡¯re hearty after seeing you copse after the court case. You can start counting from then..."


    Just then, her phone rang out, alerting her to a call.


    Athena retrieved her phone from her coat¡¯s pocket, her brow furrowing when she saw that it was a private number.


    "Is there a problem?" Ewan asked, eager to help in any way he can.


    Athena ignored him and answered the call.


    Ewan took his lips in and looked away. This was going to be another battle he would fight, the toughest actually¡ªwinning the heart of his family again.


    <i>A day at a time. </i>He mused.


    Meanwhile...


    "Hello, who is this..." Athena spoke, brow still furrowed, almost expecting to hear Morgan¡¯s voice on the other side of the phone.


    "Hello, Doctor Athena. George Walls speaking..."


    A frown immediately masked Athena¡¯s face. She removed the phone from her ear and looked at it keenly, as if wanting tomunicate with it.


    Before her, Ewan bit his lips to stop himself from speaking again. Athena didn¡¯t want or need his help. But who was calling her? He wondered, noting the disbelief on her face as she returned the phone to her ear.


    "George Walls? Which George Walls?"


    A low chuckle was heard on the other end, shocking Athena.


    "Mr... President...??" She called out hesitantly, not believing her ears.


    Of course, she had expected the chief security official to report his findings back to the president, but she wasn¡¯t expecting that the famed man will call her by himself. Didn¡¯t he have a secretary?


    No wonder it says private number!


    "The one and only..." The president spoke humorously. "Are you free at the moment? I¡¯m about to send the private jet to pick you up. You asked for a meeting with me..."


    Athena had no words to refute. She indeed asked for a meeting, but not now. Not today.


    "Can we leave it till tomorrow, sir? My hands are full at the moment."


    "Of course, Doctor Athena. See you tomorrow by..."


    "10 am. You can send the jet before then." Athena filled in, and the call ended.


    "The president?" Ewan started, wondering who else wasn¡¯t rted to Athena at this point.


    Before Athena could say a word, a loud st was heard nearby.

 Chapter 213: Failed Extraction

    <h4>Chapter 213: Failed Extraction</h4>


    "What was that?" Athena asked, stupefied to a spot, her voice almost a whisper as she met Ewan¡¯s gazee. His facial expression mirrored hers: shock.


    Ewan was about to answer when another loud bang was heard. This time, it was followed by a rampage of sharp sounds that could only be attributed torge guns.


    "The gang!" Athena whisper-yelled, her legs instantly operating on instinct and adrenaline. She ran quickly, followed closely by Ewan, down the winding corridor into the elevator.


    "Can this go any faster?" She asked Ewan, impatience notable in her voice.


    Ewan shook his head. This was the fastest speed of the elevator; any more speed, and the machine might malfunction. It didn¡¯t take long, however, and they were down at the lobby.


    When the door opened, Athena and Ewan rushed out, both surprised to see abination of workers of thepany and non-workers¡ªmere pedestrians¡ªhuddling fearfully around in the office. It would mean that the gunshots were exploding right in front of the building.


    "Why do you think they are here?" Ewan asked as he and Athena hurried to the front door.


    "For Alfonso and Fiona."


    The matter-of-factness in Athena¡¯s tone was surprising to Ewan.


    "You talk like you knew this would happen?"


    Athena nodded, opening the door and subtly peering out. "I was aware. My earlier panic was just reflexes. I think theirst attack against me left more traumatic remnants than I had thought."


    Ewan nodded slowly. "That¡¯s okay. You will be totally fine in some days. But how did you know they wereing today?"


    However, Athena had already opened the door fully and walked outside, almost giving Ewan high blood pressure since the bullets were still flying around.


    "Athena, wait!!!"


    But Athena was already in military mode. She crouched to the ground and moved fast to a car, where she knew Old Mr. Thorne was waiting with his wife.


    Her eyes caught Aiden and the other security detail finishing off whatever remained of the gang. She smiled as she dropped a knock on the door, startled when she felt a touch on her shoulder.


    Acting out of reflex, she pulled the hand forward, about to do as the asion demanded when a whiff of perfume crossed through her nostrils. There was only one person that had the scent.


    "Ewan, what the hell! Why are you following me? I thought you would wait inside?"


    Ewan, who was wondering how Athena¡¯s reflexes could be so fast and smart, said nothing. What was there to say? That he followed her out because he wouldn¡¯t be able to live with himself if anything happened to her? He didn¡¯t think Athena would want to hear that.


    Athena, tired of the silence, gave another rasp knock on the door. Twice and once, then twice again. Then she shifted away as the door opened.


    "Athena, thank God..." Florence said, before Old Mr. Thorne could say anything.


    "Come in..." She added, sighting Ewan. She gave him a smile when he met her gaze with an unsure expression.


    Athena nodded and entered the car, which had arge interior and was very spacious. Ewan followed suit.


    "So, how is it going? Did it happen as we had thought?" Athena started, reclining on the chair, aware of the decrease in the bullets flying around. Soon, it would all be over.


    She wondered for a second what Morgan would do when he discovered that his n had been foiled again. The thought brought a small smile to her lips.


    "Yes, it did," Old Mr. Thorne said, smiling. "They attacked us head-on as they had nned. Only that they hadn¡¯t expected us to be aware of the ns..." Heughed and shook his head, amusement buttering his facial expression.


    "I¡¯m sure Alfonso would be pissing in his pants now." Heughed again; this time around Athena and his wife joined in theughter.


    But Ewan was at a loss. As much as he didn¡¯t appreciate being left out of the loop, he knew the fault for that fell solely on him.


    "But how did you people find out they wereing?" He finally asked when theughter had died down. If Athena and her group hadn¡¯t known about this, he would have been attacked by the gang, because Fiona would have been with him.


    <i>And maybe he would have been killed during the extraction?</i>


    He didn¡¯t know that. But he was sure there would have been bloodshed.


    "You know we kept them in a cottage. Well, it is a wired cottage, a fact only known to people in the inner caucus..." Old Mr. Thorne paused here, looking at Ewan intently, as if gauging his loyalty.


    "You can trust me, old man... I am a changed man now..." Ewan said then, with all sincerity.


    Athena exchanged furtive nces with Florence before looking out the window. Ewan¡¯s sincerity was none of her concern.


    "Well, the duo wasn¡¯t aware of this, or rather they guessed it right to an extent because they didn¡¯t speak on weighty matters, rathermunicating through their phones. But they didn¡¯t know that their phones had been tapped too."


    Ewan furrowed his eyebrows. "They didn¡¯t make that deduction themselves? They didn¡¯t suspect that your men had tapped their phones?"


    Old Mr. Thorne shook his head. "They couldn¡¯t because they have been with their phones since the court case. Even when Fiona threw down her phone to obstruct evidence collection, she retrieved itter when she recognized that the phone hadn¡¯t spoilt¡ªconsidering the safeguard screen and pack used on the gadget. So, we didn¡¯t touch their phones, which is why it didn¡¯t cross their minds."


    Ewan was still confused. "If you didn¡¯t touch their phones, how did you then tap into their phones? How did you even ess their messages with themselves and with Morgan?"


    Old Mr. Thorne shrugged his shoulders. "Their phones were already tapped before the court case by a special individual. It¡¯s not that hard."


    Ewan¡¯s mouth fell slightly open in shock. To tap a phone here, especially that kind of phone, they would have to have ess to the phone and input some codes. It would mean that someone, most likely one of their special agents, had sneaked into his mansion and done the deed.


    Was that why Sandro and Zane had told him to stay with them the few nights before the court case? Ewan cocked his head to the side. Probably not. It was chiefly because of the poisoned tea Fiona gave him every morning.


    Ewan sighed and rested his head on the chair. He knew he couldn¡¯t go further with this line of questioning; he had a feeling that would be entering Athena¡¯s turf, and seeing as she still had reservations concerning him, she wouldn¡¯t give him the answer he was expecting.


    He sighed and shut his eyes. Athena Caddels. A doctor, a businesswoman. Of course, seeing her educational records, hearing the rector at the prestigious university talk about her, he knew it was possible, especially since the male talked about her not showing her face in all her years both as a student and a lecturer.


    She was a genius, and he had been blind to that because of his contempt for her during their marriage. It was possible that she had been taking online sses before and after their marriage. That would be why her close friends never called her an illiterate. They knew. He didn¡¯t think Zack was aware of this either.


    What amazed him, however, was the strength and value of her connections. Now the president? It really amazed him how a girl whom he had thought stupid and low had risen up the ranks, to the extent of having a private phone call with the president of the country.


    A knock sounded on the door, dragging him out of his thoughts. He realized then that the shootout had stopped. Everywhere was quiet, except for the sirens. The police had arrived. At this rate, Morgan would be dered a wanted national criminal.


    "It is finished. The police will take care of the bodies," Aiden, who had been the one knocking, spoke as his eyes ran through everyone in the car.


    Momentster, Ewan was standing face to face with Alfonso and Fiona¡ªthe duo had been kept in the same car when the shootout had started to prevent the possibility of one escaping.


    Alfonso was speechless, having no choice but to bottle his anger and throw it into the abyss, because it was of no use to him anymore. He was going to the ck cell.


    "How did you know they wereing?" he asked calmly, when Aiden held him by the arm to drag him away to the car.


    At his question, Fiona, who had been silently wallowing in despair, lifted her head, needing to know this. Their eyes were focused on Athena.


    Athena shrugged. "Your phones were tapped, that¡¯s all." She turned to Aiden. "Please take him away."


    To Ewan, she said, "Take Fiona away to the psychiatric hospital. I hope she receives the help she needs."


    This was said in a calm voice that soothed Fiona¡¯s heart to an extent. At least she wasn¡¯t going to the ck cell. At least they all thought she was mad. There was still hope for her escape.

 Chapter 214: The ‘Psychatric Clinic’

    <h4>Chapter 214: The ¡®Psychatric Clinic¡¯</h4>


    "Where are we going to?" Fiona asked, speaking up for the first time since she started this journey with Ewan, where Sandro was the driver. Zane was with them too, sitting in front with Sandro.


    None of them, however, gave Fiona any answer. But Fiona wasn¡¯t one to be ignored.


    "Please, Ewan, tell me which hospital you are taking me to?" She asked, keeping her tone light while her eyes drifted intermittently to the area around them.


    It was more like the outskirts of the city, except here was devoid of any living soul. No houses, no restaurants, no pedestrians. The vegetation was scanty too. Were they going to dump her in a sandy desert and abandon her there to die?


    Fiona shook her head. Ewan wouldn¡¯t do that, not when he believed that her father had controlled her actions, not when he believed that she was not in her right senses.


    "We are going to the psychiatric hospital, where you will be treated right, Fiona. I think I owe you that much for saving my life. Seeing as you used the word ¡¯please,¡¯ you are yourself now, right?" Ewan answered, keeping his tone light too. "So where is Constance, by the way? What is she doing now?"


    Fiona bit her lip, wondering how to answer this question in a believable way. "Constance is within, trying to fight her way out. She wants to take over. But I won¡¯t let her. She has caused more havoc than ever..."


    She paused and ced her palm on Ewan¡¯s arm, needing to perfect her act properly, her heart in her throat, half expecting that Ewan would throw her hand away. But he didn¡¯t.


    The flicker of hope within her blossomed into a huge ball of wishes.


    "Ewan, I am sorry for all the trouble Constance has brought to you. You see, after the drowning incident, my brain underwent some problems, and to cope, I had unconsciously created her. It¡¯s really my fault..." She said, sniffing, pretending to cry and grasping Ewan¡¯s arm tighter.


    Ewan patted her hand calmly, twice. "Don¡¯t worry, Fiona. Everything will be fine. By the time you spend a couple of months at the clinic, you will be fine and good, having no issues with Constance again."


    Fiona nodded, biting her lip. She wondered if she should take a step further.


    Inhaling softly, she covered the distance between herself and Ewan, cing her head on his shoulder. "Thank you so much, Ewan. I know you will understand. I will apologize to Athena too after I am well treated. I promise. I will do anything to make everything perfect and smooth again."


    Ewan nodded slowly. "That will be good, Fiona. Take a nap, if you wish; the journey is still quite long."


    Fiona stamped down the feeling of uncertainty, breathing in Ewan¡¯s scent. She didn¡¯t need drugs to keep Ewan under control.


    "Alright, Ewan..." She muttered, closing her eyes and tightening her arms around Ewan. So what if Morgan failed? She had Ewan on her side again. The edges of her lips tugged with a smile. She was not out of the game yet.


    Momentster, Fiona was awakened by a soft tap on her arm. "Get up, Fiona. We are here."


    Fiona opened her eyes slowly, slightly disoriented. However, as she raised her head from Ewan¡¯s arms, everything came rushing back.


    "Hey, did I droop on you? I am sorry..." She said to Ewan, checking his arm, her voice coated with drowsiness and faux gentleness.


    Ewan waved her away chirpily. "It¡¯s okay. We are here."


    Fiona furrowed her brows as she took note of their surroundings when she stepped out of the car. The environment was still sparse, although now the vegetation was thicker. It felt like they were in the outer parts of a budding forest.


    She couldn¡¯t see any houses around; the roads weren¡¯t exactly the best, and she could tell it was evening.


    Just how many hours had they spent on the road? She wondered, finally taking note of the building in front of her, surrounded by thick vegetation.


    It was a one-story building, whitewashed, with flowers organized in the front porch.


    Why would someone build a psychiatric clinic this far from the city, and where was the signboard that should indicate its name?


    Before she could ask these questions, Ewan spoke up without looking at her. "This way..." He said, moving toward the front door, followed closely by Zane.


    "Aren¡¯t you going in?" She was startled by Sandro¡¯s voice behind her.


    "I am," She said finally, moving quickly to catch up with Ewan. She had never liked Sandro. He had always given her the creeps; he was the only one immune to her charms and deception. It was as if he had been her nemesis in a past life!


    The inside of the one-story building was just as the outside: whitewashed, sparsely decorated with flowers, and deste.


    There were no frames or medical pictures hanging on the walls, as was the norm in other hospitals or clinics. There were no nurses gossiping around or even a receptionist to wee patients.


    Fiona looked around the central room, which was even smaller than her room in Ewan¡¯s mansion. This was the ce where Ewan believed would cure her?


    What about the Whitman hospitals? They had an arm dedicated to psychiatric patients. What about other prestigious hospitals? Why here?


    She scanned the room distastefully, yet keeping a docile face. There was a library at the far west end of the room. She tried peering at the books, but they weren¡¯t written in English, and they didn¡¯t look like medical texts.


    At the opposite side was a structure erected like a counter, for the receptionist she presumed, but where was he or she?


    "Aren¡¯t we going to be weed?" She finally asked Ewan, who she noticed was typing away on his phone while his friends stood by his side, bored.


    At her question, however, they all turned to her.


    "He is out for a second. He will be back soon," Ewan answered calmly, before returning to his phone. The others returned to their bored gazes into space.


    Fiona swallowed, not understanding the restless feeling in her heart. Was there something she was missing?


    She picked up her phone to see if she had received any messages from Morgan, but stopped when she remembered Athena¡¯s words. Her phone was tapped, so whatever she did with Morgan would be evident to them.


    Secondly, she was not alone. If Ewan and his friends found out that she was texting Morgan, then they would suspect her story. For she wasn¡¯t Constance now, but in Fiona.


    Signing tiredly, she left the phone in her pocket and waited with the guys for the doctor.


    Five minutester, she heard the tooting of a horn. The nature of the toot reminded her of cars used in ancient times. She quelled her curiosity to look out from the window, patiently waiting for the doctor toe in.


    Momentster, a middle-aged man wearing a cotton id shirt, faded blue jeans, and brownbat shoes stepped into the room, carrying a white bag filled with groceries.


    "Oh my, Ewan... long time..." The man said, dropping the groceries on one of the worn-out sofas, and walking up to Ewan. They shared a firm handshake.


    All Fiona could think was that the man looked nothing like a doctor. If anything, he looked like an Irish mercenary!


    "Is she the one?" The man continued after exchanging greetings with Sandro and Zane.


    Ewan nodded. "The one and only."


    Fiona furrowed her brows as the man¡¯s eyes ran over her, from her aching head to her dusty ck heels that were killing her feet.


    "Do you think she will survive it? She looks... delicate."


    Ewanughed¡ªa hollowugh that stirred the restless feeling in Fiona again. Something was wrong here. She was sure of it. But what?


    "She should. Since she is strong enough tomit atrocities and wreck people¡¯s lives; she should be strong enough to face the consequences."


    "Ewan... what are you talking about?" Fiona stuttered then, taking a step away from Ewan and his friends, who she could see were staring at her with a mischievous gleam in their eyes¡ªmischief and disgust.


    Their gentle demeanor has been reced quickly with hostility, including Ewan, as he turned to face her.


    "It was so disgusting hearing you talk about Constance. It was even more disgusting and upsetting that you didn¡¯t care for atoning for your crimes. There was no remorse. No, all you thought about was escape. All you thought about was fooling me again. Pleading insanity?"


    Ewanughed coldly, sending chills down Fiona¡¯s back. "Congrattions then; you are about to go insane for real."


    Fiona opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She didn¡¯t know in details what Ewan was talking about¡ªher really going insane¡ªbut she didn¡¯t want to find out either. So, she fell to her knees. "Ewan, I¡¯m sorry!!"


    "Ewan, please..." She continued when Ewan said nothing, only staring at her with an unreadable expression. "Ewan, please have mercy."


    "Mercy?" Ewan finally cackled in disbelief. "That word should remain extinct in your mouth as it has always been."


    A pause.


    "Wee home, Fiona. Your belongings are all in the second room upstairs. My friend here will take absolutely good care of you, especially your mental health."

 Chapter 215: The ‘Psychatric Clinic’ II

    <h4>Chapter 215: The ¡®Psychatric Clinic¡¯ II</h4>


    Fiona¡¯s ears were ringing as if they had been pped. With it came a startling panic attack she didn¡¯t know could exist in her body.


    However, seeing the bored expressions on the faces of the four males in front of her was enough to kill the panic rising within her. They wouldn¡¯t buy into her shaking and falling on the ground now, even if it was real.


    She inhaled deeply, fixing her stare on Ewan, who was also staring at her intently as if expecting something from her.


    An angry outburst? Another roley? Fiona wasn¡¯t sure, but she was certain that if she had known this was going to happen, she would have actually bothered to escape when the shootout hadmenced earlier today.


    She would have fought tooth and nail with the security detail to escape this hell she had fallen into.


    What could she do now? What could she say when Ewan had beaten her at her own game?


    She had thought him gullible, yet at the end of it all, she had been the gullible one. Even when the signs had shown themselves¡ªhis hostility in the boardroom¡ªshe had figured it was because he thought he was speaking to Constance.


    Taking in another deep breath, she crawled, covering the distance between them, and held his legs. "Ewan, I am sorry. I don¡¯t know what came over me. My father¡¯s influence started it, and then... I don¡¯t know."


    Ewan barked out a snideugh right before he flung his legs away from her grasp. Looking at her distastefully, he shook his head in disbelief. "You are done roleying already? Gosh, I was really stupid, always falling for your lies and games. Even when I caught you red-handed trying to sabotage Athena, I still stuck to you, believing that it was a harmless mistake, which even innocent people were bound to make once in a while. I must have been a fool in my past life."


    Fiona shook her head vigorously. "That¡¯s not true, Ewan. You are not a fool. You are a good person..."


    "No, I¡¯m not," Ewan interrupted calmly. "And you are about to see that."


    Fiona shuddered before she could help it. "Ewan..."


    "Fiona, if not that I don¡¯t want blood on my hands, I would have shot you straight in the face when I saw you in the boardroom. To think I actually considered marrying a national slut!"


    Ewan¡¯s voice rose higher, and a single non-straight vein strutted from his hairline down to the base of his forehead. He would have also loved to me Fiona for destroying his marriage, but he had a good hand in that, and so he let it pass by.


    He bent to her height¡ªshe was now sitting on the floor like a docile dog¡ªand took a good look at her for a few seconds.


    "I regret the day I met you, Fiona Adams. I hope we don¡¯t meet again. Because if we do, I might shoot you for real this time around."


    Fiona started crying then, for real. Yet, who would believe it, and who would care? "I¡¯m sorry, Ewan, but if we hadn¡¯t met, you would have died!"


    Ewan chuckled. "Died? Fiona, you¡¯re not the one who saved me."


    Fiona¡¯s jaw ckened. <i>What? How did he find out?</i>


    Ewan shook his head. "To think you started scheming from that young age is quite unbelievable. Alfonso really mentored you well. But that¡¯s okay; my friend here will make sure you regret being an Adams, that you regret the day you were born. He will make you regret meeting me too, so that we are even."


    He cocked his head to the left, still looking at her, unmoved by the stream of tears cascading down her eyes. "Do you know the real reason why I didn¡¯t just shoot you on sight?"


    Fiona said nothing, instead thinking of ways or words to get out of Ewan¡¯s punishment. She had grown so used to his goodness and graciousness that she had forgotten he had an evil side, just like Zane and Sandro.


    Sandro was only different because he always showed her his bad side since she tried seducing him.


    "Because if I do so, it will be painless and quick¡ªa far cry from the punishment you deserve. My friend here, however, will make it slow. And when I mean slow, I mean years-slow."


    A sob broke out from Fiona¡¯s lips as her mind started to conjure up different scenarios.


    "Fiona, again, I promise you will regret crossing paths with me. You will wish you hadn¡¯t schemed with your father. As a matter of fact, you will wish you were in the ck cells like him." Ewan continued, standing straight.


    When Athena had suggested taking Fiona and her father to the ck cells, he had negated that because he wanted to punish Fiona himself. He wanted her to suffer for all the pain she had put him through, all the pain she had put Athena and the kids through, and all the deaths she had caused.


    "She is all yours. You know what to do." He said, looking at the male who had a ruddy appearance.


    The male bit his lip in contemtion, even though his eyes gleamed with amusement, eagerness, and satisfaction. "Are you sure I can do all I want to do? Does that include involving the forest boys? I¡¯m sure they are hungry."


    Ewan nodded, without hesitation. "She loves giving herself to men without reservation. I doubt twenty more will make a difference."


    Fiona shook her head frantically, crawling toward Ewan again, but Sandro blocked her path.


    "Don¡¯te close, else I will cut off your tongue."


    Fiona shrank immediately. She knew better than to doubt Sandro, so she settled on looking at Ewan like a lost puppy, but the male didn¡¯t even nce at her.


    Fiona¡¯s heart broke again and again. Twenty more? It was different if she was in charge, but seeing the gleam in the Irish man¡¯s eyes, she knew it was anything but that.


    "Ewan, please..."


    "The first time Athena was kidnapped, on her return, she was almost raped by one of the kidnappers, would have been more, if not for the timely arrival of the rescue team. You will have a taste of that fully here," Ewan said, sparing her a hateful nce.


    "You tried poisoning my children, right? You will get poisoned daily, so much so that you will hate your body. You will hate your life, and then you will beg for death. But it will be far from your reach."

 Chapter 216: The ‘Psychatric Clinic’ III

    <h4>Chapter 216: The ¡®Psychatric Clinic¡¯ III</h4>


    With every hatred-coated word Ewan spoke, Fiona felt herself getting smaller and weaker.


    The thoughts of all the threatsing to pass also made her belly so sick she wanted to vomit.


    She knew they would ignore her, however, so she didn¡¯t bother asking to be excused. Her rights, as of this moment, had been extinguished. She was now Ewan¡¯s prisoner, and there was nothing she could do about it. Hence, she pushed down the nausea.


    It was funny how things had been perfect before Athena¡¯s return. Memories of her perfect life then seemed now to belong to someone else. So distant and unbelievable, considering her present state.


    She watched as Ewan turned to the Irish male, his anger now simmering on the surface. "The electric chair, the brain fogging¡ªuse them all on her! She is strong enough, so don¡¯t take pity on her. In fact, double the dosages of this treatment on her. Am I clear?"


    "Of course. Clear as crystal," The Irish male replied, rubbing his hands together like an eager child ready to open a Christmas present.


    "Good. I¡¯ll be out of here then. I¡¯ll check in once in a while. If I¡¯m not satisfied with your work, I¡¯ll have to hire another..."


    The Irish maleughed at Ewan¡¯s statement. "Have you ever been unsatisfied with my work, master?"


    Ewan huffed, about to move away when the male called him back. "Won¡¯t you see her room? Just in case..."


    Ewan¡¯s brow furrowed for a second. "Okay then, lead the way."


    The male smiled and started toward the corridor, which Fiona believed would lead to a staircase. She jerked when she felt a rough tap on her shoulder.


    "Get up!"


    Of course, it was Sandro. She mused as she got to her feet, but then made a misstep and cried out in pain when she felt her ankle sprain. "Oh Lord..." She screamed, falling to the ground. She quickly got rid of the heels.


    "Don¡¯t call the name of the Lord in vain. Your lips are tainted with evil."


    Fiona looked up when she heard Zane¡¯s voice; he was the only one in the room. The fact that her cry of pain didn¡¯t faze Ewan was another blow to her heart.


    This was all Athena¡¯s fault. But she couldn¡¯t afford to think of that now when she was in a prison.


    Maybe, if she got out... Even the thought of escape seemed impossible to her. She was doomed. The finality that came with that thought had her gasping for breath as another panic attack hit her.


    "Stop with the shenanigans and get to your feet! Do you want me to drag you? Because I will enjoy that..." Zane spoke, instantly dousing Fiona¡¯s attacks.


    Fiona opened her mouth to speak, to plead, but Zane raised his hand, shutting her up.


    "Don¡¯t bother. Your tricks won¡¯t work on me. Get up, or I¡¯ll drag you, even through the stairs, to give you a foretaste of what you¡¯re going to experience here."


    A foretaste? Fiona couldn¡¯t evenugh at herself in derision. The pain assailing her ankle was too much.


    However, when Zane scoffed and walked up to her with a calcting, dangerous gleam in his eyes, she had no choice but to hold onto the wall beside her and stagger to her feet slowly.


    "Good choice. Now move and don¡¯t waste my time. Or else I will still drag you like a flimsy rag doll."


    Zane ended up dragging Fiona through thest bunch of stairs because she fell¡ªexhausted, weary, and unable to move.


    Her screams as Zane dragged her past the stairs into the hallway threatened to shake the house out of its foundations. When he dumped her in front of the room assigned to her, she let out a deep sigh of relief. Her voice has be hoarse.


    "Aren¡¯t you going to say thanks?" She heard him ask, and held back a snort. Thanks? He must be joking! She would rather¡ª


    Before she could finish the thought, her hair was jerked suddenly, cutting off every coherent thought as pain racked through her skull.


    "Arrghhh!!!" She screamed, her hands flying to grab Zane¡¯s, but they were gone before she could touch them.


    When she managed to peek at him while inhaling and exhaling harshly to stabilize herself, he was cleaning his hands with a handkerchief, which he finally threw on her head.


    "You are so filthy," He spoke, as if discussing the weather with a friend.


    Fiona realized then that he was a worse person than Sandro. At least Sandro always wore his feelings on his face.


    "Now, say thank you..."


    "Thank you..." She muttered quickly, barely feeling herself.


    "Why did you drop her there? You should have brought her into the room," She heard Sandro¡¯s voice amidst her ringing ears and aching head.


    "No need. She can crawl inside."


    A pause. "Now, crawl."


    Fiona didn¡¯t need an interpreter to know that Zane was speaking to her. Inhaling deeply, she crawled into the room, whimpering in pain, and cursing the day Athena chose to return from exile.


    "What do you think of this ce?" She heard the Irish male ask.


    "It will do the job," Ewan replied nonchntly.


    Fiona looked up then, biting down a curse when she took in the room. It was dim, with no light except from tiny cracks in the wall. No window, and no bed.


    She was going to sleep on the bare floor? She took note of the dirty floor, which she believed hadn¡¯t been washed in ages.


    She jerked, screaming out in pain as her ankle protested the sharp movement, when she saw two big cockroaches running around. She hated cockroaches. Worse, there was more.


    "Should I cut her tongue too?"


    Fiona instantly mped her mouth shut, her heart beating erratically, hanging on a thin thread as she waited for Ewan¡¯s response.


    "Not yet."


    She exhaled in relief before she could help it, making the Irish maleugh. "Don¡¯t be quick to sigh in relief, love. By the time you spend three days here, you will wish I had cut off your tongue instead."


    Fiona was numb. Totally out of it, she gazed around the room slowly, ignoring the men discussing.


    The room was nk, save for a box of clothes by the far end. Was that all her clothes? She wondered, just before noticing the toilet that was stered to the wall.


    She scrunched her nose in disgust as she beheld the stains of dry feces in and around the white ceramic.


    She will be using this? No way. She had to escape from here. By any means possible.


    ______


    Happy new month lovely readers! I hope you are enjoying a good start to the month...


    DROAUW is entering its 4th month, and I want to thank y¡¯all for joining me on this ride.


    Let¡¯s keep it up till the finish. ??


    So, this month, support this work with your powerstones and golden tickets. leavements and reviews. And of course, I love gifts! So, cheer me up with them!


    If you¡¯ve read up to this point, you¡¯re in luck. lol.


    Got a gift for y¡¯all:


    <ABDHYBRH8WP2D2AUA>


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    You can redeem it @redeem center at


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    Thank you!

 Chapter 217: The ‘Psychatric Clinic’ IV

    <h4>Chapter 217: The ¡®Psychatric Clinic¡¯ IV</h4>


    "Where are you going?"


    Fiona balked at Sandro¡¯s question and at her body¡¯s movements, which she hadn¡¯t even been aware of. She had thought of escaping, and her body had unconsciously turned toward the exit door.


    Reflexes. She cursed her fate mentally when all eyes turned to her.


    Ewan, for one, looked amused.


    "Fiona, you wanted to leave without saying goodbye?" He asked, stepping closer to her.


    Fiona shivered and withdrew instantly, thinking for the first time that Ewan was actually a psycho, with that maniac smile on his lips and the joy he seemed to experience seeing her this miserable.


    She was bleeding from her knees, and he was feeling exhrated. If that didn¡¯t scream psychotic, she didn¡¯t know what else did.


    He had told her they wereing to a psychiatric clinic, and in a way, that was true: the owner, all of them, were psychotic!


    She shrank further, hissing before she could help it, when her body touched the dirty wall. Yet, there was no ce to burrow into as Ewan stepped closer.


    "Are you going to answer me or not?"


    Fiona had enough sense to know that not answering the question would not bode well for her. "No. I wasn¡¯t about to leave. I¡¯m sorry," She bit out calmly, her eyes darting from Ewan to the other males in the room, wondering if there was a punishment in stock for attempting to escape.


    Ewan, however, nodded slowly before turning to the Irish male again. "Is there anything else you want to show me?" His tone thoroughly business-like, any trace of amusement gone.


    The male shook his head. "That will be all. Do I ration her food as usual, or..." He left the question hanging, expecting Ewan to get what he was talking about.


    Ewan did. "Yes, the usual. And Connor..."


    "Yes, master."


    "Don¡¯t inform the others about this. I¡¯m not up to being haggled insistently. This is a one-time thing."


    Connor smiled and nodded. "Of course, master. I won¡¯t inform the gang."


    "Good," Ewan muttered and started toward the door. Zane and Sandro followed him quickly, needing to be in the confines of civilization. It was gettingte after all.


    "Wait... where are my clothes?" Fiona asked, fearfully, breaking Ewan¡¯s stride.


    She was in the jaws of death, and she was worrying about her clothes? Ewan couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the foolishness. Still, he turned and spared her a mocking nce.


    "You want to y dress-up here?"


    Fiona pulled her lips in, in response.


    Ewan frowned. "When I ask you a question, Fiona, I expect an answer. Or Connor will have to pry it away from you." A pause. "So, I ask again, do you want to y dress-up?"


    Fiona shook her head. "I¡¯m just curious." She muttered, gesturing with a nod toward the small box of clothes.


    "Oh that..." Ewan said with a thin smile. "Those are the clothes you will need during your stay here. Since you won¡¯t be going anywhere, there¡¯s no need to bring those expensive dresses here. As a matter of fact, I have given them all out. The head servant took care of that."


    Fiona gritted her teeth, the first sign of anger she was showing since falling into Ewan¡¯s trap.


    The sight of her annoyance, though, was entertaining to Ewan. "Finally, your eyes sh with that hatred and anger that is all yours. You should hold onto it. You will need it during your stay here to live."


    He was just about to turn and leave when his eyes caught a certain item lying on top of the box. With furrowed brows, he sauntered slowly across the room and picked up the item. It was the bangle that had brought both life and chaos to him.


    "I¡¯ll be taking this too," He muttered, twirling the bangle in his hand.


    "No, you won¡¯t!" Fiona screamed, noting the implications. What if her secret was finally found out? "It doesn¡¯t belong to you!"


    Ewan chuckled heartily. "It doesn¡¯t belong to you either."


    On a second thought, he turned to Connor. "I want you to get some information from her."


    "And what is that?" Connor asked, flexing his hands, as if readying himself for a boxing match.


    "The identity of the owner of this bangle," Ewan answered, still looking at the bangle. His memories were returning in pristine condition, but his savior¡¯s identity was still blurry.


    The only marker, apart from the bracelet, was a birthmark on a section of her back¡ªa birthmark that seemed familiar to him for some reason, but he couldn¡¯t pinpoint where he had seen it. Yet one thing was clear; it wasn¡¯t Fiona.


    "Sure, I will do that."


    "Don¡¯t bother," Fiona replied, her words coated with contempt. "You won¡¯t be getting anything from me, unless..." A light bulb danced in her mind. "Unless you are ready to let me go."


    Ewan paused, raising an eyebrow, thenughed. "You are good, Fiona. But I¡¯m not that desperate. And I¡¯m sure Connor has his ways."


    Fiona gave up, settling on the floor, ignoring the flurry of cockroach movements she was hearing. "Is there anything I can do to change this?"


    "No." Ewan replied, right before he slipped the bangle onto his right wrist and left the room with Sandro and Zane.


    "You know, love, you are really stupid for angering the boss like that. Why? Because you had backing from the scorpion gang? Girl, that gang is child¡¯s ypared to the gang Master Ewan operated and abandoned years ago..."


    Fiona finally turned and gave Connor her full attention. "A gang?"


    Connor nodded. "Yeah, of course. Boss is mafia. Or rather was mafia. It was a normal urrence back then to survive, a second ie stream to rebuild his father¡¯spany. He gave it all up after a while, right before we would have blown the world."


    Connor exhaled as if tired. "Said he wasn¡¯t cut out for that."


    There was another pause while Connor covered the distance between him and a gaping Fiona, who was shocked to her bones by this piece of information.


    Ewan was mafia? Did it mean Sandro and Zane were too?


    "This is confidential information, of course. But I can tell you all of it because you are not going anywhere, except of course, to the grave." Connor smiled widely, exposing all his teeth, unsettling Fiona. "Just prepare for the lonely painful days ahead."


    "But... Please, can you¡ª"


    "Don¡¯t bother, Fiona love. I¡¯m allergic to requests. It¡¯s why the boss trusts me with matters like this. And it¡¯s been years since I¡¯ve been of use to him, so I won¡¯t disappoint him now. Let¡¯s get started, shall we..." Connor said, squatting to her height.

 Chapter 218: The ‘Psychatric Clinic’ V

    <h4>Chapter 218: The ¡®Psychatric Clinic¡¯ V</h4>


    "Were you able to get the information on Ethan Patterson?" Ewan asked Sandro as he halted right in the middle of Connor¡¯s living room.


    Sandro nodded and deftly brought up his iPad, scrolling and swiping past a couple of documents.


    "He is an orphan, lived from one foster home to another, and finally got dumped at an orphanage... Lucky enough to garner the attention of a reverend father when he topped his sses in the Catholic boarding school. The Father sent him to college..."


    An intermittent pause.


    "Somehow, he met Athena, because that¡¯s the next information I see right here. The fact that he was seen with Athena at every event, at every gathering¡ªit was like he was a bodyguard, something akin to what Aiden is. Do you think there¡¯s amon ground where they all met?"


    Sandro looked up from the tab to see Zane and Ewan sitting on the wooden chairs around a small dining table by the northern wing of the living room. He joined them, taking a seat directly opposite Ewan.


    "I¡¯m not sure. That¡¯s what research is for, isn¡¯t it?" Ewan stated, drumming his fingers on the table.


    Sandro sighed and returned his attention to the tab. "Well, there¡¯s a hole in the research. Holes, actually. Ethan¡¯s life, from when he met Athena, is quite obscure. The only known thing is that he suddenly sprouted up to bing the CEO of a couple of startups, which, ording to him today, all belong to Athena. Yet, it doesn¡¯t stop the fact that he has made his mark in the business world."


    "And what about the academy? Did you collect information on that? Is it a school?" Ewan asked, pushing aside questions of Athena¡¯s life that kept popping up.


    He needed to fill these holes, yes, but he didn¡¯t want to obsess over them. After all, the present was more important than the past. His concern was her safety, her and the twins.


    "The academy in question is a martial arts academy, owned by thete Mr. Shen. ording to our sources, he willed it to Athena at the time of his death, and not just that alone, but more than thirty percent of his wealth, both to her and the children. Aiden too."


    A reflective pause.


    "I¡¯m guessing that since she can¡¯t be in two ces at a time, she told Ethan to take care of it."


    "Hmmm..." Ewan rested his head on the apex of the chair. "But if the old man willed it to her, it means she was his student at one time. Doesn¡¯t he have children?"


    "He does," Sandro answered. "Five, actually... willed ten percent to each of them. Left the wife out because she is a hoe. Our sources mention that there are rumors about the sons plotting to kill Athena. As a matter of fact, they made the attempt some days ago, but Athena and Aiden dealt with the sent troupe."


    "When you say dealt..." Zane spoke up for the first time since the sit-down.


    "Yes, I mean killed," Sandro replied, looking at the tab.


    Zane whistled.


    "So, I think there is a possibility they all met at Shen¡¯s academy. I mean, Athena and her private crew." A pause. "Wow..."


    "What is the matter, Sandro?" Ewan asked, leaning forward as if wanting to plunge into the iPad.


    "ording to this research, thete Mr. Shen took Athena under his wings when Antonio¡¯s parents..."


    "Stop. You said, Antonio?" Zane interrupted, leaning forward too.


    Sandro nodded. "Turns out Antonio was the friend Athena ran to after being exiled. He was Gianna¡¯s college friend. I guess she gave Athena the contact."


    Zane¡¯s lips thinned as he tried to understand the type of friendship that existed between Gianna and Antonio, not minding that Antonio was currently all lovey-dovey on Athena.


    "So, because she was pregnant, Athena was always picked upon... Therefore, when Mr. Shen made the offer to take her in, she epted it. Antonio had no problem with it either, as Mr. Shen had a good reputation in the country." Sandro continued with the report.


    Ewan inhaled slowly and threw back his head as he tried to imagine what torment Athena had gone through in those months when she had been bullied. All this was his fault!


    He clenched his fists on the table, needing to punch something or somebody. Alfonso would have been the best option, but thetter was miles away now, hopefully in the ck cells. Ewan prayed thetter was in very harsh torment.


    "So, Athena¡¯s rise to fame started with her singr connection to Mr. Shen." Sandro paused and scrolled down. "Seeing the man¡¯s impressive profile, including his achievements and investments, I can see how she is easily and highly connected, especially since she is his favorite student. ording to our sources, the academy is linked to the CIA too."


    Ewan¡¯s eyebrows shot up to his hairline. "The CIA? Well, that exins it," He said quietly, exhaling softly afterward. "It really exins a lot. The reflexes, the trained security detail..."


    He shook his head. "So, if Ethan oversees the academy, what about her otherpanies? Who is overseeing them?"


    "There are others like Ethan stationed at thosepanies. For the one in our country, I¡¯m not sure. Maybe Aiden?"


    Ewan shook his head again. "I don¡¯t think so. He has his hands upied with security and research."


    "Well, I guess we will have to see about that," Zane said. "Is there more?"


    Sandro nodded with a satisfied smile. "So much more. Athena¡¯s education background, for instance... ording to our sources, she was pulled out of school in her lower grades because of an ident that wreaked havoc on her brain. She was in aa for more than thirteen months. And because Zack was more careful about his reputation than her recovery, he kept her hidden and locked up in one of the pretty rooms in the mansion."


    A pause.


    "Worse, whenever he was asked about her, he imed she wasn¡¯t interested in education. By the time Athena was fully recovered and let out in public again, she was branded an illiterate. Hence, no one knew she was homeschooled by her mother first, before she delved into online sses, except her close friends."


    Ewan¡¯s fingers stopped their drumming motion on the table then, while his eyes sharpened with a certain rity. "The ident... what was the ident?"

 Chapter 219: The ‘Psychatric Clinic’ VI

    <h4>Chapter 219: The ¡®Psychatric Clinic¡¯ VI</h4>


    A silent pause ensued after Ewan¡¯s question, inviting an uncertain atmosphere over the dining area of the living room.


    "Do you think she is the one that saved you those years ago?" Zane broke the silence finally, leaning forward, his eyebrows raised in disbelief.


    Ewan said nothing at first.


    "Ewan..."


    Ewan sighed and inhaled deeply. "I¡¯m not sure. The timing somehow matches, I think."


    Zane shook his head. "That won¡¯t be possible, remember? At that time, you weren¡¯t allowed to cross over to Zack¡¯s boundary; none of us were allowed without the guidance of an adult, most likely our parents. At least, I know that before my father shipped me out of the country for my education or whatever..."


    A significant pause.


    "Even though there was a truce between Zack and your father, it was a fragile one. So how can you meet Athena in the first ce, not to mention build asting friendship where she jumps into raging waters to save you before thinking of herself?"


    Ewan swallowed, reclining deeper into the chair. Zane was right in his deductions. There was no way he would have been close to Athena then. Yet...


    He sighed and looked at Sandro, who was watching him with furrowed eyebrows. "What ident was that?"


    A frown masked Sandro¡¯s face when he peered into the screen. "It wasn¡¯t mentioned here. ording to the sources, even her friends are unaware of the type of ident."


    A pregnant pause, after which Sandro looked at Ewan. "If we are really going to get a real answer, we will have to meet Zack."


    "That we will do, first thing tomorrow. As a matter of fact, I will try to speak with him tonight. I hope he doesn¡¯t get cocky and make stupid demands," Ewan agreed, turning up his lips as he contemted this matter¡ªZack¡¯s readiness to reveal the truth when called upon.


    Sandro and Zane exchanged nces before nodding along. Whatever the boss said, they thought. But there was no way Athena was Ewan¡¯s savior. That would be pushing coincidences very far.


    "Is there anything about the friction between her and Morgan¡¯s gang? What¡¯s the current y now?" Ewan asked, pushing aside thoughts of the ident. There was no need to dwell on them when he would be getting answers soon.


    "Well, there is," Sandro answered, scrolling through the document again. "It¡¯s as Athena stated during the court case. The gang¡¯s first attempt on her life was a few years ago, and thenst year too. They want her medical research about the Grey disease. But at every turn, they keep failing. Our sources also mentioned Athena¡¯s direct link to the CIA and the Nimbus operation."


    "Nimbus operation? What is that?" Zane asked, folding his hands across his chest. Ewan, too, had a confused expression on his face. None of them had heard of Nimbus.


    Sandro shrugged his shoulders. "No idea. But the document exins that it is an organization formed by a select few that resigned from the CIA due to their misgivings about the agency."


    "And I take it that Athena is among them?" Zane queried, raising an eyebrow.


    When Sandro nodded, Zane sighed and shook his head. "I can see why my father respects her so much. She seems to be everywhere. She is too connected, which is why he mentions that she is someone not to cross on a normal day."


    "Speaking of your father, Zane, what¡¯s his deal with Athena? I suspect they had a sh at one time before he made his due research." Ewan directed his gaze to Zane, who threw his hands up in frustration.


    "Your guess is as good as mine, Ewan. I don¡¯t know. He didn¡¯t tell me about it. He only told me to always be on good terms with her."


    "So you were trying to date her because your father sent you after her?" Ewan¡¯s voice had taken on a chilly quality.


    Sandro huffed and kept the tab on the table. <i>Alert: Macho male on disy, </i>He thought, sparing Zane a nce. But Zane wasn¡¯t in the least bothered or fazed.


    "Not exactly. I got close to Athena because of my father, yes, but she triggered my liking and respect because she was..." Zane paused, cocking his head to the left. "Which word would I use to effectively describe her personality?"


    A pause. "She is just excellent. Not perfect. Just excellent, and damn so beautiful."


    Ewan scowled. "You talk like you are still pining for her. Do you still want her?"


    Zane scoffed. "Get over the possessiveness, Ewan. Athena isn¡¯t yours. And if you are interested in her, then go butt heads with Antonio. That¡¯s yourpetition, because I have dropped out. A strongpetition that is, since he is the adoptive father of the children. I really do not see a chance for you in the mix."


    Ewan sighed, letting his premature anger and jealousy go. "There is something I have to tell you guys..." He muttered, his fingers starting the drumming motion again.


    Zane and Sandro exchanged furtive nces. Whatever Ewan wanted to share must be huge if it had swallowed a good amount of his deep voice.


    Ewan¡¯s hesitation to continue with his confession strengthened the uncertain atmosphere again at the dining table, increasing Sandro and Zane¡¯s curiosity. What could be that heavy?


    "Ewan..." Zane called when he couldn¡¯t take it any longer.


    Ewan exhaled tiredly. "It¡¯s about the divorce papers between Athena and me."


    Sandro and Zane exchanged nces again, this time a worry-themed one.


    "What happened to the divorce papers?" Sandro asked, his lips thinning into a straight line as suspicions rose within him.


    "I didn¡¯t sign them."


    A thick silence pressed down into the space, eating up any words left in the mouths of Zane and Sandro. They couldn¡¯t even look at each other this time. Each was left to his own silence and thoughts.


    Zane didn¡¯t know what to make of this, didn¡¯t know how to believe the authenticity of this information, even while knowing that Ewan couldn¡¯t lie about such sensitive topics.


    He opened his mouth to speak, but a croak was what came out. He wet his tongue and looked at Sandro.


    Thetter looked just as shocked as he was.


    Was that anger on his face too? He thought skeptically, right before Sandro mmed his hand on the desk in anger.


    "You did not do what?!"


    Ewan tucked his lips in, understanding the root cause of his friend¡¯s rage.


    "Ewan, you better start talking." Sandro continued, pushing back his chair and getting to his feet, ring at Ewan.


    "I didn¡¯t sign the papers. They are still in my drawer."


    "Why?" Zane asked when Sandro broke out in augh of disbelief before starting to pace the room.


    Ewan looked at his hands. "I don¡¯t know," he muttered. "I honestly don¡¯t know."


    Zane shook his head. "That¡¯s not enough reason, Ewan. Weren¡¯t you about to marry Fiona? What exactly was your n? What exactly were you thinking?"


    "I thought I would sign the papers before marrying Fiona," Ewan answered. "All these years, I couldn¡¯t get around to putting down my signature on those papers. I just couldn¡¯t. Mywyer gave up asking about them the same year after I told him to keep his mouth shut."


    He paused and looked up as if searching for something in the ceiling. "Whenever I pick up those papers to sign, I feel a weight deep in my chest, hurting me..." He sighed and redirected his gaze to Zane. "I just can¡¯t exin it, Zane. I know this is bad..."


    "Of course it¡¯s bad!" Sandro shouted, halting near a pir. "You both are still married, and she isn¡¯t even aware of it! If thises to light, it would seem she is an adulterer, leaving you for Antonio. Is that your n?"


    "Of course not! How can you think I would do that?!" Ewan shouted, getting out of his seat and ring hotly at Sandro. "I won¡¯t do anything to jeopardize her life. She has suffered enough!"


    Sandro met his gaze without flinching.


    After a few seconds of heated, uninterrupted ring, Sandro nodded. "Good, Ewan. Because I won¡¯t let you do that. You should move on, like she has. She already showed you mercy by letting you see your kids once a month. You should make do with that and not jeopardize it. The consequences may be dire."


    "But how do I make do with that, Sandro? Seeing my kids once a month? I don¡¯t think I can cope with that."


    Sandroughed in derision then, upsetting Ewan. "How can you??? Wasn¡¯t that the same condition you gave her during the court case? You can¡¯t take the heat now..."


    "Sandro, tone it down..." Zane pleaded, getting to his feet, needing to quench the rising fire between his two friends.


    "Still, I can¡¯t. It¡¯s selfish, but I can¡¯t," Ewan said with all determination.


    "So, what are you going to do? Because hell will freeze over before I let you threaten Athena with unsigned divorce papers."

 Chapter 220: The ‘Psychatric Clinic’ VII

    <h4>Chapter 220: The ¡®Psychatric Clinic¡¯ VII</h4>


    Ewan bit his lips as he sought and found the seriousness and determination in Sandro¡¯s eyes.


    Sandro was his own friend, has been that for as long as he could remember¡ªas close to him as Zane was. When had thetter then be Athena¡¯s chief defendant?


    Ewan kissed his teeth at this thought; it wasn¡¯t necessary. Anyone knowing the history between Athena and him, knowing how much his wife had gone through to be the woman she was, would act the same way as Sandro.


    No matter the level of friendship they shared, Sandro had always been a justice chooser. It seemed Athena had scored herself another loyalist.


    Ewan had no doubt that Zane would also go against him should he attempt to raise the g of "we are not divorced yet" over Athena.


    Yet, that wasn¡¯t what he had been attempting to do. For his friends to have that iota of stinking idea go through their minds revealed the lot of mopping up he had to do¡ªthe amount of hard work he has to put in to restore his image before his friends, and before Athena.


    Letting go, he inhaled slowly and exhaled the same before walking back to his seat.


    "Honestly, I don¡¯t know," He started, tapping the table intermittently with his index finger. "I don¡¯t know how I will get past the once-per-month visits, but I won¡¯t be waving the divorce papers over Athena. If I was that kind of person before, I¡¯m not now."


    Sandro seemed appeased with Ewan¡¯s statement, for he unfolded his hands from his chest, walked back to his seat, and picked up the iPad again.


    Zane exhaled loudly in relief, causing Ewan and Sandro to chuckle heartily.


    "You two find it funny now, right? I should have recorded you two so you can see how you looked, arguing over a woman..." Zane teased, taking his own seat.


    Ewan and Sandro exchangedical nces andughed, any pent-up ill feelings dissipating.


    "Well, thank God you didn¡¯t..." Sandro said, scrolling through the documents.


    "So, Ewan, if you finally get any idea that will allow you have more than once-per-month visits with the kids, let us know." Zane stated, his eyes on Sandro.


    Ewan scoffed. "You both aren¡¯t going to help me? What use are you two of, then?"


    Sandro looked up from the iPad. "To cheer you up from the sidelines." A mocking smile teased his lips as he said this, making Ewan snort.


    "You both aren¡¯t helpful. Well, I¡¯ll have to take the old-fashioned route then."


    Sandro and Zane exchanged cursory nces. "Which is?" They asked at the same time.


    "Show her I¡¯m a changed person."


    Zane and Sandro looked at each other again, meaningfully, for three seconds before they burst intoughter, holding their bellies.


    Ewan threw them the serviette on the table. "You both are wackos!"


    But Zane and Sandroughed even more.


    Ewan scoffed and looked away.


    "You do know she is a busy woman, right? Where will she see you and your diator acts?" Zane asked, finding a break from hisughter.


    Good question, Ewan thought. Sadly, he had no answers for that.


    "Then I will go through the children," He decided.


    Sandro raised his left eyebrow. "Those children..." He barked augh. "I don¡¯t know which is meaner, them or Athena." He shook his head. "Well, man, if you are really going to take this route, you have a lot of work cut out for you."


    Didn¡¯t he know that? Ewan thought.


    "So, Ewan, let me get something straight. Are you gunning for Athena, trying to get back with her, or do you just want more time with the children?" Zane asked, folding his arms across his chest.


    Ewan noted the smile blossoming on his friend¡¯s lips and knew that thetter, as usual, was ying with him. Of course, he had no chance with Athena; that ship had long sailed. He only wanted more time with the twins. Yet, if there was a slim chance...


    He shook his head, suddenly feeling depressed. He had messed up all his chances.


    "Sandro, continue with the reading..." He muttered, looking down at his fingers as snippets of his three-year marriage to Athena flew around his mind, including their hot moments in the bedroom¡ªevery night, and every damn time he couldy his hands on her.


    Then he had led himself to believe that his readiness and eagerness to sleep with her was because of the contract; to give her a male child who would bear her father¡¯s name.


    But now, he could understand that readiness; his heart had fallen for her, had craved for her, especially in thest days of their marriage.


    Ewan couldprehend now the restlessness that had beset him when Athena had asked for a divorce, when the false videos had run through the socials, when she had finally left him.


    Now, he could understand that he had loved her then, that he had been so stupid, so rage-filled, and too blinded to see it. He had toyed with her love for him, not knowing that he had fallen too in the process. Now, he had to live his whole life with one part of him far away from him.


    "Ewan..."


    He heard Zane call out. He knew why his friend was calling, but he didn¡¯t want that discussion. "Sandro, what¡¯s holding the reports?"


    Sandro exchanged a furtive nce with Zane at the serious dampening atmosphere enveloping them and exhaled tiredly. "As we all know, the gang is after her research. We have seen the attacks and all..."


    He paused and scrolled through the document, past the information they already knew while his mind wandered to Ewan and what thetter could be thinking.


    Sandro knew Ewan had loved Athena then. He had seen it six years ago before the marriage hade crashing down. The seconds his friend had lingered, staring at Athena while she was cooking or cleaning, the way thetter was always in a haste to go home...


    His friend had thought he didn¡¯t notice, but he did. Sandro had decided to say nothing, believing that a few more years would bring Ewan¡¯s wall crashing down; that Ewan wouldn¡¯t be holding onto anger and hate anymore. But then Fiona happened.


    Sandro¡¯s thoughts were suddenly interrupted when he came across a section of the document.


    "ording to this document, the gang is probably hired by some goons¡ªministers, actually, in the government. Also, their location is stated here."


    "Their current location?" Zane interrupted, leaning forward.


    Sandro nodded. "What should we do? It¡¯s very possible that, with the recent failure, they will be plotting an attack again. Morgan isn¡¯t known to give up. Should we invade their hideout?"


    Ewan shook his head, taking his lips in, pushing aside thoughts of Athena from his mind. If he couldn¡¯t be with her, he would at least work to keep her and the twins safe.


    "I¡¯m sure Athena is already aware of that. I¡¯m sure she has made ns too. Invading might disrupt her ns..." He paused, his eyes narrowing with contemtion. "I will speak with my old man. We had some reunion, and I¡¯m hoping he will let me in on some of their ns. I just don¡¯t want to help blindly."


    Sandro and Zane nodded thoughtfully.


    "That¡¯s true," Sandro mused, pouting his lips thereafter. "That¡¯s the end of the report, though. If we want more, we will have to contact them."


    Zane raised an eyebrow. "What?"


    Sandro shrugged his shoulders. "It¡¯s written clearly here."


    Zane shook his head. "We are not contacting them again. Right, Ewan?"


    Ewan pursed his lips, making Zane¡¯s eyebrow shoot up.


    "Hold up, Ewan. You know constantly contacting the gang for help will make them seek your return. You know that, right? You already have Connor doing some work, and then you contacted Spider for research. It will only be a matter of time before your sessor finds out about it. And you know what follows next..."


    "I can handle it." Ewan cut in, getting to his feet. "I can handle the gang. I¡¯m never returning, Zane. I already left that life."


    "Then, this is thest contact we have with them. I don¡¯t want to owe them anything," Zane stated, also getting to his feet.


    "Well..." Sandro¡¯s next words were cut off by a loud scream of pain.


    The three males looked at each other.


    "Well, it seems like Fiona¡¯s treatment has started. Let¡¯s get out of here, people. Connor likes his space," Ewan said, putting his hands into his pockets.


    Zane chuckled, walking past the table. "What do you think he started with?"


    "Maybe the electric chair?" Sandro guessed, looking at Ewan.


    "I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t actually care. But knowing Connor, he¡¯ll probably start with cutting her up¡ªthe thighs first, before the breasts. He is as psychotic as she is. Let¡¯s move," Ewan replied, walking out of the house, without having second thoughts about Fiona.


    Meanwhile, miles away from them, Madam Ruby gasped in shock as she watched a video she had gotten from her sources.


    A video which exined the tension between the Adams family, Ewan, and Athena, a video depicting the court case Zack had refused to talk about.

 Chapter 221: Fashion-less Doctor

    <h4>Chapter 221: Fashion-less Doctor</h4>


    "Athena, good morning. Have you heard from Susan yet?" Aiden asked, stepping into Athena¡¯s room after two sharp knocks on her door.


    Athena, who had been deciding on which outfit to wear to see the president, paused her fashion dallying and turned. "Good morning, Aiden. No, I haven¡¯t," She stated somberly, dropping the light green two-piece suit onto the bed.


    She strolled to the longest of the two sofas in her room and sat down quietly, burying her head in her hands for a few seconds. "What should we do?" She asked, lifting her head and staring at Aiden, who hastily shut the door behind him and walked briskly to the other sofa.


    "I¡¯m not sure. Should we wait for a couple more hours?" He sped his hands together, ced his elbows on his thighs, and leaned forward.


    Athena sighed and looked up to the ceilings. "Aiden, we¡¯ve been waiting for hours. She was supposed to send a textst night or, at most, this morning, seeing as Alvarez has leaked the fake news to the public about Heronica¡¯s escape. Do you think Morgan discovered the ruse, maybe through Heron?"


    Aiden shook his head. "I don¡¯t think so, Athena. Heron is dead."


    Athena pursed her lips, redirecting her gaze to Aiden. "We don¡¯t know that. We didn¡¯t see his body the second time we checked out the hideout."


    "True. But that¡¯s because the gang must have taken him to be buried. I saw the body, Athena. He was dead."


    Athena hoped so. Because if Heron was still alive, then they were in trouble¡ªSusan too.


    Twins could detect irregrities among themselves. Didn¡¯t she have them as children?


    "So, we should wait then? Wait and pray the gang didn¡¯t find her out..."


    Aiden nodded.


    Athena inhaled deeply, quelling the racing of her heart. If Susan died... She shook her head, refusing to think of that right now. She should be optimistic!


    "Athena... don¡¯t worry. She will be fine. Susan can take care of herself."


    Athena shot Aiden a sharp re, sorrow shifting to red anger. "Pray, Aiden. Pray nothing happens to her. Or else you will pay dearly for it for the rest of your life!"


    Aiden sighed and got to his feet, hating to be threatened. "Aye, I hear you. Are you ready to see the president?" He changed the topic, checking his wristwatch. "It¡¯s almost nine o¡¯clock."


    Athena sighed, letting go of the anger and standing to her feet. "Not yet." She looked at the clothes spread out on the bed¡ªskirts, corporate blouses, pants...


    Which should I wear? She wondered, calcting the suitability of each outfit for the asion. This was the president; she needed the perfect attire.


    She groaned as fashion styles kept jumbling in her mind. Behind her, Aiden was just as confused. "Just pick anyone and wear it. You always look good in anything you wear..."


    Athena snorted and gave him a scornful expression. He threw his hands up in resignation. "I¡¯ll see you outside."


    Better, Athena mused, looking at the door as it opened, ushering Gianna inside. "Thank God..." She muttered, stepping away from the bed. Her savior has arrived.


    "I thought as much..." Gianna said, a small smile on her lips as she beheld the disorderly state of the bed. Not just that, but the space beside it was filled with all kinds of branded shoes. "Good morning, Aiden."


    "Good morning, Gianna. It¡¯s good you are here. Your friend needs help."


    Giannaughed, jabbing Aiden lightly on the arm. "Rest well, Aiden. I¡¯ll take care of it."


    Aiden chuckled softly, gave a curt nod to a pouting Athena, and walked out of the room.


    "Are you carrying your hair like that, woman?" Gianna began, taking inventory of Athena the moment Aiden left.


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "What¡¯s wrong with it? I think it¡¯s okay..." She said, taking a peek in the mirror.


    Gianna shook her head before taking another inventory, this time of the clothes on the bed. "What are these?"


    Athena didn¡¯t bother replying this time around. She would let her friend work her magic.


    Thirty minutester, Athena emerged looking poised and professional. She wore a tailored, navy blue pantsuit that entuated her curves without being too revealing.


    The suit was made of a high-quality wool blend that gave it a subtle sheen, and it was perfectly fitted to her body. There were groups of sturdy and beautiful beads and sequins sewn perfectly around the suit¡¯s cor and hands, which easily caught the light and sparkled when she moved.


    A crisp, white blouse added a touch of elegance to the outfit, while a modest silver ne with a small, delicate pendant provided a hint of sophistication.


    Her dark hair was styled in a sleek, low bun that showcased her beautiful features and added to her polished look. She had opted for understated, pearl earrings thatplemented her ne and added a touch of ssic elegance to her overall appearance.


    Her makeup was the most interesting though. Eye-catching and wless.


    A pair of low-heeled, ck pumpspleted her outfit; a professional touch that was perfect for a meeting with the president.


    "Damn, Gianna. You are too good. Don¡¯t you think you should delve into fashion too?"


    Gianna scoffed. "I can¡¯t multitask like you do, girl. This jewelry stuff is already tiring as it is. If I include clothing and all, I might go crazy. Maybe end up in a psychiatric hospital like Fiona."


    Athena paused and stared at her friend meaningfully, and then both dissolved into fits ofughter.


    "Fiona in a psychiatric ward? I would pay a million dors to see that, to witness her humiliation and downfall. And Mr. Thorne seems to think that the psychiatric ward is a special one, like a torture chamber."


    Athena pressed her lips together and noddedically, checking herself out in the mirror again. She hoped that whatever hospital Fiona was in would be as torment-filled as the ck cells, the darkest ones where Alfonso had been kept.


    She smiled, patting her hair gently. Two out of the game. It remained Morgan, his gang, and whomever was behind the Grey disease.


    "You look great, Athena. Stop checking yourself out. Next, you¡¯ll be finding faults..." Gianna said after a few beats, standing next to Athena.


    As if on cue, Athena frowned a little. "Don¡¯t you think this getup is too much to see the president? This suit is very expensive, one of Areso¡¯s best."


    Gianna looked at her like she had grown five heads. "Too much? Girl, do you know who the president of the country is? That¡¯s like the highest official in the country. There¡¯s no such thing as too much! You are perfect!"


    "But..." Athena tried to make another argument, but Gianna wasn¡¯t having it.


    "One more word, and I won¡¯t do your makeup again."


    Athena mped her mouth shut.


    Gianna chuckled and shook her head. "Good. The president is hot, you know. The youngest president we¡¯ve ever had as a country. You can¡¯t show up before him looking like an outdated, fashionless doctor."


    Athena kept her eyebrows raised and nodded slowly, making Giannaugh.


    "Stop doing that. You don¡¯t know how many women want to be in your shoes."


    "He is married, Gianna."


    "That doesn¡¯t lessen the hotness."


    Athena shook her head; this was a lost cause. "Do you want to follow me then? Have a fill of his hotness?"


    Gianna¡¯s eyes sparkled with joy and excitement. "You mean it?"


    Athena nodded, thoroughly amused. She cocked her head to the side, however, when Gianna suddenly piped down, most likely remembering something. "What¡¯s the matter?"


    "I have a pitch to make today. I can¡¯t make it..."


    Athena chuckled, seeing Gianna sulk. "Don¡¯t worry, I will ask him for a picture. You can gaze to your heart¡¯s content."


    Gianna brightened up again and threw her arms over Athena¡¯s shoulders. "Really? That¡¯s why you are my best friend. Now, let¡¯s go; breakfast has been ready for a while."


    "I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be having breakfast, Gianna. I¡¯ve run out of time."


    In the sitting room, Old Mr. Thorne was rxing on the long sofa with a newspaper. Aiden was seated opposite him, watching TV with Nathaniel. It was the weekend afterall.


    "Where is your sister, Nate?" Athena asked as she stepped into the room with Gianna.


    The three males looked up, slightly mesmerized by Athena¡¯s striking beauty. So enamored were they that they didn¡¯t take note of her question at first.


    Gianna jabbed Athena with her arm. <i>Told you so, </i>her eyes seemed to say.


    "I don¡¯t want to be a source of distraction to the president or his subjects," Athena muttered, looking at herself for the umpteenth time and sighing. She wished she could return and change to a simper two-piece, but Gianna would rather that hell froze over.


    "She went out with Mrs. Thorne. Women¡¯s hair day, they called it..." Aiden spoke, breaking the silence. "You look good, Athena."


    "Thanks, Aiden," Athena said, wishing she could join the women¡¯s hair day too. God knows she needed rest.


    Old Mr. Thorne gave her a thumbs up, his smile radiating even from his eyes. Nathaniel, however, hurried up to her.


    "Mom! You look fantastic!"


    Athena smiled widely, ruffling her son¡¯s hair. "Thanks, Nate. I¡¯ll see you in the evening, okay?"


    "Yes, Mom. I love you..."


    Aiden stood up and apanied her out of the house.


    "Have you told the kids that Ewan will being to see them today?"


    Athena nodded. "First thing I did when I woke up. It almost slipped my mind, you know." She exhaled softly. "What do you think will happen?"


    "I don¡¯t know. I think that will sort itself out. You just focus on seeing the president. I will keep watch here," He said, darting a sharp gaze at the gate when he heard the toot of a car horn.


    "Well, it seems your ride is here. Good luck."


    Athena smiled thinly. "Thanks, Aiden. See youter."

 Chapter 222: Meeting The President

    <h4>Chapter 222: Meeting The President</h4>


    "Please wait here, Doctor Athena. The president will call you in shortly."


    "He¡¯s in another meeting?" Athena asked the beautiful middle-aged secretary, settling into one of the lush sofas, which she guessed was imported from Italy¡ªthe artistry was quite peculiar to the country; elegant, and simple at the same time.


    "Yes, with the chief of staff and a few cab members..." The secretary replied with a soft smile, staring at Athena longer than necessary.


    "Is there a problem, uhm..."


    "Joan..." The secretary filled in, smiling more widely.


    "Yeah, Joan. Is there a problem?" Athena asked, cing her crocodile leather ckptop bag on her thighs and resting her hands on it.


    "Not at all, Doctor Athena. It¡¯s just that I¡¯m a huge fan of yours. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m seeing you up close..."


    Athena raised an eyebrow, not understanding the hype. She wasn¡¯t a musical artist kept away from the people by an excessive amount of guards. If Joan wanted to see her, she only needed to stop by Whitman Hospital.


    However, Athena nodded all the same, smiling. It was good to have a fan; it could prove useful sometimes...


    "So, the meeting¡ªwhat¡¯s it all about? Anything rted to me?"


    Joan pursed her lips, her smile disappearing as she contemted divulging the president¡¯s business to her role model.


    Athena sighed. <i>Maybe not useful... </i>"It¡¯s okay, I shouldn¡¯t have even..."


    But Joan shook her head. "It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s nothing much, since you¡¯ll be going in soon. The meeting is about you. The cab members in there weren¡¯t entirely pleased that the president wants to meet you personally. They are of the opinion that you should submit your research andboratory location by force if you refuse to abide by the order willingly."


    Athena¡¯s brows shot up in surprise. Here she was, calcting her response if the president demanded her research; she didn¡¯t know there were other influences.


    But, to be honest, she had expected this; either from the president or whomever.


    Reading the international news early that morning, she had seen the waves her research was making. Only two hours ago, she had received more than fifty emails from different hospitals all over the globe seeking her guidance on how to tackle the Grey disease.


    Athena had no problems sharing her research, but she needed to eliminate the people producing the Grey disease first. If not, whatever effort she made would be in vain. All the same, she was working together with Old Mr. Thorne and Aiden to find a way to replicate her drugs so they could reach other countries without getting intercepted.


    Athena rubbed her forehead tiredly. She should push that thought aside for now and focus on the meeting with the president. She needed to prepare to face whatever awaited her there.


    The president was a young man in his early forties. Was he easily influenced by those old-timers, seeing as he was most likely ced there by someone else controlling the buttons? Or was he a man of his own?


    She sighed and looked at Joan, who was still staring at her as if gauging her expression.


    "Will you let him have it either way?" Thetter asked.


    Athena shook her head. "It¡¯s too dangerous."


    Joan nodded in agreement. "Thought as much. From thest news broadcast involving Mrs. Mendoza, it was obvious. I think the president should just help out in any way you wish and not stand in your way... Maybe provide more security to track down Morgan Steeles since his picture is all over every news outlet in the country."


    Athena smiled thinly. "Thanks for your help and trust, Joan. I hope too that the president will see reason and that Morgan Steeles will be apprehended as soon as possible."


    Just then, her phone dinged with a text. "Excuse me, Joan," she said, retrieving her phone from her bag. Joan nodded and returned to her work on the system.


    Meanwhile, Athena¡¯s heart raced as she saw that the message was from Susan.


    Finally! She thought, yet her fingers hovered over the unopened text¡ªshe was scared of what she would find written within.


    Images raced through her mind; maybe Heron sending a text through Susan¡¯s phone or Susan sending a cry for help with a gun pressed against her forehead.


    Athena shook her head and inhaled deeply. "Susan is fine," She muttered and tapped the message.


    <i>"Hi Athena, I¡¯m in. And it¡¯s like you suspected, the whole gang is in disarray, probably why they believed me easily when I told them I was Heronica. Meeting Morgan was, to be honest, a bit scary. Even though he is as handsome as depicted in the pictures, he is also as evil. He¡¯s been breaking furniture and appliances sincest night, cursing you out and threatening hail and brimstone. Lol. </i>


    <i>Well, he asked me a couple of questions, and I was able to answer. Dr. Alvarez really helped out with Heronica¡¯s past and all! If not, I would have been fried jet ck by Morgan! </i>


    <i>Also, I think we should go ahead with n 2 as soon as possible. Seeing as they are in disarray, it will be a walk in the park for us toe in, take some of the gang members for questioning, and destroy all the drugs. </i>


    <i>This morning, I heard him speaking over the phone with someone. I didn¡¯t hear much, but I did catch a name: Mr. Whitman? Isn¡¯t that Mr. Herbert? What do you think Morgan wants with him? </i>


    <i>Are there any suspicious movements in the hospital? Well, I¡¯ll be sending you updates. See you soon. And thank you for giving me this opportunity!"</i>


    Athena scoffed softly, putting down the phone. Susan should stop thanking her for an opportunity that had a fifty percent chance of costing her life. Still... Herbert?


    What could Morgan want with Herbert Whitman, Zane¡¯s father? Thest time they spoke, Herbert mentioned that he was better health-wise. And when Finn checked, the virus hadpletely been cleared from the older man¡¯s body. So, what now?


    <i>The only suspicious activity in the hospital is the presence of those devilish twins! </i>Athena still couldn¡¯t wrap her head around why they wanted to work with her, given that they hated her presence just as much as she hated theirs.


    Could it be that they had been sent by the gang or whomever was sponsoring them? But to what end? To spoil her drugs and her reputation?


    Athena sighed and reclined deeper into the chair. All these questions without answers were giving her a headache.


    To be on the safe side, though, she picked up her phone and forwarded Susan¡¯s message to Aiden and Old Mr. Thorne. They would be moving ahead with the second phase of the n tonight.


    She also texted them to dig deeper into the presence of the devilish doctors. After doing that, she felt a semnce of peace within her. Everything would be fine.


    Just then, the door to the president¡¯s office opened, and a couple of people¡ªAthena counted eight¡ªstrolled out of the room. They stopped in their tracks when they saw her.


    "Doctor Athena! A pleasure to see you..." The one in front, most likely the head, Athena guessed, sauntered toward her.


    Athena sat up straight and shook his outstretched hand. There was no need to stand up to greet someone in support of jeopardizing the safety of her work!


    The minister, not pleased with the fact that Athena remained seated, frowned while staring down at her.


    Athena, however, maintained the thin smile on her lips, while trying to smoothly disentangle her hands from his; it had lingered longer than necessary.


    Noting this, the minister smiled again and released her hand. "We have heard about the huge strides you are making for the country in the medical field. Kudos to you!"


    Athena bowed politely. "Thank you, Minister Lancelot." She subtly noted the other seven¡¯s expressions¡ªnk¡ªand wondered which of them were sponsoring the gang.


    "You are here to see the president, right?"


    Athena nodded, biting back a sarcasticment. Of course, she was here to see the president¡ªnot to eat rat shit!


    "Good then. Have a nice day. Maybe we can talk some other time."


    Athena wished him well too, not bothering to say anything to hisst statement. She wasn¡¯t meeting anybody; she didn¡¯t even know him, only that he was the minister in charge of tourism.


    She watched as he and the other seven left the room¡ªseven who hadn¡¯t bothered to say hello¡ªand wondered if their ploys for the president hadn¡¯t worked out, given their long faces. She hoped so. She really wasn¡¯t ready to be at loggerheads with the president.


    As much as she was ready for that too, she didn¡¯t want the stress. Not really.


    "Doctor Athena..."


    Athena swiveled her attention back to Joan.


    "The president will see you now."


    "Thank you, Joan," Athena said, getting to her feet and grabbing her bag confidently.


    She was about to stride into the office when Joan called her back.


    "Can I take a picture with you, Doctor... please?"

 Chapter 223: Meeting The President II

    <h4>Chapter 223: Meeting The President II</h4>


    "Doctor Athena, wee. Did something happen, though? You took more time toe in than I thought necessary..." President George Walls spoke, standing up from his seat, as Athena walked majestically into the room.


    "Good morning, Mr. President. I¡¯m truly sorry about that, sir. There had been a case of emergency at home that I had to sort out¡ªor rather, tried to sort out¡ªbeforeing into the office. I apologize for that. Thank you for your patience, too," Athena responded calmly and politely, not seeing the need to inform the president that she had taken a few pictures with his overly excited secretary.


    "I hope all is well, though? Do you need to reschedule this meeting?"


    Athena shook her head, furrowing her brows. "Not at all."


    She stepped further into the office, pondering if the president was truly humble, as people said he was, or just downright na?ve¡ªa tool in the hands of those who had put him there.


    Holding back a sigh, she settled into the seat he gestured for her to take and looked around the office.


    The office was grand and imposing, exuding an air of power and professionalism. High ceilings loomed above, andrge windows let in an abundance of natural light. The walls were adorned with intricately crafted wooden paneling, and the polished hardwood floors gleamed.


    Before her was arge, ornate desk, behind which sat a leather-upholstered chair¡ªhis chair¡ªimpressive in stature.


    She herself, was sitting on a high-backed chair, one of the pair of high-backed chairs for visitors, which offeredfort tremendously.


    A striking marble firece stood on one side, while built-in bookshelves stood on the other side, holding a variety of decorative items, including gs and works of art reflecting the nation¡¯s history.


    "So, how are you doing, Doctor Athena? That¡¯s a fine suit you have there," President George started jovially, dragging Athena¡¯s attention back to him.


    "I¡¯m fine, Mr. President..."


    "Just call me George. I think it will make themunication easier."


    Athena bit her lip, wondering if this statement was peculiar to her or if this was the normal behavior of this handsome man.


    Standing at six feet and a few inches tall, President George had a strong, imposing presence. His thick, expressive eyebrows framed piercing eyes that seemed to bore into those he looked at. His nose was straight and perfectly proportional to the rest of his facial features, while his full lips was curled now into a charming smile.


    His dark hair was neatly styled, and the strong, chiseled lines of his jaw, the smooth, unlinedplexion of his, suggested a life of good health and prosperity. It was easy to see why Gianna had been fangirling over him.


    Still, what president tells his citizens to call him by his name? Athena inhaled softly, slightly taken aback by the request. She looked at him steadily, yet didn¡¯t see any lust or suggestion of interest in her; rather, he appeared genuinely curious about her and their impending conversation.


    "Was that a huge request to make?" President George continued in Athena¡¯s silence, sitting down. "Well, I get that a lot..." He said with an over-exaggerated sigh, reclining deeper into his chair.


    "But it¡¯s what I want, though. The term ¡¯president¡¯ can be quite heavy on one¡¯s mouth when speaking and all, and since this is a private meeting, I just thought there was no need for formalities. So, just call me George. Is that okay, Athena?"


    Athena paused, then nodded. After all, wasn¡¯t she meant to obey the president in such little matters?


    "Good. Now, let¡¯s get down to business. I invited you to talk about your medical research..." President George began, going straight to the point. "You turned down my two requests yesterday, and I would love to know why first, before we proceed to other matters. Don¡¯t worry, the soundproof quality of this room has been turned on."


    Athena inhaled softly again, pleased with that statement. This was it; presenting her case to the president of the country.


    "Firstly, I apologize, George,"¡ªcalling the president by his name still sounded odd in her mouth¡ª"for turning down your requests yesterday. But honestly, it was inevitable. One, I don¡¯t need the security detail, really..."


    "And why is that?" The president cut in calmly, folding his arms across his chest. "You don¡¯t trust the government, I presume?"


    Athena pursed her lips, meeting the president¡¯s gaze for a moment before nodding. "I don¡¯t trust the government. There are many politics involved, and I don¡¯t want that around my research. Hence, why I turned down the security detail and the order to turn over my research to the state."


    The president unfolded his hands and ced them on the table, starting a steady beat on the surface with his index finger a few secondster. "I see. So, my orders don¡¯t faze you?"


    Athena raised her left eyebrow, waiting for the other shoe to drop. It seemed that the group who had left the office earlier had done their job sessfully. So, why had they kept long faces?


    "I¡¯m waiting for your response, Athena..." The president continued.


    Athena took her lower lip in, battling with her words, or rather the choice of words rolling through her head. This was the president; never mind that he asked her to call him George. She had to be mindful, all the same. For all she knew, this might be a game to him.


    "Your orders did faze me..." Athena started calmly, her hands resting on her thighs as she met the president¡¯s gaze respectfully. "But I just couldn¡¯t go along with them."


    "You don¡¯t care for the consequences of that?"


    Athena paused, exhaled, and nodded. "I¡¯ll take whatever consequencese, so long as my research is safe and sound with me."


    The president nodded slowly, still beating the table. "I see. You are ready to be an enemy of the state, then. My chief security officer informed me that you mentioned traveling out of the country if I pushed harder than you wanted, seeing as you have more than one citizenship. You are bold. How sure are you that you will leave this building in one piece? For all you know, there may be people waiting outside to make youply with the state¡¯s demands?"


    A chuckle escaped Athena before she could help it, followed by a boisterousugh when she saw the confusion spread across the president¡¯s face.


    Didn¡¯t he conduct extensive research on her? If he did, he would have known at least that she wouldn¡¯t be fazed by these threats.


    "What¡¯s funny, Doctor Athena?"


    Oh, we are back to using official names? Athena thought amusedly. That didn¡¯t take long!


    "Nothing at all, Mr. President. I just felt instantly tickled and couldn¡¯t help it. My apologies." A pause. "Yet my stance remains... I¡¯m not giving up my research, no matter the consequences. I¡¯m notplying with the state¡¯s orders, if that¡¯s what they are. And if that¡¯s all you called me here to say, I¡¯m sure I¡¯ve made myself clear. I would like to take my leave now..."


    The president scoffed gently. "You are just as bold and as rude as they say..."


    "They" meaning those people who just left? Athena wondered as she crossed her arms, fire shing through her eyes.


    There was no need to maintain a calm demeanor; it seemed there was more battle ahead. She had to gear up.


    Noticing this swift change, the president smiled and shook his head. "All this headstrongness will take you nowhere, Athena. Don¡¯t you know who you are sitting before? I could have you dead within a second."


    Athena smiled coldly, cocking her head to the left. "And I can have you dead in less than that, Mr. President."


    Athena grinned widely when she saw the president visibly pale for a second before he recovered.


    "I don¡¯t think you know who you are speaking to either, Mr. President. Did you think I came here empty-handed, just like that? Well, that would have been stupid of me..." Athena continued, feeling somewhat foolish, since she had reallye empty-handed and was just making big talk.


    She had thought that the president would be civil at least, even if he might not agree with her rules. But it looked like something else was at y here.


    Subtly, she brought out her phone from her bag without looking down or away from the president, who was staring at her intently.


    "Mr. President, I didn¡¯t arrive at my position by following people blindly. So, with that said..." She typed away on her phone. "Do you want things to go south?"


    It was the president¡¯s turn tough boisterously. Heughed and got to his feet, walking toward therge window in the office.


    Athena watched him like a hawk, scanning the entire office for any cameras or signs that she was about to be attacked.


    "Athena Caddells..." The president muttered, savoring the name slowly. "When the secret operations team gave me the full details of your persona, your activities, yourpanies, I couldn¡¯t believe it. How could one woman, from nowhere, just zap into stardom, simply because she met an old martial artist who was besotted with an adulterous wife?"


    Athena narrowed her eyes, watching as the president turned away from the window to face her. "But then I finally rted to your story because it reminded me of mine¡ªa young boy who grew up on an abandoned farnd, bing president... who would have believed that?"


    "Those weren¡¯t in your records on the..." Athena cut in sharply, leaning forward.


    President George chuckled softly. "Just like most of your acts aren¡¯t on the inte, too. My team had to dig deeper and broader before they could evene up with the real facts. And yet, there was still a limit to the information we managed to gather."


    A pause followed. "I think what amazed me most was your speed. It took you barely six years to be known. That takes more than luck. I think you have the Midas touch."


    Athena barked a disbelievingugh. "I¡¯m tired of all these. Are we done here, Mr. President?"


    "Done? Doctor Athena, we have not even started..."

 Chapter 224: The Secret Room

    <h4>Chapter 224: The Secret Room</h4>


    For a second, Athena didn¡¯t know what to say or do. She sat, dazed, confused, just watching the president, who had a thin smile on his lips.


    Athena immediately felt a surge of anger rise within her, a desperate urge to p that smile away, to dash the president¡¯s head against the wall. Maybe then, he would take this seriously. Maybe then, he would show his cards, and not keep wasting her time.


    Did they put a clown in this seat, or what? She wondered, exhaling softly afterward as she rxed back into the chair. If he wanted to y rough, then he should y rough. If he wanted to reason with her, well, he should go ahead with that. Why the back and forth? And why did she feel this was all a game to him?


    Athena held back from cussing out loud; she hated games¡ªespecially those where she wasn¡¯t winning, where she wasn¡¯t the initiator. She pressed her lips tightly together as she watched the president saunter gantly to his seat, acting as if he had no care in the world, as if he weren¡¯t aware that she was irritated.


    She couldn¡¯t help but wish that Gianna had followed her here. Maybe things would be different; her best friend always had a way with people.


    "How do you feel, Doctor Athena?"


    What now? Athena thought, struggling to hold back a scoff. She didn¡¯t know how long she could keep it in, however, how long she could respectfully remain calm before the highest official in the country.


    "I asked you a question, Doctor Athena..." The president continued after a moment of silence.


    Yet, Athena said nothing. He thought he could irritate her, push her up against the wall? Well, he should prepare to have a taste of his own medicine.


    President or not, she wouldn¡¯t tolerate nonsense!


    She smiled widely thereafter, when the president¡¯s jaw ckened for a nano second before it righted itself again, when he realized she was ying the game too.


    "I see that¡¯s how you want to y it," He said, nodding his head slowly, before standing up again.


    Athena didn¡¯t respond, though she raised an eyebrow when the president smiled.


    "You live up to the research, Doc. That¡¯s good; you can hold your own ground. Follow me."


    Athena¡¯s brows knitted together as she watched the president walk to the eastern side of his office, where a huge painting of the country¡¯s slogan and history was hanging.


    "Aren¡¯t youing?"


    "Coming to what? You want to walk straight into a..." Athena paused, looking at the wall, her eyes widening slightly when she saw some telling signs on the creamy surface: there was a room behind that wall!


    "I see you are as observant as your friend said," The president remarked, still smiling.


    Athena¡¯s eyebrows furrowed further. "Friend? What friend?"


    The president shrugged. "The answers you seek are on the other side of this wall."


    Still, Athena didn¡¯t stand up. She wasn¡¯t about to follow a strange president into nowhere. She had her family, her patients, and herpanies to worry about.


    President George raised his hands. "I promise you will not be harmed. After all, you are the key to curing this disastrous disease ravaging the country. What would be my gain in killing you?"


    Athena shrugged. "I don¡¯t know. Maybe to put me and my cure away so that you and your friends can make money off your sick citizens?"


    The president¡¯s mouth fell open in surprise for a moment before heughed loudly, holding his belly. Athena thought she had never seen a president so free and loose. Wasn¡¯t he taught some etiquette?


    "You really think I¡¯m behind the Gray disease?" President George asked, stillughing.


    "Maybe," Athena replied, finally getting to her feet.


    Worst came to worst, she had sent a text to Aiden. He woulde to her rescue if things went south.


    "Let¡¯s head in then, Mr. President. Let¡¯s see the secret you are hiding."


    The president nodded, smiling, and turned back to the wall. Tapping some spaces on the surface, which would look ordinary to a bystander, he pushed the painting to the right. As the door began to open, he stepped back.


    Athena tsked as she saw a hallway emerge¡ªneat and well-lit. "Well, who would have thought there was a secret passage in the presidential office?" She mused as she stepped into the space, followed by the president. The walls closed behind them.


    "It is known only to the presidents and the secret operations, mainly for escape should there be a need for that. But this is an important meeting, and I don¡¯t want to be interrupted, nor do I want any case of leakage," The president exined as he led the way. "I¡¯m sorry for earlier... I was just bored."


    Athena said nothing to that. She rather looked around the secret passage, amazed at the well-constructed passageway.


    She inhaled deeply as the corridor started to widen. Very soon, she would meet the secret operations personnel, along with whoever else would be around for the meeting.


    A few secondster, they emerged into a wide space, arger office more akin to a boardroom, featuring a long table withfortable chairs around it. Already people were waiting.


    "All these are secret operations agents?"


    The president shook his head. "All except one. There is Minister..."


    "Minister Thomas, Minister of Health. I know him. He helped clear my name when things had gone south at the hospital." Athena walked straight to the man who stood as she approached, offering him a firm handshake.


    "Pleased to see you here, Athena. I see the president has acquainted you with everything now..."


    Athena shook her head. "No, he hasn¡¯t."


    She turned to the other people d in ck suits¡ªwho were seated around the table¡ªto greet them, when she stopped short, her jaw dropping in shock. "Aiden?"


    Her grip tightened on her bag as a wave of betrayal washed over her. "Wha..." She shook her head in disbelief, especially when Aiden said nothing to her, instead focusing on the president.


    So, Athena turned to the president. "When you mentioned my friend, that was him, right..."


    "Yes, but..."


    "What is he doing here?" Athena cut in sharply, her emotions ring. "Since when has he been working with you?"


    Athena¡¯s mind raced as she tried to recall any time Aiden had let it slip that he was working with the president and not with her. And for what? Money?


    She shut her eyes as anger mixed with pain gripped her heart. He knew almost everything about her, if not everything. He knew the location of theb and how her research worked, to an extent. Since when had he been betraying her?


    Athena fisted her hands, refusing to tear up in front of the people before her. Instead, she red hotly at the president, ignoring the tremors that rippled amongst the agents.


    One of them, a hefty man who approached her from the side, seemed ready to correct her errors or put her in her ce. Athena wasn¡¯t sure, but she knew she wouldn¡¯t back down without a fight.


    "One more step, and you are a dead man," She threatened, ready to use her bag as a weapon.


    The unknown hefty man halted, looking at the president quizzically.


    "Stand down, Colt. Everything is fine," The president said.


    Colt pursed his lips, ring at Athena with narrowed eyes. He had read about her, but so what? She couldn¡¯t disrespect his president.


    His jaw ckened the next second, his fists balled tight as Athena called the president by his name. What was wrong with this woman?


    "George, aren¡¯t you going to answer my questions?"


    Colt expected the president to call her to order, especially since her friend had remained silent since his arrival, but the president merely sighed.


    "Athena, if you had allowed me to speak, you would have known that Aiden was hired today. Yes, we¡¯ve been trying to recruit him into the team, but he only sent back a positive reply today, and I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s because he got wind of what we are about to do here. If anything, that man is as loyal to you as anyone could be."


    Athena bit her lip, ncing at Aiden, who was now looking at her with disappointment reflected in his eyes. His next words confirmed her thought.


    "You really think I would betray you? And for what? Money?"


    Athena sighed and ruffled her hair, growing tired, which caused her bun to be messy and loose. "I¡¯m sorry. But you can¡¯t me me."


    "You would have at least let the president speak."


    Athena opened her mouth and then shut it. Yes, she should have. She had let her emotions run their course again. "I¡¯m sorry, Aiden."


    She turned to the president. "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. President."


    President Walls waved her apology away. "That¡¯s okay, Athena. And the offer still stands¡ªcall me George."


    Athena chuckled softly. "I think I¡¯ll leave the offer pending for now. Can we get to the meeting proper?"


    "Of course..." The president said, pointing to the only vacant seat at the table. "Have a seat, Athena. Wee to the secret operations unit."

 Chapter 225: Getting Answers

    <h4>Chapter 225: Getting Answers</h4>


    Ewan looked at his phone in confusion as he dialed Zack¡¯s number for the tenth time, only to be met with the same incessant ringing that led straight to voicemail. Where did the sly old man keep his phone?


    Ewan sighed and dialed the number again. When it repeated its former response, he gritted his teeth in annoyance and stuffed the phone into his pocket. If Zack had blocked him, then he would find thetter at his house!


    With that thought nted firmly in his mind, he donned his suit jacket, which he had removed earlier when he arrived at the office for work, and strode out of his office.


    Sandro, who upied the next office, seeing the determined look on Ewan¡¯s face, abandoned the projects he was working on at hisputer, got to his feet, and grabbed his own suit jacket.


    "Where to?" He asked Ewan, slipping on the jacket, shutting down hisputer afterwards.


    "To Zack¡¯s house," Ewan tossed back curtly, moving briskly past the office and into the elevator.


    Sandro had no time to pause and think; he followed Ewan into the elevator.


    "You know, you don¡¯t have to follow me everywhere, Sandro. I¡¯m fine, and I always have my medication with me," Ewan said, his gaze fixed straight ahead on the elevator doors as they closed.


    Sandro sighed. "Yes, I have to. Since you refused to move around with a security detail, I have no choice but to step in. What¡¯s to say the gang hasn¡¯t taken their eyes off you?"


    Ewan had no reply to that. Yet he still thought it was better for the security agents to remain in the shadows, watching him, than to trail behind him in a multitude of cars.


    "So, why do you want to see Zack? I thought you mentioned calling him..."


    "His number isn¡¯t going through. I don¡¯t know if he blocked me, or if something else is the issue," Ewan answered, folding his arms across his chest as his mind raced through varied topics, like what he would get for his children as he would be seeing them that evening.


    Would they ept him? Would they ept his gifts? Were they eager to see him as he was to see them?


    "Maybe he blocked your number. Let me try with mine. Call his number," Sandro suggested, pulling Ewan away from his thoughts, albeit temporarily.


    Sandro tried Zack¡¯s number five times before concluding that perhaps the old man had blocked him too.


    "It must be because we¡¯re joined at the hip these days," He surmised, shaking his head.


    Ewan scoffed. "Call Zane. I don¡¯t think Zack hates him enough to block his number,"


    Sandro shrugged. "That was before he sold out to Athena, unknowingly. Now that he has, I don¡¯t think he sees any need to keep tabs on the big names in society."


    Still, he dialed Zane¡¯s contact. Thetter picked up on the second ring.


    "You want me to call that foolish man, and for what?"


    As Sandro and Ewan approached their car¡ªrather Sandro¡¯s, since Ewan was still staying with him¡ªin thepany¡¯s parking lot, Ewan instructed, "Just do it. We need to confirm something."


    There was a pause on the other line before the call dropped. Sandro and Ewan climbed into the front seats of the car and waited.


    Two minutester, Zane called back.


    "His line isn¡¯t going through. I think he blocked mine too. That fool... Is there any problem, though? Why are you two looking for Zack? Did he do something wrong?"


    "Not exactly. Remember the conversation we had yesterday at Connor¡¯s house? Yeah... Ewan is trying to reach out to him, but to no avail. So, we¡¯ll be heading to his house now."


    "Alright then. Keep me posted. If I had to take a guess, the fool couldn¡¯t take the heat and switched off his phone."


    Sandro chuckled softly and ended the call, kicking the car into ignition.


    "We¡¯ll see about that when we get to his house," He muttered before pulling the car out of the parking lot.


    Some minutester, they parked in front of Zack¡¯srge house, which could easily be mistaken for a mansion.


    Ewan and Sandro stepped out of the car, scanning the area, which was as deserted as the house itself. Although Athena had included this neighborhood in her treatment ns, it seemed the residents had fled to better areas, where the Gray disease wasn¡¯t rampant yet.


    Looking at the empty driveway, Ewan bit down on regret as he recalled the night he had dragged Athena back here¡ªthe night he had seen on social media that she had slept with another man.


    She had imed innocence during that reckless drive, but he hadn¡¯t listened, perhaps because she didn¡¯t cry¡ªjust stating her facts stone-faced.


    Yet, would that have made a difference considering how foolish he had been? He didn¡¯t think so.


    "Ewan, look at this!"


    Ewan turned sharply in the direction of Sandro¡¯s shout. His brows furrowed when he saw what his friend was pointing at. A "For Sale" signpost stood beside the house.


    Zack was selling it? Why? Did he follow the others and flee the town? Ewan¡¯s heart burned with frustration. He needed answers about Athena!


    Cursing under his breath, he pushed open the gate, pleased to find it wasn¡¯t locked, and walked up to the front door. He tried to push it open, like he had done with the gate, but it was locked.


    "Sandro, do you still remember how to pick a lock?"


    Sandro raised an eyebrow. "Pick a lock? I don¡¯t think there¡¯s a tool around here..."


    Ewan huffed, looking around. His eyes narrowed when he spotted a man standing by the gate, staring at them in confusion.


    "Who are you?" He called to the man, who appeared well-off, given the golden wristwatch he wore.


    "I¡¯m the owner of the house, Mr. Ewan. Are you looking for Zack?" The stranger asked, stepping further into thepound.


    <i>At least he knows who I am</i>, Ewan thought, nodding. "Do you have any idea where he is?"


    "Not exactly," The man replied. "But he mentioned that he was tired of everything and was moving to a ce where he could retire and sleep... join his ancestors, I mean..."


    Ewan exchanged a cursory nce with Sandro. "Did he leave any contact information? We tried calling his number, but it isn¡¯t going through."


    The man stepped forward, pulling out his phone. "I think this is his new number..." He said, stretching the device towards Ewan.


    "Thank you very much..." Ewan said with relief, dialing the contact on his phone.


    "You¡¯re wee, Mr. Gietti," The man replied, walking up the porch, watching as Ewan and Sandro exited thepound quickly.


    "It¡¯s ringing..." Ewan announced as they climbed back into the car, unable to conceal the relief in his voice.


    Sandro inhaled and leaned back in his seat. They wouldn¡¯t be driving away until they knew what Zack was up to.


    "Hello..." Zack¡¯s voice croaked from the phone. The call was on loudspeaker.


    Ewan paused, processing. "Hello, Zack, don¡¯t end this call..."


    A notable silence ensued on the other end of the line.


    Ewan and Sandro exchanged nces, the silence stretching into awkwardnesssting more than a few seconds.


    "Zack, are you there?" Ewan spoke calmly, yet authoritatively.


    "I¡¯m here, Ewan. What do you want with me? Haven¡¯t things been done and concluded? Or do you want my shares in yourpany? I could give..."


    "No, Zack, that¡¯s not why I called." Ewan cut in, wondering why Zack sounded so...idback, gentle, like someone who had given up a strong fight.


    "So, why are you calling?" Zack asked after a few beats of silence.


    "I¡¯m calling because I want to see you. I need you to answer some questions about Athena."


    Silence again.


    "About Athena? What do you want to know about her? She¡¯s not my daughter, if that¡¯s what you want to know. She was dropped in my backyard years ago. We don¡¯t know where she came from. I couldn¡¯t trace her lineage. Is there anything else you want to know?"


    Ewan sighed, processing Zack¡¯s hurried response. It was as if the old man was trying to get off the phone as quickly as he could.


    "Where are you, Zack?"


    A notable pause followed again.


    "Outside the country. Please don¡¯te after me; I just want peace. I apologize for everything I did, for trying to scheme you and Athena into doing my bidding. I¡¯m sorry about that. Please let it go."


    Ewan sighed tiredly. "I¡¯m not calling you for that. And besides, I¡¯m not the one you should be apologizing to." A pause. "Have you reached out to Athena to apologize?"


    "She blocked my number. I can¡¯t reach out to her. Is there anything else you want from me? My therapy appointment is almost here..."


    Sandro chuckled from beside Ewan, who found the statement equally hrious.


    "Right... Athena¡¯s ident¡ªthe one that happened when she was younger and in your care... how did that happen?"

 Chapter 226: Getting Answers II

    <h4>Chapter 226: Getting Answers II</h4>


    A significant pause ensued on the other end of the phone after Ewan¡¯s question. Sandro and Ewan exchanged cursory nces, wondering why Zack was taking so long to answer such a simple question.


    "Hello... Zack? Why aren¡¯t you speaking¡ª" Ewan scowled when the line cut abruptly.


    Sandro furrowed his brow, watching as Ewan red at the phone hotly, as if the device itself were at fault. "He ended the call?"


    "Obviously, Sandro," Ewan huffed, tapping his thighs furiously. Kissing his teeth in frustration, he snatched up the phone and dialed Zack¡¯s number again. This time, it went straight to voicemail.


    The sly old man had blocked him! That infidel! That stupid...!


    Ewan angrily flung the phone; it hit the car dashboard and fell to the floor unceremoniously while Sandro watched in silence.


    The tension in the air was palpable, and Ewan¡¯s frustration radiated throughout the car.


    Sensing Ewan¡¯s foul mood, Sandro kept quiet, his mind racing on how they could get hold of Zack¡ªthat was the only way he could speak, the only topic he could talk on, without Ewan biting his head off.


    "You should go back to the office, handle things there..." Ewan started after a few beats had passed, startling Sandro.


    The statement waspletely off point! Why would he go back to the office? What about Zack? Sandro wondered, narrowing his eyes.


    "My assistant can handle things perfectly well. The system we have put in ce has made it possible for thepany to thrive without our presence for a couple of days. Besides, we need to locate Zack. Or is there a change of ns?"


    Ewan shook his head, a steely resolve hardening his features. "I¡¯ll be going alone. You will be returning to thepany. We can¡¯t keep depending on the system. Emergencies can happen at any time."


    Sandro shook his head, his face scrunching as he tried toprehend what Ewan was saying. "Where are you going alone?" He echoed incredulously.


    "That should be obvious, Sandro. I¡¯m going to find Zack," Ewan replied, bending down to pick up his phone. Luckily for him, it was still in good condition.


    "And how do you n to do that? You heard the man who bought Zack¡¯s house. Zack has left the country. There are more than a hundred countries in the world. Where are you going to start searching?"


    Ewan snorted, his frustration bubbling over. "You¡¯re talking like someone who knows nothing about technology. As for Zack¡¯s location, I¡¯ll contact Spider. He can find that out in a matter of minutes."


    Sandro inhaled deeply and exhaled harshly. "Ewan, we talked about this with Zane. We can¡¯t go around sinking our feet back into the murky y; we can¡¯t keep involving the gang in our business!"


    "That¡¯s why I¡¯m asking you to return to thepany! You don¡¯t need to involve yourself!" Ewan¡¯s voice rose, yet he wouldn¡¯t meet Sandro¡¯s gaze.


    Thetter scoffed, staring at him in disbelief. "I don¡¯t need to involve myself? Whatever you¡¯re involved in, I am too! Didn¡¯t you hear my statement earlier about us being joined at the hip?"


    "Sandro..." Ewan tried to interject, but Sandro wasn¡¯t finished.


    "If you go back to the gang, Ewan, just know I¡¯m right behind you. Maybe Zane too." He shifted his gaze to the window. "If you¡¯re reaching out to Spider, do it. We don¡¯t have much time. Remember you still need to see the twins this evening."


    Ewan pursed his lips, finally turning to look at his friend. He exhaled tiredly and reclined into the seat, feeling the weight of their predicament.


    He had met Sandro in college, and a series of events had forged their friendship. Now, they were inseparable. Ewan never envisioned this oue when Sandro had triumphantly won him in a drinking game at a birthday party for a mutual college friend. Life truly was interesting.


    But Sandro was right. There was no time. He hadn¡¯t even bought gift items for his children yet.


    With a sense of resignation, he dialed Zack¡¯s number onest time, genuinely hoping the man would pick up. He didn¡¯t want any returning link to the gang, but the call went to voicemail again. Ewan sighed and called Spider.


    "Hey boss, you need my help again?" came the smooth voice from the other end as soon as the call connected.


    Ewan opened his mouth to inform Spider he wasn¡¯t his boss but thought better of it. Spider was as stubborn as Sandro.


    "Yes, I need your help. I want you to track down Zack Moore¡¯s location right now." A pause. "Do you remember him?"


    "Of course, I do, boss. Is it urgent? Do you need it right now? I¡¯m quite tied up with work at the moment."


    "Yes. It is urgent. I need it now. Call your fee..."


    A rich, melodicugh echoed on the other end. "Don¡¯t worry, boss. I still have pending debts to you. I¡¯ll send you a text in the next five minutes."


    And the call ended.


    "What did he say?" Sandro asked, having been waiting patiently.


    He would have asked Ewan to put the call on speaker, but Spider was too sensitive and hated being put on speaker. Somehow, he always found out; Sandro guessed it came with the territory.


    "Five minutes. He¡¯ll get back to us in five minutes," Ewan replied, his mind calming down.


    Sandro nodded slowly and faced forward, resting his head properly against the seat. Five minutes felt short, but it would stretch on painfully now.


    Afortable silence reigned in the car until Ewan¡¯s phone dinged with a text message.


    "Is that Spider? Where is Zack?" Sandro asked, watching Ewan intently as thetter¡¯s eyes scanned the message.


    "Yeah, it¡¯s him. Zack is in country KL."


    Sandro hesitated, contemting the distance and time it would take to reach the neighboring country. "That¡¯s like a two-hour flight. Maybe more. Do you think you can make it?"


    Ewan exhaled loudly. "I¡¯m not sure. But I need those answers."


    "You also need to see your kids. After today, it¡¯ll be another thirty-one days until you can see them again. Are you up for that?"


    Ewan shook his head. "But I think I can make it."


    "If there are no dys, Ewan. As you said, there can be emergencies." Sandro pointed out.


    "Not this time. Inform them to prepare the private jet. Let me drive."


    Sandro shot a worried nce at the car¡¯s dashboard, which made Ewan scoff. "Don¡¯t worry; I¡¯ll be careful. I won¡¯t speed... much."


    Sandro stayed silent, notpletely convinced by Ewan¡¯s promise. Whenever Ewan found himself in a rush, his driving skills were questionable¡ªthe car barely survived the ordeal. Still, he opened the car door and stepped out. Ewan followed suit.


    Some minutester, they stood at the private port, with officials already on standby, ready to serve.


    "Must you really follow me?" Ewan asked, walking toward the private jet.


    Sandro didn¡¯t bother responding. Instead, he tightened his grip on the bag slung across his shoulder, keeping his gaze forward. Ewan clicked his tongue but said nothing else. There was no need.


    A couple of hourster, they were in country KL, and some minutes after that, they arrived at the location Spider had sent to them.


    "What¡¯s this ce? An inn? Does this still exist?" Sandro asked, taking note of the dusty, faded nk where the name of the inn was inscribed: "Monty¡¯s Inn."


    They stepped back, unconsciously, when a stout woman with ruddyplexion and messy red hair tied in a scarf stepped out of the inn, holding arge wooden spoon and a big pot.


    "Ewan..."


    "I don¡¯t know, Sandro," Ewan answered, baffled, not even knowing why he was whispering.


    He took a long look around and double-checked the address Spider had sent him. Could there be a mistake? What could a man like Zack Moore be doing here?


    Though Zack had nopany now, he was wealthy enough. Why the inn? Was Spider joking, sending him to a location that looked like the outskirts of a poor vige?


    He dialed Spider¡¯s number without hesitation.


    "Boss, is..."


    "What the hell, Spider! This ce is a vige inn. Are you sure you sent me the right info?"


    There was a pregnant pause on the line.


    "Was there ever a time that I have failed you, boss?"


    But Ewan wasn¡¯t in the mood for this. "Spider, just cross-check your info. Zack can never be in a ce like this."


    "I think you should cross-check the ce, Ewan. You never know what desperation can do to a man."


    The call ended abruptly.


    Ewan ignored the fact that Spider had called him by his name for the first time in a long while; he brushed aside the fact that Spider had hung up on him and sauntered toward the stout woman who was busy cleaning her pot with the spoon.


    "Excuse me, ma¡¯am. I¡¯m looking for someone."


    But the woman ignored him, focused solely on washing her pot.

 Chapter 227: Getting Answers III

    <h4>Chapter 227: Getting Answers III</h4>


    Wasn¡¯t it a curse that no one knew him here? Ewan thought, giving Sandro a backward nce.


    Thetter shrugged his shoulders; he wasn¡¯ting to help, and he was going to enjoy seeing Ewan plead¡ªsomething that wasn¡¯t peculiar to the billionaire, except where Athena and the kids were involved.


    Ewan scoffed lightly and reverted his attention to the woman.


    What should he do? He didn¡¯t dare grab her arm, even though a light touch, because he was sure the woman would bring down the heavy weight of that spoon on his head. He had just recovered from some brain illness; he wasn¡¯t about to go down for a second round!


    "Hello... excuse me..." Ewan finally tried again, this time stepping closer to the woman, his voice a mix of pleading and caution.


    But the stout woman chose then to pick up her utensils and retreat back to the inn. Ewan took his lower lip in, watching the woman move heavily towards the entrance of the inn. A frustrated sigh escaped his lips.


    "Are you just going to watch her leave? Dude, your social skills are reallycking... now watch me..."


    Ewan had been so involved in his thoughts that he hadn¡¯t been aware when Sandro came up to his rear, but he was curious to see the different y his friend would put into motion.


    Folding his arms across his chest, he raised an eyebrow, when Sandro flung his arms over the woman¡¯s shoulder, for she had paused by the door to¡ªEwan didn¡¯t even know why she had paused. She had just suddenly paused at the doorpost.


    Sandro¡¯s n, however, was short-lived.


    Ewan¡¯s mouth fell open the next second as he watched the woman elbow Sandro in his ribs. Next, she swiveled, with a speed he didn¡¯t think she would have, and struck the heavy spoon on Sandro¡¯s head.


    Sandro, however, was fast enough to put up his hands, so the metalnded clumsily on them. <i>Lucky for him!</i>


    "Woman, what the hell!!" Sandro screamed in anger, drawing Ewan out of the temporary haze he had fallen into.


    The matter had happened so fast that he hadn¡¯t been able to save his friend. This must be the reason why the woman had paused in her walks, Ewan considered, covering the distance; she had anticipated Sandro making trouble for her.


    Oh well. He thought, bending down to help Sandro stand. He couldn¡¯t even act on his anger because he still needed answers.


    "You know that wasn¡¯t necessary." He said to the woman calmly, meeting her tired gaze intensely. "We are just here to ask for directions concerning a friend of ours that came around here."


    The woman scoffed. "That¡¯s a lie. And we both know that." Her eyes narrowed with suspicion, as if she could see through their every intention.


    "How so?" Ewan asked, consciously keeping his nose from squishing from the myriad of spicy and sweaty scents emitting from the woman. The aromas were a potent mix that told tales of a life lived hard.


    "Aren¡¯t you here for my niece? I told your master that I will pay the money... just give me some time! Besides, she isn¡¯t here!"


    Ewan looked at Sandro, who still had a scowl on his face. The woman was mistaking their identities.


    "I think there is a misunderstanding here... ma¡¯am..." Ewan started, gesturing at he and Sandro. "We are not from around here. We came into the environment as tourists..."


    The woman scrunched her face, looking at Sandro and Ewan, from head to toe, gauging their ents and type of clothing. "You came here..." Her eyes ran through the environment. "For vacation?" She scoffed again, and shook her head. "You must peg me for a fool because I¡¯m a cook, and own a rundown inn."


    Ewan inhaled deeply for control. He needed to remain calm to get the information he sought. "Listen, woman... we are not here for you or your niece. Hell, we don¡¯t even know who you both are... we are just here for a friend of ours. His name is Zack. Hisst location was confirmed to be here. Do you have anyone by that name here?"


    The woman gave them onest scrutinizing look before nodding her head. "Yes, I have a fellow whose name is Zack. But I doubt he is the friend you are looking for."


    Three minutester, Ewan and Sandro understood that statement.


    In Monty¡¯s inn, which was filled almost to the brim with more males, workers mostly, and a couple of females here and there, there was sitted a Zack at the far end of the room, missing a hand and a big toe, looking seventy, terribly poor.


    Definitely not Zack Moore.


    "You are right. He is not the one," Ewan said, ignoring the catcalls and winks he was receiving from the females, especially the one behind the bar with Monty. Her niece, he presumed. He fought to hide the unease this situation had created in him.


    "Are you sure your Zack went through here? There aren¡¯t many outsiders thate here. As you can see, its an inn located in a remote vige."


    A perfect hideout for Zack until he gets some sort of purpose. Sandro contemted, nursing a beer while observing the patrons.


    "Not many outsiders eh, when was thest time an outsider arrived here?" Ewan asked, taking a sip of beer which he didn¡¯t think was bad for a local ce.


    But the woman kept silent.


    When Ewan raised an eyebrow, she shook her head. "I can¡¯t divulge that information. Even though you im that the Zack is your friend, I have no way to confirm it. Is there?"


    Ewan pursed his lips, wondering how long this dillydallying will continue. He nced at his wristwatch. Time was running out. "How much do you need to talk?"


    The woman scowled in response. "I can¡¯t be bought with money." Then she hissed loudly, and walked through a door, leading to the kitchen.


    "What are we going to do? She is not talking." Sandro asked, the start of impatience lining his voice.


    Ewan tapped his ss, one two, in deep thought, unmoved when the woman¡¯s niece sashayed to him, leaving her duty post.


    "Hey handsome..."


    Ewan opened his mouth to tell her away, but then a thought urred to him. He darted a sharp nce at Sandro, who quickly ascertained what was about to happen next.


    Sandro would have loved to take over, knowing how much his friend hated this game, but the girl had eyes only for the former, so he pretended like nothing was happening, like nothing would be happening, and continued sipping his drink while his ears remained attuned to the discussion going on between Ewan and the girl.


    "What do you want, handsome? I can do anything in the books." She said, her voice seductive, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and calction.


    "Really, that¡¯s sweet. Do you have somewhere private so that we can talk?" Ewan asked, running his fingers along the bare arms of the girl, while stamping down the disgust, and secondly the impatience, because surely the stout woman would send him out of here should she catch him caressing her beloved niece.


    Luckily for him, the girl, who should be in her mid-twenties, was gullible. She nodded quickly, eager to please, eager to show off to the otherdies who had basically been banking on Ewan to notice them.


    "Follow me, handsome." She sashayed away, shaking a butt that was barely covered by the red skirt she was wearing.


    Sandro lifted his ss to Ewan as thetter walked by him.


    Thedy led Ewan through the gawking patrons who catcalled as they moved, to Ewan¡¯s chagrin, toward the stairs.


    "My aunt is going to blow hot coals when she finds out what I am doing, but then she lives for my sex tales. It helps her find a good climax all by herself at night," Thedy confided, her words a startling mix of bluntness and vulnerability.


    Ewan¡¯s face scrunched up with disgust, unable to help it. Disgust at such matter, at such desperation, at such helplessness, at himself included for encouraging thedy.


    She thinks they were going to have sex? He would rather abandon the adventure. He inhaled sharply when thedy stopped in the hallway, on the second room to the left.


    "We are here," She muttered with a voice that was supposed to be sexy but was annoying to Ewan, right before she opened the door, ushering him into a dark, dank room.


    "Where are the lights?" Ewan asked, as the girl shut the door after her. The air was thick with a musty odor, a stark contrast to the fresh air he was ustomed to.


    "Aunt hasn¡¯t cleared her light bill, so we are getting by the best way we can," thedy answered, walking slowly amidst the faint darkness to the window.


    She opened it, and Ewan prepared to inhale fresh air at least, but his nostrils were rather choked with smoke.


    "What the..." He just couldn¡¯t hide his displeasure anymore.


    "Sorry about that," Thedy said,ughing at his poshness. "Should I close the windows?"


    Ewan shook his head. He would live.


    "Alright then,e and sit here, boy..."


    He was boy now? Ewan held back a scoff. All for getting answers. When he finallyid his eyes and hands on Zack, thetter will pay!


    Still, heplied and sat on the bed, biting down the urge to vomit when the girl caressed his arms, when he caressed her arms, when he looked into her eyes intensely.


    There was a time he would have probably slept with the girl before even prodding answers from her; but Ewan was realizing, alongside many other things, that some attributes of him had died, even without him knowing, when he had married Athena.

 Chapter 228: Getting Answers IV

    <h4>Chapter 228: Getting Answers IV</h4>


    "Not yet." Ewan spoke softly when he saw thedy make an attempt to undress herself.


    He maintained the faux-lustful expression, giving her a look over, deliberately lingering on her breasts to give off the impression that he was actually taken by her.


    "What¡¯s the matter, handsome?" Thedy spoke sultrily, leaning forward, cing her hands on his chest. Her touch was practiced, almost a profession, yet it left Ewan unfazed.


    "I need something from you first." Ewan replied, letting the well-manicured hands remain on his chest for the moment. He had no choice.


    "And what do you need, handsome?"


    "I need information on the outsiders your mother gave lodging to, between yesterday, and this morning." Ewan stated, his eyes narrowed with purpose.


    Thedy, whom Ewan never bothered to know her name, opened her mouth like an ¡¯O¡¯ and then nodded. "Is that all?"


    Ewan nodded curtly.


    "That¡¯s nothing then. I thought you were going to tell me to pick a safe word or something... you know..."


    Ewan didn¡¯t bother giving wings to that veiled suggestion.


    When thedy saw that Ewan was really serious, she shrugged her shoulders, a frown masking her face. "We just had one. Quite old. Said he came to have a taste of the countryside. Though to me, he looks like one that is running. I¡¯m sure he is just here to recoup and then zap away. Aunt says it¡¯s none of our business, that we only have the job to serve the patrons, no matter who they are, so long as they are paying money."


    "Can you describe him?" Ewan pressed on, excitement budding within him. Finally!


    "Yeah. Average height, blonde hair, sunken eyes, and pale cheeks, a bit robust, was looking rich too, just like you and your friend back at the bar."


    Ewan bobbled. That was Zack, quite alright. "So, where is he now? Is he in the inn?"


    Thedy pouted in response, pressing herself closer to Ewan. Her scent, a mix of cheap perfume and something else indefinable, filled the air.


    "Can¡¯t that wait untilter, handsome. Look! I¡¯m already ready for you..." She whispered into his right ear, her hand slipping from his chest down to his belly, and then to the...


    Ewan held her hand, stopping her movement. He had little tolerance for games, and he had even less tolerance for being toyed with. "Information first. And then we can work it all out as much as you want."


    Thedy smiled, happy with the deal. "Alright then, as you wish, handsome. He is not currently at the inn."


    Ewan held back a sigh of frustration. He was getting impatient.


    "He actually went for a therapy ss nearby, or whatever he called those."


    Ewan furrowed his brows. "There¡¯s a therapist around here?"


    Thedyughed, her amusement echoing in the room. "That we are not as developed like the big cities, doesn¡¯t mean that we don¡¯t have the basic amenities. It¡¯s quite far, of course, but he rented a car so his movements are easier."


    Rented a car? That meant he nned on staying for at least a week. Ewan didn¡¯t exactly know why Zack would choose this ce of all ces to rest, heal, or whatever; he didn¡¯t care. He only wanted answers.


    "So, how do you know all this information? Did he tell you anything else?"


    Thedy nodded. "That he had apany one time, before the return of a viin whom he hadn¡¯t groomed well,   . It was boring so I tuned out, and when he couldn¡¯t give me what I wanted, I stopped serving him altogether, for both our sakes." She shrugged, as if the conversation had been meaningless.


    Ewan didn¡¯t bother asking what she wanted from Zack; he had a feeling he just wouldn¡¯t like the answer. "I see. So, where is the location of the therapist?"


    "Not much far. You would see it, if you keep walking straight, after turning left of the inn. Not much far. Actually walkable."


    Ewan nodded slowly; he had gotten what he wanted. He needed to leave now if he was going to catch up with Zack. "Thank you for the information. Now I have to leave, I have to find my friend."


    Thedy chuckled, throwing her head back. "What about me? You think you can walk out of here without fulfilling a deal to me?"


    Her tone has gotten sinister, and Ewan wondered what she would actually do if he was someone else. Rape him? It sounded funny to him, considering her slim nature.


    "Yes, I think so. Or do you want me to inform the master that you are out here selling stuff, instead of paying him his money?"


    A tensed silence descended in the room, while Ewan hoped this ruse would work; he didn¡¯t want to fight his way out of here¡ªthis was unknown territory. The situation was beginning to feel more vtile.


    Thedy opened her mouth, and then shut it, not exactly knowing what to say. "That¡¯s a bluff. You must have heard it somewhere. You mentioned you are a visitor, remember?" She bit out after a few beats, fuming with anger.


    "I said a lot of things, girl. Now make your choice... the easy way or the hard way..." Ewan spoke coldly, bringing out his phone, donning the countenance that had made him the mafia lord more than eight years ago.


    The girl instantly moved away from him, her anger switching to fear. The threat in his tone was as deadly as any weapon. "My aunt mentioned she had spoken to boss!"


    Ewan cackled evilly, getting to his feet. "The boss says a lot of things, girl..." He said, putting emphasis on the ¡¯girl¡¯.


    When thedy shuddered and moved away, he knew she got it. How dare she call him boy?


    "So, are we cool now?"


    She nodded frantically, darting frenzied nces at the door, making Ewan pity her a little. Whatever bond she was having with the boss, whomever that was, must be draining.


    A final nce at her under-dressed self, and he walked out of the room.


    Sandro was waiting for him downstairs, an empty cup of beer in front of him, and a girl sitting on hisps.


    "What were you doing with her? I thought you are allergic to girls?" Ewan started as they left the bar, walking in the direction that Monty¡¯s niece had given him. The inn¡¯s noises and voices faded into the distance.


    Sandro scoffed. "I am never allergic to girls. I am just only into some types of girls..."


    "You mean girls that look like Chelsea Statham. Dude, she..."


    "Don¡¯t finish it, Ewan... unless you are alone the rest of this journey." Sandro cut in sharply, shutting down the conversation.


    Ewan snorted. "I didn¡¯t ask you toe along in the first ce. So, it¡¯s easier to give advices on Athena rted issues, but I can¡¯t drop my thoughts on yours?"


    Sandro said nothing; he rather walked faster, to Ewan¡¯s amusement.


    "Wow, I would really give a lot just to hear the story between you two. The almighty Sandro Williams¡¯ taste relegated to a number of women that would just remind him of a certain genius pediatrician who..."


    "Ewan, really? Are you trying to distract yourself? Do I need to remind you that we need to be done with this, before hurrying home to see your kids?"


    Ewan paused his lips at Sandro¡¯s impatient words. He would have loved to continue to taunt thetter, but he left it until he had Zane in his arsenal. Oh, he couldn¡¯t wait!


    "Sure sure. The niece gave me directions. Hopefully, she was right when she mentioned that it was of a walkable distance."


    Sandro halted in his tracks, turning to look at Ewan with a raised eyebrow. "We are walking to a distance that you¡¯re not even sure of?"


    Ewan shrugged his shoulders in response.


    "I see you aren¡¯t taking the time seriously, neither are you taking the grace Athena have given you seriously. You seem to want to mess it up, again."


    Ewan scowled, jolly moodpletely pushed away. "Sandro, quit it."


    Sandro chuckled sarcastically. "You started it."


    Ewan shook his head, starting to walk again. "There¡¯s a difference. I don¡¯t know anything about you and Chelsea. You don¡¯t give us any hints!"


    "She wreaked my life. That¡¯s the only hint you need to know."


    Ewan pursed his lips. The words hung in the air between them, filled with an emotion that he knew all to well.


    "Are you sure of that? Have youmunicated with her properly? Because I¡¯m starting to realize that we men allow our pride to hinder a lot of good things really. Myself as an example, I thought Athena had wreaked my life, didn¡¯t know it was the other way round."


    "Chelsea is not Athena. And I¡¯m not you. And you are a business man, not a therapist."


    Ewan said nothing after that. His friend can deal with his shit himself.


    Ten minutester, ten hot minutester, as the sun was ring forcefully on them, they were standing in front of the ¡¯therapy pce¡¯, as was stated on the signboard.


    "Are you sure this is the therapy site?" Sandro asked, taking note of the half naked women going in and out of the bungalow structure. The scene was jarring and unexpected.


    "There are different kind of therapy, Sandro. Although I¡¯m surprised as you are, seeing this type. Let¡¯s go in."


    Ewan ignored thedies making passes at him, promising good therapy, and headed straight to the receptionist desk. The air seemed to buzz with a strange energy, but he would not be deterred.


    "Hello, I¡¯m looking for someone, Zack Mooore.... he¡¯s a patient today."


    The receptionist looked him all over, chewing noisily on gum, before replying; "No name like that came in here."


    Ewan exhaled harshly, exchanging furtive nces with Sandro. He was tired, and frustrated. He wished to go home.


    "Please check again. Blonde hair, average in..."


    "And besides, we don¡¯t give client information out." The receptionist interrupted, making Ewan see red.


    He opened his mouth to st the hell out of the receptionist, tired of being seen as a nobody in this dirty town, when Sandro tapped him on the shoulder, rasping.


    "See Zack."


    Ewan immediately swiveled, exhaling in relief, when he saw Zack through the window, talking with a taller woman, a taller well dressed woman.


    A better therapist then. He thought, walking out of the room with Sandro.


    When Zack saw them approaching him momentster, his jaw ckened. Surprise shed in his eyes. "How... how did... you two find me?"

 Chapter 229: Getting Answers V

    <h4>Chapter 229: Getting Answers V</h4>


    "How did you two find me? I picked that area because of its remoteness, and yet..." Zack threw up his hands in frustration, looking at Ewan and Sandro who were seated before him in a plush restaurant, a far cry from the inn he had barely tolerated.


    "We always do have our ways, you know that, Zack. You should also know by now that nothing can stop me from getting whatever I want." Ewan replied, sipping the cup of coffee before him.


    Even though it was past midday, he needed it to calm down, to recharge. He hadn¡¯t had a coffee since today, an anomaly, totally Sandro¡¯s fault. They had both overslept.


    After bumping into Zack outside, thetter had immediately dismissed the therapist whom Ewan believed had secured the interest of Zack, considering thetter had been blushing beet red in the face while telling theelydy away.


    Thereafter, he had instructed Zack to open the car, so they could get in and get away.


    If Zack had hesitated then, he would have been subjected to Ewan¡¯s hard punch.


    Fortunately, he had been sensitive enough to note the tiredness in the features of the men, and so had obliged quickly, seeing they were the centre of attention.


    Under the orders of Ewan¡ª¡¯don¡¯t take me back to that local inn. To the city!¡¯¡ªhe had driven here, pleased to do so. It¡¯s been a while since he inhaled fresh air.


    If Zack would be truthful to himself, he missed his home, yet he couldn¡¯t go back. He has failed himself, has failed his father, has failed his past generations. Someone else could take the mantle of leadership from him. The town should sort out themselves.


    "Is that why you are here?" He finally spoke, knowing the patience of the two men were still hanging on a thin thread.


    "Huh..." Sandro started, not understanding what Zack was talking about. Ewan looked the same.


    "You mentioned that nothing can stand in the way of getting what you want. Is that why you are? Are you trying to get back to Athena? Is that why you are looking this haggard?... ¡¯nothing can stand in your way?¡¯" He paused, seeing the growing anger on Ewan¡¯s face.


    "Well, if that is so, I suggest you forget it. Just made do with the grace she gave you¡ªseeing the kids once a month. She didn¡¯t afford me that chance."


    "You would love to meet the children?" Sandro asked, raising an eyebrow. "You want to give them yourst name?"


    Zack sighed tiredly, reclining further into his chair. "You know that isn¡¯t possible. I just want to see them. Yes, maybe introduce them to my history and all. Athena was my daughter after all..."


    "Adopted, whom you didn¡¯t even enjoy training." Ewan cut in.


    "You are one to talk. If you hadn¡¯t been so foolish, so gullible, so..." Zack¡¯s hands tinkered in the air, his eyes narrowing on them, as he tried to find the right word to attribute Ewan¡¯s stupidity to.


    "If you hadn¡¯t be so duty driven, you would have seen what was right in front of your eyes!! We all wouldn¡¯t have been in this situation. I would have had grandchildren around me. I would..."


    "Then, it was better it turned out this way." Ewan stated coldly, leaning forward, meaning every word.


    So, if he was still married to Athena, the twins would have gone over to Zack?


    At that time, it didn¡¯t seem like anything important to him¡ªhe didn¡¯t think he would want anything to do with Athena or whatever spawn she made¡ªbut seeing the twins, he knew he would have made a big mistake had he let them go.


    Ewan also knew there would have been a messier court battle because he would have surely fought to have them back, even without discovering the evil and death that was Fiona.


    There was just this strong feeling of love and attraction that seized his heart whenever he saw them, whenever he looked at their pictures¡ªsomething that have be a regr business these days. No, he actually preferred how things had turned out, to an extent.


    Zack bit his lips, seeing the determination burning in Ewan¡¯s eyes. "You are lucky, Ewan. But don¡¯t push past your boundaries."


    "What do you mean by that?" Ewan asked, his voice taking on a higher note.


    Zack sighed, beating a slow rhythm on the table with his fingers. "She loved you, before I made the deal..."


    A pause.


    "I think that¡¯s why she would rather forgive you, than me. I preyed on her weakness."


    Ewan lost his anger for a moment. "What are you talking about, Zack?"


    He of course knew that Athena had loved him at one time, but he had always thought the love had happened during the course of their marriage, not before. He had thought, even now, that she had served him out of duty during their first year.


    Zack leaned forward, cing his elbows on the table. "Do you remember the meeting that was held in the council hall, where all the heads of towns and families were summoned over some barbaric killings happening in ourmunities?"


    Ewan nodded. That was two years before his marriage to Athena.


    "Do you remember I came with Athena to the meeting?"


    Ewan pursed his lips, ruminating on this, allowing his mind to roam and find this memory. His brows thinned when he found it¡ªhe remembered seeing Athena, he remembered thinking her shy. Too shy and timid, and wondered why she hade for the meeting in the first ce.


    He remembered noticing her beautiful countenance, he remembered being entertained by the way she moved her lips while trying to understand what the older men were saying.


    Ewan paused, surprised at himself, realizing that he might have still gone after Athena if Zack hadn¡¯t tried to force her down his throat, if Fiona hadn¡¯t tried to force herself in his.


    "You remember then." Zack said, nodding his head. "Well, she noticed you too. Worse, she fell for you. She imed it was love at first sight. But my wifeughed it off as a mere crush, saying it wasn¡¯t love at first sight if it wasn¡¯t reciprocated."


    A pause.


    "Well, she proved us wrong. She fantasized about a union with you a lot, more than she even read. I once walked in on her writing a letter to you. Of course she had exined she wouldn¡¯t send it, that she was just tasting her writing spirit..." Zack exhaled loudly, lowering his head a bit.


    "And I messed it all up, toying with her emotions. When you started showing interest in your father¡¯snd, the stupid n reared its head in my mind. And for a son. The only reason she agreed was because I told her you fancied her too. Told her that you would be cold at first, but that with love and time, you will thaw. Well, that advice wasn¡¯t worth it eh..." He chuckled sorrowfully, shaking his head. "Now, I lost everything."


    "You deserve it." Sandro said through gritted teeth.


    "Of course, I see that now. I deserve everything. My wife warned me, but I didn¡¯t listen, consumed with greed."


    "Good for you." Sandromented, rxing into his seat, darting a nce at Ewan. His friend was deep in thought. What was he thinking?


    "You¡¯ve got nothing to say?" Zack spoke after a few beats of silence. "Something in the lines of ¡¯I deserve it too¡¯?"


    Ewan inhaled softly. "No need. I understand things more perfectly, can see why you advised me not to push boundaries. It will be almost impossible to reach her now. I shattered her devotion to me."


    Zack nodded. "True. Just like it is for me. We will just have to ept whatever crumbs she throws to us. We were the one that started the game after all, by making her feel unwanted first."


    Ewan nodded slowly, taking a sip of the coffee, his expression totally nd. "That by the way..." He said, keeping the mug on the table. "We actually came here to ask you some questions concerning Athena¡¯s ident."


    Zack shook his head, before Ewan could even continue.


    "What¡¯s the problem?" Sandro asked, raising a daring brow.


    "I¡¯m afraid you gentlemen wasted your timeing here then." Zack answered.


    "And why is that?" Ewan sped his hands on the table.


    "I don¡¯t know anything about Athena¡¯s ident."


    Ewan reclined into his chair, and gave Sandro a confused look, before reverting to Zack. "What are you talking about? How can you not know? Didn¡¯t you keep her indoors till you thought she was better before letting her out?"


    Zack nodded. "I did."


    "So..."


    "But I don¡¯t know what misfortune befell her." He interrupted Ewan.


    "Exin Zack."


    Zack inhaled and exhaled loudly, starting the slow rhythm again on the table.


    "Athena was always bright while growing up, very active, very curious, so curious that she sometimes grated on my nerves. Why would a child want to know everything? But myte wife thought it better to allow her some amount of freedom to explore her interests, so I did."


    A wistful longing shed across his eyes. "I miss her, you know, my wife, even though my actions sometimes negate that."


    "Mmhm, continue the story..." Ewan asked, not ready to be sidetracked.

 Chapter 230: Getting Answers VI

    <h4>Chapter 230: Getting Answers VI</h4>


    Zack wetted his lips with his tongue, hearing Ewan¡¯s impatient statement, not oblivious to its intent. "Well, as I was saying, Athena was too curious, too intelligent for her years. Perhaps if I had looked beyond my selfishness then, I would have seen her for the genius she was and..."


    "Use her the more. Maybe to strike more business and political deals for you?" Ewan interrupted, as if stating a fact.


    Zack paused with his mouth open, staring at Ewan keenly.


    "Am I wrong?" Ewan continued, his brow raising, daring Zack to refute the answer.


    Zack closed his mouth, turned away from Ewan and beckoned to a waiter. "More coffee, please." He ced his order, before reverting to his unwanted guests. "That¡¯s beside the point, Ewan. It¡¯s not necessary now, the what ifs..."


    Sandro and Ewan couldn¡¯t help the sarcastic chuckle that broke from their lips, an unwee sound that caused Zack to swallow ufortably, both his words and his saliva.


    "Of course, Zack. By all means, continue." Ewan gestured, leaning backward into his seat, absolutely happy and relieved that Zack had been among those that had thought Athena was an illiterate.


    "I will just get straight to the ident point..."


    "That will be better for everyone." Sandro added, nodding his head in agreement, cing his hands on the table, waiting for the main reason they hade here.


    Although he didn¡¯t think that Athena was the woman that had saved Ewan those years ago, he was still curious about the ident had made the entire town believe she was illiterate. Who had even spread the damn news?!


    "On that day, Athena left the house as usual..."


    "As usual?" Ewan interrupted again, gesturing with a flick of his hands that Zack exin himself.


    "As I mentioned earlier, she was very active and curious. Every morning, especially during the weekends, she wandered around the mansion. But when the ident happened was during the school holidays, she went out every morning then. I wasn¡¯t sure where she went to, but since she always came back, dutifully, during the orded time. So, I had no issues, neither did her mother. As a matter of fact, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if my wife, Calista, knew where she was always going to¡ªthey were always whispering and talking. Albeit, because she wasn¡¯t a... male... child..."


    A pause, where Zack waited, perhaps, for a shoe tond on him. When he met the gazes of the men in front of him, he was surprised a little to note the nd expressions on their faces. However, he knew that they just wanted to get this over with.


    "Because Athena wasn¡¯t my blood, wasn¡¯t a male child too, I couldn¡¯t be bothered about her, not really, so long as she did what she was supposed to do in the house, so long as she obeyed instructions without hesitating."


    It was on the tip of Ewan¡¯s tongue to ask if there was a time Athena ever hesitated and what punishment was orded to her when she did, but time was running past¡ªthere was no time for the extras. That cane up anytime, during his research.


    "So, on that fateful day, when she left and didn¡¯te back at the ted time, my wife became very worried. Me, I was just annoyed that she was bringing up the blood pressure of my wife, so I kept threatening hail and brimstones on the girl, not knowing that some evil had befallen her."


    A pause, where he chuckled and shook his head sadly.


    "We waited for a few hours after the ted time, and when she still didn¡¯te back, I started to get worried, not because I actually cared, but because of my wife. Calista had gotten so attached to Athena, that if anything had happened to the little one then, she would have died those years ago." A contemtive pause, where he started the slow beat on the table again.


    "So, I went out to search for her, with some of my people that night. We searched and searched, checking out the ces that people of the town had mentioned seeing her, yet we couldn¡¯t see her. It was even surprising to hear that she had been seen on the borders between our towns."


    Ewan exchanged a furtive nce with Sandro as if to say: ¡¯you see?¡¯ But Sandro still wasn¡¯t bought over¡ªthat statement couldn¡¯t mean anything. Didn¡¯t he wander too as a child?


    "Well, we searched for three days, but we couldn¡¯t find her. At this time, Calista had stopped eating, no matter how much I pleaded with her, how much I tasked the servants to prepare her best meals at every time of the day. She only wanted to see Athena. Hence, I got more serious with my search¡ªI didn¡¯t want to lose my wife. I hired three private investigators to be involved in the case. I didn¡¯t involve the police though¡ªI was careful to keep the case a low profile, because I had eyes for a political seat, and didn¡¯t want to stain my reputation."


    "And did you get the seat?" Ewan asked, unable to stop himself from making the dig, even while knowing the answer.


    "No. Herbert Whitman did." Zack muttered, exhaling tiredly.


    Just then, the server brought the tray containing a cup of coffee.


    "Thank you." Zack said meekly, epting the cup. He exhaled loudly when he took a sip. "This is nice." He said, shrinking when he met the hostile gazes of the young men.


    He instantly kept the cup on the table, and continued his tale, needing them out of his space as soon as possible.


    "We kept up the search for a week, and yet nothing turned out. I was with Calista in the room dayster, trying to convince her to eat when my butler had rushed into the room without knocking, panting like someone that had run for his life from the hands of killers. I didn¡¯t care to ask him why he would breach my privacy, sensing that whatever had him this way had to be very urgent. Well, I was right. He brought the news that Athena had been found. Quickly, my wife that had been bedridden from sorrow rose from the bed with an insane amount of energy I didn¡¯t think she had within her, seeing as she hadn¡¯t eaten properly for a week, and ran out of the room. In the sitting room, Athena was sitting on a sofa with one of the private investigators, looking lost. We had thought maybe she was in shock or something. But when Calista tried to hug her, and she screamed as if seeing a ghost, we knew there was a problem."


    Zack inhaled and exhaled softly, as memories of that day and the following days and months started running through his mind like a movie moving from one episode to the other.


    "That was when my house became a second abode to doctors, especially since Calista refused to believe that Athena was deranged. She cried every day, for everytime Athena turned away from her, and rejected her offer of even friendship. The doctors had mentioned that Athena had suffered from a certain blow to the brain, but they hadn¡¯t been able to tell us what kind of blow it was. They had only mentioned that it had pushed off to a side, most of her memories. So, they started giving her treatments that would help restore her memories, and reduce the pain..."


    "Pain?" Ewan interrupted again, leaning forward.


    "Yes. She usually had chest and head pains at intervals. Worse, it was unpredictable. There was nothing the doctors could do about it either."


    "You mean the local doctors?" Ewan asked, resentment breeding in his voice.


    "At first, I stuck to the local doctors, not wanting to bring unnecessary attention to myself, but Calista wouldn¡¯t have it. She finally brought someone from overseas, and even though the doctor¡¯s drugs did much better than the previous ones¡ªreducing the pain and all¡ªit still didn¡¯t bring back all her memories, especially the ones surrounding her idents, and the ones before that. At least she finally remembered us, I think... around the eighth month."


    Zack shook his head. "That period was one of the worst in my life, in my wife¡¯s too. I¡¯m sure it was then that the stupid sickness started eating her up."


    "You me Athena for that too?"


    Viciousness shed through Zack¡¯s eyes for a second. "Well, if she had been wise enough to remain home, she wouldn¡¯t have lost her way, and my wife wouldn¡¯t have been subjected to such trauma!"


    "You are truly beyond redemption." Ewan said calmly, kissing his teeth. "All the same, go on. If I should stay in your presence any longer than necessary, I might pay you back for all the troubles you have caused me and my family."


    Zack took his lips in, sping his hands tight around the cup, not bothered by the hotness hurting his hands.


    "You don¡¯t need to stay any longer, Ewan, because I am done. It is as I mentioned earlier, I don¡¯t know the exact ident that had wreaked our lives more than twenty years ago."

 Chapter 231: Getting Answers VII

    <h4>Chapter 231: Getting Answers VII</h4>


    "So, how did the illiteracy scandale to be?" Ewan asked after a few beats of tense silence where each of them had a chance to reflect on their thoughts.


    "I understand that, due to her circumstances at the time, she wouldn¡¯t have been able to cope with the school stress, yet how did the illiteracy matter be so widely known even when it wasn¡¯t true?"


    Zack wetted his lips hesitantly, reluctant to speak about this topic, believing that if Ewan had been able to restrain himself from reacting to his truths since their meeting began, then perhaps this would be the one that would trigger the billionaire off.


    "Let me guess..." Sandro¡¯s deep voice interrupted Zack¡¯s thoughts, dripping with resentment. "You were behind it..."


    Zack chose not to nce at Sandro, instead focusing on his cup of coffee, which was bing cold. He took a sip now, choosing to make the most of the coffee.


    "Yes, I was. But there was no choice," He finally admitted, trying to justify his actions.


    "In what way?" Ewan asked calmly¡ªa sharp contrast to how he felt inside¡ªdeciding to give Zack an opportunity to exin himself before making any drastic moves.


    "Well, as I mentioned earlier, treating Athena had taken a lot of resources, a lot of time, a lot of quality time between my wife and me... so much so that I grew frustrated with everything. Hence, when I started receiving questions from people around, both at work and from our acquaintances, about my overactive daughter¡ªincluding her teachers¡ªI told them she was no longer interested in school and social activities, that she had chosen to stay at home and learn to be a housewife."


    "And they believed you? That was quite far-fetched. Athena shouldn¡¯t have been more than seven years old then..." Ewan interrupted, his furrowed brows a sign of his confusion.


    "Yes, but her thinking pattern and actions were way above her age. However, people were suspicious. Some even paid visits to confirm these for themselves, for as it turned out, they were fans of Athena¡¯s big and unbelievable stories of how she would change the world. So, when they arrived and saw how lost she was, how different she was from the girl she had been before, they had no choice but to believe my sayings, especially when she quit school and disappeared from the public eye. Therefore, when she finally returned to the public scene after some years, she was termed an illiterate since she didn¡¯tplete school."


    "So, why did you bring her to the council meeting those years ago then?" Ewan asked, biting his lips in anticipation.


    "Calista¡¯s orders. Since Athena wasn¡¯t exactly epted into the circles of her agemates for they considered her odd, her mother thought it better for her to apany me to certain events like that, believing no one would criticize the little one in my presence. Not that it helped my reputation..."


    "So, during my research, there was a mention of aa event of about thirteen months... when did that ur? You haven¡¯t mentioned that since you started speaking." Ewan cut in sharply once more, needing to get a clear understanding from Zack, needing not to hear thetter¡¯s egotistical ramblings about himself.


    Zack pursed his lips, looking up at Ewan keenly. "If you have done your research well, why are you here harassing me then?" He inquired, somewhat defensively.


    "I wanted to hear from the horses¡¯ mouth," Ewan replied simply.


    "Well, I¡¯m not the horse," Zack retorted. "Athena is. Why not ask her? I¡¯m sure, with her genius-level inventions in the medical field, she would have created a drug or something to cure herself."


    Ewan didn¡¯t bother to respond to that. "Don¡¯t keep me waiting, Zack."


    Zack huffed and lifted his cup to his lips, frowning when the cold taste of coffee hit his tongue. He dropped the cup back on the table in annoyance.


    He raised his hand to beckon the waiter again, but thought better of it, bringing his hand down. If he ordered another coffee, it would likely get cold again, while talking to these two brats who showed no respect for their elders.


    "Yes, you¡¯re right. She fell into aa once. It wasn¡¯t immediate, though. It happened at the eight month after her return, two days after she recognized us as her parents, after she recognized the people around the house," Zack admitted finally, his voice tinged with reluctance.


    "How did that happen?" Ewan asked, folding his arms across his chest and leaning backward. This was hisst question, and he would be out of here.


    "Well, I don¡¯t know the reason behind it too..." Zack shrugged, a hint of resignation in his voice.


    Sandro mmed his hand onto the table. "Do you ever know anything?"


    Zack shuddered during the mildly violent act, pressing his lips into a thin line. "No one knows why she went intoa. One minute she was outside helping Calista in the garden to tend to some flowers, and the next second, she was slumping to the wet soil. She stayed that way without moving for the next... sixteen, eighteen months? I¡¯m not sure. I¡¯m still trying to forget the frustration and anger of that period. It was truly the worst period for both Calista and me, for entirely different reasons though. I missed Calista just as I do now, because she was always..."


    Ewan scoffed lightly. "I am not here for your selfish talks, Zack. I am here for Athena. Keep your focus on her."


    Zack huffed, old jealousy rising within him. Why did Athena always have the focus? Why not him? Calista had practically abandoned him in her pursuit of caring for Athena, and now everyone around him was doing the same, including his business!


    "Right. But I¡¯m done with that too. I have already told you all I know. When she woke up, she remembered things a lot more, and revived her interest in books, but she still didn¡¯t remember the ident that had upturned her life. Is there anything else?" Zack said finally, a sense of relief washing over him when Ewan shook his head.


    He shuddered unconsciously however, when Sandro red at him hotly.


    "Don¡¯t think this is over. We still have eyes on you." Thetter stated firmly, getting to his feet after Ewan, before following his friend out of the restaurant.

 Chapter 232: Matters Arising

    <h4>Chapter 232: Matters Arising</h4>


    "Was the parting statement necessary? The threat, I mean..." Ewan asked, a thin smile dancing on his lips, while looking at Sandro who was seated opposite him and drinking a ss of champagne.


    Sandro shrugged his shoulders, taking another sip of the champagne. "He never needs to have a nice rxing moment all the days of his life. He should spend his remaining days looking over his back. He deserves that much for his role in this mess we are stewing in today, since no one wants to put him behind bars. Or better, in the ck cells."


    Ewan chuckled, shaking his head, and looked out the window as the private jet prepared for take-off.


    During the drive from the restaurant to this location, he had allowed a cocoon offortable silence to envelope him and Sandro, because he needed to think; to ruminate on the fruits that his journey to see Zack had yielded.


    Not many fruits though, if he was to say, but the few had been worth it.


    "Why don¡¯t you put him behind bars actually, Ewan? At least to sieve away that pride and selfishness that is still within him? Did you hear him speak? The dude is still unrepentant despite what he says! I don¡¯t think therapy is doing him any good. If I should take a guess, he just wants to shag that therapist and move to another young blood! I am sure you remember how he is..."


    Ewan nodded. Of course, he remembered. The foolish man had imed that he missed his wife, that he loved her so much, but a few weeks after her death he was already picking young college students and sleeping with them like a mad dog.


    Desperate much to get a male child? Ewan wasn¡¯t sure, nor did he care. But so far, no son has turned up. If he should take a guess, Zack was probably impotent. The thought made him chuckle.


    "Just leave him be, Sandro. After all, what charge would we bring against him to put him in jail?"


    Sandro scoffed. "You know we can do it without any charges. You just need to speak with that police friend of yours, and he willplete the paperwork, even within a day!"


    Ewan shook his head. "Let¡¯s leave him be. He will be useful in the future, with him still depending on thepany for survival to an extent."


    Sandro paused, finally seeing where Ewan was heading. "You sly cat..."


    Ewan chuckled, picking up his own ss of champagne. "Well, they¡¯ve left me no choice."


    "So, what do you think of the information we have just gathered? Do you still think that Athena was the one that had saved you those years ago?" Sandro asked, after a few beats of silence.


    "I don¡¯t know, Sandro. Some things just don¡¯t add up."


    "Like how she is still alive?"


    "Yeah. When I had met Athena a few months ago concerning my health, when she had discovered what was wrong with my brain, she had told me that Fiona couldn¡¯t be my savior, because whosoever my savior is, there was no way she would have survived that experience. Still..." A pause. "The time corrtes."


    "It can just be a coincidence, Ewan. Remember the most important factor¡ªthere was no way you and Athena could have been friends. Your families were enemies, even though pretending to be civil and all."


    That too. Ewan thought, sighing tiredly. But there were still the unresolved questions, like what had caused the ident, and what had triggered theatose period.


    Could he ask Athena? Would she remember, seeing that she was a pro in medicine now? Surely, she would have been able to do something concerning her issue.


    However, as he contemted this, he knew there was no way Athena would listen to him, not to mention answering his questions. She would rather order him to stop prying into her past.


    Yet, how could he? He wanted to know everything now, everything about her and the twins, all the things he had missed out on.


    Already, he has involved Spider again¡ªafter apologizing through text for doubting him earlier¡ªto get more information on Athena¡¯s life with the twins and her history with all these secret agent groups. It was costing him a lot, but it was worth it.


    "But..." Sandro started, pausing to lick his lower lip as if prepping his mouth on what he was about to talk about.


    "But what?" Ewan asked, when he couldn¡¯t take the suspension any longer.


    "What will you do if Athena was the one that had saved you those years ago? Let¡¯s say by some miraculous coincidence, she..."


    "I will follow her to the ends of the world. I will chase after her, until she epts me. And if she doesn¡¯t, I will dly settle as her shadow."


    Sandro paused, then chuckled. "Aren¡¯t you already doing that now? Even without knowing if she is the one? Admit it, you are too in love to withdraw away."


    Ewan didn¡¯t bother denying it.


    "Oh man, you are really going to have trying times ahead."


    Didn¡¯t he know it? Ewan thought, startled out of his thoughts the next second by his ringing phone.


    "Who is calling?"


    Ewan furrowed his brows, watching the name sh across his screen. "Suarez."


    The smile on Sandro¡¯s lips dried up. "Could there be a problem?"


    "I hope not." Ewan muttered, before answering the phone, and putting it on loudspeaker.


    "There is a problem, sir..." Suarez stated immediately, after greeting.


    "And what is the problem?" So much for hoping for the opposite. Ewan thought, keeping the champagne aside.


    "Some parts of thepany has been set on fire. It seems the work of a bomb..."


    Ewan chuckled in disbelief. "Are you serious, Suarez? How did that happen?"


    Before him, Sandro was already on the inte, trying to understand what was going on.


    "We don¡¯t know, sir. All our system has been shut down. The only thing we got as a warning was the phone call we received about ten minutes ago before the bombing." Suarez answered, notably distressed.


    "A phone call? From who?"


    "The caller didn¡¯t give a name. He only said that we should expect more catastrophes if we don¡¯t release Lady Morgana to them."

 Chapter 233: Matters Arising II

    <h4>Chapter 233: Matters Arising II</h4>


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows, seeing Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s name sh across her phone screen.


    Did something happen? She wondered, lightly tapping the side of the phone, while contemting if she should excuse herself from the meeting that had been going on for some hours and take the call.


    Surely, the old man wouldn¡¯t be calling unless it was urgent, knowing she was in a meeting with the president.


    "Doctor Athena, is anything the matter?"


    Slightly startled, Athena looked up, maintaining an even expression while being the center of attention.


    Aiden was looking at her, his left brow raised in an inquiring arch. He was asking her if everything was okay.


    "Not at all, Mr. President," Athena replied, pressing her lips together as her phone started vibrating again.


    It must be urgent then!


    What could it be? Could it be rted to her children? The thought of something having befallen them made Athena jerk away from the chair, causing the the metallic object to make a notable sound in the room.


    She was the center of attention, once more.


    "Doctor Athena..."


    "One of my patients seems to be in a critical condition. I just received a message requesting my presence..." Athena lied through her teeth, her expression remaining impassive.


    President George Walls nodded slowly, looked away from her, and pped his hands in the direction of the chief secret security officer. "We are done here, right? I think these hours spent here have been useful. I think we have covered all grounds also. What do you say?"


    The male, Colt, nodded, rising to his feet. "Everything has beenid out, Mr. President."


    He turned to everyone surrounding the table. "The president has spoken and we will walk ording to his guidelines. We will all work together to keep Athena, her family, and her research safe, in line with her ns and processes. Also, anyone caught betraying this unit, or any ns that have been made here today..." A pause hung in the air. "I don¡¯t think I have to say the punishment."


    Then he reverted to the president. "I¡¯m done, sir."


    "Alright then, meeting closed. Doctor Athena, you are free to leave. I¡¯m sure you will like to go with your friend?"


    Athena nodded, without hesitation. "Thank you, Mr. President."


    She nced at Aiden¡ªthetter was packing some documents into his bag. When he was done, he walked in her direction, without sparing her a nce.


    "Are you really still angry about earlier?" Athena asked as they walked out of the President¡¯s office in silence.


    But she got no answer.


    She huffed, starting to get annoyed, and picked her phone. If Aiden wanted to sulk, so let him sulk. He was being inconsiderate, not taking into ount her past dealings with people.


    Clucking her tongue, she dialed Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s number.


    When his line started ringing, all thoughts about Aiden were relegated to the background, for her heart began to thrum more than the usual, as she contemted again on why the old man had been calling earlier.


    "Hello..."


    "Athena, thank God."


    "Is anything the matter?" Athena hurriedly asked, sensing the distress behind Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s voice, walking into an elevator.


    "Yes." Old Mr. Thorne replied, sinking a stone in Athena¡¯s heart.


    From the breathing pattern of the old man, and the noise around him, she could tell that he wasn¡¯t at home, that he was outside. Did something happen to Kathleen and Mrs. Thorne? Did the gang invade the parlor where the two had gone for the girl¡¯s outing?


    Athena¡¯s hand shook, as the line cut abruptly. What now?


    "What¡¯s the problem, Athena?"


    Oh, now he chooses to talk? Athena hissed softly, and dialed Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s number. But the line didn¡¯t connect.


    What the hell! What is happening? She looked at the elevator¡¯s buttons impatiently as if her eyes could emitser beams that would disrupt the normal mechanisms of the elevator and cause it to speed up.


    Momentster when the elevator finally dinged, she hurried out, without even waiting for Aiden, who, now, was feeling a bit guilty for acting immature earlier. Albeit, he followed her, matching her pace, and so was able to grab her arms in annoyance when she gged down a cab.


    "What are you doing?!" His voice went higher than he had intended.


    "Entering a mode of transport, duurr," Athena said hotly, about to open the door of the cab, when Aiden pulled her to himself.


    "No more cabs, Athena." He said, gesturing the cab driver to move along. "I came with my car. Let¡¯s go."


    "Are you going to tell me what is happening?" Aiden asked as he started the car, and pulled it out of the parking lot.


    "I didn¡¯t think you would be interested, seeing as you were pouting earlier." Athena replied, looking out of the window, tapping her feet impatiently.


    Aiden sighed, kicking it up a gear. "I don¡¯t pout, Athena."


    "Oh, but you were." She retorted, ncing at him, before resting her head properly on the seat. "You know I thought you would have understood, instead of making me look like a tyrant in front of everyone."


    Aiden scoffed. "I didn¡¯t do that either. You were in the wrong, and you apologized, case closed."


    Athena scrunched her nose up. "So, why were you then keeping silent around me after the meeting?"


    Aiden had no response for that.


    Athena snorted. "I thought as much. You are really insensitive sometimes."


    "So, what¡¯s happening? Why did you rush us off the meeting?" Aiden deftly changed the topic.


    Athena turned to stare at him in incredulity. "First, you changed the topic. And now, you are saying I was the one that ended the meeting? Dude, didn¡¯t you see Colt and the President doing that?"


    Aiden sighed wearily as if Athena was a small kid throwing tantrums. "Just tell me what is going on, Athena."


    "Maybe you should tell me, Aiden. You weren¡¯t this cantankerous in the morning when I left. What is the matter?"


    Aiden said nothing. He rather focused on his driving.


    "Where are we heading to? You never gave me a direction," He said rather, after a few seconds, causing Athena to narrow her eyes in suspicion.


    The only thing in the world, the only one that could make Aiden this way was his ex-wife.

 Chapter 234: Matters Arising III

    <h4>Chapter 234: Matters Arising III</h4>


    What now? Athena wondered, taking a slow survey of Aiden¡¯s profile.


    She noted his more-than-necessary taut muscles, the clear difort etched on his countenance, the tight grip on the steering wheel, his lips pressed in a firm, unyielding line, and the subtle twitch that danced across his nose at intervals. <i>Oh, this</i><i>was</i><i>serious</i>, she finally deducted. It was surely something rted to the ex-wife.


    Had the old me made a reappearance? But that was nearly impossible.


    Athena swallowed, wondering the best way to navigate this unpredictable route.


    "Did you see Gloria?" A tentative pause. "Did she contact you?"


    Aiden scoffed bitterly immediately. "And why would she do that? She is so self-sufficient now!"


    Athena opened her mouth to ask for more details, but then Aiden repeated his question from earlier, firmer this time, cutting her off, informing her that the topic of Gloria was closed.


    Why was it that people around her all knew her story with Ewan, yet they wouldn¡¯t venture to open the secrets of their own love lives? Gianna and Zane, Chelsea and Sandro, now Aiden. She sighed, and looked through the window, tapping her legs.


    "Athena..."


    "I don¡¯t know where we should head over to." She answered crisply, unable to help herself.


    "Why did you want to rush out of the meeting then?"


    "I got a call from Old Mr. Thorne."


    "And..."


    "When I returned his call, he mentioned there was a problem, but before he could say what, the call ended. I don¡¯t know what happened to his phone." Athena answered, feeling her heart rate pick up again.


    Earlier, bantering with Aiden had assuaged the storm, but now it was kicking up again. Is everyone safe?


    "Can you check on the twins?"


    "I already did so, when you tried rushing out of the meeting. They are safe. Mr. and Mrs. Thorne are safe too. Antonio and Gianna too. Yourpanies and patients are in good shape too." AIden answered simply.


    "So, why was he calling then? If you confirmed that everything is fine, why would he call?" Athena asked, picking her phone again. She was just about to call Gianna, when her phone shed with a call from Old Mr. Thorne.


    "Athena, sorry for earlier. My phone battery ran down."


    Athena sighed in relief, hearing Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s voice.


    "Have you seen the newstely?"


    Athena shook her head, her shoulders tensing. Remembering she was on call the next second, she spoke: "No. I have been in a meeting with the president."


    "For that long? I honestly thought you had taken a detour to the hospital." A pause. "Well, since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll brief you. There has been a problem. It¡¯s about Ewan."


    Athena¡¯s shoulders deted immediately at the call of that name. So, Ewan was the reason why Old Mr. Thorne had called her, speaking like someone who was about to lose a treasure. She sighed, put the call on speaker, and ced the phone on the center console.


    She leaned back afterward, her head to the ceilings. Aiden parked the car by the side of the road.


    "Athena..."


    "I can hear you, old friend. What about Ewan now?" Athena asked, folding her arms across her chest.


    Yes, she was aware that Old Mr. Thorne and Ewan had made some sort of peace, but what was this?


    She heard Old Mr. Thorne sigh and knew that he had guessed her thoughts. Still...


    "Hispany is burning. It¡¯s all over the socials. I think it¡¯s the handiwork of the gang."


    Athena scoffed lightly. "Friend, I¡¯m sure we would like to me all our misfortunes on someone else, but the gang isn¡¯t the culprit in every case. Why would they attack Ewan¡¯spany afterall?"


    "Exactly my thought. But then he told me of the phone call the receptionist had gotten before the fire..."


    Athena exchanged a furtive nce with Aiden.


    "A phone call? What¡¯s that about?"


    A pause on the other end of the phone.


    "The caller mentioned that Ewan release to them, Lady Morgana. And, I might be wrong...correct me if I am... but there was a time you told me that Lady Morgana was Fiona. You know, when you narrated your kidnap ordeal to me that one time..."


    Athena shut her eyes for a few seconds, allowing her brain process this new matter.


    "They know he has her."


    "Yes," Old Mr. Thorne agreed. "The first time we spoke, when I sounded scared, I thought Ewan was caught in the fire, seeing as he is always at work every day. But luckily, he wasn¡¯t around when it happened."


    "How many dead..." Athena asked slowly, softly.


    A significant pause.


    "Thest time the police counted, it was about eighteen."


    Athena shut her eyes again.


    "Athena..." Old Mr. Thorne called gently. "When are we attacking the gang? Today is Ewan¡¯spany, tomorrow might be the twins¡¯ school, or even mypany. I know you mentioned that your guts..."


    "We¡¯ll attack them this night. It seems they recuperated faster than Susan had calcted."


    "Okay then. I¡¯ll see you at home. Just a heads up, Ewan might be around when you arrive."


    Athena sighed when the line went dead. She knew of Ewan¡¯s impending presence, of course. Wasn¡¯t she the one that had given him that permission?


    "Are we really going to attack the gang tonight?"


    Athena nodded to Aiden¡¯s question.


    "Should we inform the president?"


    Athena scowled and shook her head. "It¡¯s not necessary."


    "But..."


    She raised her hand, stopping Aiden mid-sentence. "If you want to devote your life to the president and the secret society, be my guest. But I will not. If I loved working for the government so much, I would have remained with the CIA. Being included with the president and his ns, doesn¡¯t deter our own ns. You can count yourself out of mine if you wish to."


    Aiden took his lips in and started the car. "Athena, my first loyalty is to my family. You are my family. Stop making deductions of me being loyal to another. This is the second time today."


    "Aye aye, sir. I¡¯m sorry. Please drive us home. But first, stop at a good restaurant. I need to eat; I¡¯m running only on fumes now. And I have a feeling we¡¯ve got a long night ahead of us."

 Chapter 235: Matters Arising IV

    <h4>Chapter 235: Matters Arising IV</h4>


    "Are you sure of what you¡¯re saying, Ewan? You want me to choose gifts for your children? What kind of father does that? You haven¡¯t even started your daddy duties, and you¡¯re already failing..."


    Ewan sighed wearily, rubbing slow circles on his forehead, uncertain whether Zane was joking with him or bullshitting him truly. But his mind was too fogged by the present situation surrounding him, leaving no room for Zane¡¯s antics.


    "Zane, please. You know what I¡¯m battling with at the moment, or haven¡¯t you seen or heard the news?"


    A resigned sigh echoed from the other end of the phone. "I have seen it, Ewan. And as much as I understand the terrible state you¡¯re in¡ªthe forlorn condition of yourpany¡ªchoosing gifts for your children feels quite strange, considering they¡¯re expecting you. Isn¡¯t this something you¡¯ve been craving?"


    Ewan folded his lips, reclining deeper into his seat. Across the room, he spotted Sandro pacing back and forth, on the phone with anyone who could manage the fallout from the disaster at hispany.


    "Zane, I just think it¡¯s more imperative for me to deal with the dead people in mypany first, their families too, the losses and consequences, before getting gifts for the children. But time may slip away before I¡¯m done, hence why I¡¯m calling you. I... I¡¯m sure they will understand. Athena too. Isn¡¯t she an astute businesswoman? And after all, they don¡¯t need to know. You just pick the gifts and wait for me at our spot. I¡¯ll take it from there."


    "Picking the gifts from the store isn¡¯t the problem, Ewan. You want me to choose them. Don¡¯t you want to do the honors? Don¡¯t you want to feel the excitement thates with it? The thrill of watching your children open the gifts and wondering if they¡¯ll like what they find?"


    Ewan didn¡¯t think so. On a normal day, yes; but not today, when a throng of grieving families wept downstairs, crying for justice.


    He pursed his lips, chastising himself for not being more careful, for not being sensitive about the consequences of his dealings. If he had been more prudent, this bombing wouldn¡¯t have happened. Stupidity had clouded his judgment when he thought everything had ended with Fiona¡¯s confinement.


    "You know what..." Zane continued, dragging Ewan from his thoughts. "You can just tell me what to do over the phone, and I can get it for you..."


    Ewan clicked his tongue in frustration. "If I just wanted that, Zane, I would have sent Sandro to do it." A pause and a deep sigh. "I¡¯m asking you because you are the children¡¯s godfather; you know them better than I do. I¡¯ve been absent for far too long; do you think I will know what to get for them? There¡¯s no point pretending¡ªI won¡¯t be winning any father¡¯s award soon¡ªthat would be deceiving myself and wasting time. Just do what¡¯s best."


    Another contemtive pause. "Although if I had to make a guess, I¡¯d say my son loves puzzles a lot, and my daughter adores princess castles and costumes."


    "That might be right. But Kathleen can be unpredictable. Yet, there¡¯s no problem. I¡¯ll see what I can do. Hopefully, they won¡¯t be able to tell you¡¯re not the one gifting them."


    Ewan sighed in relief when the call ended, his gaze drifting back to Sandro, who was still pacing, who was still on call.


    Suddenly, a furrow marred Ewan¡¯s forehead as his phone began to ring. Looking away from his friend, he picked up the mobile device and answered the call, his heart rate picking up a notch¡ªthis number was private.


    "Hello..." He called hesitantly as static greeted him for a few seconds.


    "Hello, Ewan..."


    Ewan had never spoken to Morgan before, never evenid eyes on thetter, except during the court case and the hospital scandal. But he instinctively knew he was speaking to the one who had vowed to disrupt Athena¡¯s life and that of the twins¡ªand his own as well.


    "What can I do for you, Morgan Steeles?" Ewan asked with unyielding confidence, as if he were facing Morgan in person.


    A cackle burst through the line. "I see you already know who you¡¯re speaking to, though I¡¯m not sure how. Given that you¡¯re aware of my identity, I¡¯m guessing you also know why I¡¯m calling?"


    "No, I don¡¯t," Ewan replied coolly, taking note of Sandro, who had ended his own call abruptly and was now sitting on the edge of the table, his hands folded across his chest; his face, a temte of fury and curiosity mixed together.


    Ewan put the call on speaker, hoping to lessen his friend¡¯s misery and frustration.


    "You¡¯re a fool, then, if you don¡¯t know why I¡¯m calling. A big fool. But that aside, I want my Lady Morgana... I miss her a lot."


    "I don¡¯t know anyone by that name. Do you have ast name?" Ewan questioned, feeling his countenance rx with each passing second.


    There was no need to fear this rascal. Hadn¡¯t Athena dealt with him regrly?


    Another cackle erupted from the other end, this time louder.


    "I don¡¯t have time for jokes, Ewan Gietti. Get me Morgana, or that service unit of yourpany won¡¯t be the only target attacked. In case you¡¯ve forgotten, I know the location of your children¡¯s school. As a matter of fact, I know that Kathleen¡ªyes, that¡¯s her name, right?¡ªand Mrs. Thorne went to the beauty parlor today for some pampering while my Morgana is... God knows where you kept my love..."


    A hiss was followed by silence for a few beats.


    "Get me Morgana, Ewan, or you will lose everything you¡¯ve just recovered. Trust me, you don¡¯t want to return to square zero. There¡¯s nothing for a downtrodden man these days."


    There was a crackle on the line, and Ewan leaned in closer, trying to catch something noteworthy.


    But Morgan¡¯s voice rose again. "Whenever you are ready, just dial this number with your own phone number, and you will have my attention."


    A significant pause.


    "And Ewan... I hope you make the right choice, for the sake of your sanity."

 Chapter 236: Matters Arising V

    <h4>Chapter 236: Matters Arising V</h4>


    "What are we going to do?" Sandro asked after the call ended abruptly.


    He walked to one of the guest seats and sat down, his gaze focused solely on Ewan, who appeared lost in deep thought.


    "What are we going to do? We don¡¯t dance to his tune, that¡¯s what we¡¯re going to do."


    Sandro turned suddenly, a look of surprise shing across his features¡ªand Ewan¡¯s¡ªwhen Zane stepped into the office, hands tucked into his front pockets.


    Ewan opened his mouth to speak, to argue, then shut it again, conceding the point almost ring off his tongue. Zane would only do what Zane wanted to do.


    However, Sandro wasn¡¯t wired that way.


    "Zane, what are you doing here? I clearly overheard Ewan asking you to pick gifts for the children..."


    "Yeah, yeah, yeah..." Zane sang yfully as he strolled to the second avable seat in the office meant for guests. "You heard right. But you see, I would have taken on such a sensitive task for my good friend, but my father didn¡¯t think it was a good idea¡ªjust like me."


    Sandro and Ewan exchanged furtive nces.


    "You told your father about this?"


    Zane scrunched his face at Ewan¡¯s question. "I don¡¯t remember you mentioning it was top secret." A pause where he took in the incredulity shining on his friends¡¯ faces. "Was it?"


    Ewan flung his hands up in frustration, and Zane chuckled knowingly. "You don¡¯t need to act so fed up. My father can keep a secret or two. Anyway, I came here to drag you to the store so you can pick gifts for the children. No way am I getting caught up in their trouble radar. I don¡¯t know if you¡¯ve noticed, but those kids are smarter than their age."


    Just like their mother, Ewan thought, biting his lower lip. If that was really true, then they were likely geniuses.


    A furrow creased his forehead as a memory suddenly popped into his mind: It was when Athena had been kidnapped. He had stopped at her ce for a debriefing and seen the twins operating the system.


    Could it be? Ewan shook his head, trying to dispel the thought. That was impossible. Of course, he had heard of child prodigies on the inte¡ªchildren no older than fourteen finishing college with multiple degrees¡ªbut his twins were still in lower grade school.


    He paused, recalling distinctly that he had seen them handling the system as if they were tracking their mother. He had been deeply unsettled then, being more concerned about Atheba¡¯s safety, but he had noticed them.


    Ewan exhaled, confused, drawing the attention of his two friends, who seemed to have been discussing something before his interruption.


    "Something tells me Ewan hasn¡¯t really been listening to our suggestions..." Zane remarked.


    Ewan didn¡¯t bother denying Zane¡¯s deduction; instead, he rose to his feet, donned his coat, and headed toward the door.


    "Where are you going?" Sandro asked, getting to his feet as well. Zane followed suit.


    Ewan frowned, as if the question was foolish. "I¡¯m going to pick gifts for my children."


    "What about thepany? The people downstairs?" Sandro pressed, gesturing to the stacks of papers strewn across the table.


    "Don¡¯t worry about it. My father has already taken care of things. He mentioned you should go ahead and get the gifts. It¡¯d mean a lot and contribute to the healing journey for both you and the kids." Zane cut in.


    "Taken care of? How? What did he do?" Sandro asked, noticing that Ewan seemed overwhelmed with appreciation and unable to speak.


    Zane shrugged, walking toward the door. "I¡¯m not exactly sure. But when I arrived at thepany, the crowd had reduced drastically... If I had to guess, he utilized the power of the media..."


    As he spoke, he pulled out his phone, pausing close to Ewan. "Aha, I said it... ording to this..."


    Sandro covered the distance between them, as if being further away would hinder his ability to hear.


    "The security forces of the country havee together to annihte the evil that is Morgan Steeles, and soon enough, the people will have their revenge." A pause ensued as Zane scrolled down the document. "Wow, there¡¯s even a two-week deadline for achieving the goal."


    Sandro frowned. "Why would they do that? Isn¡¯t that ying with fire? What if they can¡¯t deliver?"


    Zane shrugged again. "Maybe my father has intel on what¡¯s going on. You know he¡¯s in government..."


    Sandro had nothing to say this time. He nced at Ewan, who now seemed lost in thought, likely ruminating on what he would buy for the twins.


    "So, what are we going to do about Morgana?" Sandro asked.


    "We¡¯ll talk about it with Athena when we get to her ce. You both areing with me?" Ewan spoke before Zane could interject with another suggestion.


    "Yeah."


    "Yeah."


    The responses came in unison.


    "But do you think she¡¯ll want to discuss Morgan with you?" Zane asked skeptically.


    Ewan pressed his lips together at the question. "I¡¯m not sure," He finally admitted. "But apart from the twins, Morgan is themon ground between us. Since he has attacked mypany, I¡¯m sure there¡¯s a space for us to put our heads together and resolve this issue once and for all."


    "You know she might not need your help with Morgan, in fact, she might deny the coboration..."


    Sandro nudged Zane roughly on the shoulder. "Stop being pessimistic. Let¡¯s take it one step at a time. When we get to that bridge, we¡¯ll cross it."


    As they walked out of the office and into the elevator, Ewan hoped that Athena would agree to work with him, would include him in her ns. Because surely there must be a solid strategy for eradicating Morgan from their lives... Athena was too meticulous.


    Of course, he could easily call on his old gang for help, or utilize the connections he had with some legalistic services, to do away with Morgan for daring to threaten hispany. It could all be done with just a snap of his fingers, but he wanted Athena...


    He wanted to work with Athena, rather.

 Chapter 237: Long Night

    <h4>Chapter 237: Long Night</h4>


    "Do you think the extra gifts were necessary, Ewan?" Zane asked, his voiceced with curiosity as he watched Sandro empty the car of the items they had just purchased from the store.


    "Sure, the twins would¡ªor rather, might¡ªbe excited when they see the newest advanced LEGO set you¡¯ve brought, along with the castle set, but theic books and paint materials..."


    He paused, his gaze drifting to Sandro, who was wrestling with an overflowing array of bags. "I don¡¯t think that was a tactical move on your part. I¡¯ve never seen anything like that around their house. I think they¡¯re past that stage..."


    Ewan remained silent at first, absorbing Zane¡¯s words as he began to collect some of the items from Sandro.


    The weight of the conversation hung in the air, and then Zane nudged his left shoulder, as if urging him to engage. Reluctantly, Ewan epted that this was not a rhetorical question.


    "No matter how intelligent they are, Zane, they¡¯re still kids. Not older than six. Sometimes, they need to loosen up a bit. It can¡¯t be all puzzles and codes, building something or cracking some secret." Ewan sighed deeply, as if releasing not just air, but the burden of expectation.


    "Sometimes, they should just... be kids. But if they don¡¯t want it, they can always give it to Kendra. She seems like fun. At least, I gleaned that from the profile Spider sent us a few days ago."


    Zane scoffed, a smirk ying at the corners of his mouth. "Have you forgotten the end part of the profile? The girl is no longer in the country. Luca took her away, apanied by her grandmother, Margeret."


    Ewan bit his lower lip, the reality of the situation sinking in. "Oh well... let¡¯s see how it goes." His heart began to pick up the pace as they approached the imposing tall gates. He suddenly halted dramatically, recalling something important. "Sandro, where¡¯s the other package? The one I got for Athena?"


    "Here..." Sandro muttered, his voice strained as both hands were full.


    Zane, carrying fewer items, stepped over to him and carefully extracted the sizable bag, ensuring not to upset Sandro¡¯s bnce to the point that everything would tumble to the ground.


    Passers-by on the street nced curiously at the trio, surely questioning if they had received the Christmas memote.


    "What¡¯s even inside here?" Zane asked, peering into the bag. "You never mentioned it after you excused yourself to buy it. Is it a perfume?" As he inspected its contents, his brows raised to his hairline in confusion upon discovering a set of fiction books by one ¡¯Coleen.¡¯


    "I can¡¯t believe my eyes, Ewan..." Heughed in disbelief. "You got a set of fiction for Athena? Dude! What is wrong with you?! Didn¡¯t you see maybe a designer dress or something?"


    Ewan wetted his lips, the words catching in his throat. He didn¡¯t know how to respond.


    Athena had neverined about thest book gift he had given her, so he had assumed she enjoyed it¡ªan assumption borne when he had spotted a couple of the Coleen¡¯s books in her room after driving her away from his mansion six years ago.


    These ones weren¡¯t signed like the previous ones, but at least it was still a Coleen book, right?


    Zane shook his head sorrowfully afterward, prompting Ewan to wonder if he had made yet another foolish mistake. Perhaps Athena wasn¡¯t keen on these books at all. Maybe she would prefer designer gowns. Didn¡¯t Zane know her better?


    Yet, even if he had wanted to gift Athena a gown as a gift, how would he have gotten in touch with Areso so quickly? The famous designer had turned down a contract with hispany without offering a reason!


    Ewan wasn¡¯t sure if it was due to his troubled history with Athena or something else entirely.


    "Stop thinking so much, Ewan. I¡¯m sure Athena and the kids will appreciate your thoughtfulness. Moreso, you also got gifts for Old Mr. Thorne and his wife. You¡¯ve done your best; hopefully, it will be worth it. Personally, I think it will be. Let¡¯s just go in," Sandro offered, shing an encouraging smile before turning to Zane.


    "As for you, stop bbering and press the button. My hands are getting wearier with what I¡¯m carrying."


    Zane pouted¡ªa sight Ewan would have loved to capture if his own hands were free¡ªand turned his attention back to the gate, pressing the button.


    They heard a bell-like sound ding inside, followed by the appearance of several men dressed in ckbat uniforms. One even startled Zane by appearing suddenly from behind them.


    "What the hell! Stop sneaking around!" Zane shrilled, unable to mask his astonishment as he came face-to-face with an agent who struggled to keep his amusement in check.


    "I apologize, sirs. Just doing my job," The agent replied smoothly.


    Zane hissed softly, pivoting as he heard the gate click open.


    "Come in, gentlemen," Another agent, the one who had opened the gate, spoke, having recognized them at once.


    Without further ado, Ewan and his friends stepped through the gates of the Thorne mansion, each eager to witness the twins¡¯ reaction to their carefully chosen gifts.


    Ewan took his time though, allowing his eyes to sweep over the mansion. He admitted to himself it hadn¡¯t changed much since thest time he had visited¡ªsometime before he had lost his parents.


    The memories flooded back; he remembered how his mother would often visit Old Mr. Thorne, sometimes ying the role of his dead daughter, just to help the old man through his loneliness.


    His lips pressed into a thin line as he recalled, for the thousandth time, how gullible he had been, choosing Alfonso over Mr. Thorne.


    The butler was waiting by the door, ready to usher them inside.


    "Good afternoon, sirs. Please, this way. Everyone is waiting for you..."


    Ewan wanted to inquire just who "everyone" meant, but thought better of it; there was no need to spike his heart rate unnecessarily.


    However, when he entered therge sitting room, where ¡¯everyone¡¯ was indeed seated, he wished he had actually asked; he would have prepared himself better. For there, amidst the people, was Athena, resting her headfortably on Antonio¡¯s shoulder.


    One of the male¡¯s arms was draped across her shoulders, while his other hand held hers delicately. They seemed deeply engrossed in conversation, sharing knowing smiles that illuminated their faces, utterly oblivious to the presence of Ewan and his friends, unlike the other guests in the room.

 Chapter 238: Long Night II

    <h4>Chapter 238: Long Night II</h4>


    <i>What is he doing here?</i> That was the first thought that raced through Ewan¡¯s mind as he watched Antonio rub slow circles on Athena¡¯s hands.


    A wave of frustration washed over him, apanied by a slight tremor in his hands and a dull, painful thud of his heart that seemed to sync with his simmering anger and jealousy.


    Zane nudged him subtly, a familiar, silent reminder to keep his cool, to breathe, and to temper the emotions threatening to spill over.


    "Ewan, what a lovely sight!" Florence eximed, oblivious of the gathering tension in the room, her voice bright with enthusiasm as she sprang to her feet and hurried over to him.


    Her hands were warm andforting as she pinched his cheeks, just as she had done so many times during his childhood.


    Ewan couldn¡¯t help but let out a muffledugh, which drew a soft giggle from Kathleen, who was watching¡ªamused¡ªat the spectacle, right before she felt Nathaniel¡¯s palm on her thigh.


    Ewan¡¯s expression was moreical as he tried to free his cheeks which were squeezed and drawn apart byFlorence¡¯s strong grasp¡ªmaking Old Mr. Thorneugh out loud, unable to suppress the emotion any longer.


    Gianna, who had determined, seconds ago, not to let Zane¡¯s presence spoil her joyful mood, joined in theughter too. She was in high spirits after all. She had sessfully bagged a delightful new contract that had her bouncing with energy, eager to celebrate.


    "Good afternoon, ma¡¯am..." Ewan greeted once he was finally freed from Florence¡¯s grip, followed closely by his friends.


    The room then erupted into a flurry of greetings, hands shaking,ughter echoing as the awkwardness of the moment dissolved. Even Aiden, who had worn a foul mood since earlier in the day, seemed to set it aside as he anticipated the drama this evening might bring.


    Kathleen and Nathaniel, however, didn¡¯t know to navigate this waters that was knowing their father. They hadn¡¯t greeted him, neither had they acknowleged his greetings. Not really...except a barely seen curt nod would count as one.


    "So, Ewan, what do we have here?" Old Mr. Thorne called out when the atmosphere began to dip into awkward silence, a momentarypse after Florence excused herself to discuss dinner arrangements with the servants.


    Ewan swallowed hard, shooting furtive nces at his two friends, the weight of expectations pressing on him. Finally, he gestured to the bags before him, his heart racing just a little faster. "Gifts for the kids, their mother, you, and your wife..."


    "What about me?" Gianna interjected yfully, raising an eyebrow in mock disbelief.


    The intensity of her gaze nearly took Ewan¡¯s breath away, but the smirk ying on her lips revealed she was merely teasing.


    Relief washed over him as he broke into a nervousugh, nervously rubbing his hands together. He inwardly chided himself for the level of anxiety he felt in front of this familiar group of people.


    "Well, I owe you one then, Gianna. Do you have anything in mind?" Ewan offered, trying to smooth over his nerves with a confident smile.


    Beside him, Zane¡¯s sharp intake of breath sent a small jolt of rm through Ewan, but he was hopeful that his friend would manage to control his mouth and feelings in this moment. He had brought them along for support, not to create additional drama.


    "Well, an Areso gown would be nice," Gianna replied, an innocent yet mischievous twinkle dancing in her eyes.


    Ewan opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted when Zane scoffed bitterly, the tension in the room thickening once more. Ewan turned and shot a re at him, silently urging his friend to reel it in.


    "I will be outside. Need to make a call," Zane dered, avoiding Ewan¡¯s gaze but knowing full well he had stepped in it. He quickly rose from his chair and excused himself, striding toward the door without another word.


    An ufortable silence settled over the room once Zane exited, punctuated only by the soft rustle of clothing and subtle nces exchanged. Gianna busied herself with her phone, feigning interest as the tension mounted.


    Athena sighed softly, her gaze drifting between Ewan and her children. She could see the beads of sweat forming on Ewan¡¯s forehead, despite the air conditioning sting in the room. The twins, too, wore expressions that betrayed their difort, as if they were seated on hot coals.


    And there was Old Mr. Thorne, regarding her with a knowing look; a plea.


    Athena sighed again, sensing she would need to break the ice. Ewan had mmed up, tongue-tied and unable to find his footing.


    "Aren¡¯t you going to check out your own gift, old man?" She began, her tone light, immediately Florence returned.


    Florence, who had re-joined them, wore a bright smile and her eyes sparkled with happiness. A bystander might have mistakenly thought she had found her lost son.


    "Ewan got you a gift? What about me?" She eximed, just as Athena had guessed.


    Ewan chuckled softly, feeling the tension in his shoulders rx just a little. "Yours is there..." He said, gesturing toward the gifts stacked nearby.


    Immediately, Florence ambled over to the gift he indicated, her excitement palpable as she picked it up. She also grabbed her husband¡¯s gift, wisely leaving the other items in their original positions.


    "Oh my... I love this! So you do remember my love for vintage jewelry..." Florence eximed happily, her fingers gently caressing the exquisite Victorian pieces nestled within the antique box.


    Beside her, Old Mr. Thorne lit up with satisfaction as he received his own gift from Ewan. He couldn¡¯t unveil it here; it was a shiny antique pistol, a rare Remington model!


    Old Mr. Thorne cradled the object lovingly, a glimmer of nostalgia in his eyes, increasing the curiosity among the audience who remained in suspense, unaware of what gift had prompted such joy.


    The twins, particrly intrigued, subtly leaned forward in their seats, eager to discover what had captivated their grandfather sopletely, yet they didn¡¯t want to give Ewan the satisfaction of believing his gift had moved mountains.


    Hence, they remained nted in their seats, struggling with curiosity, mirroring their mother¡¯s own apprehension.


    "Where is Athena¡¯s gift?" Antonio asked next, impatience coloring his voice when he could no longer hold back.


    Ewan opened his mouth, ready to tell him that it was none of his concern; but before he could do so, Sandro, sensing the mounting frustration radiating from his friend, blurted out, "Right there." He even pointed directly at it, making things all the more awkward.


    Athena furrowed her eyebrows, ncing between Ewan and Sandro, confusion etched on her features. She hesitated in picking the gift, her expression questioning their motives.


    Gianna, fueled by a yful spirit, rose from her seat with a mischievous smile, shaking off any remaining bad moods. She strolled over to the gifts and retrieved Athena¡¯s offering with dramatic ir.


    "What¡¯s it?" Antonio drawled, a bored expression settling on his features as he leaned back in his chair.


    Ewan¡¯s anticipation spiked as he watched Gianna peer into the bag. The seconds stretched on, each moment filled with mounting tension as he clutched mentally at his heart, praying that Athena¡¯s response would not bring his earlier fears to fruition. <i>Please</i><i>let</i><i>it</i><i>be</i><i>well</i><i>received.</i>


    "Books," Gianna proimed, with a raised eyebrow.


    Antonio¡¯sughter erupted then and echoed through the room, causing Ewan¡¯s face to flush deep crimson with shame and embarrassment.


    "Books? Who gets a woman books?" Antonioughed the more, his incredulity ringing clear.


    Unconsciously, Ewan bowed his head, wishing for the ground to open up and swallow him whole. Hadn¡¯t Zane warned him?


    Beside him, Sandro gritted his teeth, his growing annoyance palpable. "It¡¯s the thought that counts, Antonio," He defended, his voice low but firm, trying to salvage the moment.


    "Still... books? Are you broke, Ewan?" Antonio teased, theughter still dancing in his voice, reviving the tension that hung in the air.

 Chapter 239: Long Night III

    <h4>Chapter 239: Long Night III</h4>


    <strong>Athena lifted her head from Antonio¡¯s shoulder, cutting his mockingughter short. </strong>


    <strong>She took her lower lip in slowly, trying to understand why she felt so guilt-pricked at the sight of Ewan looking so downcast. Was it because Mr. and Mrs. Thorne were regarding her with a plea and a taint of sorrow? Or was it something else?</strong>


    <strong>She looked at her children. They appeared just as confused as she was. However, Kathleen¡¯s face was also besotted with another emotion¡ªpity.</strong>


    <strong> Athena chewed on her lower lip and realized she needed to salvage the situation because it was quite bad. Ewan was here to see the children, not to get humiliated.</strong>


    <strong>"What is the name of the book?" She finally spoke, retrieving her hand from Antonio¡¯s grip and breaking the tense silence. If she felt bad about this, then it was bad. </strong>


    <strong>Ewan might have done a lot of things, but at this moment, she needed to cut him some ck. Moreover, there had to be a reason for why he had gotten her books. </strong>


    <strong>She recalled thest gift he had given her, and her brow furrowed now as she watched Gianna peer into the gift bag again. Her heart rate picked up as a knowing feeling rose within her¡ªcould it be Coleen¡¯s?</strong>


    <strong>She nodded slowly in resignation, looking at Ewan a secondter, when Gianna met her gaze and spoke up. "It¡¯s from your favorite author, Coleen Hoover." </strong>


    <strong>Of course, Athena thought, not sure what to do with the varying feelings swelling up within her, especially as Ewan¡¯s head remained bowed. Antonio¡¯sugh must have dealt a significant blow to his ego. </strong>


    <strong>Yet, wasn¡¯t that why she had wanted Antonio here? To destroy whatever hope Ewan had concerning her and the children?</strong>


    <strong>"Ewan, thank you. Old Mr. Thorne is right. You give thoughtful gifts," She said, getting to her feet, epting the gift from Gianna. A smile touched her lips when she saw the titles of the books¡ªthey were the recent releases from the author.</strong>


    <strong>When she looked at Ewan again, he was looking at her this time, with relief. </strong>


    <strong>"I¡¯m d you liked it. But if you want an Areso gown..."</strong>


    <strong>Athena chuckled before she could help it. "No, I don¡¯t. This is perfect. Thank you very much. I¡¯ve wanted these books for a while." She paused, curtailing her excitement¡ªshe didn¡¯t want to send the message that she was very cool with him now. "So, what did you get for the twins?"</strong>


    <strong>Ewan wetted his lips as the nervousness returned, sping his hands tight, causing a furrow to mar Athena¡¯s forehead, as well as the twins¡¯. </strong>


    <strong>This time, Sandro, eager to get this over and done with, so that his friend could breathe easier, got to his feet and sauntered over to the remaining packages. He started with Kathleen¡¯s.</strong>


    <strong>The little girl¡¯s mouth formed an ¡¯O¡¯ when Sandro brought out the castle puzzle and set, followed by the paint materials, including a canvas. </strong>


    <strong>Buoyed by surprise and excitement, she stood up slowly, ignoring her brother¡¯s whispered angry calls, and met Sandro halfway. "Is it for me?" She asked, her voice barely over a whisper.</strong>


    <strong>Sandro smiled and nodded. "Yes, beautiful one. What do you think of it?"</strong>


    <strong>Kathleen pursed her lips, darting a sharp nce at her mother. Athena gave her a small nod, a smile still ying on her lips.</strong>


    <strong> Kathleen smiled widely and bobbled her head, grabbing the painting brush set from Sandro first, her eyes twinkling. "Thank you! How do you know I love drawing? It¡¯s more like a secret hobby... only Nathaniel knows of it..." Thest part was muttered but loud enough for everyone to hear.</strong>


    <strong>Athena looked at Ewan, this time as if he was an interesting puzzle she was trying to solve. How did he know to get Kathleen a painting set? She nced at Nathaniel, who was as shocked as his sister. </strong><strong><i>Interesting.</i></strong>


    <strong>"Thank you, Mr. Sandro..." Kathleen gushed, looking over the set in her hands.</strong>


    <strong>But Sandro shook his head, smiling and gesturing to Ewan. "Your father bought it."</strong>


    <strong>Kathleen was left stomped immediately. She looked as though she didn¡¯t know what to do with that answer. Her hand gripped the material tightly as she pondered within herself if it was okay to hug this man who shared the same blood with her. </strong>


    <strong>He had hurt her in many ways, yet, at this moment, holding proof of his thoughtfulness in her hands, she wondered if maybe... if maybe it was okay to give him a chance. Was she too quick to forgive?</strong>


    <strong>She swallowed, aware of the tension brimming in the room, aware of the pressure on her little shoulders. </strong>


    <strong>She sneaked a look at Ewan; he was staring at her with hope shining in his eyes. Thinking of crushing that hope, of snubbing him like she had done earlier, made her feel ufortable. </strong>


    <strong>So, she walked slowly to him, her breath catching as she halted before him, with her hands still clutching the paintbrush set like a lifeline.</strong>


    <strong>"I..." She paused, then exhaled. "Thank you for the gift, Mr. Ewan." </strong>


    <strong>It wasn¡¯t ¡¯father,¡¯ but Ewan was okay with it; his daughter was talking with him. Overexcitement had him clenching his thighs so that he wouldn¡¯t hug her to himself and inhale her scent which he knew would be calming... like her mother¡¯s...</strong>


    <strong>"You are wee, Kathleen. It was a pleasure." He managed to keep his voice calm and collected, while his heart raced.</strong>


    <strong>Some feet away, Athena watched, surprised by the relief flooding through her when Kathleen offered a small smile before hurrying back to Sandro, who helped her move the packages to the side of the room. </strong>


    <strong>All eyes fell on Nathaniel next.</strong>


    <strong> The little boy pressed his lips in a thin line, not in a hurry to get out of his seat. Instead, he folded his hands across his chest, his eyes focused on his mother as if seeking her permission, or rather, informing her that he wasn¡¯t interested.</strong>


    <strong>Athena sighed tiredly, wishing they were not surrounded by family and friends. It would have been easier for Ewan, for her, and for the children. This crowd, as familiar as it was, was putting pressure on her family.</strong>


    <strong>"Nathaniel..."</strong>


    <strong>Hearing the note of warning in his mother¡¯s voice, Nathaniel grumpily got up from his seat and strolled nkly to Sandro, who stood in the same position. </strong>


    <strong>"What does he have for me?" Nathaniel asked coldly, his hands still folded across his chest, a frown masking his handsome little face.</strong>


    <strong>Sandro stared at the young boy, wishing he could tell him that sometimes it was better to forgive than to hold onto grievances, because life was too short. </strong>


    <strong>Not speaking to his own father andcking closure before thetter passed was one of the regrets he had, and he didn¡¯t want that for Nathaniel. </strong>


    <strong>He would have loved to speak with Nate, but they had an audience. So, he squatted before thed, meeting his gaze steadily, amazed at the striking resemnce thetter bore with Ewan; they even shared the same cold countenance.</strong>


    <strong>"Nate..." Sandro paused, shook his head, and thought better of it. This was not the time. He turned to the remaining package and carefully tore it open. The LEGO set came out first.</strong>


    <strong>Nathaniel disyed no hint of emotion, sinking a stone in Ewan¡¯s heart. His son was very much like him. </strong>


    <strong>Self-pity quickly progressed to anger when he saw Antonio smiling. </strong>


    <strong>What was funny? Did Antonio tell his son to be unresponsive to his gift? Ewan sighed in resignation. No need toy me on anyone else¡ªhe had done this to himself.</strong>


    <strong>However, hope sparked within him when Nate raised an eyebrow as Sandro brought out theic books. </strong>


    <strong>That hope died as quick as it arrived though, when Antonio startedughing again. </strong>


    <strong>"First books, nowics? Are you trying to dull his brain?"</strong>


    <strong>"And what is that to you?" Ewan asked, his eyes shing with impatience, unable to contain his anger anymore as he sprang to his feet.</strong>


    <strong>"Ewan..." Sandro tried to pacify his friend, but the tension already hung in the air.</strong>


    <strong>Just then, Zane entered the room, halting as he assessed the mounting tension. When had things gone south? </strong>


    <strong>His gaze flitted to Athena; she was ring at Antonio. What had happened? What did Mr. Loverboy do? He wondered, before ncing at Ewan again.</strong>


    <strong>"What is that to me?" Antonio reasserted, entirely focused on Ewan. Heughed again with disbelief. "That is my son, that¡¯s what! He bears my name in case you¡¯ve forgotten!"</strong>


    <strong>Ewan shrank back, as if given a blow. He staggered, his leg hitting the sofa. He furrowed his brows, looking lost, as he grabbed his phone and staggered past Zane toward the exit. </strong>


    <strong>But Florence would rather die than allow this tension to linger. "Ewan, please..." She cried out, hurrying over to him. "Don¡¯t mind Antonio. He can be a bit rash..."</strong>


    <strong>"I..."</strong>


    <strong>"That¡¯s enough, Antonio," Athena spoke aloud, shocking him and everyone else in the room, including Ewan. </strong>


    <strong>Old Mr. Thorne sighed in relief. There were many ways he would have preferred to resolve this situation, but it wasn¡¯t in his ce, even though it was happening in his house. Athena had the final say.</strong>


    <strong>"But..." Antonio began, but Athena raised her hand, silencing him. He opened his mouth stilll, to speak again but then closed it, numbed with shock.</strong>


    <strong>"We are all aware that Ewan came here to see the kids; it was agreed in court. I suggest that we be civil, at least." She turned to Nathaniel. "Do you like theic books? Do you want it? Tell the truth, Nate."</strong>


    <strong>Nathaniel, bbergasted, turned to his father. "I do like them, Mom. I have always wantedic books, but I didn¡¯t think you would want that for me."</strong>

 Chapter 240: Long Night IV

    <h4>Chapter 240: Long Night IV</h4><subtxt> Athena balled her fists at her sides, frustration coursing through her as she processed Nathaniel¡¯s words.


    She wasn¡¯t entirely sure what it was, but both his and Kate¡¯sments made her realize she had been neglecting her duties in a certain area.


    Did they really think they couldn¡¯t haveic books or painting materials? How could she not know that her children loved these things? And now Nathaniel was saying he thought she wouldn¡¯t let him have them?


    What ignited that thought pattern within him? When had she ever expressed that she didn¡¯t want them to have fun?


    Nathaniel, who had been staring at his father in confusion¡ªbaffled at how Ewan had also figured out his wants¡ªturned to his mother, shrinking back immediately upon seeing her disapproving expression.


    The poor boy felt the weight of his mother¡¯s disappointment, convinced she was upset with him for admitting his feelings aloud. Cursing himself internally, he reluctantly stretched out theic books to Sandro. "My words were false earlier. I don¡¯t likeic books."


    "Now, that¡¯s my boy!" Antonio cheered, throwing a fist in the air as if he had just won a milestone victory.


    His enthusiasm echoed through the room, but Athena felt nothing but annoyance as she wiped a hand across her brow, heart racing with anger and disbelief, especially as Ewan suddenly looked worn out again.


    "What are you doing, Nathaniel? Do you think it¡¯s a joke to mess with someone¡¯s feelings?" She asked hotly, her voice rising a notch, no longer bothering to re at Antonio.


    "Eh..." Nathaniel stuttered, ncing at his sister, who was staring at him with an expression he couldn¡¯t quite grasp. He felt lost and confused. He didn¡¯t understand his mother either.


    Had he truly misread her earlier countenance? He sighed, folding inward and withdrawing his outstretched hands. "I¡¯m sorry." He quickly turned to Ewan and added, "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Ewan. Thank you for the gifts. I really like them..."


    "You¡¯re wee, Nathaniel. But why did you turn them down? You know, if you don¡¯t like them, you can let me¡ª"


    "I do like them. I just..." Nathaniel interrupted, his voice faltering momentarily, realizing his next words were unprepared.


    "He¡¯s just way above it," Antonio chimed in, causing Athena to raise her brows in sheer anger.


    Was Antonio behind this absurd idea? Telling her children they couldn¡¯t have fun because they were "above it"?


    "He is six, Antonio," Aiden interjected suddenly, speaking for the first time since the meeting began. He had been quietly observing everything unfold around him, making mental notes.


    He has deduced that Ewan¡¯s paternal instincts were indeed sharp. Wasn¡¯t he a father himself? The ability to read one¡¯s children, to anticipate their true needs, was a crucial aspect of being a nurturing parent. Ewan had been able to do that, without even having a strong rtionship with the children, and it goes a long way to exin something good about him. Maybe, he was actually redeemable.


    "Yes, true. But Nate is a genius, and doesn¡¯t needics to dull his brain, neither does Kathleen need the painting materials..."


    Kathleen pressed her lips tightly, hugging the painting materials as if they were a lifeline, her fingers curling around them protectively.


    Athena¡¯s mouth, however, fell open. So, Antonio was behind this stupid thought pattern her children had developed. That because they were geniuses, they didn¡¯t needics and painting. Was that why they didn¡¯t even watch cartoons?


    Though she had noticed a loosening up when they had moved here, she had thought it just excitement, and nothing more. But she understood things more clearly now¡ªAntonio really had a far reaching influence on her kids.


    Yet, how could she have been blind to this?


    She darted a nce at Aiden, he gave her a curt understanding nod, then spoke: "Comics and a painting hobby won¡¯t dull their brains, Antonio. It would only open their minds to more creativity."


    Around them, the other adults exchanged surprised nces, unsure how to react to the tense atmosphere that had suddenly filled the room.


    Ewan¡¯s thoughts raced as he almost asked Athena why she had chosen someone like Antonio¡ªwho seemed intent on turning his children into robots¡ªto be the children¡¯s father. Yet he restrained himself, aware that it might only add fuel to the fire. He had brought this nonsense upon himself to start with, hence he chose silence, watching intently for Athena¡¯s response.


    Would she side with Antonio, especially as thetter scoffed ungracefully at Aiden¡¯s words?


    "I don¡¯t think so, Aiden. The only games they should keep busy with are puzzles and..."


    "Antonio..." Athena was facing down as she called out Antonio¡¯s name, but everyone in the room could sense therge bouts of anger emanating from her.


    Antonio immediately shut his mouth, nostrils ring when he realized she was angry at him, and not for him.


    "You told my kids that I wouldn¡¯t want them having a bit of fun?"


    Antonio shook his head immediately.


    Athena inhaled and exhaled deeply. She needed to control herself however angry she was. Antonio was still her friend, she couldn¡¯t bash him in public. "Nate and Kate, please spend some time with Mr. Ewan, alone. I¡¯m sure he has some things to tell you. Antonio meet me outside."


    Without much ado, without waiting to see if her words were being taken with a pinch is salt, Athena walked out of the room.


    "Aren¡¯t you going after her?" Aiden asked Antonio, who was still consumed with shock at the turn of events.


    Athena should be for him, and not against him! Antonio thought. However, he followed her out, without saying a word of reply to Aiden, not even a nce.


    Silence returned to the room then, silence streaked with tension because the twins didn¡¯t know how to go about speaking to their father, and Ewan was still preparing his words carefully, for he thought: "I can¡¯t mess up this chance with them."


    Meanwhile, outside the room, near the porch, a deeper, more unsettling silence loomed between Athena and Antonio.


    "What¡¯s going on, Athena? Did I read the signs wrong?" Antonio finally broke the silence.


    But Athena gave him no response, her face a mask of stoicism, eyes cast away.


    Antonio sighed and closed the distance between them, cing his hands on her shoulders, seeking to bridge the growing chasm. But she shrugged him off without hesitation.


    "Why did you inform me toe here then? Was it not to quench whatever hope Ewan has of making a connection between you two, between the children? Why are you angry at me and not him?" Antonio was instantly frustrated, his confusion spilling over into annoyance.


    With the crisp air wrapping around them, Athena turned to face him, their faces mere inches apart.


    Unlike Antonio, who warred against the burgeoning intimacy of their stances, she remained resolute.


    "That¡¯s beside the point, Antonio. Yes, I brought you here as a support system, but what did you tell my children about my views on fun? Why would you do such a thing?" Her voice rose with each heated question.


    Over and over, she had tried to pinpoint when things had gone awry, when her children had started to believe she wouldn¡¯t support their choices in hobbies that didn¡¯t involve high-level brain exercises.


    She finally decided on those moments when she had been so busy with one mission or another, when she had left them in the care of Gianna and Antonio, at intervals. And because Gianna sometimes went to work, the duty had fallen on Antonio, considering he wasn¡¯t really active in his father¡¯spany then.


    If she had known he was feeding her children misguided concepts, she might have reconsidered allowing him that level of influence in their lives. Athena cursed under her breath in regret. <i>But</i><i>better</i><ite</i><i>than</i><i>never, </i>the thought flickered in her mind.


    "Your kids are geniuses, Athena," Antonio started slowly, his tone turning more serious. "High-level ones. I have tested their capabilities¡ªnot just once, but several times..."


    Athena¡¯s mouth fell open slightly, shock coursing through her veins. What tests were those? Why hadn¡¯t the twins informed her?


    Trust. As the thought settled, she realized they trusted him, perhaps a little too much.


    "They can change the world, just like you are doing, but at a much younger age. They have the potential to do anything they set their minds to! Haven¡¯t you noticed their skills withputers?" Antonio continued, enthusiasm bubbling in his voice.


    Athena shivered involuntarily, her heart pounding. Did Antonio know about the children¡¯s online friends? And what was this overambitious tone she detected? What were his true intentions concerning her children? Had she made a mistake letting him take on a fatherly role in their lives?


    Questions whirled in her mind, fanning the mes of anger and doubt within her.


    However, when he touched her cheek, rubbing it softly, gently, she eased off, remembering all the things he had done for her, how he had supported her when she needed it the most. He was a good friend like Aiden. Yet, on the subject of her children...


    "Athena, I love you, and I love the children. So much. There¡¯s no way I will teach them wrong. They are like mine. And they don¡¯t needic books and painting materials. They need more guidance to groom their sharp brains."


    Athena shook her head vigorously, pushing his hand away from her cheek, a firm resolution settling in her features. "I understand your point, Antonio. But, please, I would prefer my children to follow their passions, not yours. Don¡¯t do this again. If Nate wantsic books, he gets them. And if Kate wants to paint, then she shall."


    A heavy pause.


    "What kind of mother am I when I don¡¯t know my children¡¯s real hobbies?" She asked softly, the crack in her voice betraying her inner turmoil.


    "I¡¯m sorry," Antonio said calmly, pulling her into a gentle embrace, eager to soothe her. "I made a mistake. It won¡¯t happen again. Forgive me?"</subtxt>

 Chapter 241: Long Night V

    <h4>Chapter 241: Long Night V</h4>


    <i>Forgive him?</i>


    Athena snorted softly, humor flickering in her eyes. Like she could genuinely hold a grudge against Antonio. After all, this was the first time in a long while that he had gotten her this annoyed.


    "All right, Antonio. Just promise me you won¡¯t do this again, that you won¡¯t misguide my children..."


    "I promise." Antonio said without hesitation, dropping a kiss on her forehead. "So, we cool?"


    Athena chuckled, her anger easing offpletely as warmth spread through her at the gesture. "Yeah, we cool. Let¡¯s head in. I¡¯m starving."


    The promise of food redirected her thoughts to her children¡¯s conversation with Ewan. How was that even going?


    Well, it wasn¡¯t going exactly well; it wasn¡¯t even going.


    Left in a single room with the twins, Ewan still didn¡¯t know the words to say.


    After Athena and Antonio had left the room, Old Mr. Thorne, unable to bear the silence any longer, had taken over the situation. Without much ado, he had spoken up and led Ewan and the kids into one of the numerous visitors¡¯ rooms, then took the other adults to therger dining room, where supper was being served.


    Now, Ewan and his children were left staring at each other, an atmosphere thick with uncertainty hanging between them.


    Just then, Ewan¡¯s phone rang, its shrill tone slicing through the awkward atmosphere.


    "Excuse me..." He muttered to the children, who said nothing but shared furtive nces, their eyes exchanging unspoken concerns about this peculiar meeting.


    "Sandro, is there a problem?" Ewan whispered, choosing his words carefully as he felt a flutter of anxiety flit in his chest.


    Kathleen couldn¡¯t help but stifle a small giggle, finding amusement in the hushed nature of her father¡¯s conversation. Why was he whispering?


    "Not at all. I¡¯m just checking in. I hope you have started speaking with them?" Sandro inquired from the other end.


    Ewan removed the phone from his ear for a quick moment to furrow his brows in confusion. How had Sandro be so adept at reading between the lines?


    "Hello... hello..." Ewan heard distinctly, and he quickly pressed the phone back to his ear. "Not yet."


    "Thought as much..." Sandro muttered knowingly. "If you don¡¯t know what to start with, you can begin with their academics. Ask about their best subjects and all..." There was a brief pause before Sandro continued, "I¡¯m sure more topics will spring up from there."


    "Thank you, Sandro, for the tip," Ewan replied, grateful for the insight.


    "And Ewan, rx. They are your children, never mind what the legal documents say. Rx and talk with them."


    Ewan nodded, a sense of determination stirring within him as he ended the call. Thest thread of uncertainty still tugged at his heart, but he steeled himself. It was time to bridge that gap.


    "Why was Mr. Sandro calling? Is there any problem?" Nathaniel asked, reclining deeper into the sofa he shared with Kathleen, his face a nk te.


    Ewan shook his head faster than usual, the gesture punctuating his desire to remain calm. He cursed himself silently the next moment, feeling a rush of self-reproach.


    Wasn¡¯t he a strong man? He had conquered gangs, faced rivals in the business world, and held conversations with world leaders. Yet here he was, feeling nervous in front of six-year-olds, in front of his own children.


    He wetted his lips, gazing lovingly at the twins, whose physical qualities still astonished him. They were so much like him, reminders of a legacy he had yet to im. They hade from his loins! That was something to be proud of, wasn¡¯t it?


    "Mr. Ewan..." Kathleen¡¯s soft voice broke through his thoughts, bringing him back to the moment.


    He smiled at her, wishing he could envelop her in a warm hug, wondering if that would be a possible feat in the current atmosphere.


    "Not at all. Sandro was just checking in, wanting to know how it¡¯s going over here... you know the talks and all."


    "I like Mr. Sandro," Kathleen muttered, her hands still clutching the painting materials tightly, her head bowing shyly.


    Ewan smiled, warmth blooming in his chest. "I like him too."


    "Is he your best friend? What about Uncle Zane?" Nathaniel asked, tilting his head.


    Ewan pursed his lips at Nathaniel¡¯s question. Best friend?


    While growing up, Fiona had earned that title by being the closest person to him until he met Zane during one of the council meetings. Their shared values had forged a deep bond and they had be best friends, with Zane even getting along with Fiona. But Sandro had been a different case altogether.


    Meeting at college, thetter hadn¡¯t met Zane and Fiona untilter. Even then, Sandro had gotten along with both, seeing as the duo were the only friends he had then, until a couple of years back when Sandro had suddenly hated Fiona.


    It took the recent turn of events to understand why. Best friend? Yes, Sandro could foot that bill. He has been a good friend, and a good employee at the same time.


    "Yeah, he is. Zane is too."


    Nathaniel frowned. "You can¡¯t have more than one best friend."


    Ewan shrugged, maintaining a genuine smile¡ªnot patronizing or condescending, but sincere. "Well, who said that? Who made that rule? The dictionary? Or the world? You shouldn¡¯t worry about that. You can have as many best friends as you wish, because as you see, there are a quite a few people you will meet while growing up, special people who will match your intensity orplement it; people who will meet you halfway, or even more than; people who can take a bullet for you, and encourage you in difficult times; people who will take up special spots in your heart, so much so that referring to them as just friends wouldn¡¯t seem alright. And those people can be more than one. For me, I have Zane and Sandro. They have been faithful over the couple of years."


    Nathaniel nodded slowly as if absorbing a sage advice. "I understand. Was Fiona a best friend?"


    Ewan hadn¡¯t expected that question. Clearing his throat after a tense silence, he felt the intensity of the twins¡¯ gaze, and he knew he couldn¡¯t avoid the answer.


    "She was, at one point. But we can see how that had wrecked a lot of lives, especially mine. It¡¯s still one of my worst regrets. You should learn from my mistakes¡ªbe extra careful while picking friends. Be sensitive, even after you¡¯ve chosen them. Sometimes..." He paused, ensuring the weight of his words sank in. "People change."


    "So, are you a changed man now?" Nathaniel pressed further while Kathleen listened closely, her curiosity piqued.


    "Yes, I am," Ewan responded without hesitation, his resolve solidifying. He sped his hands together, feeling a wave of responsibility wash over him as he searched their eager faces.


    Nathaniel and Kathleen exchanged another nce, a knowing nce.


    "So, Mr. Ewan, what¡¯s your n then, for my mother? What¡¯s your n for us?"

 Chapter 242: Long Night VI

    <h4>Chapter 242: Long Night VI</h4>


    Was that a trick question? Ewan wondered, staring keenly at his two children who bore a striking resemnce to him.


    They had been present at the court case which had been held at the council hall, and so they had heard the verdict. They knew he could only see them once a month, they knew that Antonio was their father legally. They also knew about the rtionship between their mother and Antonio. So, why the question? Were they trying to test him?


    Ewan opened his mouth to say the first thing that popped into his mind, then halted, closing his mouth again. He needed to sort his words carefully. He had to ensure they were appropriate before releasing them into the air.


    "My n is to listen to your mother," He finally spoke, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. "What she says goes."


    He continued, "In the council hall, she decided on my visits to be once a month, and that¡¯s what I will work with. I will respect her wishes, which include not bothering her unnecessarily. Yet..."


    There was a pause, and he could feel the curiosity of the children heightening even though they looked calm and collected on the outside.


    "I will not stop trying for more¡ªmore time with you guys, and..." Ewan hesitated, aware of the heat rising in his face and neck. He didn¡¯t think his next words were appropriate for their ears.


    "Don¡¯t worry, you can go on. We have heard a lot of things; I¡¯m sure yours won¡¯t be any different."


    Ewan wasn¡¯t pleased with Nathaniel¡¯s statement. The kids were too young to be subjected to everything, even if they were geniuses.


    Shouldn¡¯t Athena have known that? Gianna too? His eyes narrowed in slight irritation as he wondered what the twins had heard to be soid-back, so self-assured in handling whatever he had to say next.


    "Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s just not for your ears."


    Kathleen pouted, which made him chuckle lightly.


    "So, is there a reason why you asked the question?" He inquired, attempting to regain a sense of control over the conversation.


    Nathaniel shrugged nonchntly. "Not really. Just curious about your intent and purposes."


    Ewan pursed his lips, even their expressions and words were far beyond their age. It made him wish he had met Athena when she was younger, just topare and contrast.


    "I see," He muttered, rubbing his hands together as the nerves kicked in, and silence reigned once again.


    Remembering Sandro¡¯s advice, he thought to ask about their academics. "So, how¡¯s school going? I heard you¡¯re topping your ss."


    "Heard from who?" Nathaniel cut in, raising his left eyebrow, a gesture that added to Ewan¡¯s growing difort.


    Ewan swallowed hard. He had heard from Sandro, who had done his homework, even bribing some of the teachers for information.


    "From Sandro. He asked some questions around," He finally admitted, taking his eyes away from them, not wanting to witness any judgment or disappointment that might flicker across their faces. Given their high IQ, it was safe to say they understood the implications of what he was saying.


    "Do you always tell the truth?"


    Ewan reverted his attention to them when he heard Nathaniel¡¯s question, the weight of it lingering in the air.


    "I try."


    "Probably why Fiona read you as an open book." Kathleen dropped this observation suddenly, causing Ewan to pull back in surprise. He hadn¡¯t seen that¡ªwas it an insult?


    "Sorry?"


    "Sometimes, it¡¯s okay to lie," Nathaniel exined, subtly positioning himself protectively by his sister, as if shielding her from potential conflict.


    Ewan felt a spark of pride.


    "I see. So, back to school. How do you see your school? How are the teachers?"


    "They are okay," Kathleen answered, undeterred by her bluntment from earlier.


    "Which subjects do you prefer, Kathleen?"


    Kathleen pressed her lips together, a bit shy about being the center of her father¡¯s attention. "I like math, history... I think I like everything."


    Ewan chuckled heartily. "Come on, there must be one that gets you excited."


    "That would beputer science and software, then. Though we¡¯re not really taught that in our grade," She replied casually, a hint of disappointment coloring her tone.


    Ewan pursed his lips, the humor dissipating as Antonio¡¯s words echoed in his mind: <i>"They</i><i>are</i><i>good</i><i>with</i><iputers!" </i>


    Were they really that skilled?


    "What can you do on theputer?" He asked, curiosity getting the best of him.


    This time, the twins were hesitant to respond. They exchanged nces, and Ewan could sense a shift in the energy between them, as though they were debating something important.


    "You can trust me," Ewan added gently, hoping to encourage them to share more.


    "Can we?" Nathaniel asked, crossing his arms across his chest defiantly.


    Ewan bobbed his head in affirmation. "Yes, I am wiser now. I¡¯ve made mistakes in the past, been easily swayed, but that¡¯s no longer the situation. Your mother has done wonders for me, both in my health and mentally. I¡¯m sound now, and I won¡¯t be gullible anymore. So, you can trust me. I¡¯m here now. And I promise, I am not going anywhere. I won¡¯t hurt you two either, including your mother."


    "We will hold you to your words then," Nathaniel said, unfolding his arms slightly, eyeing Ewan closely. "Only because you¡¯ve proved yourself thoughtful, with the gifts and all..."


    "And if you fail..." Nathaniel red at Ewan coldly, an intensity in his expression that made Ewan slightly uneasy.


    Ewan wasn¡¯t often intimidated. But in the few instances when he had been, he had never felt as frightened as he did now, looking into his son¡¯s icy eyes¡ªeyes that were his. He couldn¡¯t even exin why Nathaniel¡¯s threat sunk its ws inside him.


    "There won¡¯t be a chance for that," He promised, steeling his resolve. "You can trust me."


    "Okay then," Kathleen chimed in, her voice chirpier, adjusting back to her original self since her brother had given their biological father a favorable score.


    "We are very good withputers. Hacks, codes, all that high-level stuff. We don¡¯t work alone, though. We work with some group in the dark web. Of course, they don¡¯t know our ages."


    Sheughed when she saw Ewan¡¯s shocked face. Nathaniel managed a thin smile beside her.


    For Ewan, he wasn¡¯t sure if he was hearing correctly. When Antonio had mentioned theirputer skills, his mind had gone to typing speed or, at most, tracking skills¡ªgood knowledge of the system. But hacking and coding?


    "Did your mother teach you that?" He finally broke free from his speechlessness.


    The twins shook their heads, clearly proud of their independence.


    "We learned on our own. Though Mommy is good withputers too. I guess we got the genius brains from her." Kathleen replied, tilting her head with confidence. "Because it¡¯s quite obvious that we got only looks from you."

 Chapter 243: Long Night VII

    <h4>Chapter 243: Long Night VII</h4>


    Ewan couldn¡¯t get annoyed at his daughter, not with that cute pouty gesture her mouth was making, while she blinked at him innocently.


    Instead, he chuckled, thoroughly amused. "You have a sharp mouth on you, Kathleen. I¡¯m pleased."


    Heughed, delighted when Kathleen joined in, her giggle infectious.


    The little girl had expected a sharp retort, a rebuke of sorts, just as was customary from elders. But this man here, who seemed genuinely interested in them, wasughing instead.


    Worse still, hisughter was surprisingly contagious¡ªaughter that was simr to hers and Nathaniel¡¯s.


    "You are pleased that she has a sharp mouth? Mother doesn¡¯t think so," Nathaniel interjected, cutting theughter short. Yet, the barely concealed tug at the corners of his lips revealed that he, too, was entertained by their banter.


    "I doubt it," Ewan replied, his eyes wideningically as if the very thought was a revtion. "Your mother has a sharp mouth too. Have you seen her in action?"


    Nathaniel smiled, thinly but genuinely. "I think so. And yes, I get your point."


    The three of them shared smiles again, a brief moment of unity. But then, almost immediately, Nathaniel¡¯s expression changed. A frown creased his brow as he was suddenly overtaken by a cloud of contemtion.


    He realized with a pang that he was actually rxing in the presence of this man, the very man who had hurt his mother so deeply. While he could allow Kathleen this moment of levity, Nathaniel felt he shouldn¡¯t permit himself the same. After all, he was her protector; he couldn¡¯t be swayed too easily.


    Who was to say this man wouldn¡¯t hurt them again?


    Ewan, sensitive to his son¡¯s shifting moods, caught Nathaniel¡¯s eye and winked at him, eliciting a surprised look from the boy, followed by confusion.


    Nathaniel darted a nce at Kathleen, who appeared oblivious to their exchange, blissfully okay with her newfound rapport with their father.


    "Mr. Ewan, you are quite funny. I¡¯ll have to admit that," Nathaniel finally spoke, folding his arms across his chest, his demeanor still guarded.


    Ewan chuckled softly, enjoying the yful banter. "Sandro will be shocked to hear that," he mused, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes.


    Understanding shed through the eyes of the twins.


    "Back to our discussion..." Ewan continued, his tone shifting slightly. "I have to support your statement, Kathleen. You both got your brains from your mother. But your looks? Thosee from yours truly." He smirked, cing his hand on his chest, feigning pride. "Don¡¯t you think that counts for something? No one really fancies an ugly person."


    Kathleen giggled, her approval evident as she gave him a thumbs-up. At that moment, Ewan felt as though he had been gifted the treasures of the world.


    Nathaniel huffed in mock disapproval. "Mother says that what matters is inner beauty..."


    "That is true," Ewan interjected, his voice light, "but one can have both. Or do you wish to trade your physical beauty for something else? Would you prefer to be ugly?"


    Nathaniel grunted in response, his arms remaining crossed defiantly. Kathleen, however, giggled again, earning herself a re from her brother. Yet, Kathleen¡¯s amusement wouldn¡¯t be so easily punctured.


    "Nathaniel is rarely put speechless," She mentioned brightly, nudging her shoulder against her brother¡¯s, as if to encourage him to loosen up.


    Nathaniel huffed but didn¡¯t re or shift away from her touch, and Ewan noted this with a smile; his children valued each other.


    "Speaking of yourputer skills," Ewan transitioned, trying to keep the mood light, "you know hacking and all. Have you put those skills into action before? Antonio mentioned something earlier along those lines..."


    Ewan stopped short when he saw the first notable smile break across Nathaniel¡¯s lips. Yet it wasn¡¯t just the smile that took him aback; it was the slyness apanied by a mischievous glint that sent a shiver through him.


    Without Nathaniel even saying a word, he could already tell that whatever wasing next wouldn¡¯t be pleasing to his ears.


    His gaze flicked to Kathleen, who seemed to share in the conspiratorial glee, her eyes sparkling with mischief. It became clear that both of them were in on something.


    "Well, it seems I have my answer," Ewan said, his curiosity piqued. "Can I have the details, then? Please..." He added thest word when he noticed Nathaniel raising an incredulous brow at him.


    Kathleen pped her hands, eager to share their tale. "We were the ones behind the raid on yourpany¡¯s software some months ago, and a year ago."


    Ewan chuckled and shook his head in disbelief. "That¡¯s impossible. You are pushing it too far. There¡¯s no way that¡ª"


    His words dried up in his mouth when he noticed the twins exchanging nces, both of them crossing their legs simultaneously, obviously relishing his astonishment.


    But how could they be serious?


    He chanted the word "impossible" in his mind as he considered their im. The virus that had infiltrated thepany¡¯s software was cutting-edge, not easily operable by just anyone, let alone children.


    Yet, Ewan shook his head again,ughing disbelievingly. How could six-year-olds hack into a billion-dorpany? The thought was ludicrous.


    But then reality struck him harder than a cold ssh of water: it made sense. They could have done it to retaliate against him for hurting Athena¡ªhe recalled that he had engaged Fiona around the time of that cyber attack.


    But a deeper thought nagged him. Could the cyber attack have happened because he hadn¡¯t even recognized his daughter at that time? Even if that were so, the sheer audacity of the act left him baffled. How could six-year-oldsmit such a significant cybercrime?


    "Haaa! He¡¯s still struggling with the truth!" Kathleen piped up, turning to her brother.


    Nathaniel shrugged his shoulders. "Well, didn¡¯t you just say that he was quite dull in thinking?"


    "Would you me him though? We are not normal," Kathleen murmured.


    "I¡¯ve told you not to use that statement again!" Nathaniel stated firmly. "We are normal. We are just on a higher ne than our age mates."


    Ewan paused, a mixture of confusion and astonishment swirling as he gazed at them.


    "Hey, can you stop looking at us like that?" Nathaniel requested, his tone turning sharp. "You¡¯re making my sister ufortable. Next, she will start thinking we are aliens!"


    "Sorry about that!" Ewan sputtered, struggling to regain hisposure amid his disbelief. He shook his head and stood up, a little anxious.


    "Is it that hard to believe there are child geniuses?"


    Ewan raised an eyebrow at Nathaniel¡¯s question, suddenly stopped his pacing. "So, let¡¯s say you both were actually behind the hack..."


    "It¡¯s either you believe us, or we are out of here," Nathaniel interrupted sharply, his resolve apparent. "I can¡¯t have my sister thinking she is abnormal."


    Ewan paused, pursing his lips as he looked at Kathleen. She was staring at him with an unreadable expression, a depth that certainly didn¡¯t belong to a mere child. Children were supposed to confront you openly, not with this kind of inscrutable look that made his heart ache.


    "Can I see some proof?" Ewan asked, the skepticism in his voice evident.


    "If you need proof to believe us, then there¡¯s no point. We can¡¯t keep providing proof at every turn," Nathaniel shot back, his tone defensive but tinged with hurt.


    Ewan swallowed hard, returning to his seat. "So, you two are behind the hack. What else?" he asked, pushing through the haze of incredulity hanging thick in the air.


    "The papers, the KN, we are behind that too."


    Nathaniel¡¯s revtion left Ewan momentarily speechless.


    His mouth opened to speak, yet only air puffed out. "Is your mother aware of this?" He finally managed to ask after what felt like an eternity.


    The twins nodded.


    Ewan nodded slowly in response while recalling the conversation he had with Athena after the near copse of hispany. She had mentioned speaking to the individual responsible for it all...


    Augh escaped him, holding a mix of shock and resignation that filled the room. So, the person was the twins.


    "Did she ask you two tomit this blunder so she could im some shares in herpany?" He asked without thinking, realizing his mistake as the duo red at him in response.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I just... I just needed some truth to that story."


    "No, she didn¡¯t. We just felt you deserved it," Nathaniel replied coldly.


    Ewan nodded, acknowledging Nathaniel¡¯s response.


    "She was actually upset with us when she found out," Nathaniel continued. "But you know her; she is good at making lemonade out of lemons. It is what pushes her far ahead from her contemporaries."


    "Yeah, that¡¯s true." Ewan muttered, sping his hands together, trying to absorb the staggering amount of knowledge his children possessed. "So, how do you two run the KN paper and manage distribution?"


    He considered the potential ie they must be raking in and shook his head, his mind reeling at the very thought. A few weeks ago, he had worried about covering their expenses, not realizing that the reverse was true¡ªthey were financially thriving.


    No wonder Antonio was ambitious towards them; they were a gold mine.


    "We work with some people. They do the most work. Most of the time, we just bring the ideas¡ªthe hacks too," Nathaniel exined, his tone shifting back to a lighter register.


    "We¡¯re in a group... they don¡¯t know our ages, of course. We stumbled upon them by mistake, or rather, Kathleen stumbled upon them. She¡¯s the real whiz out of the two of us."

 Chapter 244: Long Night VIII

    <h4>Chapter 244: Long Night VIII</h4>


    Ewan knew better than tough out the incredulity brimming within him like before. He had learned not to express, in any way, that he thought his son was lying, that the little protectived was trying to put his sister in a better light.


    Even though the little boy was making small talk now, Ewan had seen the seriousness in his eyes; Nathaniel truly believed that his sister was the better tech genius. But how could that be possible?


    Not that he was the kind of person to belittle women, but Kathleen, much as she was very smart, didn¡¯t seem more inclined towardputers than Nathaniel with his serious demeanor and sometimes overly serious expressions. It would make more sense that Nathaniel was more adept in that area.


    Yet it didn¡¯t really matter to him¡ªhe loved them equally¡ªbut...


    He paused in his thoughts, finally noticing the nervousness mixed with anticipation in Kathleen¡¯s eyes. It effectively tore his disbelief into shreds and turned his skepticism toward Nathaniel¡¯s im into curiosity.


    "Is your mother aware of this?" He asked.


    The twins shook their heads.


    "She thinks I am the instigator," Nathaniel exined, his tone earnest. "That I am the one in the forefront, that I am coaching Kathleen, but sometimes it¡¯s the other way around. We both have our strengths and weaknesses."


    Ewan nodded slowly, getting ustomed to the well-constructed and mature words emanating from Nathaniel. "I understand. You are a good big brother. And I am proud of you."


    The moment those words slipped from his mouth, Nathaniel¡¯s cheeks and neck flushed a bright red, as if he had just received an unexpectedpliment that filled a void he hadn¡¯t consciously acknowledged until now. He gave a curt nod, the color deepening further on his face.


    "I had to do it in your absence."


    "And I am more grateful for that. Thank you, both of you, for protecting your mother and yourselves. I¡¯m sorry once again for my absence all these years, but... you are not alone anymore."


    "So, what do you think of me?" Kathleen asked suddenly, digressing. Her childish curiosity shone brightly in her eyes, needing reassurance.


    Ewan chuckled, feeling the tension in his shoulders ease slightly. "You are really smart. Smarter than all the girls I¡¯ve met."


    Kathleen¡¯s face lit up, her happiness contagious. She bobbled her head enthusiastically. "So, do you still want us to work for you? Of course, you have to keep it away from Mommy?"


    Ewan furrowed his brows at Kathleen¡¯s next question.


    "You know we received your message weeks ago..." Nathaniel chimed in, waiting for the realization to sink in, and when it did, he raised an eyebrow, continuing Kathleen¡¯s question.


    However, Ewan shook his head.


    He had wanted to hire the elite workers who had hacked into hispany¡¯s software to dig into Athena¡¯s past, not knowing they were actually his children.


    <i>So</i><i>that</i><i>was</i><i>why</i><i>they</i><i>had</i><i>blocked</i><i>him</i><i>out...</i>


    He sighed. "It¡¯s no longer necessary."


    "But why were you looking for a hacker?"


    Ewan pursed his lips, contemting whether he should lie his way out of this one. He ultimately decided against it. He had promised to always tell the truth to them. "I wanted the help of the hackers to uncover your mother¡¯s past life. I needed to know what I was up against during the court battle..."


    Nathaniel hadn¡¯t expected that response, hadn¡¯t expected the honesty. His father was surprising him in many ways. The young boy could now understand why the good Mr. Sandro remained friends with Ewan.


    "So, what do you two think of me?" Ewan asked after a few beats of silence, clenching his hands together. He could feel a knot tightening in his stomach as he waited nervously for their response.


    "Do you think you want to spend more time with me? I am not perfect, and I don¡¯t know much about parenting, but I can try."


    The twins exchanged curious nces before Kathleen muttered, "You are okay." A pause. "Better than I had thought," She eyed Ewan closely as if trying to decipher him. "How did you know to get me paint materials? Did Mr. Sandro somehow find out about that?"


    Ewan shook his head. "I just felt it in my gut as I stood in the children¡¯s area. My gut never leads me astray."


    "You listened to it when you pushed Mom away?" Nathaniel asked, curiosity ring as his face reflected his feelings.


    Ewan sighed, resigning himself to honesty. "No. I didn¡¯t listen to it. I was more consumed with Fiona¡¯s supposed role in my life. I was consumed with anger at the world, anger at being manipted by her father. I didn¡¯t stop for a moment to listen to my gut, even when Sandro pointed out some important things I had neglected."


    There was a pause. "It came up, that restlessness within me, every time I hurt her emotionally, especially when I sent her away. But I pushed it aside; I pushed the guilt away. The worst mistake of my life, and I will regret it until I die."


    Ewan, who had bowed slightly while reciting this response, looked up to find nkness on the faces of his children. He felt uncertain about what to make of their expressions. Did they understand him? Did they hate him even more for hurting their mother?


    He didn¡¯t waste his strength worrying about that; he deserved whatever wasing to him.


    He watched them exchange another nce, one that conveyed little to him, yet something unspoken passed between them.


    "You are honest," Nathaniel finally said, breaking the silence. "And for that, we are okay with seeing you during the allotted time monthly. As for an increased time though, our mother has the final say. We wouldn¡¯t want to hurt her."


    Ewan nodded, tears of happiness glistening in his eyes, surprising the children, who didn¡¯t know how to react.


    Finally, they stood up awkwardly, their hands fidgeting in uncertain gestures.


    Ewan stood up after them, a swell of hope filling his heart. "Thank you for giving me a chance. I promise not to misuse it, to move at your pace and your mother¡¯s, and never to hurt you all again."


    The twins said nothing. They merely looked at him after his earnest deration, then headed toward the door. It appeared that their conversation was over.


    Even though Ewan longed to hug them tightly to his chest, he found sce in the thought that they had listened to him and that they didn¡¯t think he was unbearable.


    At the door, however, Nathaniel paused and turned to him. "And Mr. Ewan..."


    "Yes?" Ewan answered, eager to please.


    "Can you get along with our father?"


    Ewan flinched at the mention of that man¡ªAntonio¡ªas their father. A man who thought thatics would dull the genius brains of his children. A man who didn¡¯t care in the least about the children¡¯s hobbies. Still, he nodded. "Sure, I will try, for your sake and your mother¡¯s."


    Kathleen smiled at him. "Come walk us out. I¡¯m sure Grandfather would like that..."


    Ewan furrowed his brows as he covered the distance toward them. "Grandfather?"


    "Yes, Mr. Thorne adopted us. Mother had him promise to remove us from the will though, if he should write one. She didn¡¯t want us at loggerheads with his real family."


    Ewan¡¯s brows raised to their peak. Adopted? So, Athena was Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s daughter then? He shivered involuntarily. It was fortunate these matters had been resolved before the old man could wreck him and hispany to the ground, disregarding their old rtionship.


    "That¡¯s great!" He eximed heartily. Not even the gang could harm Athena and the children at this point, not with the people surrounding her. She had even spoken with the president yesterday.


    Ewan sighed and shook his head, feeling a twinge of pity for the gang, having a strong sense that their days were now numbered.


    "Let¡¯s join the others. I think dinner has been set." As he spoke, he opened the door, letting the two kids outside.


    As they walked into the dining hall, every conversation ceased abruptly, their presence snuffing out life from the atmosphere.


    "Are you all done?" Athena asked finally, her eyes trailing over her children, as was her habit.


    The twins nodded.


    She subtly raised an eyebrow when she saw the thin smile on Kathleen¡¯s lips and the rxed shoulders of Nathaniel. It wasn¡¯t bad after all. Just as Old Mr. Thorne had told her and as she had suspected, Ewan would be a good father to his children.


    "Good then,e on and sit. Dinner is ready."


    Meanwhile, in a farawaynd, in a secluded ce, in the ck cells, Alfonso was writhing in pain, crushed beneath the weight of an iron shaped like a brick¡ªtwenty of them, stacked precariously on his shoulders.


    He trudged slowly along a thorny path devoid of life, save for the thorns that pricked and sank into his bare feet, now gruesomely scarred from just a few hours spent in this hellish ce. Was it truly only a few hours? Time seemed to blur beyond his perception.


    A sudden crack of a whipnded across his bare back, jolting him from his daze. He screamed, falling forward but managing to hold his ground, more concerned about keeping the bricks in ce rather than the thorns sinking deeper into his feet, their punctures making him dizzy.


    He knew well the consequences of letting the bricks fall; he had learned that lesson the hard way and wasn¡¯t about to face it for a third time.


    "Want to move or not?!" came the sharp demand from the taskman, his masked face looming ominously.


    Like he had a choice, Alfonso thought bitterly, pressing forward under the oppressive weight.

 Chapter 245: Long Night IX

    <h4>Chapter 245: Long Night IX</h4>


    "So, Ewan, how is it going with thepany and the fire outbreak? Have you discovered anything new yet? Have you gotten any other messages from the unknown number?" Old Mr. Thorne asked as they all settled into the sofas in the smaller sitting room.


    Gianna and Old Mrs. Thorne had whisked the children away to tuck them in, leaving in the room, Ewan with his friends, Old Mr. Thorne, Athena, Aiden, and Antonio.


    Ewan hesitated, his eyes flitting through everyone in the room as if checking to see if they were trustworthy. Sensing his uncertainty, Athena seized the opportunity to send Antonio on his way. It was half past nine now.


    "Antonio, didn¡¯t you say you had an early meeting tomorrow and ate meeting tonight with Herbert?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.


    Antonio, who had been eager for thistter part of the meeting, furrowed his brows and turned to Athena.


    He nodded however, remembering that he had actually told her so.


    Clearing his throat, he got to his feet, kissed her on the lips before she could turn her cheeks away¡ªmuch to Ewan¡¯s chagrin¡ªand said his goodbyes.


    "I will see you tomorrow then, my love," He said, shing a charming smile.


    Athena nodded, smiling back at him, but once he left, Zane scoffed, unable to help it. "He¡¯s just showing off," He muttered as Gianna and Old Mrs. Thorne returned to the sitting room.


    Athenaughed, amused by the banter. "You¡¯ve got a problem with that, Zane?"


    Zane shrugged, his expression turning serious. "Not as I do with his supposed meeting with my father. I spoke with my father before I left the house; he never mentioned a meeting with Antonio."


    Athena raised an eyebrow, incredulous. "You¡¯re not really saying that your father tells you everything?"


    Zane paused, then scoffed again. "Well, that¡¯s none of my business."


    Athena found his reaction interesting; she exchanged a furtive nce with Aiden, who seemed to share her thoughts. "Zane, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re jealous of Antonio¡¯s huge strides in your father¡¯spany and the budding rtionship with your old man... you know you¡¯re the heir to the throne, right?"


    "Who said I was jealous? It¡¯s just suspicious that he appeared on the scene the day of your court case, and the next day, he¡¯s upying one of the managerial positions at thepany¡ªheadquarters at that! My father thinks he¡¯s qualified, but the entitled rich brat hasn¡¯t even taken his own father¡¯s business seriously, where he is the heir, so why mine?"


    An amusing silence enveloped the room until


    Florence broke it with augh. She found the scene delightful. Zane was jealous. What a sight to behold! "Young man, let it go. Maybe he doesn¡¯t like his father?"


    Zack scoffed, reclining deeper into his chair. "I just wish he would leave... no offense, Athena."


    Athena chuckled. "None taken, but he¡¯s not going anywhere."


    Ewan frowned before he could help it. Why was she so besotted with Antonio? Or was it just a feeling of indebtedness? Was she dating him out of pity?


    The thought unnerved him. He gripped his knee. He couldn¡¯t let her enter another failed rtionship¡ªdating someone out of pity would surely lead down that path; and he had promised the children to keep them safe. But what could he do?


    "So, Ewan, my question, before Zane digressed..." Old Mr. Thorne prompted, pulling Ewan back into the conversation. "Any more messages from the strange caller?"


    Ewan nodded, resolute this time. "Yes, it¡¯s Morgan."


    A certain stillness descended upon the room, even though they all recognized, to some extent, that the gang was behind the fire outbreak.


    "He called me and said that if I didn¡¯t deliver Fiona to him soon... he referred to her as Morgana, but I knew it was her." Ewan paused, gathering his thoughts. "Well, he said if I didn¡¯tply, he would burn more sections of mypany. He also spoke about knowing the children¡¯s school and the current location of Kathleen and Old Mrs. Thorne. At that time, he mentioned they were at a beauty parlor."


    Old Mr. Thorne clenched his fists, his anger building at the tant threat to his family and what he cherished most. It was time to put an end to that gang.


    Who did Morgan think he was? Untouchable? Just because he was backed by some government agency? He scoffed unconsciously, the sound drawing the attention of those in the room.


    But he didn¡¯t realize that he was the center of attention. He was rather lost in thought, fantasizing about tearing Morgan limb from limb or watching him die slowly by poisoning.


    It took a gentle tap from his wife on the arm to snap him back to the present.


    "Oh..." He muttered, noticing everyone¡¯s stare. "So, what are we going to do then? All of us are involved now. We have to put our heads together to get rid of this mess once and for all."


    Ewan held back a sigh of relief, not wanting to be too obvious in his eagerness to be included in their ns.


    "Athena, you mentioned us attacking them tonight... how do we go about that?" Old Mr. Thorne continued, darting an urgent nce at Athena, who reared back as if she hadn¡¯t expected the question.


    She opened her mouth to respond but upon seeing Gianna¡¯s confused expression, she shut her lips. Her friend didn¡¯t know about her secret operations; she thought Athena¡¯s alliance with the agents surrounding them was merely due to Aiden¡¯s presence. Aiden had served in the military once, after all.


    Athena darted a sharp nce at Aiden, silently pleading for him to help salvage the situation. Luckily for her, Aiden was perceptive enough to intercept her message, just as Ewan had noticed the eye contact.


    "Well, yes," Aiden affirmed, sounding confident. "We are nning to attack them tonight. ording to the report we got from an insider, they are quite rxed... however, from the news, we can see they are still plotting. It¡¯s better we strike tonight; they won¡¯t be expecting that."


    "O¡ªk¡ªa¡ªy..." Old Mr. Thorne drawled, clearly still seeking rification. He had been asking for the "how" of it all. "How do we go about that?"


    Aiden paused, his mind racing. Athena was the one who usually conceptualized missions, her brilliance shining through in devising ns with minimal casualties. That was why the CIA boss still wanted her back¡ªwhy she remained a high asset to Nimbus operations.


    "I suggest we go in the old-fashioned way," Athena spoke up, rescuing Aiden, though she was careful to keep her tone suggestive and not too definitive. She didn¡¯t want Gianna discovering this second part of her life.


    "Can you be more specific?" Zane asked, leaning forward, his brows drawn together in concentration as he tried to convince himself that Gianna didn¡¯t sit in the same room with him. It made things easier that way.


    "Well, we could go with the agents, sneak in since we have their location, set up bombs here and there while a few agents scope out the area, keeping watch. Then others could filter in and retrieve the boxes of viruses..." She paused, her eyes narrowing in thought. "But first, we need to induce them into a deep sleep. I think I have an idea..."


    Athena leaned forward, forgetting her earlier decision to keep her tone vague.


    A few feet away from her, Gianna watched in surprise, enamored by her friend as thetter discussed strategy, mentioning the names ofpounds, guns, bombs, without a hint of hesitation, as though she had done this all her life.


    She wasn¡¯t the only one.


    Ewan, despite the theoretical research he had conducted about Athena¡¯s life, was just as taken aback. Seeing her in action was an entirely different experience. The same went for Sandro and Zane, who could now understand why his father respected Athena so much.


    "So, what do you guys think?" Athena asked as she concluded her thoughts, surveying the group.


    "Perfect," Aiden and Old Mr. Thorne said simultaneously, causing low chuckles to ripple through the sitting room.


    "But we need someone who can keep tabs on everything, telling us their location and all... do we have someone like that on the team, Aiden? Someone who can hack into their systems quickly, leaving no trace?" Athena looked at the men, searching for answers.


    "We have men," Aiden replied, "but I¡¯m not sure about the leaving no trace part. We don¡¯t know much about Morgan¡¯s system. Thest time..." He paused, the tension rising.


    Athena knew what he wanted to say. Thest time, it had been the twins who hacked into the servers to gain crucial information, along with their online friends. She subtly shook her head. She was not involving the twins in any of this.


    "What happened thest time?" Gianna asked, her eyes brimming with curiosity. Having not really been part of such missions, except for that one time when Athena was kidnapped, she was keen to know everything.


    Athena bit her lip, unsure of how to respond.


    "Thest time, we had to utilize an old rival." Ewan cut in unexpectedly, stunning both Athena and Aiden.


    Even Old Mr. Thorne, who didn¡¯t know about the st time¡¯ Aiden was referring to, looked surprised, knowing that Ewan¡¯s statement was a fabrication.

 Chapter 246: Long Night X

    <h4>Chapter 246: Long Night X</h4>


    Gianna nodded in agreement with Ewan¡¯s statement, though she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was a "but" lurking somewhere in the context.


    Hadn¡¯t she and Athena been friends for the longest parts of their lives? She knew thetter like the back of her hand, yet it seemed she had been haughty in believing she truly understood her best friend. It was painfully obvious that there were otheryers hidden from her.


    Typically, Gianna would have been annoyed by this revtion, but the truth was, she had secrets of her own¡ªdirty secrets she didn¡¯t want her friend to know for fear that it would drive a wedge between them, that it would result in Athena joining Zane in hating her for life.


    Thus, she nodded, pretending to be naive.


    "I see." She said, refraining from pushing further to uncover the identity of this "old rival" or even questioning whether such a rival existed. Instead, she chose a different approach. "Can¡¯t we utilize this person again, considering this is a dire situation?"


    Athena shook her head immediately, relief washing over her. "That would be too risky. And the person¡¯s cost is too high. But not to worry, we can surely find someone within our ranks to do the job."


    But do they? Athena wondered next, ncing at the men in front of her, her eyes lingering on Ewan as if to silently say, "thank you for the rescue there."


    Understanding her unspoken gratitude, Ewan gave her a subtle nod of acknowledgment before bringing up a certain someone.


    "I know someone..." He began, capturing the attention of Sandro and Zane, who both wore expressions of annoyance at the mention. This made Athena curious about the mysterious figure he was referencing.


    "He¡¯s very good at what he does. The best there is. I¡¯m sure he can do the work without leaving a trace. I¡¯ll reach out to him to see if he can work with us," Ewan continued, disregarding the res being shot in his direction by Zane and Sandro.


    Of course, they knew who he was talking about!


    "Can you get him now?" Old Mr. Thorne suggested. "I know it¡¯ste, but this is a night job, and we need to know where we stand at the moment..."


    Even though he had men on his team, including those entrenched in the dark web, he wanted to give Ewan a chance to prove himself. If Ewan believed his contact could handle it, then why not trust him?


    After all, he didn¡¯t know anyone who had attempted to breach the gang¡¯s system¡ªleaving everything theoretical.


    "Okay then." Ewan agreed, pulling out his phone and dialing Spider¡¯s contact.


    Spider picked up on the second ring.


    "Hello, Ewan, did you finally locate Zack?"


    "Yes, I did. Thanks a lot. But I need something else from you."


    "And what could that be?"


    "I need you to hack into the server of the Scorpions Gang and cooperate with a sneak-in operation happening tonight..."


    A tentative pause ensued on the other end.


    "Hello..." Ewan called when the silence became unbearable, feeling the weight of everyone¡¯s attention on him.


    "Ewan, I¡¯m here. I¡¯m just thinking. You want me to hack into the server of a gang that¡¯s not even on our radar, and to join in on an operation I know nothing about? If things go south, you know I¡¯m dead, right?"


    Ewan nodded even though Spider couldn¡¯t see him. Of course he knew. Hadn¡¯t he once run a gang himself?


    "Ewan..."


    "I know." Ewan replied aloud, recalling that Spider couldn¡¯t see his nods. "But you can trust me. Things won¡¯t go south. And even if they do, I¡¯ll protect you."


    "How will you do that? You left us..."


    Ewan pursed his lips. Even though he had exined his new life choices to his old family, they still held onto the belief that he had abandoned them, that he had left them to their vices after theirst operation.


    "Trust me. Have I ever gone back on my word?"


    Opposite him, Athena couldn¡¯t help but wonder who Ewan was talking to in such a calm tone.


    Yes, she understood it was a hacker he was conversing with, but who exactly was this person that Ewan spoke to softly? What was the rtionship between them? A furrow appeared on her forehead without her awareness.


    "You have, to me." The response came.


    Ewan inhaled deeply, still avoiding eye contact with his friends. "I¡¯m sorry about that. It won¡¯t happen again. Can you just do this for me? You can name any amount."


    Another pause on the other end.


    "Don¡¯t worry about it. Once I do this, we¡¯re even. I don¡¯t owe you anything after this. Just hope the boss doesn¡¯t find out about this. So, what will you have me do?" Spider finally spoke.


    Ewan exhaled in relief, showing the others that he had surpassed that particr barricade. "I¡¯ll send you a document with detailed instructions. Can you stay awake?"


    Spiderughed. "The night is my season, Ewan. I¡¯ll be waiting." The call ended.


    "I take it the call went well?" Athena asked before she could stop herself.


    Ewan nodded, oblivious to the hint of gruffness in her tone or the furrow that marred her forehead. "We just have to send this Samaritan the instructions on what we need him to do."


    The crease on Athena¡¯s forehead vanished. "Sure, we can do that. We just need to n this in more detail..."


    An hourter, Gianna watched with a furrowed brow as Athena turned to follow the men outside, leaving her behind with the elderly couple.


    "Where are you going, Athena?" She asked, noticing a different side of her friend, who was getting more mysterious by the minute. "Surely, you¡¯re not going with them? What if you get hurt or, worse, shot dead? You have the twins to worry about!"


    Athena froze. She hadpletely forgotten about Gianna¡¯s ignorance regarding this part of her life. She pursed her lips, contemting how best to navigate this delicate territory.


    "She needs to be in touch with my person... they need tomunicate," Ewan intervened, surprising Athena. What did he think he was saying?


    This time, Gianna didn¡¯t pretend to be naive. This was Athena¡¯s life they were discussing!


    "What do you mean by that? Isn¡¯t it an online surveince operation? Surely she could do that from home..."


    Ewan shook his head, his mind scrambling for another lie. "She has to be at the location tomunicate live happenings to the surveince man..."


    Gianna still wouldn¡¯t buy it. Despite her field being jewelry making, she often served as the children¡¯s sitter, and had overheard them debating about feeds and all such matters. Surely...


    "Gianna, listen to Ewan. Don¡¯t worry, Athena will be safe. I know you¡¯re just concerned about her," Old Mr. Thorne stated, halting Gianna, who had opened her mouth to voice her doubts.


    Hearing this, Gianna inhaled deeply and exhaled. "Okay then. Do it your way." She muttered, turning to walk out of the sitting room without wishing her friend well.


    Athena sighed, thanking Old Mr. Thorne.


    "You have to tell her though. Isn¡¯t she your best friend? I¡¯m sure she can be trusted."


    "It¡¯s not about trust; it¡¯s about her safety," Athena replied as she headed for the door.


    "But she is already on the gang¡¯s radar. I suggest you tell her nheless."


    Athena didn¡¯t respond to Florence¡¯s words at first. She paused briefly before continuing. Ewan followed her out, promising Old Mr. Thorne, with his eyes, to keep her safe.


    Outside, as they walked toward the vans containing more than twenty agents, Athena expressed her gratitude to Ewan for covering for her. "If you hadn¡¯t said something, I really don¡¯t know what I would have said. Not a lot gets me speechless."


    Ewan nodded in acknowledgment. "That¡¯s alright. By the way, when you talked about the hacker fromst time, that was the twins, right?"


    Athena halted in her tracks, turning to Ewan, who had stopped as well. "The twins..." She chuckled nervously. "Don¡¯t be ridiculous. I know Antonio mentioned they were tech geniuses, bute on, you should know better than that. There¡¯s a limit to these things."


    "Yeah, I thought the same until they told me themselves."


    Athena¡¯s mouth dropped open in surprise. They told him what?! She screamed internally, wanting to smack them on their buttocks. Why would they do that?


    "Do you believe them?" She asked, still chuckling, albeit less enthusiastically. "They¡¯re just making small talk. They¡¯re dreamers..."


    Ewan chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, I thought so too, but saying that almost put me in trouble."


    This time, Athena fell silent. A tense silence passed between them.


    "I don¡¯t know why they would tell you that, but keep it to yourself," She finally said, locking her gaze with his, steeled determination in her eyes.


    "Of course, I had no ns of sharing. They told me in confidence," Ewan responded lightly, turning away still finding it hard to believe his children had hacked into the servers of the gang.


    Yet he was relieved she hadn¡¯t involved them in this operation.


    "Thank you," He murmured before picking up his pace.


    Athena furrowed her brows, not understanding why he was thanking her. She shrugged it off, walking after him into the van. They needed to focus on the operation tonight; she could sort out her thoughtster.

 Chapter 247: Long Night XI

    <h4>Chapter 247: Long Night XI</h4>


    "Wait!!" Athena whisper-yelled, snatching the little ss bottle from Aiden as they squatted just outside the location that belonged to the gang.


    Metal barbed wires ringed the surrounding of the house, which appeared to be nothing more than a bungalow. However, Susan, whom Athena had briefed about their raid only minutes ago, had mentioned an underground bunker as well.


    "What is the matter? You just said it was potent enough!" Aiden eximed, his voice mirroring Athena¡¯s urgent tone.


    Behind them stood agents d in ckbat uniforms, just like theirs, all masked and ready.


    Ewan was among them, having insisted on joining the mission, leaving Zane and Sandro in the van tomunicate with Spider and keep watch for any unusual activity, ensuring the other vehicles remained intact.


    After all, they would need an clean escape after this.


    At that moment, Athena began shaking the ss bottle vigorously. "Here, you can have it now," She said when she was done, handing the bottle to Aiden. "I forgot to shake it. You know how to use it, right?"


    Aiden nodded quickly before turning his attention to the barbed wires with his metal cutter.


    "Aiden, be careful," Athena mouthed sharply as he finished cutting a section and slipped through into thepound. This wasn¡¯t their first mission, after all.


    Aiden gave her a sharp nod, donned his mask and colored sses in case there was a booby trap waiting for him, and then started moving, hunched low and quick. He only had five to seven minutes tomit this deed, and time was already against them.


    "Do you think the helicopter will be making the drop tonight?" Ewan asked as they all waited for Aiden¡¯s signal. During the drive here, Aiden had filled him in on everything they knew about the gang, on Athena¡¯s approval, albeit grudgingly.


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "It doesn¡¯t matter. We made ns for that, just in case."


    Ewan nodded slowly, scanning their surroundings on this ck night. The only source of light came from a solitary pole in the yard, but it was sufficient for the highly trained agents to operate without attracting unnecessary attention. They needed their operation to be as sleek as possible.


    "So, who do you think is supporting the gang? Someone in the government? Was that why you met with the president?"


    Athena turned to face Ewan fully, pleased that the darkness surrounded them almost entirely¡ªshe couldn¡¯t see his expression, and neither could he decipher hers.


    "Why are you so curious, Ewan? Want to take over?"


    A moment of surprise flickered across Ewan¡¯s face before he turned away.


    "Not at all." He said, shaking his head. "But yes, I am curious. I wish to know all the facts so that I can perform my duty properly."


    "And what duty is that?" Amusement tinged Athena¡¯s tone, dripping with mockery.


    Ewan chose to ignore that. "I promised the children I would keep you safe."


    Athena chuckled derisively. "You don¡¯t need to worry about that, pretty boy. I can take care of myself. So your wish is declined. But I can tell you that someone in the government is certainly behind this. I just don¡¯t know who."


    Ewan forced aside the unsettling feeling that washed over him when Athena called him "pretty boy," as if he were a man-whore being catcalled at a strip club, and nodded again, feigning nonchnce.


    "That would exin things. Let¡¯s hope we can find out the traitor once and for all and achieve some peace." He concluded the conversation, uncertain if he could handle any more of her barbed words.


    Kathleen¡¯s sharp tongue entertained him, but Athena¡¯s was different; when that beautiful weapon turned against him, it cut deeper.


    "Yeah, let¡¯s," Athena whispered, turning away, relieved that the conversation was over.


    After a couple of tense minutes of anxious waiting, Athena received the signal: her phone beeped with a message. <i>"Come</i><i>in."</i>


    "Let¡¯s go..." She whispered to the people around her. "You remember the formation, right?"


    "Yes, ma¡¯am!" They chorused, excluding Ewan, whose response was to watch her fiery mouth as it spat out the already announcedmands.


    "Stay safe. I¡¯ll see you on this side in the next twenty minutes. Five minutes tops." With that, everyone dispersed, moving to their designated locations.


    First, they tore openings in the barbed wire and began moving in, for Aiden, alongside with his message, had dered it a safe entry.


    Ewan, however, stayed close to Athena as she hurried toward the area Aiden had just gone through. Behind them, a handful of agents shared the same mission. They ran in a straight line, stopping at the west corner of the house by the wall, where Aiden was waiting for them.


    "They are all out cold. Did you leave some agents behind in case the helicopter wants to make a drop?" AIden quickly asked.


    Athena confirmed with a nod. "All things are in ce. What have you found out?"


    "Three exits. I haven¡¯t found the entrance to the underground, and I haven¡¯t been able to reach Susan though. The men and women on the surface don¡¯t look familiar, and I don¡¯t think they are the main yers in this game." Aiden paused to assess the surroundings. "It¡¯s safe to say there might be a shootout, as some gang members may be underground. Do you have the spray?"


    Athena looked at Ewan, who nodded quickly. "I do."


    "Good. Remember how to use it, and be fast. The gang members who aren¡¯t here might be as trained as our agents."


    With that, Aiden led the way through one of the exits, which could pass as the back door, into the sitting room.


    Athena¡¯s nose wrinkled at the overpowering odor of drugs as she surveyed the scene: five men and three women sprawled on the sofas, almost naked. She didn¡¯t need a seer to understand what had been going on here.


    Scowling, she looked around, scanning for clues. The other agents did the same, dispersing to check cupboards and anything that might reveal more information.


    "Remember, we are minimizing casualties as much as possible. The president¡¯s men will be here soon enough; let¡¯s not give them much to clean up," Athena recited the mantra she had established while they were in the van, observing her agents as they began moving deeper into the passageway.


    After much consideration, she had decided to let the president¡¯s secret team in¡ªthey were bound to find out about the mission after all.


    But she had given them atter time¡ªshe needed their presence only after she had gotten what she wanted. She hated interruptions.


    "So, where do we head off to now? I¡¯m getting messages from agents that everywhere is clear, apart from the drugged, sleep-infested, gang members. No clues yet, and no entry to a bunker anywhere," Aiden reported, holding his AK-47 in one hand while scanning the environment.


    Athena sighed, frustration mounting.


    "Where could a gang keep a secret way down to an underground?" She muttered, searching for any patterns in the walls, her gut telling her that the doorway must be here. But where exactly?


    She raised an eyebrow when she noticed Ewan sniffing the air intermittently. What was he doing?


    She didn¡¯t ask him this, choosing to observe as he made strange movements: stepping forward and then backward, left and right, finally stamping down in the center of the room as if he were marching, six times.


    After a moment, he moved away from the center point, a smirk ying on his lips as if he had achieved something.


    What was wrong with the man? Was he crazy? Athena wondered, exchanging nces with Aiden. Was the cocaine surrounding them making him high?


    That thought was swiftly chased away by shock and disbelief when the ground where Ewan had made his strange movements suddenly opened, revealing a staircase leading downward.


    Heavy silence cascaded over the room; no one dared to breathe, not even the returning agents, as if their very breath might awaken a gue.


    Aiden was the first to break the silence. "Ewan, how... did you know to do that?" He asked, his voiceced with shock.


    Ewan shrugged his shoulders. "Just a hunch," He answered, believing that they didn¡¯t need to know he had once been part of a gang, that he had ruled one in the past, and that he had used this method one time to hide a bunker.


    It seemed the Scorpions had borrowed a lot from his gang, aside from just their methods of killing.


    Ewan suppressed these thoughts as Athena stepped in front of him, staring keenly as though trying to read him, to decipher his thoughts.


    It had been a long time since he had captured her attention like this; he should have felt proud of himself, but instead, an ufortable feeling washed over him that he couldn¡¯t exin.


    "Well, thanks for your hunch. Didn¡¯t know that was still viable considering past experiences," She finally said, pulling her gaze away from him to focus on the stairway.


    Ewan nodded; there was no need to dwell on the implied meaning.


    He rather stepped in front of her, leading the way down the staircase, effectively blocking her from stepping ahead.


    Whatever awaited them below, he thought, it was best if it confronted him first.

 Chapter 248: Long Night XII

    <h4>Chapter 248: Long Night XII</h4>


    Athena knew why Ewan had led the way, yet she wondered if his promise to the children was the only reason behind his actions.


    However, she pushed the thought aside before it could take root and fester. She had other matters to concern herself with, like the fact that the underground space resembled the president¡¯s secret office. Was it just a mere coincidence?


    She nced at Aiden; the look in his eyes and the tension on his face suggested he was pondering the same unsettling idea.


    "No one seems to be here. It¡¯s just so quiet," Ewan noticed, halting in the middle of the underground chamber.


    He scanned the surroundings and observed three doors leading to unknown rooms. Other than that, the ce was bare, save for a few cushions and a library on the side.


    Where was everyone? Where was the girl named Susan? He wondered, taking in the neatness of the area¡ªa sharp contrast to the chaos in the living room upstairs. It was obvious this space was Morgan¡¯s domain, yet an unsettling emptiness loomed.


    He watched the agents, who had descended with him, lower their guns which had been raised before, ready to shoot. Then his gaze returned to Athena. She looked just as confused.


    "Something is wrong," He said, at the same time with Athena. They looked at each other curiously before returning their attention to the agents.


    "Yes, it seems too¡ª"


    "Easy," Ewanpleted Aiden¡¯s statement, a sinking feeling of foreboding washing over him. "It¡¯s like we¡¯ve walked into a trap."


    Instantly, everyone¡¯s guns were raised, including his, poised to fire as they all grasped the unsettling truth of Ewan¡¯s words.


    Athena, however, remained perplexed. Who had leaked this information? Had one of the agents betrayed them?


    In that moment, she attempted tomunicate with the agents outside, including Zane and Sandro, but all she received was static. A cold dread crept into her spine as she tried again. "Hello, hello..."


    Aiden and Ewan mirrored her attempts, calling out to the team outside, only to stop when they heard dryughter from behind them.


    Startled, they turned to see the wall sliding open, retreating left and right, to reveal Morgan pping his hands as he stepped out of a hidden room, apanied by several of his gang members.


    As he emerged, the three doors opened, letting even more members into the chamber.


    <i>We</i><i>are</i><i>surrounded;</i><i>outnumbered. </i>Athena¡¯s grip tightened on her weapon, panic rising within her. Who had betrayed them?


    "I must admit, I¡¯m surprised you all made it this far. Whose idea was it to crack the code?" Morgan began, strolling leisurely to a sofa and sitting down.


    Tense silence greeted him.


    "I suggest you drop your guns and kneel on the floor though. None of you will be escaping here tonight," He continued, a sinister smile creeping across his lips. "And don¡¯t worry about your men outside; they¡¯ve all been taken care of."


    Ewan shuddered as one of Morgan¡¯s members forced him to the ground, smirking victoriously while taking his gun. What did that evil man mean? What had happened to his friends?


    The thought of Sandro and Zane lying dead in a pool of their own blood sent ice coursing through Ewan¡¯s veins. He red at Morgan. "What have you done with them?"


    Morgan chuckled, eyeing Ewan as if seeing him for the first time. "They have been put out of their misery, Mr. Ewan Gietti." He pulled a Cuban cigarette from his pocket and slid it elegantly into his mouth.


    Susan, concealed behind her ¡¯Heronica¡¯ mask, expertly lit the cigarette, as if she had been doing it all her life.


    It was a source offort to Athena as she knelt down between Aiden and Ewan, weaponless, that the girl was safe at least.


    "You know, Ewan, if you had listened to me and brought my love, my Morgana, you would have been exempted from the massacre that¡¯s about to happen here," Morgan continued, his tone mocking.


    Athena steeled herself, refusing to cower under Morgan¡¯s gaze as she held on to the fragile hope of a miracle.


    Ewan said nothing this time around though. He remained silent, staring at the ground, forlorn, as if he had lost everything.


    Athena wished she could tell him to stay strong, but she understood, to an extent, how he felt. She herself wasn¡¯t feeling okay; Zane was the children¡¯s godfather.


    "What do you want, Morgan?" Athena finally asked, meeting his predatory gaze head-on.


    Morganughed, turning to his cronies. "Look at the bitch asking what I want." He shifted his attention back to her. "I should be asking you that, you flimsy, stubborn insect who has refused to die, since you¡¯re the one who invaded my hideout. So, Athena..." He paused, taking a drag from his cigarette. "Why did youe here?"


    Athena shrugged, her expression one of nonchnce. "I came here to seek answers and then cut your stinking charade short in this country. Sleek, isn¡¯t it?" A sly smile curled her lips.


    Morgan chuckled, shaking his head. "You never cease to amaze me, Athena Caddells." He crossed his legs and took another puff. "Imagine my disbelief when I received word that you¡¯d being here tonight. I didn¡¯t even know you knew the location. Still, I made arrangements¡ªrefusing to be caught off guard, making it seem like I wasn¡¯t around, like you all wasted your effortsing here. Yet you surprised me again. You broke the code. How did you do that?"


    Silence was his only reply.


    This time, Morgan wouldn¡¯t tolerate it.


    Without a word, he pointed to one of the agents behind Athena, and instantly a gunshot rang out.


    Athena whipped around, her heart racing with relief when she realized the bullet only hit the agent in the leg.


    "The next one will be in the head, Athena. I promise. That¡¯s mercy right?" A pause. "So doctor, tell me, how did you crack the code? Which of my men revealed that secret to you? Is the person here? Point that motherfucker out to me!!" Morgan¡¯s voice was a low growl,ced with rage.


    <i>He</i><i>must</i><i>really</i><i>be</i><i>furious</i><i>that</i><i>we</i><i>found</i><i>this</i><i>ce, </i>Athena thought, scanning the area for any other potential surprises. What else could be hidden here? Who attended meetings in this fortress?


    "Athena... don¡¯t push my limits."


    But Athena was at a loss for words; she didn¡¯t want to expose Ewan for fear of what could happen to him. Morgan was unpredictable; he might shoot thetter on the spot.


    Didn¡¯t he mention a massacre? She couldn¡¯t allow the children to lose their father just as they were beginning to connect. The prospect of Sandro and Zane¡¯s possible deaths was all she could bear.


    As she deliberated on how to respond, conjuring the best lie she could muster, Ewan spoke up. "I did it."


    Athena didn¡¯t know when she pinched him sharply on the wrist, but his face remained stoic, and he didn¡¯t flinch from the pain.


    Morgan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Ewan¡¯s bold response, the Cuban cigar momentarily forgotten. "How?"


    Ewan shrugged. "It¡¯s a simple code, used in ancient times. I read a lot."


    Morgan studied Ewan for longer than a minute, sizing him up before taking another drag from his cigar. "I see. Well, that spells your death now."


    Ewan¡¯s heart raced as Morgan stood up, seizing the pistol from one of the members nearby.


    Athena felt a wave of panic wash over her. She had never been this afraid since herst kidnapping. For the sake of the children, Ewan couldn¡¯t die. Yet how could she flip the situation?


    They had lost allmunication with the outside members, including Spider, whom Ewan had spoken fondly of on the way here. Their only source of hope was the President¡¯s secret society, but depending on the time she had given them, they were still thirty minutes out. That was an eternity in their current predicament.


    Suddenly, Ewan¡¯s fingers began signaling a message: a double draw. Gather and Assemble.


    But why? Athena darted a nce at Aiden. He saw it, as did the other agents.


    Before she could think on the matter further, the agents behind her rushed forward, colliding clumsily, as if their knees were trembling from pain.


    Morganughed. "I thought you lot were trained? A little kneeling, and you¡¯re already tired? Straighten up!"


    He chuckled with satisfaction as they obeyed without hesitation. "You know, Ewan, I thought you should go first. But there¡¯s someone else who should eat the dust before you all..."


    Athena clenched her lips tight, fearing he was referring to her.


    "One who thought she could breach my ranks and take on the nature of my subordinate." Heughed mockingly, unleashing a stone of dread into Athena¡¯s chest as she watched one of the members push Susan forward.


    Her eyes watered in pain as she watched Susan standing proud, radiating confidence as if she were truly Heronica.


    "Susan Langford," Morgan murmured, touching Heronica/Susan¡¯s hair. "You actually fooled me. But then Heron visited... and you know what they say about twins¡ªthey are intertwined in more ways than one."


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª


    Author¡¯s note->Gather and Assemble: A military signal. A circr motion with the hand, palm facing downwards, or a beckoning motion with the index finger.

 Chapter 249: Long Night XIII

    <h4>Chapter 249: Long Night XIII</h4>


    Athena could feel a headacheing on as she tried to swallow the implications of the facts spewing from Morgan¡¯s mouth.


    Heron was alive?


    She felt suddenly ill, wishing she could be out in the open air¡ªshe needed to breathe.


    Heron was supposed to be dead. Aiden had promised her that he was dead. And now this? Athena felt her temperature quicken in direct proportion to the mounting aches in her brain; she needed her drugs.


    Then, she felt a calming touch at her waist. Sharply, even though she knew who it was, she nced at Ewan furiously¡ªor rather she tried to, but she ended up staring nkly at him.


    "Athena, are you okay? You seem like you¡¯ve seen a ghost," Morgan quipped scornfully, taking a drag of the cigarette, gun still pointed at Susan, who was still maintaining a calm pose.


    But Athena was tongue-tied, not sure if it was because of the dreadful news or the burning intensity of Ewan¡¯s gaze as he rubbed her lower back slowly and softly, or because her earlier fevers were starting to cool down.


    <i>What</i><i>are</i><i>you</i><i>doing?</i> Shemunicated the question to Ewan with her eyes, yet she didn¡¯t shrug away his touch; she couldn¡¯t afford to show an atom of weakness to Morgan.


    She could drill Ewan on the matter of boundaries when they got out of here alive¡ªa feat whose possibility was getting slimmer by the passing second¡ªor she could get noticed by Morgan. She chose the former.


    "I see you both are still cozy, even after the media thinks you are divorced. nning on getting back together?" Morgan continued, digressing, having noticed that the stares between Athena and Ewan had taken more than a few seconds.


    Athena swerved to meet his gaze then, determined to capitalize on that topic to stall for more time. But Morgan, as if sensing this, waved her and whatever she had opened her mouth to say, away.


    "I don¡¯t have time for your talks. Now that I have you in my hands, it is best I do away with you and not waste time like before. Bad things seem to happen when I do so." He said, locking the gun¡¯s trigger in ce, poised to shoot.


    Athena¡¯s eyes darted frantically between a still stoic Susan and Morgan¡¯s gun. How does she get the youngdy out of this mess?


    "I would have loved to have a taste of you; would have loved my men to have a feel of what your betraying cunt tastes like, but there is no time. Thest time I waited to taste a woman¡¯s cunt..." Morgan pointed at Athena. "I almost died. So, now, I will just put you away from your misery. But first..."


    He roughly dragged the mask off Susan¡¯s face, causing her to emit a small shriek of pain as the mask came off, revealing her tender face, now red, with edges marred by blood.


    "You don¡¯t look bad..." Morgan muttered, trailing the gun over Susan¡¯s face.


    Athena¡¯s heart rate spiked again, her difort only eased by Ewan¡¯s calming hand on her waist.


    "You would have been a good addition to the gang, seeing your calmness even in tumultuous moment¡ªmore than Heronica even¡ªbut I sense your stupid loyalty to this bitch here. Too bad that would do you no good now. Or do you want to reconsider your loyalties?"


    Tensed silence enveloped the room as everyone waited for Susan¡¯s answer.


    The young woman turned to Athena, whose breath had caught in anticipation. And then she shook her head, still looking at Athena, her eyes flooding with tears. She had epted her fate.


    But Athena wouldn¡¯t. She couldn¡¯t help now, the sad tear that slipped from her eyes.


    "Morgan, please... no... let her go. She is innocent in all this. You can take me captive,"


    For the first time, Athena attempted to plead, but Morgan was rather amused.


    "Doctor Athena begging¡ªthat¡¯s a first. But you lied. She is not innocent. Her presence here has led you all to me... you should have considered the consequences before sending her my way, especially since her mother was also in by my hands."


    Susan jerked at that, steel filling her eyes as she looked at Athena in bewilderment.


    "You didn¡¯t tell her?" Morgan asked,ughing, ncing between Susan and Athena, who was silently pleading with her eyes for understanding.


    "I didn¡¯t want to send you in hotheaded. I didn¡¯t even want to send you in at all..." Athena paused, gripping her hands tightly, anger rising within her for allowing Aiden to persuade her of this folly.


    If she had only stood her ground, Susan wouldn¡¯t be in this predicament now.


    "I am sorry, but I promised her that I wouldn¡¯t disclose the matter to you."


    Susan said nothing. Instead, she turned to Morgan, her eyes brimming with rage and hatred. "You evil..."


    She tried to grab Morgan by the neck, but he sidestepped quickly, pointing the gun at her back. "Say hello to your mother and..."


    A light thud suddenly sounded in the room, stopping Morgan midway. He instantly nced around the room, brows furrowing when he saw nothing amiss. "What was that? Did any of you drop a gun?"


    The gang members shook their heads, looking around them. One approached where Athena and her men were kneeling and picked up a spray can. "Just this."


    "What is that?" Morgan asked, fixing a sharp nce at Athena. Noting the confused expression on her face, he concluded that she was in the dark as well.


    "I think it¡¯s for drawing graffiti on the wall." The gangster replied.


    Morganughed boisterously, looking at Athena and the men. "Is that like a style? Fun and missions?"


    Athena remained silent and didn¡¯t even breathe, for fear that Morgan would catch on to what was about to happen in the uing moments.


    Morgan, however, fed up with the banter, turned back to Susan, who had squared up to him, hate still zing in her eyes. Just as he attempted to shoot her, a wheezing sound rang out.


    "What is happening?!" Morgan shouted, irritated now, turning to the guy with the spray. "You know how much I hate unnecessary sounds. Keep that spray away unless you want to lose your life!"


    But the gang member shook his head, still holding the spray. "Boss... I didn¡¯t... touch it..." He stammered, afraid. "It just started making that sound..."


    A furrow creased Morgan¡¯s forehead as he stared at the spray and then at Athena. "What are you ying at?" He muttered, pushing Susan into the hands of one of the waiting men¡ªwho started groping her breasts¡ªwhile stepping closer to Athena with the gun.


    Athena maintained the mask of confusion while thinking on how to burst the spray can. She needed a gun to that. Yet how?! They had all been disarmed by Morgan¡¯s men.


    However, before she could think further, before Morgan could blink or pull the trigger, Ewan¡¯s hand shot backward toward the man with the spray can; an explosive sound erupted next, engulfing the room in a choking smoke.


    A shot rang out¡ªfrom a furious Morgan. But it was toote; Athena was no longer in position.


    Having discussed the spray can¡¯s mechanism with the agents beforehand, she and everyone with her had swiftly donned the nose masks and special goggles, which allowed them to locate the dump of their guns amid the cries of "<i>My</i><i>eyes!"</i> "<i>My</i><i>eyes</i><i>are</i><i>burning!!"</i>


    As Athena and her men recovered their weapons, chaos ensued¡ªnot in favor of Morgan, who had shielded his stinging eyes while trying to feel around for Susan, trying to guess her location blindly.


    But when more gunfire rang out and the cries of his men became frantic, Morgan abandoned his mission to seize Susan and pressed himself against the wall, his eyes still closed, using his hands to navigate the surface while moving toward his personal hideout, which he was confident he could locate even with his eyes shut.


    Meanwhile, Athena shot the man whose hands had been desperately trying to hold Susan in ce, for she had been fighting for her freedom, her eyes shut, fully aware of the chemical in the spray can.


    The youngdy breathed a sigh of relief when she felt Athena¡¯s arms around her.


    "I am sorry," Athena kept murmuring, her voice muffled through the mask. Then, she passed Susan to Ewan. "Take her out of here. There are no additional masks."


    But Ewan wasn¡¯t nning to leave without Athena, so he handed Susan over to the next agent shadowing him. "Take her outside," He ordered, his tone leaving no room for objections. The agentplied immediately.


    Observing this, Ewan redirected his focus to Athena, who was making a direct line toward Morgan, who appeared cornered against the wall.


    It took a few seconds for Ewan to realize that thetter was dutifully following a pattern on the wall.


    "Athena, shoot him already; there¡¯s a secret room behind that wall!!" He yelled with all his might, desperate for Morgan to be dead today.


    But it was toote. The wall caved open, and Morgan stumbled forward.


    And then three shots rang out in quick session.

 Chapter 250: Long Night XIV

    <h4>Chapter 250: Long Night XIV</h4>


    Athena heaved in and out repeatedly, watching the wall through which Morgan had just disappeared, wondering if any of her shots had hit the mark. It had to.


    "Did you get him?"


    She didn¡¯t turn when she heard Ewan¡¯s question as he came to stand beside her, nor did she give a firm answer to his inquiry. Instead, she asked, "How did you know there was a secret room behind the wall?"


    Athena had been trying to bnce on her heels while aiming for the perfect shot as she watched Morgan stick to the wall like glue. If she had been perceptive enough about his intentions, she would have just shot him. There was no way he would have survived it.


    But to be honest, she hadn¡¯t wanted to kill him then. She had just wanted to incapacitate him so that he would be ripe for questioning. <i>So</i><i>much</i><i>for</i><i>that</i><i>now.</i>


    "His movements on the wall had been suspicious. I just figured, since this whole ce was wrapped in secret doors, that must be it."


    Athena pressed her lips tightly at Ewan¡¯s reply, uncertain what to make of it. He seemed to be oddly aware of many things tonight.


    However, she wished she had noticed too; that she had focused on Morgan¡¯s erratic movements¡ªshe had thought he was behaving weirdly because of the gas¡ªrather than on getting the shot right.


    "I guess thanks are in order again," She muttered, trying to decipher the pattern on the wall, but it was next to impossible with the smoke clouding the room, despite the special goggles she was wearing.


    Ewan shrugged his shoulders. "If only you had gotten him though. Do you think any of your shot made the mark?"


    "I am not sure," Athena replied truthfully. "But I never miss my mark, so I can only hope that I didn¡¯t lose my stance when I heard your shout."


    Ewan nodded slowly, not knowing what to say to that. An encouragement? He didn¡¯t think she needed it. What she needed was a real-time assessment of Morgan¡¯s condition.


    "Do you want to pursue him? I can try to open the wall... who knows, I might be lucky again..."


    Athena pursed her lips, contemting this suggestion. Pursuing Morgan didn¡¯t seem like a bad idea; there was a high chance he was wounded terribly, so he couldn¡¯t have gone far. But she also had to consider the people with her. Hadn¡¯t Morgan talked about a massacre outside?


    As much as she would have loved to capture Morgan tonight, the lives of her people were much more important.


    "No, but we can check it out after we¡¯ve gotten everyone to safety. Let¡¯s see how many of our men we lost tonight and figure out how to proceed. We can deal with Morgan some other time."


    Athena¡¯s words, however, made Ewan chuckle.


    She finally turned, looking at him with mounting curiosity. "What is funny? The death of my men? The death of your friends?" She had a nk expression on, but her words dripped with disdain and disappointment.


    Ewanughed softly. "Not at all. If their probable deaths are the reason why you don¡¯t want to go after Morgan, then that¡¯s not a reason at all. They are alive."


    Athena furrowed her brows, watching Ewan¡ªat every turn tonight, he seemed to be surprising her. What was he talking about now?


    "Well..." Ewan started, having seen the inquiring expression on Athena¡¯s face. "I am still in contact with Spider." He paused as he tried to decipher the expression on Athena¡¯s face, which looked green with hues of blue from his special goggles.


    He was a bit shocked when she chuckled and shook her head. "Please open the door, Ewan..."


    Ewan, who had been expecting her to ask how he was still in contact with Spider, bit his lips, but went ahead to try the pattern on the wall.


    Another easy one, he thought, straining his eyes. Morgan must have attempted to locate this with his eyes closed multiple times, to be able to crack it a few minutes ago.


    A minute in, the wall caved open.


    "Where are you two going?"


    Athena and Ewan turned to see Aiden stepping toward them, his eyes darting between the opened wall and them.


    "Stay and take care of things here. We are going after Morgan," Athena answered before walking into the secret room, dragging Ewan with her before the walls could close shut, before Aiden could intercept them.


    "So, I guess you were lucky again..." Athena muttered as she looked around the well-lit room they had just entered, which smelled faintly of tobo and something sweet, setting aside her worries about Aiden and his uing silent treatment.


    Ewan said nothing, hoping their current task would keep his luckiness out of her mind.


    The room in question was just like the one they had left but free of smoke. The duo took off their masks and goggles, holding them limply by their sides as they scanned the room with their eyes.


    This room had more libraries, a reading table this time around, and a huge king-sized bed.


    "I guess this is his bedroom," Ewan murmured, picking up the books on the bedside table. He frowned when he saw the titles; he wouldn¡¯t pin Morgan down as a lover of chick-lit romances.


    <i>What</i><i>a</i><i>surprise,</i><i>hurray! </i>He mentally shouted sarcastically.


    "We can check this outter; let¡¯s follow the blood trail..."


    Ewan abandoned inspecting Morgan¡¯s collection and followed Athena as she led the way, tracing the blood trail.


    "Judging by the amount of blood I¡¯m seeing, it¡¯s safe to say that you have given him a mortal wound. He possibly has less than a few hours to live."


    Ewan¡¯s words didn¡¯t provide Athena muchfort. Hadn¡¯t she thought Heron was dead? Yet he was still alive and breathing. Worse, she didn¡¯t know where he was or what his location was¡ªonly that he would be targeting her for revenge, even without Morgan¡¯s influence.


    She hissed thereafter, annoyed and irritated beyond measure when the blood tracks stopped at a wall. <i>What¡¯s</i><i>with</i><i>this</i><i>man</i><i>and</i><i>secret</i><i>doors?!</i>


    She stepped aside for Ewan to do his job, not bothering to stress her mental health, even though she knew she could probably crack it if given some time. But that was the main issue. There was no time at all.


    Ewan was done in less than a minute. But this time, it wasn¡¯t a room waiting on the other side of the wall; it was a dark passageway.


    "Probably leads to the road," Ewan said, having taken a whiff of the smell of green forest mixed with the murky odor in the passageway.


    Athena didn¡¯t bother inquiring about this knowledge; she retrieved her small torchlight, which had been strapped to her hip, and walked into the passageway as Ewan followed closely behind her and the walls shut behind them.


    A few minutester, Athena pressed her lips tightly together when she came to a stop before an open metal bar gate, which naturally led to the road beyond it.


    She halted in her tracks and turned to Ewan. "And how do you know this again? By reading ancient texts?"


    Ewan nodded after a slight hesitation, contemting why she sounded angry. Was it because Morgan had escaped?


    Yet, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that a storm wasing his way, especially with the creepy sensation that slid up his spine, just like the one he had felt when he cracked the first secret door.


    "So, what do you want to do now? Should we follow the trail?" He asked, noting the blood trail with his eyes, his brows furrowing when it stopped right in the middle of a grassy path.


    "I don¡¯t think we need to do that. From the marks on the ground over there, it¡¯s obvious he drove away. And if he did that sessfully, he might survive the injuries." A significant pause. "Let¡¯s get out of here, Ewan. I¡¯m sure Aiden is bursting a few nerves right now."


    Ewan chuckled at Athena¡¯s deduction, turning aside to stare at her.


    Under the glittering moonlight, she looked beautiful, ethereal to him, despite appearing a bit worn out. Her lips which enticed him, were pressed into a thin line as she gazed up at him.


    "What are you looking at?" She asked gruffly, quenching his desires for a second.


    He shook his head in response, not trusting his voice; swallowing his shame when she eyed him sharply and walked back into the passageway.


    They made a stop in Morgan¡¯s bedroom, deciding to search there.


    "Please be on the lookout for any more secret doors while I search. Since we didn¡¯t get Morgan, we might as well gather some clues. The president¡¯s men should be here already," Athena said, pausing in her cupboard-opening act to check her wristwatch.


    "Yes, ma¡¯am," Ewan replied meekly, ncing at Athena, hoping to see some emotion on her face¡ªhumor, irritation¡ªany would be good enough for him¡ªbut she continued her work as if she hadn¡¯t heard the tease.


    He frowned and returned to his task. The bad feeling was creeping back again.

 Chapter 251: Long Night XV

    <h4>Chapter 251: Long Night XV</h4>


    None of this makes sense. Athena mused as she went through the stacks of paper on Morgan¡¯s desk.


    All she could see, from the stacks of papers in the cupboards, on the library shelves, and now on the desk, were hotel bills, receipts for books, or home appliances bought. There was nothing relevant, not even a clue leading to the drugs, the guns, or even the political figure behind this mess.


    Had this been a wasted effort? She wondered, sitting tiredly on thefortable bed. Should they have waited?


    She shook her head immediately. She didn¡¯t think so. If she had waited even one more night, Susan would have been dead. That made all the efforts worth it.


    Sighing wearily, she gave up on the stacks of useless papers and turned to Ewan. Since the search had started, she had been taking furtive nces at him, and so far he hadn¡¯t opened any secret doors. Was it that there were none here?


    She got to her feet in resignation, about to suggest they get out of here, when Ewan, squatting in the eastern corner of the room, eximed, "Aha!" right before a space in the wall caved open.


    A safe space? Athena called it, feeling hope flicker in her chest. Maybe they would find something worthwhile!


    Quickly, she covered the distance between herself and Ewan, squatting beside him when she reached the spot, smiling in satisfaction, unable to help it, when she saw another stash of papers nestled with some gold bars, a gun that had a government insignia, and a journal.


    The journal didn¡¯t surprise her; anyone who was a reader often developed the habit of writing as well. In this case, this was a huge advantage for her.


    "Aren¡¯t you going to empty the space?" She asked Ewan, noticing his inaction. "Are you sensing some booby trap?"


    Ewan chuckled softly and shook his head. "Not at all. I just thought you would do the honors..."


    Athena hated the pool of satisfaction that swayedfortably in her belly.


    Clicking her tongue in distaste, to Ewan¡¯s chagrin, she collected the journal first.


    Ewan followed suit, a little grumpy, retrieving the stash of papers.


    They both sat on the ground, as if sharing the same thought that most likely the president¡¯s secret society was already nearby, and they didn¡¯t want thetter to have these findings.


    "What do you have there?" Ewan asked, dropping the papers that depicted some kind of transaction between Morgan and a man with the code name Crayfish. Ewan hadn¡¯t seen any code name so ridiculous.


    "Names of people he has been sent to kill, along with the names of government officials who wanted them dead." Athena¡¯s voice was tainted with awe and excitement.


    Ewan¡¯s mouth opened slightly. "Really?" He asked, shifting closer to Athena so that he could nce into the book.


    Athena, not pleased with the closeness, cleared her throat, stood up, and walked hastily to the desk. She syed the book on the table and continued reading.


    Ewan wasn¡¯t sure what happened, but he was curious about the journal. So he got to his feet and walked to the desk, peering down at the journal.


    "Wow..." He muttered, recognizing the names of prominent men in government, including a few religious figures. "This is a goldmine."


    Athena nodded in agreement. "A backup n in case things go awry. He could literally survive on this. One name here would cost more than a million dors."


    "Have you seen the name attached to yours?" Ewan asked after a few moments of watching Athena flip the pages.


    Athena shook her head, flipping faster, skimming through the names. There were so many, and they weren¡¯t even arranged in alphabetical order; rather, they were listed in the order of assassination.


    She paused and skipped to thetter parts of the book, smiling when she saw the year tagged to that section; it was the year she first met the Scorpion¡¯s gang.


    "There¡¯s your name!" Ewan eximed, pointing at the row titled Athena Caddels.


    "Hired by the CIA?" Ewan pursed his lips in disbelief. "I thought you worked for them?"


    "I thought so too," Athena muttered¡ªshock recing the eagerness to find out how Ewan knew she had worked for the CIA¡ªtracing her name.


    "What do you think happened? Did some case not go as nned?"


    Athena mped her mouth shut here; she wasn¡¯t going to talk about this with Ewan. The only one who deserved this exnation was Susan, seeing as it was the mission that imed her mother¡¯s life.


    Pain numbed Athena¡¯s heart as memories of that night flooded her mind. The CIA? How could they? She had suspected it though, which was why she had resigned. Still, to be confronted with the truth didn¡¯t make swallowing it any easier.


    Was the boss aware of this? What about Shawn and Eric?


    "Athena, can¡¯t you cut me some ck, seeing as I¡¯m being helpful here?" Ewan pressed on, cutting Athena¡¯s thoughts short.


    "I didn¡¯t ask for your help, Ewan. You offered it. Don¡¯t try to ask for favors because of that. My story is mine to tell." Athena retorted sharply, angrily, without looking at Ewan, whose eyes dulled with hurt.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I just..." He let it go. Hadn¡¯t he promised himself that he wouldn¡¯t push her, that he wouldn¡¯t push some things? "Check the second attempt then. Let¡¯s see who is behind all this nonsense."


    Athena, hearing Ewan¡¯s rough tone, knew he was angry, but she just didn¡¯t care. Still, she hastened to the next page and the next page until she saw her name, only that the sender was nk. They looked at each other in confusion.


    "Could it be a vendetta?" She murmured, astonished.


    Ewan shook his head. "He couldn¡¯t have invented the drugs. Someone is working with him. Maybe he didn¡¯t think to put the name down, perhaps because he hasn¡¯t finished the job?"


    Athena wasn¡¯t sure. He hadn¡¯t finished the job two years ago.


    She was about to state this fact when a wheezing sound echoed in the room, like the spray can she had given Ewan earlier. She instantly turned to see what was going on.


    "Did you hear that?" She asked Ewan, inhaling the air, her eyes widening when she perceived the dangerous gas.


    "Ewan, quick! We have to get out of here!!"


    As she spoke, she hurried to the side of the wall through which they had first stepped into the room, ring at Ewan, who had made a stop at the safe ce.


    "What are you doing? Get out of there!" She shouted, noticing that the gas was actuallying out of that spot.


    There was a booby trap after all. But what triggered it?

 Chapter 252: Long Night XVI

    <h4>Chapter 252: Long Night XVI</h4>


    Athena watched in incredulity as Ewan squatted, despite the deadly cloud of sarin gas¡ªmixed with some otherponent she wasn¡¯t sure of ¡ªemitting from the safe space, and grabbed the gold bars, the pistol, and a strange ne that she hadn¡¯t seen earlier.


    If he wanted all these, why didn¡¯t he at least grab the face mask first, which they had left lying around during their intensive search?


    What was with this foolish man and giving her a heart attack at every turn? They could alwayse back and retrieve those items. Wasn¡¯t he thinking?!!


    Her thoughts, however, seemed foolish the next second when an opening caved in the ceiling and a trail of fire dropped down into the room, leading tobustion.


    The bed went up in mes first.


    Athena grabbed the journal to her chest, impatient as Ewan dodged the onught of mes, and got to her point.


    "Fast, open the wall!!"


    But Ewan was quite disoriented and couldn¡¯t get the patterns right.


    After the third attempt, with the fire ravaging all around them, Athena knew they needed to find another escape route. It was with relief that she discovered the passageway leading to the road was still open.


    "Quick, let¡¯s go the other way! Can you run fast?" She asked, seeing the fire consuming everything in its path, even threatening to cover the exit she was looking at.


    Ewan nodded, unable to speak; his throat was closing up.


    Noticing his struggle, Athena inhaled and exhaled to gain control. She needed to get herself and Ewan out of there in one piece, and then she needed to give Ewan some first aid. It seemed he had inhaled some of the gas.


    Without thinking twice, she held Ewan¡¯s free hand while his other hand clutched the goods to his chest. "Follow my lead. Don¡¯t pause for anything, and try to hold your breath as much as you can."


    Ewan nodded weakly, grasping her hand tighter. And then Athena ran as fast as she could, as if her life depended on it, while holding her breath.


    She didn¡¯t pause for once, not even when Ewan started coughing, nor when she felt the mes encircle her face, or when Ewan¡¯s jacket and her own caught fire.


    She didn¡¯t stop until they were in the passageway, partly because she noticed, as she ran, that the walls were caving in as if to shut them inside the room with the fire.


    It felt like someone was watching them.


    Athena wasn¡¯t sure how, but she let the fleeting thought go until they were out in the open.


    Outside, she gently pushed a frail Ewan to the ground and fell beside him.


    "Roll!" She shouted next, rolling and pushing Ewan¡¯s body with hers to extinguish the mes that had clung to their clothes.


    When that was done, she pulled Ewan onto herp, fidgeting a bit when she saw he was turning blue in the face, his eyes opening and closing.


    Angrily, she pushed the things he had retrieved from the safe space away from his chest, cursing as she did. "You would have just let them burn in the fire!!"


    "We needed our trip to be worth it," Ewan rasped out, struggling to speak.


    "Would it have been if you had died?" Athena shouted, feeling an overwhelming urge to p the soft smile off his lips. Didn¡¯t he know he was dying?


    She shook her head and hastily retrieved a small pouch from her back pocket. "You¡¯re just lucky I brought my needles. You would have been saying hello to your parents right now."


    Ewan tried to chuckle, but blood spattered from his mouth instead.


    Athena hurriedly opened the small pouch, took out the needles and the vial of potion, and set them beside her. Then sheid Ewan down on the grassy path, removed his thick ck jacket, leaving him in just a ck polo, and started preparing the needles after dipping them in the liquid inside the vial.


    <i>This</i><i>should</i><i>stabilize</i><i>him</i><i>before</i><i>he¡¯s</i><i>taken</i><i>to</i><i>the</i><i>hospital. </i>She thought, administering the needles at the core points.


    When she was finished, she took off her own jacket,y down beside him, and fixed the needles into her hands. She felt a stirring within her system and knew that she had inhaled some gas, despite trying her best to hold her breath.


    Maybe abandoning the face mask had been a bad idea. Yet things had unfolded so quickly that she had been confused about where she had kept her own.


    Feeling drowsy, she reached for her phone, ignoring the slight pain in her hands¡ªshe shouldn¡¯t be moving¡ªand activated her location so that Aiden could track her sessfully, before shutting her eyes.


    However, when her ears picked up movement in the vegetation around her, her eyes shot open, and she darted her face to the left, wondering who was moving in the bushes.


    Aiden? But that was too fast.


    Inhaling quickly for strength, she stretched her hand above Ewan and collected the pistol he had taken from Morgan¡¯s safe.


    Feeling the weight, she knew it was loaded.


    She kept the gun by her side and shut her eyes once more, her ears attuned to the happenings around her, her fingers poised around the trigger, ready to shoot.


    "Do you think they are dead?" Athena heard a male voice, tinged with a little excitement, ask, and she knew whoever it was, they were against her and Ewan.


    Members of the gang who had escaped? Her grip tightened on the gun.


    "It doesn¡¯t matter. Let¡¯s get out of here. It will only be a matter of time before her people arrive."


    A lowugh followed. "You¡¯ve be a scaredy-cat since thest ambush, Heron. I guess the doctordy really did a number on you."


    Athena¡¯s breath seized for a few seconds. <i>Heron? </i><i>Heron</i><i>was</i><i>here? </i>


    Her tongue felt like sandpaper, and she gripped the gun tighter, counting the seconds until they got closer.


    Her thoughts paused, too, when she realized that his voice was quite different from the Heron who had tried to rape her. Instead, his voice reminded her of... She paused, cracking her brain, but the answer eluded her.


    She held back a hiss of frustration and focused when the men started talking again.


    "But you¡¯re right. Let¡¯s get out of here. There¡¯s nothing to salvage now; the building is in ashes, and the boss is gone, I¡¯m sure. To be honest, I don¡¯t want to get close to thedy, either. Bad things seem to happen when wee into contact with her. Let¡¯s go."


    "Good call, Dax."

 Chapter 253: Long Night XVII

    <h4>Chapter 253: Long Night XVII</h4>


    Athena tried to open her eyes, hearing murmurs around her, but her eyelids felt heavy, her brain fuzzy, unable to process the sounds. The words buzzed like bees¡ªufortable and disorienting.


    She wished she could tell whoever it was to stop talking, but her tongue felt heavy too. What medication had they given her?


    She inhaled softly at first, then exhaled just the same, needing to reorient herself before taking deep breaths.


    She tried to remember the circumstances that had led her to feel like dead weight. Slowly, she began retracing her steps¡ªfrom having dinner at Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s house to going on the mission. And then the floodgates opened, memories pouring and tumbling over one another.


    Athena inhaled sharply when she remembered overhearing Heron and Dax talk about her. It wasn¡¯t an illusion. It had actually happened!


    Her eyes shot open, and she jerked into a sitting position with startling speed, catching the attention of everyone surrounding her bed. Her brows furrowed, however, when she saw Ewan stepping toward her. How was it that he was awake before her?


    "ording to the specialist, you had strained yourself, even after treating yourself, hence the dy in your recuperation. You were on the lookout?" Ewan asked, concern visible in his eyes and voice tone.


    Athena nodded, not saying a word as Ewan sat on the bed beside her. Instead, she took an inventory of the people in the room, realizing she was back in her actual room at Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s house.


    There was Old Mr. Thorne, Aiden, Zane, and Sandro. And then there was Colt, the chief of the president¡¯s secret security service.


    "Colt, what are you doing here?"


    Colt, his lips pressed into a thin line, had no joy in answering this woman who had duped them, deceiving them clearly without regard for the president. She should be prosecuted for such, yet the president¡¯s interest seemed to be rather piqued.


    "I am here on behalf of the president. He instructed me to stay until you wake up, so that I can report back to him."


    Athena nodded again, slowly. "I see. Please send my thanks and regards to him, then. I feel better now. Thank you."


    Colt pursed his lips; he knew enough to understand that her words were a dismissal. She had a lot to talk about with the people in the room, but she wouldn¡¯t because of him.


    Yet, how could she trust these fickle men over him and his crew who had sworn allegiance to the president? Didn¡¯t she realize she was safer in their hands? Didn¡¯t she realize that his men would rather die than betray the president?


    Seeing her firm gaze though, which told him that she wouldn¡¯t be forting with any reasonable reports, he gave her a curt nod and turned to walk toward the exit.


    He paused however, at the doorpost, needing to fulfill his duty to the fullest. "Did you find any clues at the hideout before everything went kaboom?"


    Athena shook her head. "Not at all. The gang was more secretive than we had thought."


    Colt wasn¡¯t surprised by her answer; he had predicted it all along. "I figured as much. See you around, Athena."


    "See you around, Colt."


    "So, the house really went kaboom?" Athena asked, surprise tinging her voice a few minutes after Colt left the room.


    She had noticed Old Mr. Thorne texting away on his phone and assumed that one of the agents was already leading Colt to the gates.


    "Yes, it did. Turns out that not only our room was rigged with the gas; Zane filled me in when I woke up," Ewan replied. "Are you sure you don¡¯t want to rest more? You still look pale..."


    Athena snorted, ncing at Ewan before turning to Aiden. "You look pale too." Then, to Aiden: "Is she okay?"


    Aiden nodded. "Just a bit shaken, considering the news about her mother¡¯s death."


    Athena sighed, sping her hands together. She hadn¡¯t wanted Susan to find out the truth this way. "Where is she?"


    "In the next room. Last I checked, she was sleeping after crying for hours..."


    "What time is it now?" Athena asked, noticing the absence of her watch on her wrist.


    "Some minutes after four." Aiden replied calmly.


    The twins would soon be waking up. Athena thought. She needed to be up and doing before then.


    Hence, she threw her legs over the side of the bed, ignoring Ewan¡¯s questioning nce, and stood up, testing her feet on the floor. She seemed okay.


    "I think someone was watching us... it would exin why the gas was activated..." Athena began, sitting back down on the bed.


    "At first, I thought it was the Spider, that perhaps he had betrayed us... or that Ewan had somehow swapped sides..."


    Ewan let out a low chuckle of disbelief.


    Athena turned and looked at him nkly. "You can¡¯t me me. You kept opening doors and cracking codes... with the lie that you read ancient books. But then you nearly died while retrieving those clues, and I let go of the insane thought..."


    That would exin the creepy feeling he¡¯d had when he cracked the codes of the walls and the nk stares she often gave him. Ewan surmised. She had really thought he was working with Morgan? That was a foolish deduction!


    Working with Morgan and half of hispany got burnt? For God¡¯s sake, she was the mother of his children! Thepany could go to hell!! He would rather keep them safe!


    Yet, he maintained a stoic exterior, watching Athena gather her thoughts.


    "So, will you tell me how you opened the doors?"


    "Everyone has their secrets, Athena. Let me have mine," He answered her simply, a hint of annoyance seeping into his tone before he could help it as he met her expression, which shifted to stone immediately.


    Aiden had to step in to diffuse the tension mounting in the room.


    "You both should cool off. Athena, if you¡¯re so curious about how the doors work, you can ask Zane and Sandro. They are both very skilled in that area and opened a couple of doors while we were searching for you..."

 Chapter 254: Long Night XVIII

    <h4>Chapter 254: Long Night XVIII</h4>


    Athena watched, her eyes narrowed partly in suspicion and curiosity, as Zane and Sandro retold the events of a few hours ago.


    They recounted their roles in the situation, the roles which she had been ignorant about, the parts of the y where they had conveniently left the group out , as if they had their own mission.


    Wasn¡¯t anyone else seeing the loopholes in their story? Why wasn¡¯t anyone, including Aiden, asking the right questions? How could they open those secret doors just from reading an ancient text? It was crazier they had the same lies to tell as Ewan!


    Listening to Sandro recount the number of gangsters that hade at them from the bushes, attempting to attack, made it clear that no matter what had happened in the past¡ªno matter how much Ewan had messed up regarding her and the children¡ªthey remained fiercely loyal to him, more than ever.


    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if there was something deeper tying their loyalty to him. What exactly was the history behind their friendship? What was the true story? How could they have defeated that number of people without the aid of the others?


    Yes, she could that in thepany of Aiden, but as much as she was aware, Zane and Sandro hadn¡¯t been in the military. And neither had Ewan.


    Athena deftly penned that query into her notepad; she would be doing her research today. Thankfully, she didn¡¯t owe Ewan the same grace she had shown to Gianna or Aiden. She had no qualms about digging a little deeper into his past.


    After all, hadn¡¯t he done the same for her? Wasn¡¯t that how he knew she had worked for the CIA? She wondered how much he had paid for such a thorough hacker. Or did Spider do him another favor?


    Sneaking a nce at Ewan, she saw he was sittingfortably on one of the sofas¡ªhe had moved after their earlier misunderstanding¡ªright beside Old Mr. Thorne. His gaze was fixed solely on Sandro, who was suggesting they check through the rubbles of the burnt hideout, hoping to find more clues.


    Athena shook her head before she could help it. "I doubt we will find anything," She began, crossing her legs on the bed. "Ewan and I had to scour through secret doors and rooms to get those loot, and that¡¯s because he was adamant about leaving with them, not minding the issues that had nearly affected his health. And you just mentioned that despite the extra doors you and Zane opened, you found nothing¡ªnot even the boxes of drugs."


    A pause.


    "Of course, it¡¯s obvious that they were aware of our approach, that they tipped off the helicopter, and moved the drugs to another facility. I¡¯m sure of that. So instead of going on a wild hunt, I suggest we make do with what we have. Hopefully, we¡¯ll get more clues as we forge ahead."


    Sandro pursed his lips, his hands, which had been sped, tightening. "Alright then, if that¡¯s what you wish..."


    Athena shook her head immediately, her hands raised in a cating gesture. "You know what? Never mind. If you want to check out the rubble, you are free to go. But don¡¯t endanger any of my people."


    "I wasn¡¯t nning on using your escort, Athena. I can go alone or maybe take Zane or Ewan with me."


    Athena nodded in resignation; there was no changing Sandro¡¯s mind. Well, if he was so determined to waste his time, then... "What time are you going?"


    Sandro furrowed his brows, darting a nce at Ewan, who maintained his stoic mask, not ready to dive into hot water with Athena again. Being at odds with her left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. He couldn¡¯t still believe that she had thought him in cahoots with the gang.


    "Today. Probably when the day has broken finally. Of course, I will have to stop by thepany first to see how things are progressing with the recent problem..."


    "You don¡¯t have to worry about that. I¡¯ve already made some calls..." Old Mr. Thorne spoke up, unsping his hands from across his chest. "Everything has been absolutely taken care of¡ªthe family,pensation benefits, and all that..."


    Ewan¡¯s chest rose and fell with gratitude. He turned to face the old man. "Thank you so much... I..." He shook his head. "Thank you."


    Old Mr. Thorne nodded slowly. "I have also sent out a mini telegram on the dark web; there is a bounty on Morgan and any members of the Scorpion gang..."


    Silence reigned in the room for a few seconds as everyone tried to absorb the implications of this.


    "Are you aware of what you are doing, old man? That will cost you a lot of money," Aiden finally spoke, leaning forward, his eyes trailing over Old Mr. Thorne, who didn¡¯t seem fazed by his statement.


    "I am aware, but I am ready to be done with Morgan once and for all. From Ewan¡¯s ount, Athena¡¯s gun got to him good, so he might need to check into a hospital. If so, then what better way to get rid of him than through assassins? As for the members around the globe, I¡¯m not sure how possible it is to erase the Scorpion gang from the face of the earth, but I am ready to do all I can. Morgan dared to threaten me and my family. I¡¯ll make sure he regrets that for the rest of his miserable life."


    Seeing the resolve and sheer determination on Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s face, Athena didn¡¯t bother suggesting otherwise. If anything, she was ready to support him in any way to eradicate the gangpletely.


    Of course, it wouldn¡¯t be a walk in the park, but with thebined efforts of everyone here, including the president, surely they could make some headway. Who knows? They might even uncover some clues.


    "I¡¯m d you¡¯re on my side, Old Mr. Thorne. Morgan won¡¯t know what hit him," Athena joked to ease the tension on Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s face. She was sure he was imagining tearing Morgan limb from limb. Her n worked; he smiled at her. "As I¡¯m d to be on yours."


    "I know this sounds good, but let¡¯s be realistic..." Zane started then, leaning forward as well, his face serious. "This bounty on the Scorpion gang will mean more deaths in the country and in countries around the globe. That will bring the police investigative team into the matter. Wouldn¡¯t it be traced back to us?"


    A pause.


    "Yes, I¡¯m sure we all have police friends who could turn a blind eye, especially when they know what we are up to. But those stiff-necked ones who don¡¯t care about being friends with us¡ªwho care about justice first, even for criminals¡ªwill be on our backs. They are suckers for doing things the right way. Shouldn¡¯t we be concerned about that?"


    A few moments of silence filled the room as everyone ruminated on this matter. Then Old Mr. Thorne cleared his throat. "You don¡¯t have to worry too much, Zane. Everything will be taken care of. And as for the deaths, don¡¯t worry about that; I made the terms clear in the telegram."


    Zane met Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s gaze unflinchingly, even though he was jarred by the resolution reflected in thetter¡¯s eyes. Athena was right; it was good that Old Mr. Thorne was on their side and not supporting the drug hippies.


    "Okay then, if you say so, old man." He reclined deeper in his chair, to Ewan¡¯s relief.


    "So, from the mission tonight, we discovered that the gang is assuredly not working alone. Did anyone make any discoveries they want to share before we go our separate ways? The day is breaking, and I¡¯m sure many of us want to rest. It has been a long night." Aiden said momentster.


    "Well, the underground is like the president¡¯s secret office. Did you notice that?" Athena posited.


    Aiden nodded in agreement. The others had never been to the president¡¯s office, so they could only imagine.


    "So, you think the instigator works in the government? Is this a confirmation?"


    Athena nodded at Sandro¡¯s question. "That theory is supported by the loot we recovered. Apart from the journal showing that Morgan usually does dirty work for prestigious men in society, the gold bars and the pistol, which have government insignia on them, confirm that his hire was through someone in government. A high ranking one at that."


    "Do you think the president is behind this, considering the gold bars are a matter of state?" Sandro asked, folding his arms across his chest.


    Athena pursed her lips, contemting the question. "I¡¯m not sure. But to be honest, I don¡¯t think he is involved. I just don¡¯t sense anything sinister about him."


    "Most times, we don¡¯t. Some people have be so adept at wearing masks that we¡¯re unable to differentiate their true selves from their fa?ades," Ewan stated, his eyes focused on the African art hung on her wall, rather than on her.


    Athena huffed before she could help it, ring at him. Was he trying to dismiss her instincts? The gall of that man!


    "No, I am not trying to discredit your feelings, Athena. I¡¯m just saying that sometimes we simply don¡¯t get the right feeling about people until their true intentions are revealed," Ewan muttered, as if having heard her thoughts, to her surprise.


    "I think you should keep an open mind regarding everything. We are getting involved in politics given the circumstances, so I suggest we trust no one as we tread this path¡ªnot even if he is the president of the country."

 Chapter 255: Long Night XIX

    <h4>Chapter 255: Long Night XIX</h4>


    Trust no one? She didn¡¯t even trust him! Athena mused, swallowing the disdain she suddenly felt for the man sitting a few feet away from her, maintaining a calm demeanor.


    How dare hee around and take over the mission? He was supposed to be on the sidelines, and now he was in the circle; and now he was even keeping them out of the circle.


    Ha! A strategic y, and he¡¯s talking about trust?! He should leave with his friends and nevere back!


    "Athena..." Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s calm, fatherly voice managed to drag Athena out of her deprecating thoughts and into a position where she began to question her reasoning.


    <i>Ewan</i><i>is</i><i>the</i><i>cause</i><i>of</i><i>this! </i>She finally realized. He was making her doubt herself¡ªhe still had that power over her. Well, she would no longer stand for it, not even with him in her face.


    Whilebating her thoughts, she still hadn¡¯t looked at Old Mr. Thorne or acknowledged his call. The old man had to call again to get her attention.


    "I¡¯m sorry, I was just trying to connect some dots in my head," She said, realizing she was the center of attention.


    Old Mr. Thorne, who had called because of the sinister smile on her lips, didn¡¯t need a soothsayer to understand the direction of her thoughts. Ewan was stepping on Athena¡¯s nerves, and he didn¡¯t want her to brood on it either.


    Those two were supposed to be civil, at least; he had promised his wife to sow the seeds of love¡ªor friendship, at the very least¡ªfor the sake of his grandchildren.


    "That¡¯s okay. Do you want to share what you were thinking about?"


    Athena raised a brow and shook her head. "But I have some questions and some observations..."


    Old Mr. Thorne held back a sigh of weariness. Athena wasn¡¯t letting this matter go anytime soon.


    "Sure, go ahead."


    He finally let out a sigh when she turned to face Ewan, who had been staring at her.


    "Why didn¡¯t you involve us in the n with Spider? Who is this Spider? You never mentioned that. Since no one here has thought to make this important inquiry, I believe I should. Your earlier talk of trust and politics¡ªwas that why you didn¡¯t involve us in the n, Ewan?"


    Athena¡¯s voice was calm and steady, despite the flurry of emotions swirling within her, with anger at the forefront. Why hadn¡¯t he involved her and the crew when they had included him? What sort of dirty behavior was that?


    "Well, yes, that¡¯s why I didn¡¯t involve you all," Ewan responded in the same calm tone, even though he was bursting with frustration inside. <i>What¡¯s</i><i>with</i><i>this</i><i>woman</i><i>scrutinizing</i><i>everything</i><i>I</i><i>do?</i>


    Athena let out a hollowugh of disbelief while ncing at Old Mr. Thorne. The old man sighed and turned aside to Ewan.


    "You don¡¯t trust us?"


    Ewan shook his head. "I trust all of you in this room. I just don¡¯t trust the unit you sent with us. I don¡¯t even know them personally. I¡¯m aware they are loyal to you and to Athena, but this is the real world. Let¡¯s be realistic¡ªeveryone has a price tag."


    A pause. "And you can see that¡¯s what saved us. There¡¯s a mole among us, and I think that¡¯s what we should be deliberating on: how to sniff out the mole. If I had involved everyone in the n...well, the n wouldn¡¯t even exist if I had just walked in like you all, assuming everything would go right. There should always be contingencies in missions like this."


    Ewan finished before shifting his attention back to Athena. "And about Spider, it¡¯s as I told you before: let me have my secrets, just as you have yours."


    Athena bit her lower lip, meeting Ewan¡¯s gaze and feeling an increase in her confusing emotions. On one hand, she felt like pping the satisfied look from his face; on the other, she felt like thanking him for saving their lives. In the end, she said nothing. After a while, she turned away from him.


    "You still should have told me. I hate being blindsided," She muttered, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.


    "If I had..."


    "And we are sorry about that. It won¡¯t happen like this next time," Zane spoke up immediately, interrupting Ewan and covering for his friend, as thetter couldn¡¯t see that the woman just needed an apology to smooth things over.


    Ewan needed to take some lessons from him about women!


    He smiled, giving Ewan a satisfied smirk when Athena nodded slowly and adjusted her position on the bed. All was good.


    Lesson learned. Ewan mused, noting the rxation of Athena¡¯s shoulders. Women hated being argued with.


    "So, now that everything has been settled, what are your observations?" Aiden asked, enjoying the unfolding drama. It was enough to take his mind off a certain someone.


    "I think we were being watched," Athena answered, leaning forward. "Apart from the mole aspect Ewan discussed, we were being monitored¡ªlike our every movement. I confirmed it when we were in the secret doors; the doors closed by themselves, including the vents that emitted the gas. There hadn¡¯t been a trigger. Whoever was watching had triggered it."


    Sandro nodded in agreement. "She¡¯s right. I felt it even when I was outside with Zane, preparing our guns for the massacre ahead, before we were attacked. Even Spider shared this thought¡ªhe felt he wasn¡¯t the only surveince in the area."


    And Spider was never wrong, Ewan thought, sping his hands tightly. This was why he had kept the n confined to his friends; the n within the n. And yet, they had almost left the scene without any clues.


    "Did he share any other thoughts on this?" Athena asked.


    Sandro shook his head. "Not at all. He probably would have checked it out¡ªhe has ways of doing that¡ªif lives weren¡¯t involved. We don¡¯t want to upset things we are unaware of."


    Athena nodded slowly. So they were being watched. By whom? The gang, or whoever had hired them? Thetter option seemed more viable. She exhaled harshly. "So, how do we go about finding the mole?"


    "You can leave that to me. I can track it within days. Sandro and Zane will help, but that will be after we¡¯ve checked the rubble of the building," Ewan proposed.


    This time, Athena didn¡¯t argue or decline his request.


    Ewan held back a smile; she was finally cutting him some ck.


    When he had instructed Spider to get him a different mic and to obtain separate earpieces for Sandro and Zane¡ªones not shared with the others¡ªhe had suspected that Athena would blow up when she finally did find out. Yet he¡¯d gone ahead because he had a duty to protect her now.


    Maybe he should have sent her a text? Yet would she have acknowledged his caution then?


    Ewan was pulled from his thoughts by Athena¡¯s next observation. "The ne we found in the safe ce¡ªit looks like a key. Does it seem that way to anyone else?"


    There was a moment of silence as everyone ruminated on this.


    "I can see why you would say that," Ewan spoke first, his brow furrowing in concentration. "Even though it is shaped like a standard cross ne, there¡¯s something strange about the design. Its edges are quite..."


    "Different from the usual?" Athena supplied.


    "Yeah, that," Ewan agreed, pleased with their truce.


    "So, we just have to find out what it opens?" Old Mr. Thorne asked, and everyone nodded.


    "Well, we can sleep on that. This old man is tired," He said with a chuckle, causing those around him tough as well and apologize for keeping him up.


    He waved their apologies away. "Sometimes, an old man has to do the necessary things."


    He got to his feet and started toward the door. The others in the room followed in his footsteps, their shoulders drooping a little from fatigue. It had really been a long night.


    "Oh well, Athena, it seems your night hasn¡¯t ended..." Old Mr. Thorne muttered as he opened the door.


    For a second, Athena thought it was the twins or Gianna, but it was Susan standing behind the door when Old Mr. Thorne opened it wider. She wondered how long thetter had been standing outside.


    While the others filed past a sad Susan, Athena stayed back in the room. Just as Old Mr. Thorne had said, her night was still long.


    "Hey, Susan, how are you doing? How are you feeling?" She asked when Susan stepped into the room and shut the door behind her.


    The young woman shrugged, sauntering over to one of the sofas in the room. "I¡¯m not sure. Maybe like I just got run over by a bus. I feel sad, angry, vengeful, upset¡ªall at once. But one thing is certain: I want Morgan¡¯s head."


    Athena folded her lips, thinking, and settled into the next space on the same sofa. She gently draped her arm over Susan¡¯s shoulder. "I promise we will get him for you. If he isn¡¯t already dead."


    A dull spark lit in Susan¡¯s eyes as she turned to Athena. "You shot him?"


    Athena nodded. "Let¡¯s just hope that¡¯s enough to slow him down until we catch up with him."


    Susan furrowed her brows. "You know, that¡¯s the first time I¡¯m hearing you lost your mark. My mother..." She paused, peeling open a fresh wound. She turned back to Athena. "Tell me how she died."

 Chapter 256: Long Night XX

    <h4>Chapter 256: Long Night XX</h4>


    "The truth this time around, Athena. I want the truth. I think I deserve it after all this time in the dark." Susan continued when Athena remained silent.


    She crossed her legs over each other and folded her arms across her chest, ready for the tale that had her heart racing.


    Athena, backed into a corner now, nodded, feeling she had no choice. Retelling this event was unlike anything she had ever done; it was a type she never wanted to be caught dead speaking of because it tore open wounds she thought had healed and left her feeling raw.


    But she had seen the plea in Susan¡¯s eyes and knew there was no way around it this time. It was time to share the burden.


    "Your mother was the best agent I loved working with. We did a lot of jobs together, aplished many things. We never failed at a single task given to us by the agency¡ªnever had a mishap. We were the best in the field¡ªuntil one fateful day..." A pause, during which Athena gathered her feelings, bunched them up, and set them aside.


    She needed to remain stoic to recount this story without breaking down in tears. Susan deserved that much.


    "We were instructed by the head of operations to retrieve an item from an antique auction. We were warned ahead of time that there would be opposition, as many other eyes were on the item too."


    "What was the item?" Susan cut in, leaning forward slightly, her full attention focused on Athena and the story she was about to tell.


    Meanwhile, Athena pursed her lips. "I¡¯m not even sure. You know how wealthy people always go for the most abstract things..." She answered, almost as if she wasn¡¯t in the same category as the rich.


    On a normal day, Susan would have pointed out that inconsistency with augh, but today wasn¡¯t a normal day. Today, Susan was mourning her mother.


    "But it was like a painting, only I could never understand the head or tail of it. There was even a bloody nylon strapped to the canvas!" Athena shook her head. "Well, that was the item we were tasked with bringing back to the agency by the HOD. He told us it was of international importance, that the bnce of peace among nations was teetering on a delicate edge."


    A pause, then a disbelievingugh escaped her lips. "We were so gullible, eating up whatever he said..." Athena continued, her eyes watering as she remembered the old man who had worked alongside the boss.


    "Hence, we attended the auction. When we confirmed the old man¡¯s words¡ªthat we weren¡¯t the only ones after the item¡ªour lingering doubts were quenched, and we set out toplete the mission as before. It was sessful. The mission. Of course, not without its difficulties, but your mother and I were always prepared." A painedugh followed.


    "When we left the auction, we had removed our fake identities¡ª" Athena paused, her eyes widening a fraction as she looked at Susan expectantly. "Did I tell you that your mother was a master of disguises? She could take on any voice, any persona¡ªjust like you. It runs in the blood."


    A fat tear rolled down Susan¡¯s cheek.


    Athena looked away and continued the story. "We got away with the heist. But we were ambushed on the way back to the headquarters. It was Morgan and his gang members. At that time, though, we didn¡¯t know who or what he was. We just deduced that he was one of those crazy bodyguards or thugs working for the rich men or the people who wanted that painting. Well, we were right about one thing..."


    Athena sniffed and continued. "There was a gun battle, but we won, as Morgan fled the scene with some of his men. We thought it was over. But then I received a call from the boss asking us to return to headquarters because there was another mission to undertake. Confused, I asked him if he wasn¡¯t aware I was already on a mission. Well, he wasn¡¯t aware. It turns out the old man, the HOD, hadn¡¯t informed him, so I did. The boss was angry, mentioning that there was no world peace hinging on that painting. Turns out that the painting was for the old man¡¯s wife; she had wanted it for ages."


    A pause.


    "Your mother¡ªangry¡ªdecided to keep the painting with her and not submit it. The old man wasn¡¯t happy that we had failed the mission; he found it hard to believe, actually, but he let the matter go, since he was almost fired for the disgraceful act. We thought that was the end of it until we were called into the boss¡¯s office a few weekster. Turns out the painting was one of those used for moneyundering and such."


    Another significant pause.


    "Well, I didn¡¯t have a problem giving it back, but your mother doubted their intentions, especially given the sketchy way everything was going. However, we outwardly agreed with the boss and promised to bring the painting the next day. When we got to her ce, we picked up the painting and stared at it; there was nothing spectacr about it, yet we could see how it might be used for moneyundering. That all changed the next minute while we were trying to stuff the weird stuff into a bag."


    A pause. A deep inhale. "Something fell off the side. We picked it up; it was a small memory card. Curiosity got the better of us, and we slotted it into a system. Well, we wished we hadn¡¯t because everything we thought we knew about the agency, about the government, was turned upside down; they were all corrupt, polluted."


    Athena wrinkled her nose in disgust as memories of what she had seen in the memory card assailed her mind.


    "Is that why you stopped working for the CIA, apart from my mother¡¯s death?"


    "Yes," Athena stated, nodding.


    "So, what happened after you both found the memory card?"


    Athena shrugged her shoulders. "We returned the painting to the boss, although we kept the memory card for ourselves." A pause. "Somehow, they must have suspected that we had the memory card because shortly after, we noticed we were being watched. We were well-trained agents, so we knew what was happening. But we pretended not to see anything, having nned to submit our resignation letters in a couple of days."


    "You people wanted to run off with the memory card?"


    Athena shook her head. "No, we didn¡¯t. We actually returned it a few dayster. Maybe something in our eyes told the boss that we had seen its contents, for he said that things didn¡¯t always look the way they appeared." A scoff escaped her lips, followed by a dryugh. "Like we didn¡¯t know what we saw."


    Susan scoffed drily.


    "Well, he gave us another mission before we left his office. This time, it was a normal mission: spy on a terrorist, get into his vaults, retrieve a bioweapon, and flee."


    A dryugh from Athena again. "Or so we thought... Seeing the journal where Morgan had recorded all his kills..."


    "Sorry, a journal?" Susan interrupted.


    Athena nodded. "We found it in one of the journals. It¡¯s how I discovered that the CIA was behind the attack on us¡ªthe consistent attacks we faced while going about the mission. It had been a setup."


    "The CIA killed my mother? After her ruthless dedication to it¡ªa dedication that cost her her marriage?" Susan growled, jumping to her feet in anger, pacing the room from one end to the other.


    Athena shut her eyes as pain racketed through her soul, bowing her head low to stew in it. Suddenly, she was aware of Susan punching the wall in anger.


    "Stop it; you¡¯ll hurt yourself..."


    A bark of snideughter erupted from Susan. "Hurt myself? I wish I could. The pain in my heart is darker, more painful. I feel like it¡¯s consuming me..." The tears became frantic.


    Athena got up from her seat, walked up to Susan, and enveloped her in a hug. They both slid to the floor.


    "Finish the story..." The youngdy pleaded through her tears, her breath shaking.


    Athena, crying now, swallowed painfully, her grip tightening on Susan as she sought the strength to continue with the story.


    "We were able to get what we wanted from the terrorist den, but we couldn¡¯t escape. We had been surrounded on all sides. I recognized Morgan first, remembered him from ourst encounter on the road. He smiled at me and promised we wouldn¡¯t be leaving alive. They bundled your mother and me into a cell. It was one of the most sorrowful moments of our lives. They tortured us for information about the painting, about what we discovered. Now, I can see it clearly. The agency wanted to know what we were hiding. Yet we hadn¡¯t realized it then, so we were bent on defending the agency with ourst breath, even though our resignation letters had already been typed up, ready to be sent out."


    A pause. "Your mother was shot to extract information from me. I¡¯ve always wondered why it wasn¡¯t me. Why did it have to be her?" Athena muttered, not seeing the need to add that Scarlet had been raped by Morgan before the bullet had rammed through the center of her head.

 Chapter 257: Nightmare

    <h4>Chapter 257: Nightmare</h4>


    "Athena! Athena! Are you okay?!!"


    Athena¡¯s response was to jerk from side to side on the bed, whimpering, tears rolling down her face contorted with anguish and immense sorrow.


    For a brief moment, Gianna contemted calling Aiden, but he had left an hour ago to attend to his business. Feeling helpless, she watched her friend in distress, wondering what could possibly trouble her this much.


    What nightmare could have strung Athena up like this, rendering her unable to wake up from such torment?


    Inhaling deeply, Gianna joined Athena on the bed, trying to hug her close, but Athena struck her hand out, connecting sharply with Gianna¡¯s neck.


    The sharp cry of pain that erupted from Gianna¡¯s lips was what finally pulled Athena from her hellish dreams. She sprang up smartly, as if released from a coiled spring, her breaths rapid and shallow, the throes of fear still etched on her features.


    "Gianna! Gianna! Are you okay?!" She eximed, looking around frantically, her gaze wild and unfocused, ignoring the sweat and tears cascading down her face in torrents.


    Her frantic search slowed as she finallyprehended her surroundings: she was in her room, not in the damp, nightmarish cell where Morgan had imprisoned her and Scarlet.


    The nightmares had returned, haunting her again.


    But hadn¡¯t she expected this when shey down, after Susan had finally left the room a few hours ago? Hadn¡¯t she known it would return the moment she clutched the pillow tightly and whispered softly to herself, to sleep and dream well?


    Her throat felt constricted, thoughts pausing as she noticed Gianna on the floor, hands at her neck, gritting her teeth in pain.


    "Oh no, no, no..." She cursed loudly, her heart sinking. She wiped the tears from her eyes haphazardly before hurriedly jumping down from the bed, rushing to her friend.


    "Gianna, I¡¯m so sorry," She muttered repeatedly, desperately grabbing Gianna and pulling her against her side. "I¡¯m really, truly sorry. It wasn¡¯t intentional."


    But Gianna only stared up at her, as if trying to peel away theyers of Athena¡¯s guarded existence. Last night, she had glimpsed anotheryer of her friend, and now this morning... she had no idea that Athena even had nightmares, for God¡¯s sake! Crazy ones at that!


    Gianna sighed tiredly, her brow furrowing slightly, keeping her gaze locked on Athena as thetter left her momentarily to grab a pain relief balm and some tablets from her work bag, moving with an urgency that only heightened her concern.


    "Here, take this," Athena urged, handing the tablets to Gianna. "It¡¯s chewable, and I promise it isn¡¯t bitter."


    Gianna paused, taking note of Athena¡¯s downcast and miserable face, sighed again, and then reluctantly epted the medicine. After mping her teeth together as she chewed through the tablets, she winced when Athena began massaging the balm into and around her neck.


    "I¡¯m so sorry..." Athena continued to mutter, guilt piling on her already heavy conscience, especially when she saw Gianna¡¯s face contort with difort with each stroke of her hands.


    She mentally chastised herself for being overly optimistic, for believing that she could confront her fears without any repercussions. Perhaps she should have taken a sleeping pill, rather than hold onto the hope that she wouldn¡¯t be tormented by nightmares again, especially after having endured such a long reprieve.


    "Stop saying sorry, Athena. I¡¯m fine. I¡¯d rather you tell me what¡¯s going on," Gianna urged, cutting through Athena¡¯s spiraling thoughts.


    "I didn¡¯t know you had nightmares¡ªanother thing you kept from me, just like the mission part of youst night. What is going on, best friend?" Gianna turned to Athena, pausing her massaging motions, her eyes full of concern.


    The words Ewan had thrown at Athena when she wanted to know who Spider was lingered on the tip of Athena¡¯s tongue like bitter ash, but she just couldn¡¯t bring herself to say them. She felt physically drained, her spirit battered from both the memories and the emotions swirling around her.


    In a moment of vulnerability, she pushed away from Gianna and sat on the floor beside her friend, the weight of her thoughts pressing down heavily.


    "What was the nightmare about, Athena? It seemed very serious..." Gianna asked, her voice soft, encouraging.


    Athena folded her lips in, wondering if she was truly ready to speak about this matter that she had kept hidden from Susan for the sake of thetter¡¯s mental well-being.


    "Athena..."


    "I just don¡¯t know how to start the story," Athena muttered, as memories surged into her mind, leaving her powerless against the relentless onught.


    When she and Scarlet had been taken captive by Morgan, she had tried the SOS pattern with her ne at first¡ªbefore it was snatched away by him; he had known what she was doing somehow¡ªbut there had been no response.


    Athena recalled the overwhelming sense of dread that washed over her when he entered their small cell, his presence as oppressive as a dark cloud. At first, they were tortured in more conventional ways, but when their lips remained sealed¡ªtrained for months on how to keep their silence during captivity¡ªMorgan devised more insidious tactics.


    Every day, after a three-day break, he woulde into their room with a couple of his men, armed with a bare mat. And then he would rape Scarlet, all the while smirking at her, a twisted smile that had struck at Athena¡¯s soul each time.


    No matter how hard she had screamed or cried for mercy, no matter how much she had begged for it to stop, nothing had changed the horrific reality they had been trapped in.


    She had shouted and cried every time it happened, for the first two urrences. But by the third time, she found herself divulging information about what they had seen in the tape and where the copies were, despite Scarlet desperately shouting for her to keep her mouth shut, as if her friend had known the true depths of Morgan¡¯s cruelty.


    Because even after the truth had been revealed, Morgan continued toe in, subjecting Scarlet to relentless violence. It became a daily requirement for him, and over time, he began introducing BDSM materials into their encounters, especially when he grew tired of herck of response, his twisted desires demanding more. Eventually Scarlet had started screaming.


    Athena remembered losing herself while watching her friend, hands and legs shackled in a way that left them both vulnerable and helpless.


    And then came thest time...


    When Morgan was forcing himself into Scarlet then, smirking at Athena with satisfaction, he pulled a gun from his pocket and emptied a shot right into the center of Scarlet¡¯s forehead. He didn¡¯t stop until he had spilled his depravity; the evil scene forever etched in Athena¡¯s mind.


    Athena had known she would be traumatized, just as she had feared she would be the next victim.


    But about a weekter, chaos erupted in their hideout¡ªsome sort of gang sh, she suspected¡ªbecause one man, who she didn¡¯t think belonged to the gang, hade in, surveyed her dire situation, and set her free.


    He held her tightly, despite the stench radiating from her, as she had vomited on herself day after day in that wretched cell, and he led her out into a world that had felt entirely foreign.


    The man had escorted her to the edge of thepound, but when he noticed how gracelessly she slumped to the ground, as ifcking bones, he kept her in the car while he returned to continue the raid.


    He had finally returned about an hourter and had driven her to a local hospital without a single word exchanged, not even a name. All she remembered distinctly was his voice when he spoke to the nurse right before leaving. She hadn¡¯t even seen his face.


    While recuperating in the hospital, she had stayed for days longer, hoping that she might see him again; that he woulde back¡ªpreferably without a mask¡ªso she could offer her deepest gratitude. But he never appeared.


    After a week, she had left the hospital, not to return home, but to the hideout. She had been stunned to find itpletely deserted, every corner void of life, with not a soul in sight.


    Panic had erupted within her, a frantic rushpelling her to run to her former cell, praying that nothing had happened to Scarlet¡¯s body.


    In the cell, she had steeled herself against the stench that emanated from where her friendy. She had bent down crying, and gently pushed the body into a long nylon bag.


    Bncing the heavy bag on her shoulders, Athena had groaned with the effort as she left the cell behind. She had buried Scarlet in arge expanse ofnd, under a sky that felt burdened with grief, and although there had been no witnesses, wildflowers dotted the earth around her.


    It was there that she had also swore revenge¡ªa promise she had made deep within her heart.


    It was the reason she didn¡¯t want to kill Morgan outright; she longed to tortur him herself, to hear his painful screams, to see him suffer as they had. It wouldn¡¯t resurrect Scarlet, nor would it offer any true restitution for her own trauma, but she craved it, badly.


    When she had finally returned to the city, Aiden had hammered her with questions. Instead of answering him, she had locked herself in a room, desperate to escape the flood of inquiries that would only remind her of the horrors she had faced.


    Eventually, she had returned to her children, but they had greeted her with the silent treatment. She had waited patiently until they finally opened up to her again, her tongue still too heavy to exin her absence¡ªthat she had almost been murdered, that she had lost her close friend.


    Scarlet¡¯s death became knownter, of course, but she had never been able to bring herself to share the details of their shared experiences.


    Now, Gianna was asking her for details, and Athena, tears streaming down her face anew, shook her head. "I can¡¯t. It¡¯s too gut-wrenching. I don¡¯t think I can."


    Seeing the anguish etched into Athena¡¯s features, Gianna felt as if her own heart were about to shatter. She yearned to make her friend smile, to alleviate the pain that clung to her tightly. Yet, she had no idea how to do that.


    So, she did the only thing she could: she hugged Athena close, rocking her gently from side to side, whispering soft promises that everything would be fine, that she would be there for her no matter what.


    But then, momentster, Athena exhaled harshly, her hands trembling. "I want to tell you about it."

 Chapter 258: Nightmare II

    <h4>Chapter 258: Nightmare II</h4>


    Gianna couldn¡¯t speak for the first five minutes after Athena¡¯s confession; maybe even longer. Her silence was profound, encasing them both in a heavy atmosphere that felt almost tangible.


    There was a type of nk expression on her face, the kind that spoke of numbness and disbelief¡ªthe horror of it all was overwhelming. How cruel the world could be, and how could this happen to her friend, to such a good woman?


    Gianna remembered meeting Scarlet only once. Athena had made the introduction, describing her as a brilliant colleague in the hospital. Scarlet had lit up the room with her confidence, possessing killer looks that could captivate anyone lucky enough to witness her charm.


    Gianna recalled the first glimpse of Scarlet¡¯s infectiousughter, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke about her work. She had left that meeting feeling inspired, and when the tragic news of Scarlet¡¯s death had reached her, a wave of sadness had washed over her.


    To hear the gory details that surrounded Scarlet¡¯s untimely demise was heart-wrenching, terribly shocking¡ªmuch more so than the revtion that Athena had once worked with the CIA. The weight of it pressed down hard in that moment of shock, squeezing her lungs as she struggled toprehend what her friend had just revealed.


    She finally inhaled softly¡ªthe first outward act of her body¡ªwhen Athena leaned into her, resting her head on her shoulder.


    Exhaustion dripped from Athena and as Gianna tried to hold her friend tighter, she noted the frail state and paleplexion of thetter.


    It wasn¡¯t just exhaustion alone; Gianna could see the flicker of fear that tainted Athena¡¯s soft features. She knew that her friend was scared¡ªnot just frightened but terrified of what she might see or feel in her dreams, of more terrible nights awaiting her.


    "Athena..." Gianna began, instinctively rising to offer constion, but she shut her mouth after a moment¡¯s hesitation. What could she say that would truly reach her friend? What could she do to alleviate this crushing sense of sorrow?


    She wetted her lips, slowly draping her hand over Athena¡¯s shoulder, bringing her closer. "I am sorry that all this happened. I wish..."


    Her voice trailed off, the unuttered words lingering heavily in the air. I wish you could have told me earlier? That it didn¡¯t have to happen to you?


    None of these phrases seemed satisfactory, and as a wave of helplessness washed over her, Gianna fell silent, letting the sorrowful stillness in the room reign.


    Time passed in a cocoon of shared breaths and unspoken thoughts, and the two friends remained tightly wound in this space, finding sce in each other¡¯s presence.


    After a couple of minutes that felt more like hours, Gianna finally indicated that they should go to the bed, hoping to create a morefortable atmosphere.


    Athena shook her head, looking slightly distressed. "I don¡¯t want to sleep. Besides, it¡¯s already day." She darted a worried nce at the window, with the French curtains pushed aside, allowing morning light to flood into the otherwise dim room.


    "I didn¡¯t ask that for you to sleep; I just wanted to cuddle you better," Gianna replied gently, her voice soothing. "You know, like we always do when we meet after so long..."


    This time, Athena didn¡¯t waste any more time. She hurriedly got to her feet¡ªthough slower than she normally would¡ªand climbed onto the bed. Gianna followed suit, opening her arms as shey down, weing thefort of her friend as Athena nestled her head on Gianna¡¯s chest.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Athena," Gianna murmured, her voiceced with empathy. "I¡¯m so, so sorry that this happened. I am sorry that this cruel experience haunts your dreams... I am sorry for all the pain and sorrow you are carrying around. But I also know that you can push through this. You are stronger than you realize, and though it may feel impossible right now, there is light beyond this darkness. Healing takes time, but every step counts. You¡¯re not defined by what¡¯s happened to you; you¡¯re defined by how you choose to rise from this. And you have friends who love you, who will walk this path with you."


    "Thanks, Gianna. I probably should have told you all of this sooner..."


    Gianna tsked softly, shaking her head. "Don¡¯t do that. You had your reasons for keeping it a secret. We all keep secrets in one way or another..."


    She hesitated, choosing not to reveal her own burdens that weighed her down. The memories of her own pressure¡ªthe feeling of wearing a mask while carrying the weight of her worries¡ªfelt raw and unformed.


    Fortunately, Athena didn¡¯t press for information. She chose instead to stay quiet, content to justy in the refuge of her friend¡¯s arms.


    A few beats of silence ensued, providing the perfect backdrop for reflection. It gave the thoughts swirling in Gianna¡¯s mind the space to settle.


    "Do you want to see a therapist? It might help to offload this burden; it would do a lot of good..."


    "I tried..." Athena murmured, voice trembling slightly. "I started seeing one, but when Kate and Nate found out, they were so worried, thinking I was mentally unwell or something. I had to stop¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t let up with the questions I wasn¡¯t ready to answer." She sighed. "Sometimes having genius kids has its own cons."


    Gianna shook her head immediately, frowning at the past development. "That still doesn¡¯t cut it. Going to therapy would make you a better mother for them. There¡¯s nothing wrong with therapy; it doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re mentally ill or something. You can exin it all to them in simpler terms so they would understand. It¡¯s not about being sick; it¡¯s about healing. All the same, I would call Chelsea. She could rmend a better therapist."


    "Can that wait until this Morgan and Grey disease stuff is over and done with?" Athena asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "No, it can¡¯t." Gianna¡¯s tone was resolute, filled with the firmness of friendship that Athena appreciated.


    Athena pursed her lips, exhaling gently as she considered her friend¡¯s words. "Okay then. Thanks, Gianna," She replied, her voice steadier now.


    "Don¡¯t thank me, Athena. I feel like I¡¯m not doing enough," Gianna whispered, hurt evident in her soft voice.


    Athena could feel the ache of concern in Gianna¡¯s heart. Just holding each other so closely felt like a balm, and Athena felt relief in being able to finally share her burdens, including the truth about her work with the CIA and the ongoing struggles with Nimbus operations. <i>Carrying</i><i>secrets</i><i>was</i><i>really</i> a <i>heavy</i><i>burden!</i>


    She readjusted her head on Gianna¡¯s chest, taking deep breaths to find bnce for the day¡¯s duties to ahead.


    "Where are the children?" She asked momentster, feeling the heaviness lift a little from her heart.


    "They¡¯re out with their father for a stroll."


    Athena furrowed her brows, the knot of confusion knitting tighter in her stomach. Which father was Gianna talking about? Did Antonioe around this morning?


    "When you say ¡¯father¡¯..."


    "I meant Ewan," Gianna interjected.


    Athena bit her lower lip, processing the information. Ewan was still around?


    "I know he¡¯s entitled to just one day a month currently, but they were getting restless about seeing you, like they suspected something was wrong. So, I told Ewan to take them out. I¡¯m sorry if that was too insensitive or hasty. I know you have your reservations about..."


    "Gianna, it¡¯s okay," Athena reassured her softly. "I wouldn¡¯t have wanted them to see me in my previous state. Thank you for thinking on your feet... How did Ewan take the suggestion?"


    Gianna chuckled, an infectiousughter that lightened the atmosphere. "He looked like he had been given a Christmas present! You should have seen his eyes, Athena; they lit up like a twinkling Christmas tree! The kids weren¡¯t upset about it either. If I should say anything about it, I would say they were quite curious about how a walk with their real father would look. You know, he surprised them yesterday... I was even shocked. I never would have pegged serious-faced Nathaniel to be intoics!"


    A contemtive pause.


    "It seems the paternal instincts theory is actually real. I thought my father was the only one¡ª"


    Gianna¡¯s yful tone trailed off causing Athena to lift her head to search Gianna¡¯s eyes. A sigh followed, heavy yet gentle. "You know, you should reallye to therapy with me."


    Gianna shook her head immediately. "I¡¯m okay. I don¡¯t need a therapist."


    Athena chuckled drily, raising an eyebrow. "Most of us wouldn¡¯t admit it on a normal day. But I believe you do need it, and I also believe that you should take your own medicine. Weren¡¯t you the one advising me on the benefits of therapy just a moment ago?"


    Gianna sighed wearily; the corners of her mouth turned down in resignation. "Alright then. I¡¯lle to therapy with you."


    Athena smiled, d to see her friend¡¯s willingness to share that journey with her. "Good. So, are you going to work today?"


    Gianna shook her head. "Today is a Sunday, in case you¡¯ve forgotten."


    "Oh..." Athena rested her head back on her friend¡¯s chest, feeling the steady rhythm of Gianna¡¯s heartbeat lull her back into a calm state. "That¡¯s even better."


    More time to rest.


    ***


    Happy new week everyone!


    Thanks Mishi2030 and Remilekun for the golden tickets!!

 Chapter 259: Making Progress

    <h4>Chapter 259: Making Progress</h4>


    "Mom!" Kathleen and Nathaniel shouted as they burst into the sitting room, their excited voices echoing off the walls.


    Their eyes lit up when they spotted Athena seated on the couch, watching TV with Gianna and the Thorne couple, Florence and Old Mr. Thorne. The twins ran toward her in the same breath, leaving Ewan standing by the door with several takeout packages in hand.


    "What do you have there, Ewan?" Gianna finally asked, her gaze shifting from the joyous chaos of the twins to the man lingering at the entrance.


    Ewan shrugged his shoulders in response, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Takeout. The twins mentioned y¡¯all might be hungry."


    Florence huffed, a frown forming on her lips. "What? You think there is no food in this house?" She turned to her husband, indignation radiating from her. "Can you imagine the audacity of this youth?"


    Ewanughed heartily, shaking his head as he crossed the room. He leaned down, nting a soft kiss on Florence¡¯s cheek, dispelling her discontent.


    The effect was instantaneous; she smiled, her previous worries fading away like mist before the sun.


    "You really are something..." She muttered, her cheeks flushing, eliciting a chuckle from the audience around them.


    "So, what do you have for me, son?" Old Mr. Thorne leaned forward, peering at the bags with a twinkle in his eye. "I can see it¡¯s from my favorite restaurant. It¡¯s been a while since I dined there..."


    Ewan¡¯s eyes sparkled as he handed one of the bags to Old Mr. Thorne. "Your favorite..."


    "You still remember?" The old man asked, a note of awe coloring his voice.


    "Of course," Ewan replied, smiling knowingly. He deftly distributed the remaining bags to the women in the living room. "But I have to be going."


    He noticed the surprise etched on Athena¡¯s face as she peered into her package.


    Did she think he had been entirely blind during their marriage? Not at all¡ªnot that he had been blind; he had merely been too angry and vengeful to act on what he had noticed about her over those cold three years.


    "Alright then, Ewan. Thank you for these..." Old Mr. Thorne said, his gratitude sincere yetden with the unspoken weight of their shared past.


    Ewan nodded at thepliment, sensing that the old man meant more than just the food.


    He turned to Gianna, who thanked him as well, and smiled widely at the twins as they waved goodbye to him, their tiny voices chiming a cheerful farewell.


    After a final wave, Ewan exited the living room, feeling the warmth of their odd, floating sense of family even as he stepped back into the world outside.


    "Ewan!!"


    Ewan¡¯s heart thumped as he heard Athena¡¯s voice, the call ringing out like a beacon. He had almost reached the gate and wondered if he was hallucinating.


    Yet, when he turned, seeing her walk toward him with purpose, a sense of warmth spread through him, despite the cool exterior she maintained.


    "Thank you for this morning¡ªtaking care of the kids, and for the food too..." Athena said,ing to a halt before him, her bright eyes reflecting momentary uncertainty.


    For a second there, as she had nced down at her package, she had suspected that the kids¡ªor maybe even Gianna¡ªhad instructed him on what to buy. But then they had reassured her it was not the case. It could only mean that this confusing man had actually paid attention to her, to some extent, during their painful marriage.


    The children seemed so delighted having been with him; it was obvious they had enjoyed their time together, especially after the initial conflicts. Athena couldn¡¯t wait to hear the tales of what they had done over the past couple of hours.


    "You don¡¯t need to mention that... it was a pleasure," Ewan muttered, his hands shoved into his pockets, his gaze steady as he stared at Athena like he had all the time in the world.


    Feeling ufortable under his intense gaze, Athena nodded slowly, then wetted her lips. "Well, um, I wish you a lovely day."


    A pause.


    "Please let me know when you and Sandro decide to revisit the rubble of the building. I would love to go."


    "We¡¯ll be going in the evening. Do you think you will be free then?" Ewan asked, hopeful yet cautious.


    Athena nodded, buoyed by the opportunity. "I will make time. Just let me know ten minutes before."


    "Sure, I will do so." Ewan replied, but he remained standing in the same spot, mirroring Athena¡¯s indecision.


    Clearing her throat secondster, Athena frowned, feeling a tension she couldn¡¯t quite ce.


    Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Ewan watching her go.


    He lingered for a second before leaving the house, unable to shake the urge to call after her. He wanted to say, "So, this time next month?" but deep down, he wasn¡¯t ready for the pain that her confirmation might bring.


    It was better to bask in the high that came from spending time with his children today.


    ¡ª¡ª


    As the door clicked shut behind Athena, she turned to the twins, who were mbering back into the sofas, their energy yet undiminished. She didn¡¯t need a seer to inform her that they had been watching her and Ewan, maybe even eavesdropping.


    She shook her head, rather amused, especially as the adults too had a ¡¯caught¡¯ expression on their faces. What was going through their minds?


    "Hey, kiddos! What did you two do with your dad?" She finally asked the twins, inviting them subtly into the smaller living room, hoping to find more amusement in their joyful recounts, something to take her mind off the ¡¯ck waters¡¯ surrounding her.


    Kathleen and Nathaniel¡¯s faces lit up instantly, the excitement in their eyes shining brighter than ever.


    "We went to the park!" Kathleen eximed, her arms waving animatedly. "We saw ducks in the pond! Mr. Ewan said they were mards, and we fed them bread!"


    Nathaniel chimed in, bouncing on his toes, a sharp contrast to his always serious demeanor. "And then we yed on the swing! I went so high, Mom! I thought I could touch the sky!" His grin was contagious, stretching from ear to ear.


    Athena smiled, her heart swelling with both warmth. These moments were precious; they added hues to her children¡¯s lives. "That sounds amazing! And what else?" She prompted, eager to hear every detail.


    "There was a yground!" Kathleen gushed, her dreamy expression showing just how much she adored those precious moments spent with her father. "Mr. Ewan helped us fly just like they do in cartoons!"


    "We yed superheroes!" Nathaniel eximed, his imagination igniting. "I was Firestorm, and Kath was Thunder Girl! Mr. Ewan was our sidekick, Captain Awesome!" He struck a pose, puffing out his chest.


    Laughter filled the room, and Athena could hardly suppress her own joy. "I wish I could¡¯ve seen that! You all sound like quite the team!"


    "But Mom," Kathleen said, her tone shifting slightly to something tender yet inquisitive, "About Mr. Ewan... any new ns about him?"


    Athena hesitated at this straightforward question. New ns about Ewan? Theplexities of their rtionship swirled around her mind like a whirlwind¡ªit wasn¡¯t just a simple answer. "Well, he is your father," She finally said, her voice softening. "I have to consider him because he¡¯s a part of you." A pause. "But there are no new ns."


    "Will you be okay if he pleade with you for more visitation rights?" Nathaniel pressed on, his innocent curiosity evident.


    A heavy silence settled in the air, and Athena¡¯s heart ached. "I¡¯m not sure. Things are very different now, honey. But if you wish, I can consider it too..." She exined, trying to keep things simple yet honest.


    The twins exchanged looks, and Athena could see the wheels turning in their heads. They absorbed her words like sponges, their expressions reflecting a mix of understanding and concern.


    "How was your night, Mom?" Kathleen inquired, tilting her head slightly, moving to another topic as fast as she could breathe.


    "It was fine," Athena replied quickly, not wanting to dive into the emotional depths of her struggles, though the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her.


    But the twins weren¡¯t convinced. "It didn¡¯t sound like it was fine," Nathaniel said earnestly, concern etched on his small face. "We heard you whimpering... while we waited by your door."


    Athena immediately stiffened, guilt washing over her. Had they been listening? Had they overheard her nightmares? "Oh, sweethearts, I¡ª"


    "Did something happen to you during the night? Did Mr. Ewan hurt you?" Kathleen¡¯s voice trembled, her innocence shing with worry.


    Athena felt a heaviness in the pit of her stomach. She quickly reassured them, finding strength in her maternal instincts. "No, no, nothing happened. I just... had a bad dream. Sometimes, grown-ups have those."


    The twins looked at each other, their faces mirroring doubt but also a flicker of determination. "We sent Mr. Ewan a message," Nathaniel finally said, their little, courageous voices shining through. "We wanted to know if he hurt you."


    Athena blinked in surprise, taken aback by their protective instincts. "You did what?"


    "Just to make sure," Kathleen rified, her lips pursing together, nodding vigorously. "He picked us up in the car when you were feeling sad. We didn¡¯t want you to be sad anymore!"


    Emotions swirled in Athena¡¯s heart¡ªtender love intermingling with irritation. "You don¡¯t need to worry about me like that, babies. I¡¯m your mom, and I can take care of myself," She exined gently, crouching down to meet their gaze.


    "But we want to take care of you too!" Nathaniel insisted, his eyes glimmering with loyalty.


    Athena sighed. She ced aforting hand on each of their shoulders. "I know you want to protect me, and I love you both so much for that. Just remember, sometimes there are things no one else can control... even grown-ups,"


    "Okay, Mommy. But if you feel sad, what can we do?" Kathleen asked, her brows furrowing in thought.


    "Just distracting me with your happiness is enough," Athena replied, pulling them both into an embrace.


    As they hugged her tightly, she inhaled their sweet, familiar scent.


    "I need your special giggles to remind me of the joy in life," She whispered, kissing the top of each of their heads.

 Chapter 260: Searching For Clues

    <h4>Chapter 260: Searching For Clues</h4>


    "How was the outing with Kathleen and Nathaniel? Were they much trouble? Any more threats?" Zane asked Ewan as he joined his friend and Sandro to look at the rubble left from the gang¡¯s hideout after the strange fire incident.


    At Zane¡¯s question, Sandro, who had been ruminating on how they would make their way through the hubris in front of them, turned toward Ewan as well. "That¡¯s true. How did that go?" He asked, seeing that Ewan wasn¡¯t in a hurry to speak.


    "It went as best as it could," Ewan finally replied after a few beats of silence, not taking his eyes away from the mess in front of him.


    "When you say ¡¯best,¡¯ what do you mean?" Zane pressed on, stepping closer to him. "Are you getting tired of the kids already?"


    Ewan chuckled. Tired? That was the most foolish feeling to have regarding his children. "Tired isn¡¯t even in the equation, Zane. Are you sure you want my children and me to have a smooth rtionship?"


    Zane frowned, not understanding Ewan¡¯s sarcasm. "You were being vague with your answers, so what did you expect? Of course, I have to assume the worst. Thest time you spent time with them, they weren¡¯t exactly excited."


    Ewan shrugged. "Well, that¡¯s in the past. If I should take a guess, I think I¡¯m making progress."


    "How so?" Sandro inquired, folding his arms across his chest and wishing that his friend¡¯s guess was right on the mark.


    "Well, we did have a very good time, like we had been doing this for quite a while¡ªas if it wasn¡¯t the first time. That¡¯s apart from the first few minutes when they thought I had hurt their motherst night..." Ewan answered, pausing, his brows furrowing as he reflected on that matter for the umpteenth time.


    When Gianna had barged into the living room with the twins and told him to take them for an outing, he had been shocked, to say the least. After all, he wasn¡¯t supposed to see them again until the following month. But he had been d to take them off her hands, especially seeing the distress on her face.


    In the car, however, the twins had been tight-lipped, refusing to speak to him and refusing to answer his questions. He hadn¡¯t bothered to move an inch away from the house until he figured out what exactly was going on.


    Fortunately for him, Kathleen was more open to speaking than her brother. But she had used him of hurting her mother and then of ignoring their messages on purpose.


    A dry chuckle escaped his lips now as he remembered the frantic way he had searched for his phone, scrolling through his messages until he found one from strange numbers¡ªthe numbers of his children.


    Despite apologizing repeatedly, the twins had maintained a steely countenance until he exined to them that he hadn¡¯t hurt Athena. After that, they had rxed around him, and enjoyed the best fun of his life.


    A smile stretched across his lips, making Zane and Sandro exchange strange nces. <i>Is</i><i>he</i><i>okay?</i>


    "Well, we enjoyed ourselves at the park. It was very beautiful," Ewan concluded the topic, as if he hadn¡¯t left his friends hanging. He then checked his wristwatch. Athena should be here by now.


    As if on cue, a car horn blew from behind them. The three men turned immediately, noting Aiden¡¯s car. They stood without moving as Athena and Aiden stepped out of the car and sauntered toward them.


    Pleasantries were exchanged, and the five individuals stared at the rubble in front of them.


    "So, how are we going to cut through this mess?" Aiden asked, folding his arms across his chest, his eyes roaming the entirety of the space, seeking a way to navigate it, to find some clues that would help their cause.


    "You think we should have brought a bulldozer?" Sandro asked, causing Ewan to shake his head.


    "That¡¯s risky," He muttered, darting a nce at Athena¡ªa frequent activity since she had joined them. Wasn¡¯t she supposed toe alone? Had shee with Aiden as some sort of shield?


    So far, she hadn¡¯t even looked at him, except for that one time when they had greeted each other. She also seemed deep in thought; her eyes appeared unfocused, still were, to some extent.


    What had happened to her? Why had she been whimpering so early in the morning?


    He had texted Gianna after dropping the children off, using them as an excuse¡ª"...<i>they</i><i>seem</i><i>to</i><i>think</i><i>I¡¯m</i><i>behind</i> the <i>matter. I</i><i>exined</i><i>the</i><i>best</i><i>I</i><i>could, but</i><i>I</i><i>think</i><i>you</i><i>should</i><i>let</i><i>me</i><i>know,</i><i>just</i><i>a</i><i>little, what</i><i>the</i><i>problem is so</i><i>that I can</i><i>offer</i><i>better</i><i>answers</i><i>next</i><i>time."</i>


    But Gianna had only replied with a single sentence: <i>"Just</i><i>a</i><i>nightmare,</i><i>but</i><i>everything</i><i>is</i><i>fine</i><i>now."</i>


    Ewan was finding it hard to believe, though. What kind of nightmare could make the iron woman cower and whimper? Was it a mission, a person, a condition of sorts?


    "Ewan, are you here with us?"


    Ewan wetted his lips as he heard Aiden¡¯s question, just as Sandro nudged him with his shoulder.


    He had been staring at Athena all this while.


    He blushed with embarrassment, his ears turning pink, and turned away, wishing the earth would open up and swallow him whole, especially since she was now looking at him with a nk expression.


    What was wrong with him? Why couldn¡¯t he face the mess ahead and continue with his thoughts?


    Zane cleared his throat, cutting through the awkwardness in the atmosphere. "Sooooo..." He drawled, his eyes darting among the four individuals with him. "Any ideas?"


    Ewan swallowed hard. <i>I need to think! I need</i><i>to</i><i>focus! </i>He looked around the vicinity again and started walking, knowing they wouldn¡¯t find solutions by standing still.


    "Where are you going?" Sandro asked, aware of his friend¡¯s embarrassment.


    "To find a solution, a way in," Ewan answered without turning around.


    The others followed his lead, each dispersing to one angle of the rubble, eager to find a way or a clue.


    Thirty minutester of pushing stones, sand and rods, everyone was gasping for air.


    "This is futile. It¡¯s like we are doing the work of a bulldozer," Zane remarked, standing upright with his hands on his waist, inhaling and exhaling harshly.


    Sandro nodded in agreement.


    Ewan, however, gazed at the sky. Even though they had chosen evening time for this task, the heatwave was something else. Hopefully, it would die down in the next few minutes, seeing as the sky was darkening and the sun had begun to retreat.


    "What about the location Ewan and I were found? Surely, that couldn¡¯t be among the rubble here. It was out in a grassy area. Aiden, do you remember this location?" Athena asked, her breaths heavy, her hands also on her waist. She focused her attention on Aiden, who nodded tiredly.


    "I think I remember. But do you think it will be open, considering you mentioned a watcher that had been observing the mission this morning?"


    Athena shrugged. "Nothing wrong with checking. It¡¯s better than pushing stones here and there."


    They all agreed with this suggestion. Luckily, Aiden still had the coordinates.


    "So, how do we get past this? It seems some people have been here this morning," Sandro asked, echoing the thoughts of the team as they stood before the gate that led to the underground chamber. Only now it was covered with sand. Was it quicksand orpact sand in sandbags?


    "They knew we would being around..." Aiden muttered, kicking one of the bags and mping his teeth together as pain shot through the nerves in his foot, despite the shoes he was wearing.


    Athena sighed wearily and looked around them. This underground area opened up to a minor forest, with bushes everywhere, even around the gate.


    The gate itself wasn¡¯t constructed vertically; otherwise, they would have broken the wall connected to it on both sides. No, it seemed as if it had been ced over a hole, just cemented to the edges, nothing more.


    How could they get past this? She wondered, her brows furrowing as she watched Ewan walking to the side of the gate. What was he doing now?


    "Let¡¯s try this part..."


    "When you say ¡¯part,¡¯ what do you mean?" Zane asked, frowning at him. "We can¡¯t push that!"


    Ewan chuckled dryly. "You don¡¯t have to push all the bags away, just one. We can climb on the others and then push this one out of the way..."He pointed to the bag in question¡ªthe one touching the left side of the gate.


    "And then what?" Athena asked, her brow still furrowed.


    "And then I¡¯ll try what¡¯s in my mind. If it works out, fine. If it doesn¡¯t, then we¡¯ll have to bring in the bulldozer, unless any of you have a better idea..."


    None of them did, so they grudgingly followed Ewan, climbing the hefty bags, which were difficult to scale, stopping a few bags from the bag that had been selected to be pushed.


    "Aiden, you have to lend your strength here. Sandro and Zane, make sure we don¡¯t slide down..."


    "What about me?"


    Ewan bit his lips, looking at Athena. "Well, you tell me if my n is working?"


    Athena¡¯s brow furrowed yet again."The n I know nothing of?"


    Ewan didn¡¯t have aeback, nor could he tell her to just stay back. He wasn¡¯t sure what her response to that would be.


    So he returned to his task, hardly aware of Sandro¡¯s steady hand poised on his back to prevent him from slipping.

 Chapter 261: Searching For Clues II

    <h4>Chapter 261: Searching For Clues II</h4>


    "Are you sure you both are using your full strength?" Athena asked, hands on her hips, her voice tinged with frustration.


    "You have been pushing that singr bag for more than five minutes..." She continued, cocking her head to the left, at ease even when Aiden turned to re at her.


    "Do you want to try? Maybe you¡¯ll have a better chance than us?" Aiden shot back.


    Athena¡¯s scoff was the only response that a famished Aiden received. He scoffed in return and reverted to his work, digging his heels down and preparing to push again.


    Behind them, Athena exhaled wearily. Tired of waiting on the sandbags, which seemed to drain her strength, she returned to the level ground, opting to give, from there, whatever help Ewan had in mind when he assigned her a role.


    Ewan himself was dripping with sweat. At that moment, he wiped the perspiration from his forehead with a single hand swipe.


    "Ewan, are you sure of this n you have? If it doesn¡¯t work, we¡¯ll have been pushing for nothing..." There was a pause. "That thought is quite undesirable to swallow," Sandro whispered, flinging his hands repeatedly as if to cast away the tiredness besetting them.


    "What do you want then? The bulldozing crew?"


    "I think I would prefer that and the risks thate with it. Because what¡¯s to say that we aren¡¯t being watched now..." Zane piped in, wishing for something to lean against, eager to take a breather, as his lower back was killing him.


    Ewan sighed tiredly, biting his lower lip. He hadn¡¯t anticipated this task to be so daunting. What other sand had they added to the sandbag? It felt like metal!


    "Let¡¯s just give it a try once again. If it doesn¡¯t work, then we¡¯ll involve the bulldozing crew..." Aiden suggested, cing his hand on the offending sandbag.


    Ewan gave him an appreciative nod before cing his hands on the sandbag as well.


    "One, two, ready, go!"


    They both pushed with all their might, their grunts and groans echoing even in the distance, muscles flexing and twitching. Luckily, as if fate saw that these two strong men had given all their strength, the bag caved in, rolling down to the side.


    Shouts of "Yeah!" "Damn! Finally!!" and "Come on!!" filled the air.


    When the chuckles and mutterings of relief died down, all attention turned to Ewan.


    "So, what¡¯s next?" Athena asked, her eyes trained on the now-empty space where the bag had been before.


    In response, Ewan gave her a small smile and turned to Sandro. "Where did you keep the sledgehammer?"


    Sandro¡¯s brow furrowed as he tried to process why his friend would need that heavy tool. Did he want to smash the wall?


    He shook his head wearily. It seemed their work today was destined to be impossible. They might as well call in the bulldozing crew. Still, he turned to Athena and gestured for her to get the hammer.


    Athena hesitated for a moment, sharing the same reservations as Sandro; but seeing Ewan¡¯s determined face, she turned around and started making her way toward the rubble site. That was another five-minute trek. This evening was really not going the way she had nned.


    "Here..." Athena said a few minutester, handing Sandro the hammer, her breath slightly heavy. It was obvious to the men that she had done a quick run.


    Ewan folded his lips, took the hammer from Sandro, and turned to the empty spot, hoping all this stress was worth it¡ªunless Athena might just bite off his head!


    With a deep inhtion, he ced the sharpest edge of the hammer on a rough spot beside the gate, the only indication of a wall.


    ¡¯Please work!¡¯ He chanted in his mind right before he lifted the hammer and struck the particr point with all his might.


    The sound echoed all around them, just as a crack slithered across the surface. Ewan¡¯s mped lips stretched into a soft smile.


    "Everyone should get down."


    Without words, but with confused nces at each other, the men got down from the sandbags and took position beside Athena, watching the miracle Ewan was about to create.


    "Do you think he¡¯s hitting a weak spot on that surface?" Athena asked, finally realizing what Ewan was doing as he struck the spot for the third time.


    "Most likely. Let¡¯s hope it works..." Aiden posited, folding his arms across his chest.


    Meanwhile, Ewan was smiling widely, feeling the weight of the wall crumbling, sensing the sandbags leaning backward as if to crush into the wall.


    "Thisst hit should do it..." He muttered, looking at the spot where the cracks had descended lower toward the gate, and toward the area covered with rocks and moss.


    He was about to hit it for thest time when he paused, considering his own safety. If all this was to plunge into the hole, then his life was at risk. The sandbags might crush him unless he tumbled down the hole faster.


    Yet, was there a guarantee? He shook his head. Life could be unpredictable. His best bet was to jump to the other side once he struck the spot. Hopefully, his reflexes were still sharp enough.


    With that thought established, he raised the hammer and struck the spot again.


    Quickly, he leaped like a squirrel out of the sandbags, not bothering to look back at whether the wall had crumbled. Hended on his crouched position on the ground, heaving heavily. When was thest time he had worked out? He thought, sitting down on the ground, feeling his head swirl a bit.


    "Nothing is happening, Ewan. Why did you jump away like that?" Zane asked, incredulous, raising an eyebrow, darting his eyes between the gate and Ewan.


    Ewan furrowed his brows, watching the gate and ring at it, willing it to fall.


    "Maybe it needs one more strike," Athena wondered aloud, walking toward Ewan and deciding to pick up the hammer to continue from where he had stopped.


    However, before she could take a few steps, a crumbling sound echoed through the space. It was slow at first, as if the walls were battling to stay erect, and then the sandbags fell forward into the side of the wall, leaving the gate hanging there.


    "Yes!!!" Sandro shouted, punching the air.


    Ewan sighed in relief, bowing his head.


    Athena looked at him, truly looked at him. Just who was this man? She needed to get her research done by tonight or the curiosity would drive her mad.


    "Well done, Ewan," Aiden praised, tapping Ewan¡¯s shoulder gently and helping him to his feet in the same motion. "How are you feeling?"


    "A little unsteady," Ewan answered, shaking his legs. "But I will be fine. Let¡¯s go in."


    He paused, turning to Zane. "Do you have the torchlights?"


    Zane nodded, producing several torchlights from the ck backpack that was settled on the floor a few feet away.


    "Good, let¡¯s go in."


    The hallway to the underground was dark, only faintly illuminated by the trail of light streaming in from the hole in the wall through which they had entered, along with the torchlights that seemed to be doing just half the work.


    "I think the fire destroyed the light connections and cables," Zane muttered, his torch shing at every corner of the hallway.


    "Or maybe they turned them off," Athena mused, walking into the room where she and Ewan hadst been. It was a mess. The fire had burned the room ck.


    She walked up to the only switch in the room and turned it on. Bright light flooded the messy room. She raised her hands, winking at Zane as if to say, <i>I told</i><i>you</i><i>so.</i>


    Zane huffed and focused on his surroundings.


    "There¡¯s not much to see here. Let¡¯s check out the other rooms," Sandro suggested after a while, stopping at the sliding part of the wall and tapping it intermittently.


    "But we checked them allst time..." Zane pointed out, feeling like they had wasted their timeing here.


    If the gang members had returned to cover the only gateway with sandbags, didn¡¯t it mean they would have collected anything of importance from the underground locations?


    "Let¡¯s try checking them again. The second time is supposed to be the charm," Ewan suggested, gesturing for Sandro to go ahead.


    Twenty minutes and four secret doorster, the team was back in the first room again, looking at each other, tired and famished.


    "It was all a waste of time," Zane muttered, hitting the bed¡¯s stand, anger and frustration washing over him in waves.


    Athena inhaled deeply, not knowing what to say.


    Sandro and Aiden remained mute, ruminating on their own thoughts.


    Ewan, however, refused to believe that their journey here was a waste. He looked around the room, hoping for a miracle, a pointer to some clue.


    The other underground spaces or rooms they had explored had been neat, void of the fire¡¯s destruction. Was it possible that something here had triggered their enemies to lit the fire, or had the watch-person simply lit the fire to erase him and Athena, or to prevent them from collecting the items?


    <i>Think,</i><i>think! </i>He mused, his hands inside his pockets, his eyes darting around every corner of the room.


    Those sharp eyes paused when they noticed a certain piece of wood that seemed to be out of ce.


    Ewan cocked his head to the left, examining the wood lying idly against the wall. It didn¡¯t look like the wood from the furniture in the room.


    Following his instinct, he covered the distance and squatted down, aware that he was now the center of attention.


    Inhaling softly, he ced his hand on the wood, hoping that was it; the clue.


    Noticing that the wood seemed stuck to the wall, noticing the faint lines of pattern on the same, he shifted the wood to the left, then to the right, and then to the left again.


    A click sounded somewhere just before the wall slid open, and he smiled until his lips touched his ears. He did it!

 Chapter 262: Searching For Clues III

    <h4>Chapter 262: Searching For Clues III</h4>


    "Ewan, you are a genius!" Aiden screamed,ughing¡ªhisughter a mixture of surprise, disbelief, and amazement¡ªas he gently sped Ewan on the shoulder, shaking him until Ewanughed too, a beautiful husky sound filled with victory.


    Sandro and Zane followed suit, sping Ewan¡¯s shoulders, relief pouring over them in waves.


    "You did it, man!" Their voices echoed, their gazes focused on the new room before then.


    However, Athena remained behind, her jaw ckened and eyes widened a fraction in shock. What just happened?


    How was Ewan able to tell there was a door there? Her gaze fell on the wood he had utilized, and she shook her head in disbelief.


    In a matter of days, Ewan had shown her that he was more than just a billionaire businessman; there was something else at y here¡ªyes, sessful businessmen were astute and sharp, but this... this was on a whole new level.


    She pulled out her phone, opened the reminder app, and set one¡ªshe couldn¡¯t forget to research Ewan and his friends. She needed to know their backgrounds on some matters.


    That settled, she inhaled sharply and walked toward him, especially since he was looking at her with a strange expression. If she didn¡¯t know better, she would think he was expectant of her praise.


    "You did good," She muttered right before walking past him into the dim room.


    Ewan smiled, a different smile than the one he had worn while opening the door¡ªthis one was a smile of sheer pleasure at being praised by someone special.


    However, the glimmer of joy faded when he met Zane¡¯s frown. Not wanting to be pegged as a lovesick idiot, he shrugged and walked into the room, remaining still until the walls closed back.


    "There must be a switch somewhere; let¡¯s locate it," He pointed out hastily, right before the walls closedpletely, realizing that the dim light in the room hade from the previous space they had been in.


    Luckily, Aiden managed to reach a switch just before they were plunged into darkness. Bright fluorescent light cocooned the room, illuminating the dark corners that had previously remained oblivious to the team.


    "Wow, so this is it? We found it, guys..." Sandro muttered, pointing at the stack of boxes piled high to the sandy ceiling. The room was filled with boxes upon boxes.


    To confirm their find, Aiden strolled over to the first stack of therge brown boxes and carefully carried one box down. The group joined him, brimming with anticipation, leaning in as he opened the box to reveal another inner box.


    "Perhaps a protective casing..." He murmured, his voice hopeful, unwilling to entertain hopelessness now that they were at this stage of their search. They all gasped when they saw the contents of the box.


    "It¡¯s the drugs¡ªthe source of the grey disease... see, it¡¯s written on thebel..." Zane whispered, swallowing nervously as he pointed at a greenishbel stered on the small white stic container.


    The rest of the group stared, equally speechless.


    "Do you think all the boxes are filled with that? If so, then we have a huge problem on our hands..." Sandro pointed out.


    Ewan nodded. "Coupled with the fact that this is not the only location where the drugs are stacked."


    A pause.


    "None of you should touch it, though. We don¡¯t know how active it is." He added, seeing Aiden stretch his hand toward one of the containers.


    At his words, Aiden withdrew his hand as if it had been burned by a me.


    "Guys, what do you think is in those boxes then?" Athena finally broke the tension in her throat. As she spoke, the men turned in the direction she was pointing. Another stack of boxes at the far north end of the room.


    They looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders.


    "We should check," Ewan suggested, standing tall and sauntering toward the boxes that were simr to the ones they had been examining, only this set was blue.


    Ewan paused by the side, aware of the others walking to meet him. "Hopefully, it¡¯s not something that can take our lives..." He mused, squatting slightly as he carefully opened the box.


    A furrow creased his forehead when he saw the same row of white bottles stacked within, but this time withoutbels. He looked at Athena. "Do you think it¡¯s the same drug?"


    Athena licked her lips, squatting down properly to examine the bottles. "Only one way to find out..." She muttered, stretching her hand to pick one of the bottles, but Ewan pushed her hand gently away.


    "What do you think you are doing?" He asked, frowning. "If this is the grey virus, you could be contaminated. You are the doctor in charge of handling this crisis; we can¡¯t have you getting contaminated¡ªnot when the hospital itself ispromised."


    Athena sighed as if fed up, and stretched her hand toward the bottle again, ignoring Ewan. But Ewan didn¡¯t let her dismiss him so easily. He raised his hand to stop her midway, but Aiden intervened.


    "Trust her; she knows what she¡¯s doing."


    Ewan scowled at Aiden in response, turning to Athena to talk some sense into her. But thetter had already picked a bottle out of the stack.


    To his chagrin, he noticed that his friends took a few steps back as if she were wielding a bomb.


    Pussies! He thought, watching Athena examine the bottle closely. What was she looking for?


    He noted as she lifted the bottle higher and peered at the bottomyer¡ªnow that he was watching with her¡ªthat he could see a pinkish sediment at the bottom. He wasn¡¯t sure what that meant, but from the rxed lines on Athena¡¯s face, it seemed to indicate good news.


    Yet how could it? Nothing about the gang was good.


    "You know what it is?" Aiden asked, interrupting Ewan¡¯s thoughts.


    "Yes, it is the cure."


    Another silence reigned in the room as the team looked at each other, considering this new twist and its implication.


    "So, this means they produced this mass-killing drug to make profits, right?" Zane chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "I can¡¯t believe the cruelty of whoever is behind this."


    Athena cursed beneath her breath, returning the bottle to its stack and standing erect. "So, what do we do about this? We need a fast solution." She inquired, folding her arms across her chest, not entirely surprised by the turnout.


    Hadn¡¯t she suspected this earlier? Yet epting it didn¡¯t make it any easier. How could people mess with the lives of others all because of a designed paper created as a medium of exchange?


    Maybe it was time to talk with Boss; there was a high possibility that he knew what was going on. The CIA usually knows about these things. But first, she needed confirmation on what went wrong with Scarlett.


    "I think we should inform the president," Aiden spoke up then, nodding as he suggested. "I think that¡¯s the best course of action. We can¡¯t keep this to ourselves; it¡¯s too much, and this is just one location. We just have to fight whoever is behind this, with the government."


    "And what if the president is behind this?" Sandro asked, echoing Ewan¡¯s thoughts.


    "I don¡¯t think he is," Aiden replied.


    "Because?" Sandro pressed.


    But Aiden had no answer this time.


    "Just a gut feeling," Athena answered, staring at Ewan as if daring him to refute her assertion.


    Ewan didn¡¯t. Not this time.


    "Okay, go ahead then. We just have to trust your gut feelings, the two of you..." Ewan conceded.


    Aiden nodding his thanks. He brought out his phone and dialed the chief of the president¡¯s secret security service. "Come to these coordinates now..."


    "So we wait?" Zane asked when Aiden hung up.


    Aiden nodded. "Yes, we wait."


    There was a pause. "From what I can see, the boxes are all that¡¯s in this room. Do you want to check for more secret rooms, Ewan?"


    Ewan shook his head, taking a seat on one of the boxes. "I¡¯ll pass." His lower back was killing him, and his head too. He needed to eat, take his medications, and then sleep. Hopefully, there wouldn¡¯t be any problems from here on out.


    ¡ª¡ª-


    "I think they are here... Did you hear that?" Sandro asked a couple of minutester, his eyes narrowing as he darted sharp nces at the team.


    Athena furrowed her brows, getting to her feet as she began to hear the voices and shuffling feet. If she had to guess, the walls here were very thin and could easily cave in. Maybe there was even another passageway, considering the range of voices she could hear from somewhere nearby.


    "But that would be too soon," She finally spoke, looking at Aiden. "It¡¯s too soon for the president¡¯s men to be here unless they have been keeping tabs on us."


    An explosion sounded nearby, confirming Ewan¡¯s immediate thoughts. "I doubt that. I think it¡¯s the gang."


    So much for following instincts. The president had sold them out.

 Chapter 263: Searching For Clues IV

    <h4>Chapter 263: Searching For Clues IV</h4>


    "I am sorry about this, Ewan. I just thought that..."


    <i>The</i><i>president</i><i>would</i><i>be</i><i>different? </i>


    Athena bit her lip, recalling Ewan¡¯s words that emphasized the untrustworthiness of anyone in government, including the president.


    Despite her own experiences with them firsthand, she had refuted his points twice¡ªonly to be hit squarely in the face with harsh reality.


    Athena sighed, staring at the far end of the room, unable to meet Ewan¡¯s gaze, unsure of what she would see there. She wasn¡¯t certain she could take it, not with the whirlwind of feelings swirling within her¡ªanger, resentment, confusion, disbelief, along with a bouquet of other emotions she couldn¡¯t quite pin down.


    Perhaps it was due to her instinctive survival mode kicking in...


    She had assumed that this evening would be a smooth sail, given that the early hours had been anything but. But it seemed she had hoped too soon.


    Sighing again, she threw her head back to rest against the taller stack of boxes, seeking the coolness of the surface to calm her racing thoughts.


    "I don¡¯t think we should cast the president in a negative light just yet. It¡¯s possible the gang had some awareness of us being here. Maybe there was a watch-person..."


    Sandro shook his head sharply, cutting Aiden off. The scowl on his face was evidence of the anger bubbling within him. "This ce had been shut down. The sandbags at the exit had just been precautionary measures... even if they had assumed that we woulde, they would have trusted there was no way we could have gotten past those bags..."


    "Maybe getting the bags out of the way triggered some rm in their system... maybe the bags are wired..."


    Silence greeted Aiden¡¯s statement. He looked around at the team, hopeful eyes expecting them to align with his reasoning. But none of them did. He sighed and raised his hands to borate further, but Ewan stopped him.


    "Why are you so bent on defending the president, Aiden?" There was no resentment in his tone, nor usation¡ªjust frustration at the unfolding events.


    "Because I can¡¯t wrap my head around the idea that the president of a country would want to infect his citizens with a dangerous disease for profit. That¡¯s absurd. Secondly, he just doesn¡¯t fit that profile."


    Aiden paused, his gaze focused on the sandy floor, a sense of doubt creeping in. "I¡¯ve served under various leaders and with many types of people, and I can tell you, the president is not behind the disease. He might not be a saint, but he isn¡¯t responsible for the numerous deaths around the globe. I... I don¡¯t think so."


    Ewan folded his lips, keenly observing Aiden while analyzing the conviction with which thetter spoke.


    "Well, if you say so. You¡¯re the one who has worked with the president for some time, so I¡¯ll trust your judgment. But if you¡¯re right, it would mean that someone in the secret service has betrayed him..."


    Aiden opened his mouth to contest that as well, to exin that the secret service was as loyal as the word could imply, but he closed his mouth, sensing that continuing would only trigger another conflict. Ewan had already epted his opinion of the president; he would have to make do with that small victory.


    "Perhaps. When we¡¯re out of here, we can discuss this with the president. For now, let¡¯s brainstorm on how to get out of here alive. Are you three armed?" He finally spoke, darting a sharp nce at Athena.


    The three friends exchanged nces and turned to Aiden, shaking their heads in unison.


    "I didn¡¯t know we needed guns to search for clues..." Zane muttered, looking between Aiden and Athena. "Are you two armed?"


    Aiden shrugged his shoulders. "Better safe than sorry. It was like a backup n." He answered, retrieving a Glock pistol from his coat.


    Athena followed suit, getting to her feet, determination setting her jaw as she readied herself. "So, what¡¯s the n?" She asked, facing the part of the room where the walls had slid open some minutes ago.


    Aiden stood up alongside the three males. "First, let¡¯s try not to die. Ewan, you and your friends should stay behind us."


    "Or try to find a way out of here..." Athena interjected, giving Ewan a knowing look.


    "You think there¡¯s another passageway out of here?" Ewan asked softly, a furrow creasing his forehead.


    "I think so, considering the range of the voices and the possible thinness of the walls," Athena replied, then pointed at a hammer lying close to Sandro. "If you can¡¯t find a hidden entrance, you can use the hammer to locate the weakest point and break us out of here."


    Ewan nodded and got to work alongside Sandro and Zane, each taking different areas of the room and gently tapping on the walls, listening for a hollow sound that would indicate a secret spot.


    Meanwhile, Athena and Aiden stood poised, guns ready at their sides, eyes fixed on the wall before them, ready to battle.


    "Do you think we¡¯ll survive this?" Aiden asked momentster, noting the males behind theming up empty-handed, and the echos of flurried activitiesing from behind the walls, in the previous room¡ªthe gang was making their way closer.


    Athena¡¯s tongue felt heavy in her mouth. Deep down, she knew they had a slim chance of making it out of this alive. Worse yet, there was nothing they could do¡ªonly so much that a pistol could aplish against an entire gang. They didn¡¯t know how many members hade for this mission.


    "I see you don¡¯t have anything to say. Well, I have lots."


    Athena lifted the gun to her lips, tilting her head to Aiden. "Don¡¯t be so pessimistic, old man. We will survive this."


    Aiden sighed, swallowing tightly when he heard distinct knocks on the wall ahead of them, the unmistakable sound of the gang trying to break in. He tightened his grip on the gun, resolving to fight to thest breath before sumbing to death.


    At that moment, another knock echoed from behind him. He turned immediately, brows raised, noticing Zane and Sandro standing near Ewan, who was tapping a particr spot on the wall like he was deciphering a code.


    "What are you doing, Ewan?" Athena asked, unsure of her feelings¡ªhope mixed with anxiety.


    But before Ewan could answer, another hammering sound came from that exact point of the wall. The sound wasing from the outside.


    "What is going on, Ewan?" Athena asked again, her breath light and uneven as various scenarios raced through her mind.


    Ewan shrugged in response. "My own backup n."


    Just as the words left his lips, the wall began to cave open; a hand reached through, brushing against Ewan¡¯s body.


    "Damn, you lot need to be quick... the gang is almost upon us..." Ewan continued, turning back to the wall, a scowl etched on his face.


    Behind him, his team watched in open-mouthed shock. Even Sandro and Zane hadn¡¯t been aware of this hidden n.


    Two more hammer strikester, and there was now a sizable opening wide enough for a person to slip through. Without wasting any time, abandoning his friends in their amazed stupor, Ewan stepped through the opening into the outside world.


    He popped his head back mere secondster. "Aren¡¯t you loting?"


    His team, as if revived by those words, gathered their senses and scrambled into action, following Ewan through the opening toward safety.


    "You were in contact with Old Mr. Thorne this entire time?" Zane asked, chuckling as he flung his hand across Ewan¡¯s shoulders, finally shaking off the shock as he recognized the agents waiting nearby for instructions.


    Ewanughed, his eyes meeting Athena¡¯s. She was staring at him unabashedly, and he couldn¡¯t help but wonder what was swirling in her beautiful mind.


    "Not exactly. He told me to keep in touch. So, on our way here, I sent him a text to send some watchers in case things went south. Then I had Spider locate our positions and ry them to him. That¡¯s how they were able to pinpoint our exact location. The earlier knock was a secondary confirmation to avoid any mistakes."


    "Fast thinking, Ewan. I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t serve in the military; you would have been a tremendous asset," Aiden said, shaking his head in admiration.


    Ewan chuckled, shrugging off thepliment. "Well, I am doing that now." He turned to the agents standing beside them. "Only you seven are here?"


    The agents shook their heads in unison.


    "Most of us are currently upied with the gang members as we speak... they won¡¯t be much of a match for us. They didn¡¯t anticipate our presence, so their leader didn¡¯t send many." One of the agents spoke up, then pointed down the path.


    "There are vans waiting on that route. You need to move; you¡¯ll find a van with a driver. We¡¯ll meet you there."


    "What about the containers?"


    "We¡¯ll take care of them when we finish dealing with the gang members."

 Chapter 264: Resolution

    <h4>Chapter 264: Resolution</h4>


    "I don¡¯t know what is going on, but trust me, Doctor Athena, I never sent the gang members after you right after you called! What would I gain by doing that? I am the president of the country, for godsake! Why would I want to sabotage the mission? That¡¯s unthinkable!"


    President George dered hotly, in the face of the usations being thrown at him by the team, now seated around the table down in the president¡¯s secret office.


    While they-the team-had been waiting in the van,municating with Old Mr. Thorne about the situation on ground, the president¡¯s men had arrived at the site.


    These government agents had looked surprised about the turnabout of events and had sent information to the president, who had in turn demanded the presence of the team and their honest reports.


    Momentster, after their arrival and recap of the day¡¯s events, the president looked so red in the face that he might as well have been spitting fire.


    "My chief aim as the president is to take care of the people, the amicable citizens who voted me into office. Why would I trash that noble duty to dust? Have you seen the news? Have you seen the statistics of deaths urring on a daily basis?" He asked, his eyes shing with barely contained fury and disgust.


    "How in the hell can I be behind that?!" He shouted, finally losing it, hitting the table and causing the people surrounding him to jerk away, having not seen him like this before.


    Sandro, who had made the usation earlier¡ª"<i>Mr. President,</i><i>they</i><i>arrived</i><i>right</i><i>after</i><i>the</i><i>call</i><i>with</i><i>you. What</i><i>do</i><i>you</i><i>have</i><i>to</i><i>say</i><i>to</i><i>that?"</i>¡ªshrank into his seat, hoping that his earlier words hadn¡¯t earned him a day in state prison.


    He looked at Ewan; thetter seemed to be having second thoughts too, about the president being behind the gang¡¯s premature invasion. Could it be that Aiden was right when he spoke of a second yer in motion?


    Athena cleared her throat then, getting everyone¡¯s attention, including the fuming president.


    "We are sorry for levying such a heavy usation against you, Mr. President," She started, giving Colt a gratifying nce, observing thetter¡¯s restlessness and the urge to send the team scurrying out of the room and into a prison.


    "But you can¡¯t me us. Earlier, when we discovered the room containing the drugs, it had been a tug of war even deciding to let you know. As you know, all the members of my team are not ordinary citizens, per se. They are men who have a role or two to y in the nation¡¯s economy, vitalponents to the smooth running of the country; therefore, they¡¯ve had their fair share of betrayal, to some extent."


    A pause. "Hence, when we finally let you know about the situation on the ground, and then got visited by the gang mere minutester, it was a natural flow for every hand to point toward you. Mr. President..."


    Another significant pause.


    "If Ewan hadn¡¯t had a backup n up his sleeve, we would have been dead meat. And we might have died believing that you had sold us out for mere profit. Of course, I understand your anger, especially if you are innocent..."


    "He is innocent." Colt interrupted sharply. "There is no probability of a lie otherwise. The president is innocent, and you all will do well to..."


    "Colt, that¡¯s enough." President George announced, shutting Colt up. He turned to Athena. "I understand. Please continue..."


    "Thank you, Mr. President." Athena nodded before gesturing to the members of her team. "We apologize for our misstatements, and I also suggest that we move past this and get into the troubling matter looming around us. Since you are innocent of this allegation, it means someone else has betrayed us, betrayed you. Can you attest to the hundred percent loyalty of your men?"


    President George tucked his lips in, ruminating on this question. After a few beats of silence, he finally gave his answer.


    "My answer a day ago would have been yes; I would have said that the men are a hundred percent loyal. But then, how else can we exin what has happened? Obviously, someone has sold us out..." He mentioned, looking around at his people, including the minister of health.


    "But rest assured, Doctor Athena, that traitor will be found out. Colt will make sure of that."


    Colt nodded immediately, his steely countenance offering Athena some sort of sce. The man will do his job. If there was any agent with a hundred percent loyalty to the president, it would be him.


    "Since that is decided, I apologize once again for what happened hours ago..." The president said, his hands sped together, eyes darting to the members of the team. "I am also happy that you all have given me the chance to prove my sincerity to my people. I promise that you won¡¯t be disappointed."


    Ewan nodded alongside the others while checking the time on therge wall clock right opposite him. Anotherte night? He reined in a cuss, especially when a pain darted through his head.


    He was hourste from taking his drugs and from eating too. He couldn¡¯t wait to be done with this meeting; after all, he would be doing his own research by himself. He won¡¯t leave all of it in the hands of the government; that would be ying stupid.


    "So, about the containers you found¡ªdo you have any idea how best to dispose of them?" The president asked, drawing Ewan¡¯s attention from his thoughts.


    "They should be destroyed, obviously. I will send my friend, Aiden here, the guidelines to do that. If I may, I would hope he would be the one in charge of the operation." Athena started, to Aiden¡¯s chagrin, who wasn¡¯t exactly interested in another workload or butting heads with Colt over some duty.


    "Okay, that¡¯s a done deal then," The president agreed before Colt could voice his displeasure with Aiden¡¯s new assignment, seeing as thetter was still a new hire, no matter his years of good service in the military.


    "What about the cure...the ones we found?" The president continued.


    Athena shrugged. "We can keep it, and better still, we can use it to track the locations of the other areas where there are simr hideouts as we encountered today."


    The president nodded slowly, taking his seat, any trace of anger vanishing from his face and body. "Do you think that is possible? Can we really do that?"


    The hope shining in his voice brought a wholesome amount of relief to Ewan. Maybe the man was actually a good man¡ªna?ve, but good nevertheless. But if Athena was right, then half of their problem was as good as solved.


    "Yes, it is possible. The main difference between this cure and mine is the residue that the former has... a residue that leaves some sort of heat signature, which I think can be easily traced by thermal imaging techniques. If that works, I think we have significantly weakened our foe. We can even extend some manner of help to other nations who are gued with the advent of this disease too," Athena mentioned, staring at the president keenly.


    The president paused whatever he had to say, trying to decipher the look in Athena¡¯s eyes. After a while, he nodded. "That¡¯s a great proposal, Doctor Athena. We will work with that and get back to you. Is there anything else?"


    Athena shook her head, pleased with the idea that had taken root in her mind. Time will tell the fruition of it. If things went as she predicted, then there would be another meeting soon, this time to discuss the punishment of the traitor.


    With that, she decided it was time to go home. She had promised the twins she would be back earlier tonight to tuck them into bed and read them bedtime stories, but looking at the time, it seemed she would be doing a lot of apologizing the following morning.


    She held back a curse when she remembered that the following day was a workday; so much for having a restful Sunday.


    "Okay then, if that¡¯s all, I suggest we call it a day... but be close to your phones, another meeting will be called up soon," The president mentioned, his eyes darting to every person in the room, finally resting on the team. "And thank you too for your patriotic work today. The state is proud of you."


    Zane huffed softly, hoping all this was worth it. He looked at his phone as it rang for the twentieth time, a furrow marring his forehead. What did his old man want? Did something happen at the house, or in thepany?


    His thoughts were disintegrated by the next words of the president.


    "Alright then, everyone, until we meet another time. Thank you so much for today, and I hope you all have a good night."

 Chapter 265: Resolution II

    <h4>Chapter 265: Resolution II</h4>


    "It has been a most remarkable day; let¡¯s not have another like it." Aiden¡¯s weak attempt at a joke paid off as the team members all released smiles of amusement.


    "Words, old man. Words..." Zane chanted, chuckling at intervals, his hands in his pockets, watching the private jet that the president had instructed to take them home take off into the air.


    "So, what¡¯s next?" Sandro asked, darting a nce at Ewan and then at Athena.


    Ewan shrugged his shoulders. "We say our goodbyes. I am terribly hungry, to say the least."


    He nodded at Aiden, who came forward and shook his hand happily. "Thanks for saving our asses today, man..."


    "You¡¯re wee. I will see you around," Ewan said before turning aside to Athena, who was saying her goodbyes to his friends.


    As if on cue, the three males left them to their devices, walking toward the cars that Old Mr. Thorne had arranged to take them home.


    "So, you are more than you seem, huh... it must feel great surprising me at every turn..."


    Ewan couldn¡¯t help the smug smile spreading across his lips at Athena¡¯s words. "I wouldn¡¯t say that..." He muttered, even though his face was saying otherwise.


    Athena scoffed lightly, shaking her head. "You also seem to have made an impression on the kids. They asked me if I could set up more meetings with you, other than the monthly visits. Did you put them up to that?"


    Ewan instantly threw his hands up as if in surrender, though hope shone in his eyes. "I never did that." A pause. "But I am d that they are happy and open to spending time with me..."


    Another significant pause, during which he stepped closer to Athena, who was staring at him as if he were a puzzle she was trying to decode.


    "And thank you, Athena, for not poisoning their minds against me, despite our troubled past..."


    Athena nodded slowly, fixing her hands into the double pockets of her brown trench coat, having no words for that statement. Hence, an awkward silence surrounded them again.


    Ewan cleared his throat when he couldn¡¯t take the silence any longer or Athena¡¯s intermittent stares, even though at that moment she was gazing to her left into the distance.


    "So, will you grant the children their requests?"


    Athena reverted her attention back to him, her left eyebrow raised. "I don¡¯t know. Or rather, I don¡¯t think so, at least not yet. You still have to serve the punishment of having made that suggestion in the first ce..."


    A sarcasticugh. "You dared to make me see my children once a month..."


    "But that¡¯s because..." Ewan rushed to defend himself, but Athena waved him and whatever he had to say off. "Don¡¯t bother. That¡¯s a closed Chapter. For now, we will stick to the monthly visits. And that¡¯s that."


    Ewan sighed, tucking his hands into his pockets as they began to shake.


    He didn¡¯t know if it was a sign of his restlessness¡ªthe urge to exin to Athena that he was sorry for making that stupid request in the elders council, and that he would be good to the children¡ªor a side effect of not taking his drugs when he was supposed to.


    All the same, he didn¡¯t want Athena to see it, to question his discipline and choices. But it was a little toote.


    "Have you taken your drugs today?" She asked, her eyes fixed on his pocketed hands.


    Ewan sighed after a second of silence, exhaling harshly. "I will do that when I get home."


    Athena cursed before she could help it, her hands leaving her pockets to fold across her chest, her eyes shing with anger. "You talk about spending more time with the children, and yet you can¡¯t even take care of yourself properly. Do you want to die on them? After all the stress your health put me through... put us through..."


    Ewan swallowed painfully as his rising fury increased. "I was busy, that¡¯s why. It just happened today; I have been consistent otherwise."


    "Whatever..." Athena muttered dismissively, turning away. "See you around."


    She hadn¡¯t taken more than five steps when Ewan grasped her by the arm. Instantly, she red at him and shrugged her hands from his hold. "Don¡¯t you touch me without my permission!"


    "I am sorry." Ewan apologized immediately, cursing himself for having taken that approach. It was just that he hadn¡¯t been able to control himself.


    "What do you want?"


    Ewan opened his mouth to speak, then shut it, unsure if this was the right time to discuss what was on his mind. She was angry.


    "I won¡¯t ask a second time." Athena continued while wondering why she was so worked up. Was it because he hadn¡¯t taken his drugs?


    "I just want to know why you were whimpering this morning... the kids talked about it while in the car..."


    Athena¡¯s eyes widened a fraction, her anger giving way to frustration. What was with the children telling Ewan everything? Yes, they had informed her of the text, but she didn¡¯t expect that they would tell him that she had been whimpering! What the hell!


    "Don¡¯t bother denying it. Gianna confirmed it too. She talked about a nightmare. Is that true? Or was that just a ploy to keep me away?" Ewan continued, oblivious to the consequences of his curiosity.


    Gianna too? Athena couldn¡¯t believe her ears. She needed to have a word with those three. Next, they would be telling him about her schedule for the week!


    "Weren¡¯t you the one who talked about the art of keeping secrets? How did you even put that statement..." Athena paused dramatically, looking to the sky as if waiting for the clouds to reveal the sentence. "That everyone is allowed to keep their secrets, right?"


    Ewan scoffed but couldn¡¯t help the thin smile that found its way onto his lips. "I am just worried, Athena. It¡¯s been a while since you¡¯ve had a nightmare..."


    Athena furrowed her brows, watching Ewan keenly, as if he had grown two heads. "What did you say?"


    Ewan looked away from the intensity of her gaze, rubbing his hair, unaware of his ear tips turning bright pink to Athena¡¯s surprise. "Well, during our short marriage I noticed you had terrible dreams sometimes. Once, I walked in on you having some kind of nightmare; you were struggling with the sheets... I am just wondering if it¡¯s the same matter that is troubling you?"


    Athena mped her mouth shut, her hands fisted by her sides. <i>Don¡¯t</i><i>tell</i><i>me</i><i>this</i><i>egocentric</i><i>jerk</i><i>also</i><i>noticed</i><i>that</i><i>during</i><i>our</i><i>marriage! </i>She screamed internally, unable to take her gaze off him.


    "You knew?" Her voice escaped softly, a sharp contrast to the warring within her.


    Ewan bit his lower lip before nodding. "I noticed a lot of things during our short marriage, Athena. I was just too caught up with my feelings of anger and resentment to do anything about it. It was only after you left that I suddenly realized that I didn¡¯t really hate you after all. I was just transferring an aggression your father had fostered."


    "And what am I supposed to do with this information?" Athena supplied, changing gears immediately. No way was she going down thisne with Ewan tonight on an empty stomach. She needed her wits about her. She needed to go home.


    "Athena..."


    "Don¡¯t bother about all this, Ewan. It doesn¡¯t matter. My business is mine, and yours is yours. The onlymon ground is the kids and then this business with the Grey disease. So, let¡¯s just focus on those. Okay?"


    Immediately Ewan nodded, albeit sadly and resignedly, Athena walked away without wasting another beat.


    "What were you two talking about?" Zane asked, turning to gaze at Ewan, who was looking out of the window as they sped down the street, heading home.


    "Just stuff. The kids and all..." Ewan answered, not taking his eyes off the road.


    "When you say ¡¯all¡¯..."


    Ewan sighed, finally turning to look at Zane, who was brimming with curiosity. "I still meant about the kids. Shouldn¡¯t you be more concerned about why your father was calling you?"


    Zaneughed, facing front. "I see what you did there, Ewan. But if you must know, he was just checking in, wanting to know why I wasn¡¯t back yet..."


    Ewan furrowed his brow, catching Sandro¡¯s eyes through the car mirror. They bothughed boisterously.


    "Since when does your father check in? That¡¯s absurd. Or are you owing him something, eh, daddy¡¯s boy?"


    Zane scoffed. "Mind your business."


    Ewan smiled at the victory won.


    "No problem, Zanny," He chimed,ughing when Zane hit the car¡¯s dashboard in frustration.


    Meanwhile, Athena was already at home, giving Gianna a piece of her mind. "What were you thinking telling Ewan about my nightmare?!" She asked, hands on her waist.


    Gianna, who had been woken by the rough opening of her door, rubbed her eyes, as if cleaning sleep away from them. "Athena, good evening to you too..."


    Athena snorted, removing her coat and dropping it on the couch, following next. "Just answer my question, and you can go back to sleep."


    But Gianna chuckled dryly and returned her head to the pillow. "Nice to see you are okay, Athena. Let¡¯s talk tomorrow. I love you."

 Chapter 266: Pained

    <h4>Chapter 266: Pained</h4>


    "Let me guess... she sent you out... wouldn¡¯t give you a listening ear..." Aiden startedzily as soon as Athena opened the door to the dimly lit room and trudged inside.


    Athena paused, having not expected his presence, then snorted in annoyance before closing the door and taking a seat on the couch opposite him. "Shouldn¡¯t you be in your own room?" She muttered, dropping the coat that had been resting on her arm to the floor, thoroughly famished.


    "I am surprised she didn¡¯t throw a shoe at you for disrupting her sleep..." Aiden continued, as if he hadn¡¯t heard Athena¡¯s statement.


    "Aiden..." She growled softly.


    Aiden chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. "Yeah, yeah, I should. But I just thought to warm up some food so that we can eat. Knowing you, you would rather sleep after such a tiring day than head to the kitchen and prepare something, no matter how hungry you are..."


    Athena scoffed lightly, though a smile yed on her lips. "I am just tired, Aiden. I am surprised you have the strength for kitchen duties..."


    "Well, men are stronger than women, per se, no matter how you lot are bent out of shape arguing the opposite."


    Athena didn¡¯t bother giving Aiden the joy of engaging in this unreasonable banter. She threw her head back and took in sharp breaths, centering her core.


    "I can¡¯t believe Gianna would tell Ewan about the nightmare..." She whispered after a few seconds offortable silence, bringing her gaze back down to Aiden. "When did she get thatfortable with him?"


    Aiden pursed his lips, contemting this matter. He shook his head thereafter. "I don¡¯t think she told him anything substantial. And what nightmare are we talking about here?"


    Athena¡¯s eyes widened as she realized that she had just outed her secret to Aiden. She almost pped her mouth for always running freely around this man. Now, he wouldn¡¯t let go until he got all the answers he wanted from her. Worse, she wasn¡¯t exactly in the right state of mind and body to keep refusing him, should that happen.


    Maybe she should have shut her mouth and gone to bed; that way, he would have left too.


    "Athena..."


    "I think I can smell the food burning..." Athena immediately interjected, cutting Aiden off. Thetter raised an eyebrow in incredulity, yet he got to his feet and sauntered toward the door.


    "Don¡¯t you dare go to sleep. We are not yet done talking."


    Ten minutes and two bowls of foodter, Aiden sat down to talk, not minding that Athena had hastened to the bed and burrowed into the sheets, as if that would stop him from getting the answers he wanted. "That¡¯s not going to work, Athena. What is going on?"


    Athena sighed, abandoning the sheets and sitting up. She needed to talk to him about the CIA interference after all, and perhaps find out what had really gone wrong. He was the best man for that, including convincing the Boss to do some groundwork for them, that is, if thetter was even innocent in the ploy!


    "Athena..."


    "I have nightmares sometimes. I am not sure what triggers them, but they came aroundst night." She spoke, her hands fisted between her thighs. "Unfortunately for me, the kids had heard me whimpering, Gianna too, so they had troubled Ewan to know if he had hurt me; they didn¡¯t know I was having a nightmare. Well, I told Gianna about it, and she told Ewan. That¡¯s why I bundled myself into her room to demand answers."


    Silence reigned for a short while as Aiden tried to make sense of what he was hearing.


    "Firstly, I can understand the children¡¯s actions. They were just trying to protect you; I am surprised that you are even surprised. And since Alfonso and his daughter have been properly dealt with, their next option had been Ewan. So, like I said, understandable. Secondly, I doubt Gianna would tell Ewan the details of the nightmare. Knowing Ewan this short while, he must have contacted her, wanting to know what was wrong, so that he could tackle it to prevent further tension with the children... you know that ex of yours doesn¡¯t joke with duty. It¡¯s how that sly snake had him tied for years..."


    Athena gave no indication that she had heard Aiden¡¯sst statement.


    Aiden, seeing this, smiled thinly and continued. "She must have just told him that it was a nightmare, and that was that. Gianna wouldn¡¯t go further than that. Or did Ewan mention any details regarding the dream?"


    Athena shook her head, seeing reason after Aiden¡¯s exnation.


    "Good, so tell me about this nightmare, and why I am thest person to know about it... I didn¡¯t even know you had nightmares in the first ce..." Aiden said, crossing his legs and folding his arms across his chest in his signature stance.


    Athena exhaled softly, leaning back into the bed¡¯s headboard, her eyes focused on the wall ahead of her, taking note of the time. It was the early hours of the morning. Today was really going to be a long one for her.


    "Well, the nightmares started when I was much younger, before I was married to Ewan. I can¡¯t recall what they were about, but whenever I woke up, I always seemed to have struggled to live another day, and I was always drenched in sweat."


    "Hmmm... did you experience some trauma while growing up then..." Aiden asked, leaning forward, his hands loosening to rest with elbows on his knees.


    "Not that I can recall. There was a time I was in aa, but I can¡¯t remember what had brought that about that either..."


    A crease marred Aiden¡¯s forehead, shock and confusion fanning his face. "You have amnesia?"


    Athena bit her lips, knowing how that sounded. She was an astute, almost perfect doctor, and she hadn¡¯t found a cure for her own illness. What irony!


    "When does it date back to? Which memories can¡¯t you remember?" Aiden continued, more urgently this time around.


    Athena shrugged. "I don¡¯t know. I can¡¯t remember most of my childhood; hence, I didn¡¯t understand the nightmares. I only felt dread whenever I woke up." A sigh. "And then the one that came up yesterday is a familiar one, though I haven¡¯t heard it in a while. It¡¯s about Scarlett."


    Aiden¡¯s brow furrowed even more. "Scarlett, what about her? Why would she be the cause of your nightmare? Weren¡¯t you two friends?"


    Athena nodded slowly, her lips tightening as the memories started pouring in again.


    Aiden, seeing this, was more confused. Was there something he was missing? He wondered, his mind going through all the information he had on Scarlet and her missions with Athena. Thetter¡¯s death had been tragic, but it shouldn¡¯t be the cause of a nightmare.


    "Athena, please say something... what is going on?"


    Athena opened her mouth and expelled air, as though her nostrils weren¡¯t doing enough to expel the air inside her, which seemed heavy and ufortable. "I..." She paused and exhaled again, her fists tightening. "I lied about Scarlett¡¯s death."


    Aiden¡¯s brows rose to his hairline as he tried to grasp the sincerity of the statement. "How did she manage to die then?" He asked, already feeling the dread pool within his belly. If it was enough to give Athena nightmares for years, then he should prepare to swallow the pain.


    When Athena¡¯s silence lingered longer than he could take, he got to his feet and sauntered toward her, settling on the bed calmly and taking her hands in his. "Talk to me, Athena. What happened to Scarlett?"


    And so Athena talked. She didn¡¯t stop, not even when Aiden let go of her hand out of shock, or when he let out a heart-wrenching gasp of sorrow, or when he left the bed and started pacing from one end of the room to the other. She didn¡¯t stop until she was done.


    "That¡¯s why I have nightmares..." She surmised, looking at her hands. "Susan asking about her mother had triggered the nightmares."


    Aiden swerved; he had been facing the wall at that time. "You told her all this?" He asked, his voice louder than usual, contorted with anguish.


    Athena shook her head sorrowfully, dreading sleep now. "Of course not. I just told her the story that I had reported; she had died in a mission."


    That answer didn¡¯t dampen the lines on Aiden¡¯s face, but it eased the piling tension on his face. He couldn¡¯t imagine what the girl would feel if she found out the details of her mother¡¯s death. She might have probably contemted suicide.


    "Athena, I am sorry about this." He spoke finally, covering the distance between them, sitting on the bed, enveloping Athena in a hug. "I am so sorry you went through that. I so wish you had told me."


    Athena said nothing but wept, clutching tightly to Aiden¡¯s garment. Thetter was whisperingforting words to ease her sorrow when she suddenly jerked away, her sorrow reced with fury. "And do you know what, Aiden?"


    Aiden, who was shocked at the instant transition, shook his head, too surprised to speak.


    "The CIA was behind it. They sent Morgan and his gang after us because of a stupid..." Athena stopped talking when she noticed that Aiden looked more panicked than curious. There was surprise too, but it was at her knowledge of this matter, not at the implication.


    Pain, at the realization of the betrayal, threatened to consume her. "You knew?"

 Chapter 267: Pained II

    <h4>Chapter 267: Pained II</h4>


    Athena¡¯s heart raced painfully as a whirlwind of emotions swirled within her.


    Betrayal clung to her like a heavy fog, thickening the air around her. Aiden, the one person she thought she could trust more than anyone else, had kept such a monumental truth from her. She had always confided in him, shared her deepest fears and insecurities. To an extent, he was supposed to be her closest confidant¡ªcloser than even Gianna.


    How could he have kept something so significant from her? The thought of it gnawed at her core, making her stomach turn, making her nauseous.


    She felt small, foolish even, for thinking that their bond was unbreakable no matter what. For the very foundations of their friendship felt like they were crumbling beneath her.


    How could he do this to her, after all they have been through? Was he among those that had made this decision? Did he kill Scarlet too?


    As the silence hung thick between them, Aiden shifted on the bed, trying to gather his thoughts, yet they kept escaping him as the second ticked by, as he watched Athena erect the walls he had conquered before.


    His brow furrowed, and his mouth opened as if he were about to speak, but the words never left his lips. But the way he hesitated only further fueled Athena¡¯s anger.


    She cussed and looked away from him. She couldn¡¯t let him see how deeply this hurt her. With a fierce determination, swallowing painfully, she backed away from him, rising abruptly from the bed.


    "I can¡¯t... I can¡¯t do this right now," She said, her voice shaking slightly, betraying the tempest of emotions inside.


    "Athena, wait!" Aiden called after her as she turned away, his voice tinged with urgency.


    She ignored him, moving away from the bed and crossing to the other side of the room, trying to put distance between them. Her heart pounded as her mind raced. He had known the entire time, yet he had smiled with her like he didn¡¯t. Had he been part of the n?


    The anger in her chest red hotter at the thought. Did he betray her just like everyone else?


    "Athena!" Aiden¡¯s voice grew louder, filled with desperation. "I can exin! I swear I didn¡¯t mean to betray you! Please..."


    She turned, but all she could feel was the sharp sting of betrayalced with disillusionment. "It¡¯s toote for exnations now," She replied, her back turned to him once again. "Just leave me alone." The resolve in her voice was strong, but deep down, she felt a flicker of sorrow battling against the fiery anger.


    "Athena!" Aiden continued, undeterred. He rose from the bed, taking a step toward her, ignoring her protests. "I found outter. I didn¡¯t tell you because I was afraid of how you would take it. It was why I even quit. I thought giving you time would be¡ª"


    "Time?!" She spun around, her expression one of disbelief mixed with fury. "You thought giving me time was the answer? You¡¯re treating me like I¡¯m fragile, like I can¡¯t handle the truth! I deserved to know! I deserved to hear it from you, not as some back-alley news!"


    "Athena, please..." Aiden reached for her, but she took a step back, shaking her head violently.


    "I can¡¯t do this," She said, her voice breaking. "First it was, Master Shen. then the president... As a matter of fact, there have been others just like this..." A heavy pause. "Just.Get.Out. Just get out of my room. Out of this mansion!"


    Her heart raced as she issued themand, feeling a mix of righteousness and fear coursing through her veins.


    "But Athena, it¡¯ste! Can we at least talk about this?" Aiden¡¯s tone shifted to pleading, desperation evident in his voice.


    "No!" Athena shouted. "I don¡¯t want to see you again. Just go!"


    Aiden opened his mouth to protest, but the chilling look in her eyes told him everything. He finally relented, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Alright. But I didn¡¯t mean to hurt you," He said quietly before he turned and walked toward the door, his footsteps heavy with disappointment.


    "I¡¯m sorry." He muttered, standing by the door post.


    Athena¡¯s response was a snide chuckle. "It¡¯s already toote for that, old man. I can see why Gloria left you."


    She smiled evilly as she noted him tense up, right before he walked out of the room, without another word.


    Yet once the door closed behind him, a numbness enveloped her. The silent room felt colder without him, and she felt lost, unmoored.


    Before she could catch herself, her legs gave way, and she sank to the ground, copsing in on herself. Tears streamed down her face¡ªsilent, hot, and full of anguish.


    She cried until there were no more tears left, for her dead friend, and for a lost friendship. Once emptied, she slowly wiped her face and collected her thoughts. Her mind raced, ideas tumbling over each other.


    Picking up her phone with trembling hands, she opened her contacts list, scrolling until she found the numbers she needed.


    "Did you know about the involvement of the agency in mission 709?" She asked, immediately the Boss picked up.


    The hesitation she got from the other end of the line was all the answer she needed. Before the Boss could say anything, she ended the call and blocked his number.


    She then called Shawn and Eric.


    The calls were short, filled with quick exchanges. Her heart sank deeper with each conversation, as her former partners confirmed that they had known about the CIA¡¯s involvement. Each revtion struck her like a blow.


    "Of course we didn¡¯t tell you, Athena. We didn¡¯t want to add to your stress," Eric said gently.


    "Didn¡¯t want to add to my stress?" Athena echoed back incredulously. "Is that why everyone decided to keep secrets from me? How could you think that¡¯s protecting me?"


    "Listen, we were trying to keep you safe!" Eric insisted. "You had enough on your te¡ª"


    "But I didn¡¯t have the truth!" Athena shouted, cutting him off, her anger boiling over. "I don¡¯t want to hear it. I don¡¯t want to be a part of this any longer."


    After a few more agonizing exchanges, she ended the calls, her heart feeling like it was being squeezed in a vice.


    The weight of their decisions crushed her, and she didn¡¯t want to be associated with any of them. So, with a resolve set in pain, she decided to block their numbers.


    With the glow of the phone fading from her fingertips, silence engulfed her once again. She was left alone with her thoughts, the darkness of the room creeping in. The pain felt unbearable, and all she could do was weep.


    Another knock on her door broke through the heavy atmosphere of despair. She quickly wiped her eyes, gathered herposure, and attempted to tidy her appearance. Thest thing she wanted was for anyone to see her so vulnerable, so broken.


    When she opened the door, her two children stood there, their expressions a mixture of concern and confusion. What now? Had her cries been that loud?


    "Mama, what¡¯s wrong?" Her daughter, Kathleen, asked, her small hands clenching the hem of her pajamas.


    "Yeah, are you okay?" Nathaniel echoed, stepping slightly forward, his eyes wide with worry. "We thought we heard you crying..."


    Athena forced a smile, though she felt it tremble on her lips. "I¡¯m fine, sweethearts. Just feeling a little under the weather," She tried to reassure them, but even she could hear the shakiness in her voice.


    "C¡¯mon, Mama," Kathleen said, her little brow furrowing. "You don¡¯t look fine. You look sad. Did someone say something mean? Is it Mr. Ewan?"


    Athena sighed deeply, the mention of Ewan stirring a new wave of emotions. "No, sweetheart, it¡¯s nothing like that. I just had a long day, and I need some rest," She said, her resolve wavering as she crouched down to meet their eye level. "Why don¡¯t you twoe in? We can snuggle up for a bit."


    The children exchanged nces, then all at once, Kate nodded. "Okay!" She stepped into the room, followed closely by Nate, both of them climbing onto the bed, making themselvesfortable.


    Athena climbed in beside them, wrapping an arm around each child. She took a deep breath, trying to gather her scattered thoughts. "Let¡¯s do something special," She said, attempting to keep her voice calm and gentle.


    "Like what?" Nathaniel asked, still not satisfied with his mother¡¯s responses. She was hiding something from them.


    "Like a luby," Athena suggested, her heart swelling with affection for her children.


    "Yeah!" Kate cheered, her eyes sparkling, while Nate attempted a weakugh.


    With a tender smile, Athena began to hum softly, her voice melting into a soothing melody. The room filled with warmth as she sang an old luby, one that had been passed down from herte mother.


    It was a simple tune, but the harmonies wrapped around them like a protective nket. She watched as her children slowly rxed against her, their eyelids growing heavy.


    As the song wove its way through the air, Athena felt the weight of her own heartache begin to dissipate, if only for a moment. The luby had a beautiful quality, pulling her into its embrace, lulling her fears along with her children.


    Before long, the rhythm of her voice blended with the quiet of the night, and as she finished thest line, she looked down to find them both asleep, nestled against her side. The sight filled her with a bittersweet sense of peace, mingled with the sadness still echoing in her heart.


    She gently tightened her grip around them, and with a heavy sigh, let herself sink into thefort of their presence.


    The world outside could wait; right now, her greatest treasures were safe with her.


    In their slumber, she found sce against the chaos of her life and finally allowed herself to drift off, surrendering to theforting embrace of sleep.

 Chapter 268: A Gamble

    <h4>Chapter 268: A Gamble</h4>


    Ewan tapped his ck stylus pen on hisrge wooden oak table, deep in thought, his eyes concentrated on the pile of freshly printedic books lying in a brown carton just beside his desk, which he had bought this morning.


    He had even added the ones with female-themed heroes for Kathleen, as he had noticed during their little hangout that she seemed just as invested in theics as her brother, seeing as she remembered most of the names of both the heroes and viins in theics.


    Would they like this new collection?


    He believed they would. As a matter of fact, he couldn¡¯t contain his excitement at the prospect of their happiness upon seeing the books.


    But the problem that had him strung up was that it wasn¡¯t yet his visitation time. As a matter of fact, it was so far from it. It was just four days after theirst hangout.


    Four days since he had seen them, and it felt like it had been a whole year, like he was missing his own arm.


    He sighed and dropped the pen on the table. How would he convince Athena to let him see the kids again?


    No matter how long he had thought about this, answers seemed to run away from him, as if they had envisioned Athena¡¯s face when she had made her decision and didn¡¯t want to get on her bad side.


    He didn¡¯t want to get on her bad side either, but he needed to see his children. They were a bundle of joy he didn¡¯t have often. Over the past few days, he had cursed and regretted his past actions like it was no man¡¯s business. If only he had just listened to Sandro or maybe stayed calm for a day to push away his feelings of anger, he would have been living a different story today.


    "Honestly, Ewan, I am scared that you are working too hard today, that you are pushing yourself so much. I am tempted to make a call to your doctor and inform her that you are not taking the recovery process seriously..." Sandro stepped into the room, dragging Ewan away from the confines of his thoughts.


    "Three business meetings in different countries over the past couple of days, and more local meetings than I can count... Don¡¯t you think you are pushing it? Do you have a death wish or something?"


    Ewan shrugged his shoulders, collecting the stack of documents Sandro was handing over to him. "I am fine, Sandro. Besides, I don¡¯t think my doctor has any say in my health anymore. She has done her best for me; from here on out, it¡¯s my job to take care of myself." Ewan answered, skimming through the first page of the document.


    Athena wouldn¡¯t care if anything happened to him, only that it would affect the kids.


    He looked up at Sandro when thetter mimicked his voice and earlier reply. "That wasn¡¯t the story when you were blue in the face and almost dead. Have you taken your meds?"


    Ewan frowned, giving Sandro the stink eye. "I took them thirty minutes ago, Dad."


    Sandro chuckled heartily, putting his hands inside his pockets. "You can¡¯t me me. I am just doing my job to thetter."


    His eyes found the stack ofics beside the table. A wide smile spread across his lips. "I see you¡¯re taking your father duties seriously. Do you want me to deliver them?"


    That would be the next option if he didn¡¯t find a way to get Athena to agree to let him meet the kids, Ewan thought, gazing at the carton keenly as if the carton would give him the answer he was looking for.


    "Maybe," He finally replied. "You should transfer your disturbance to the documents I sent you to proofread and check."


    Sandro scoffed, knowing this was a dismissal. "See you around, old man..." He sauntered out of the office.


    Ewan sighed, saying nothing, his eyes returning to the box. His friend had asked him why he seemed to have thrown himself more into hispany; well, it was so he could have more time for the kids should any situation arise.


    So he crammed many days work into one day, more determined to fit a month¡¯s work into a week or two so that if any situation arose, if any opportunity at all came up to spend time with the kids, his work wouldn¡¯t hold him back. He was working ahead now.


    Just as he was ruminating on this, he received a message on his phone.


    Quickly, he picked up the gadget, sighing in relief when he saw the sender of the message: Spider.


    Immediately after Ewan had returned from the mission four days ago, he had sent some information needed to Spider, along with thetter¡¯s usual payment collected from clients, including a generous tip. Spider had only replied with "<i>Okay."</i>


    Ewan hadn¡¯t been bothered at the curt respone, only needing Spider to do his job.


    Now skimming through the detailed reports with references, dates, and pictures, he acknowledged again that there was only one Spider; no one like him.


    He paused when he saw a certain incriminating picture, tagged with a date and a title. A satisfying chuckle escaped his lips. He had finally seen something to convince Athena with. Feeling confident, he rxed properly in his seat for the first time in four days and drafted a text.


    <i>"Hello</i><i>Athena,</i><i>good</i><i>morning. I</i><i>had</i><i>Spider</i><i>do</i><i>some</i><i>digging</i><i>concerning</i><i>some</i><i>issues, and I think I </i><i>know</i><i>who</i><i>the</i><i>mole is.</i><i>Do</i><i>you</i><i>think</i><i>you</i><i>can</i><i>fix a</i><i>meeting</i><i>so</i><i>that</i><i>we</i><i>could</i><i>talk?"</i>


    He reread through the message and, satisfied with the short text, he nodded and sent it off, his heart picking up the pace as he waited for an answer.


    He was actually hoping that the meeting would be held at Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s house. That way, he could see the twins. And even if she was adamant about meeting in some caf¨¦, he would have to strike a deal with her in order to see the children.


    It wasn¡¯t his best suit, and it might end up triggering her, but he wanted to see his children.


    He sighed heavily momentster, tired of waiting for a reply and not in the mood to go through the document again. He got to his feet and headed to the window, looking down at the bustling streets below.


    Before spending time with his children, he had thought he could survive thirty days without seeing them, but as it stood now, he didn¡¯t think he could. How would he live without seeing their bright smiles, without hearing their enthusiastic voices when they spoke about their passions?


    He shook his head, finally understanding his cruelty and stupid ignorance when he had asked the council of elders to deprive Athena of the kids. She wouldn¡¯t have survived it; she would have had it worse than he was having it.


    Yet... he was ready to make any amends she would pose, just to spend time with the kids.


    Just then, Sandro walked into his office again.


    "Are you really unable to live without me, Sandro?" He teased, aiming to dampen the tiring atmosphere clogging his mind and office.


    Sandro replied with a chuckle of incredulity. "Get off your high horse, Ewan. I am here to inform you of a visitor..."


    For a full second, Ewan¡¯s heart soared with hope, thinking that Athena had shown up instead of replying to the text.


    "What are you thinking? You have a smile on your face?" Sandro asked, confused, his brow furrowed. "Are you that happy to meet Madam Ruby?"


    Ewan¡¯s smile immediately dried up as a scowl took its ce, confusing Sandro even more. What had the man been expecting?


    "What does she want?"


    "Beats me. She says she needs to speak with you urgently."


    Ewan sighed and waved him away. "Send her in."


    And that Sandro did, for in the next few minutes, Madam Ruby walked into his office, smelling heavily of rosy perfume.


    Ewan¡¯s nose twitched involuntarily as she took a seat before him. Hadn¡¯t anyone educated her on moderation? He wondered, picking up the stylus pen again.


    "What brings you here, Ruby?" He started after they exchanged pleasantries.


    Madam Ruby smiled coyly, cing her hands on the table, sped. "I know you don¡¯t like beating around the bush, Ewan, so I will just get straight to the point." She spoke confidently, causing Ewan to raise a brow.


    Interesting, especially since the woman rarely met him for deals or whatever.


    "Go on then. I don¡¯t have much time to waste."


    "As you wish..." Madam Ruby muttered, a knowing smile still on her lips. "I know what went on in the elder¡¯s council in your town. I know the story between you and Dr. Athena, including Fiona, including the rulings of the elders..."


    "And?" Ewan interjected, brows still raised, stunning Madam Ruby.


    The woman had expected anger, confusion, or some emotion¡ªnot this ndness. Or was he just pretending to be tough?


    She smiled.


    "And I know you wouldn¡¯t want that scandal to be exposed to the media. That would cause your stocks to plunge again. It would attract unnecessary attention too. I know you don¡¯t want that. Hence, to prevent this, I want more shares in yourpany, seeing its growth over the past week, as a gift."


    Immediately, Ewanughed boisterously. Then he stopped, his eyes trailing Madam Ruby¡¯s cheerful face. Then heughed again.


    He didn¡¯t know when he had lost his charm, such that people had the audacity to say such things to him.


    "You can spread the rumors, Madam Ruby. And for the shares, I think it¡¯s time you returned yours. You threatening me counts as a breach of thepany agreement, right?" He asked calmly, amusement shining in his eyes.


    Her shocked demeanor had himughing again. She had thought he would plead?


    Puhleesee! He had been looking for a way all this time to spread the news of Alfonso¡¯s betrayal without upsetting the elders¡¯ council!


    Just then, his phone dinged with a text. He smiled when he saw it was from Athena.


    "You can leave, Ruby. Mywyer will be in contact with you soon," He spoke, opening the phone.


    Madam Ruby tried to plead, surprised at the turn of events, but Ewan rang the small electric bell on his table, and Sandro came in.


    "Take her away," Ewan ordered just as he read the message.


    <i>"Meet</i><i>me</i><i>at</i><i>Dixon¡¯s</i><i>by</i><i>5</i><i>PM."</i>

 Chapter 269: Disturbance

    <h4>Chapter 269: Disturbance</h4>


    Athena dropped her phone onto her worktable slowly and sat back in her chair, her mind swirling with thoughts about the possible information Ewan wanted to share with her.


    Her curiosity about the mole especially ignited a sense of anticipation within her, a strange mix of excitement and dread. Who could it be?


    From the nature of the text, she could decipher that the unfortunate person would be someone familiar. Perhaps a colleague? A friend?


    The weight of uncertainty hung heavily on her, like a storm cloud ready to burst. She couldn¡¯t wait.


    The tension coiled tighter in her stomach as she picked up the phone again, eager to inform Aiden of the recent development. But just as quickly, she paused, a memory invading her thoughts with the ferocity of a sudden windstorm. They weren¡¯t on speaking terms since that fateful night four days ago.


    She hissed softly, frustration bubbling to the surface. Returning the phone to the desk, she felt the familiar ache of hurt that had settled there in Aiden¡¯s absence. It hadn¡¯t dissipated; if anything, it festered, deeper each day he hadn¡¯te around to apologize.


    He hadn¡¯t even stopped by Mr. Thorne¡¯s house. She hasn¡¯t seen him anywhere since then. It was as though he had vanished from the face of the earth, disappearing into thin air like a phantom.


    She should feel relieved about that, but... she didn¡¯t. Aiden wasn¡¯t someone she could easily dismiss. They had a history.


    She chuckled derisively at a wild thought. Maybe his reason for not showing his face was rted to herstment about his ex-wife.


    Yet...


    Surely, he couldn¡¯t be that dense and proud.


    <i>Well, you</i><i>never</i><i>can</i><i>tell</i><i>with</i><i>men.</i>


    Shaking her head, she tried to refocus. She needed to concentrate on the stack of documents in front of her. The problem was that focusing felt like trying to catch smoke with her bare hands. Ewan¡¯s message echoed in her thoughts, a lingering whisper that wouldn¡¯t quiet down.


    She had chosen Dixon¡¯s caf¨¦ because it seemed lively enough. Yet she wished more than anything that Aiden could be there with her.


    Sighing, she pushed all thoughts about Ewan aside, Aiden included, and forced herself to concentrate on the papers sprawled across her desk. She needed toplete this paperwork before the end of the day.


    A soft knock on her office door startled her, breaking her train of thought. She looked up from the document, her brow furrowing as Finn sauntered into the room, holding a file against his chest.


    What was that? Another document? She sighed, her fatigue like a heavy nket over her shoulders. She really wasn¡¯t up to dealing with this today; she would have preferred to stay home, doing some research on Ewan and his friends.


    Over the past few days, she had poured herself into uncovering the enigma that was Ewan. Each piece of information felt like a breadcrumb, leading her into a tangled web of secrecy. Yet every time she thought she was getting closer, she hit a wall. His past was as obscured as hers, perhaps even more so.


    Despite her knowledge of the cyber world, it had been challenging to find any information she didn¡¯t already know about him. Nevertheless, she wouldn¡¯t be giving up anytime soon.


    But as the workload loomed before her like a mountain waiting to be climbed, an idea struck her. She considered enlisting her children¡¯s friends for assistance. She¡¯d be ready to pay any amount.


    Yes, that¡¯s what she would do, she concluded, picking up her phone and creating a reminder while Finn watched her from the sidelines, his brows thoroughly knitted in concern.


    "Is there anything the matter, ma¡¯am? You seem distressed," He inquired, cing the file on the desk with careful precision.


    Athena shook her head, mustering a smile to reassure him. "I am fine, Finn. Thank you very much," She replied, her tone light.


    She studied him for a moment, an instinctive concern creeping in. "I should be asking you that though... you seem a bit out of sorts. You¡¯ve got a cough as well, seeing the texture of your voice... are you okay?"


    Finn hesitated, the vulnerability in his eyes evident for a brief moment. "I don¡¯t think I¡¯m feeling too well. But it¡¯s not the disease; I have already conducted a test..."


    Athena released a sigh she didn¡¯t realize she had been holding, tension rolling off her shoulders. Finn was one of her mostpetent doctors; the thought of losing him to hospital beds and illness made her uneasy. "So, what¡¯s the problem then?"


    "I think it¡¯s just rest. It¡¯s one of the reasons I came to see you; I would like to take a leave for some days to rest... if that¡¯s okay..."


    "Of course," Athena said immediately, her voice infused with warmth. "Meet Ciara. She¡¯ll process the leave and documentation for you. I¡¯m sure you need your rest. How many days are you taking?" There was a pause. "You know what? Take a week. You¡¯ve been of immense help."


    Finn opened his mouth to protest, clearly taken aback. He thought two days would suffice, but Athena waved him away, determined to make him ept. "Just go, Finn. You deserve it. I will see you around this time next week, okay?"


    Finn nodded, visibly relieved. "Thank you very much, ma¡¯am. I will probably be back before then."


    Athena chuckled lightly and waved him away. "You can go now."


    However, Finn remained standing.


    Athena frowned. "Is there something else you wanted to tell me about?"


    Finn pointed to the file on her desk, his expression shifting. "Yes, the main reason I¡¯m here. The file contains how the drugs have been utilized since their introduction..."


    Athena¡¯s frown deepened as she picked up the file and opened it, trying to decipher why Finn was presenting this to her.


    "The drugs have run out. I was unsure how to get more, so I brought you the file, in case you became suspicious," He exined, his voice steady yet tense.


    Athena chuckled softly, the sound barely reaching her lips. Since the police incident, Finn had been extra cautious in all his dealings, ensuring that he was transparent with her. She appreciated his diligence, but she didn¡¯t want him to feel as though he always had to be on guard around her.


    "Okay, Finn. Thanks for the information. Inform the other doctors and nurses that the drugs will be avable this evening or tomorrow morning," She finally responded, rising to her feet. Her day was far from over.


    Fortunately, there was still a batch remaining from thest supply she had produced. She just needed to retrieve it from theb. The only issue was that Aiden wouldn¡¯t be her driver, and she didn¡¯t trust Jake that much yet. Recent events had taught her a lesson on trust.


    "Okay, ma¡¯am. See you next week then," Finn said, stepping back.


    "Okay, Finn. Enjoy your time off," She collected her trench coat and put it on, acutely aware of Finn walking out of her office. She waited for five long minutes before leaving the office.


    Right outside, she told Ciara to cancel her appointments for the day, knowing she wouldn¡¯t be around. Then, with a softened expression, she asked about Herbert. "How is he coping? Is he doing okay?"


    "He¡¯s fine. He was just in yesterday for the final set. His color is much improved. I¡¯m sure the doctor will discharge himpletely before the end of the week," Ciara exined enthusiastically.


    Athena nodded, a smile gracing her lips. "Okay then, I will see youter, Ciara."


    Ciara wished Athena well too, watching as thetter walked out of the room, into the faces of the two new hires of the hospital, the twin doctors who made her skin crawl, especially the male one who was always trying to get into her pants.


    But Ciara wasn¡¯t na?ve. She knew that thetter was just looking for someone that would spy on her boss. And she refused to be that person! Doctor Athena was so good to her; the best boss ever.


    When she noticed the standoff urring outside, she whispered a prayer for her boss and returned to her work.


    Meanwhile, immediately the door shut behind Athena, she raised a brow at the twins whom she had bumped into. "What are you two doing there? Your offices are in the opposite direction, in case you¡¯ve forgotten where they are," She snapped, her irritation bubbling just beneath the surface.


    Matthewughed, his gaze sliding over Athena with an unsettling lust.


    But Athena didn¡¯t even flinch or indicate that she felt disgusted by him. Maintaining her aloof demeanor, she focused on the exit instead.


    After waiting for any signs of an answer and receiving only awkward nces, she turned aside and started walking away. She had no time for this nonsense.


    Since their hire, she had kept to her ownne, never in the mood for their antics, even as they sought her out, their presence a constant shadow. Today, however, she wasn¡¯t in the mood. The events from the past few days mored in her mind, a tumultuous storm waiting to break free.


    "Athena, walking out on your colleagues? That¡¯s rude..." Mary called out, her frustration evident, but Athena paid her no mind.


    She kept walking until she was safely out of their sight.


    Not pleased with being dismissed so easily, the twins followed her hotly, hastily eager to express their thoughts and opinions.


    "Hold that door, Athena!" Mary shouted, increasing her pace, her voice cutting through the air like a de, when she saw Athena in the elevator.


    But Athena didn¡¯t bother with any of it, her focus fixed firmly ahead as the elevator doors began to slide shut.


    Just before the doors could close entirely, she turned slightly, offering them a cold smile that didn¡¯t reach her eyes.


    Matthew cursed under his breath and kicked the elevator doors, retracting his leg thereafter, as a sharp pain shot through him.


    "Bitch!" He grunted, mindfully promising hell on Athena.

 Chapter 270: Disturbance II

    <h4>Chapter 270: Disturbance II</h4>


    "Don¡¯t they ever give up?" Athena muttered under her breath, watching Mary¡¯s name sh on her screen for the third time. Why were they insistent today?


    Not that there was any other day where they hadn¡¯t been...


    Ignoring the call, she shifted her gaze around the park, scanning for Jake¡¯s car. A crease lined her forehead when she didn¡¯t spot him. Where did he go? She wondered, cing her hand on her waist.


    She pulled out her phone to call him but remembered he had mentioned during their drive in the morning that he would be busy running errands for Aiden at this time.


    Athena cursed loudly under her breath, frustration boiling over. She wouldn¡¯t call Aiden to free the driver, and she certainly wouldn¡¯t reach out to Jake since Aiden might be with him. She didn¡¯t want to seem petty, especially after saying she would stick to the schedule they had established this week.


    Sighing again, she recalled also that she had been the one to suggest informing Jake of her schedule; thest thing she wanted was for him to loiter around while waiting for her. It felt like a waste of the man¡¯s time.


    Looking around the park, she wondered what her next move would be. <i>What</i><i>to</i><i>do?</i>


    Just then, her phone rang again, interrupting her thoughts. Athena didn¡¯t need to check to know it was Mary again. Mary had a habit of calling five times before giving it a rest. This was the fourth time.


    She silenced her phone and walked out of the park toward the road, pondering whether catching a cab would be a good idea.


    Was it a better option? She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought.


    Yet what could she do? She needed to get the drugs today¡ªthe lives of her patients depended on it.


    She pulled up her phone, scrolling through her contacts, mentally listing off people she could trust to pick her up and take her to the privateb.


    Old Mr. Thorne could have made the list, but he was an elderly man, and she didn¡¯t want to burden him with the smoky, dusty atmosphere leading to her privateb. So he was out of the equation.


    That left Gianna.


    Taking a deep breath, she dialed her friend¡¯s number. It was a relief to her now, that she had confided in thetter a few days ago; it made things easier.


    "Hello, Gianna, are you free?" She asked when the call connected.


    "Not really. I have a presentationing up in a few minutes. Is there a problem?" Gianna replied, sounding rushed.


    Athena held back a weary sigh. "Not at all. Good luck on the presentation..."


    "Athena, just talk to me. The presentation can be postponed," Gianna interrupted, concerncing her voice.


    Athena paused, weighing her friend¡¯s words for any sign of hesitation. Truthfully, she was too mentally exhausted to sniff it out.


    Finally, she shrugged her shoulders and exined her predicament. "I need a ride. I don¡¯t think I have the time to hire a car. Could youe to the hospital with yours? You can take a cab back to work afterward."


    A moment of silence met her request.


    "Where are you going? The kids aren¡¯t out of school yet..."


    Athena bit her lip, debating whether to reveal the whole truth or offer a convincing lie. In the end, she decided to be honest. "I want to go to my privateb. I need to get some drugs for the patients we have in the hospital..."


    "Can Ie with you?" Gianna asked, a hint of excitement in her voice.


    A pause greeted the question. Athena considered it for a moment before finally agreeing and ending the call. If Gianna wanted to join her, that was fine.


    After all, Aiden knew the ce and had betrayed her without shame. So why shouldn¡¯t she allow someone who had been by her side for so long to apany her?


    With that settled, she retraced her steps back into the park and sat on one of the benches, acknowledging that it would take a while for Gianna to arrive. She might as well indulge in a moment of peaceful rest.


    But as if the universe was conspiring against her, she caught sight of Mary and Matthew approaching.


    Great. Athena wished she could teleport away or be invisible¡ªanything to avoid the impending disturbance.


    "So, you ran away from your office toe here and do what? Sleep?" Mary sneered as she drew nearer. "Don¡¯t you have patients waiting or appointments to keep? I think I should report you to Herbert. He needs to see how ipetent a doctor you are."


    "Yeah, I think you should. Let¡¯s see what he has to say," Athena replied, her voice dripping with boredom and nonchnce.


    Thisbination in her tone seemed to aggravate Mary and Matthew further; they both stepped in closer, puffing up their chests, hoping to intimidate her now that no one else was around in the park.


    Seeing their attempts made Athena chuckle because their antics were simply ridiculous.


    "If you two are done parading like fat peacocks, I suggest you return to your posts unless you want me to file aint... remember, you both still report to me," She warned, her authority clear.


    Mary hissed in irritation. "You must feel so high and mighty, enjoying this position because..."


    "Because I found the cure to the Grey disease? Get used to it. That story is getting old. Find another to peddle, or go back to your work," Athena retorted, her voice thick with authority.


    The twins exchanged nces, clearly displeased with her response. But theirbative efforts only made Athena more rxed. If only she could wield a pistol in that moment¡ªshe could picture sinking one or two bullets into their legs, knowing she would get away scot-free.


    Who would believe the calm, collected doctor could handle a gun? The thought made her smile a bit, but she quickly dismissed it, returning her gaze to her watch. Gianna should be arriving anytime now.


    The impatience gnawed at her insides as she tapped her thighs, willing her friend to hurry.


    With the siblings standing there and not nning to leave, Athena finally closed her eyes, striving to grab a little inner peace.


    Of course, the moment of tranquility was intercepted as she heard Matthew¡¯s voice cutting through her silence.


    "Athena..."


    She opened her eyes slowly, leaning back against the bench, giving him a cid expression.


    "You think you¡¯re smarter than us, huh?" He asked, his toneced with arrogance.


    Athena shook her head faintly. "I don¡¯t think, I know I¡¯m smarter. Should I call security on you two? You¡¯re disrupting my peace... I don¡¯t want to hear another word..."


    Mary gasped in disbelief at her response, spun on her heel, and marched away.


    Finally, Athena thought with a slight sense of relief, turning her attention to Matthew.


    "Wait, what are you still waiting for?" She questioned, eyeing him badly.


    Matthew snorted, his expression filled with menace. "I promise you will regret this. When I¡¯m done with you, you¡¯ll be begging me to take you to bed."


    Athena gagged at the suggestion, revolted. "Get out."


    This time, Matthew didn¡¯t hesitate, recognizing the icy re in her eyes. He turned away, snorting once again before walking off.


    What was wrong with those two? Athena wondered as she continued to watch them leave. They despised her as much as she hated them; why couldn¡¯t they take a page from her book and keep to themselves?


    Just when she was about to close her eyes again, she saw them returning. She cursed softly, a headache beginning to throb at her temples.


    "Are you two obsessed with me?" She asked as they came into earshot.


    "You wish," Mary muttered, crossing her arms. "We want to know how to get the drugs to cure the Grey disease. There are none avable anymore. We¡¯re supposed to work with you on the cure, that¡¯s what Herbert promised."


    Athena snorted. "Well, you can go work with Herbert then. I work alone, and there¡¯s no way I¡¯m letting you near my work. Now, if that¡¯s all..." She gestured to the path they had juste from, indicating they should leave.


    "What are we supposed to tell the patients who are demanding the drugs?" Matthew shot back.


    "Well, tell them they will receive their treatment this evening or tomorrow morning. Now, can I have my peace, or do you want the pleasure of the guards?"


    Mary scoffed and turned away. Matthew quickly following suit.


    Athena shook her head, exhaling harshly before closing her eyes again. Those two would give her grey hairs faster than she anticipated. Maybe she should start working from home.


    A car horn interrupted her thoughts a few momentster, alerting her to the vehicle parked a few feet away.


    Gianna. Thank God. Athena mused, rising to her feet and readjusting the tote bag on her shoulder.


    She smiled as her friend opened the door and stepped inside.


    "You must have woken up on the right side of the bed if you want to show me your privateb... for a moment, I thought you would call Aiden..."


    Athena chuckled drily, watching her friend start the car. "Don¡¯t say that," She replied lightly, looking ahead.


    Gianna didn¡¯t know about the altercation between her and Aiden yet...

 Chapter 271: Bullshit!

    <h4>Chapter 271: Bullshit!</h4>


    "What are we doing here?" Gianna asked as she parked the car in the spot that Athena had pointed out earlier. "This ce is like a wastnd, hotter than the city because of theck of trees¡ªor is it theck of humans..."


    She turned to Athena, turning off the ignition. "How can your privateb be here? It¡¯s not a conducive environment, considering the quantity and nature of chemicals you work with. Or is something else at y here?"


    Athena chuckled and opened the door, stepping out without providing her friend with a response. There was no way she could exin it after all; this time, the best approach would be to show Gianna instead.


    "Come on, Gianna, I¡¯ll just show you," She said, tsking at the frown on Gianna¡¯s face.


    When Gianna raised an eyebrow in confusion, Athena shook her head and started walking toward the phone booth,fortable in the knowledge that Gianna would follow.


    "What are we doing at a phone booth, Athena? Is this some kind of joke... or wait!" Gianna paused, her eyes widening dramatically. "Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s some secret door, a passageway or something."


    She searched the booth frantically for any sort of clue that might trigger a hidden entrance. But for the life of her, she couldn¡¯t find a single indication that the booth was anything more than an ordinary relic.


    When she returned her gaze to Athena, she found thetter watching her with amusement.


    "What?!"


    Athena merely shrugged. "Just brace yourself. We are about to go down."


    Gianna furrowed her brows, observing Athena punch in some numbers on the dial, as if she were about to make a call. But the telephone remained firmly in its position, and Gianna noticed a creaking sounding from below. Before she could ask about the strange noises, the pavement beneath her suddenly dropped with an astonishing sound, taking them both beneath the surface.


    Her scream echoed throughout the region.


    "Jeez, Gianna, calm down..." Athena began tough as she stepped out of the booth and into the passageway leading to her privateb. "It¡¯s just an elevator..."


    Still in shock, Gianna sauntered out of the booth slowly, her gaze widening as she watched it ascend with surprising speed. "That is no fucking elevator, Athena. That¡¯s... that¡¯s a death box! Do you want to kill me?!"


    Athenaughed even harder, not stopping until she reached the iron door.


    "You could have warned me about this, like, give me a heads-up..." Giannained, briskly dusting off her body.


    "I told you to brace yourself," Athena replied as she entered the necessary codes, summoning the strength to slide the door open. Aiden had always excelled at this task, but she had to make do with her own abilities for now.


    "Brace myself? That¡¯s hardly a proper warning, Athena," Gianna continued, oblivious to the inner turmoil swirling within Athena.


    "So what¡¯s next?" She stood behind Athena, her eyes darting around the dimly lit environment. "Couldn¡¯t you have found a space above ground? I¡¯m sure there are better apartments that would suit yourb requirements instead of this ce..."


    "Yeah, there might be," Athena replied thoughtfully. "But this ce is better. My research works best underground. There are fewer attempts to break in since it¡¯s hidden away, kept safe from anyone who might want to acquire my research."


    Finally pulling the door open a bit, she let out a small groan.


    Seeing her struggle, Gianna lent a hand, and together they shoved the heavy door open to enter. Once inside, the door shut solidly behind them.


    "You know you should have called Aiden. Are we really going to pull this door open again?"


    Athena sighed, pointing to the couch situated against one wall. "Please wait here. And about Aiden... we aren¡¯t exactly on speaking terms right now."


    Gianna¡¯s interest piqued, and her brows raised. "You¡¯re arguing with Aiden? That¡¯s new. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever heard that one before. What happened?"


    Sighing again, Athena sank into the couch beside Gianna. "He knew about Scarlett. I told him about it that night four days ago, hoping to see if we could do something about it¡ªmaybe confront some people. But it turns out he¡¯s been aware of it all this time."


    Gianna¡¯s mouth dropped open in disbelief. "For real? That¡¯s crazy! Why would he keep something like that from you, especially considering how close you are with her?"


    "He imed it was for my protection."


    "That¡¯s bullshit!" Gianna eximed, smacking her thighs in frustration as if they were to me for the situation. "Protecting you from the pain or what? He should have told you by now; hasn¡¯t it been close to two years? That¡¯s more than enough time to reveal the truth."


    A pause filled the air.


    "Damn, he really messed up." Gianna flung her arms around Athena¡¯s shoulders in aforting embrace. "Has he apologized?"


    Athena snorted softly at the memory. "He did, that night..."


    "No, that doesn¡¯t count. You were overwhelmed with emotions then... I¡¯m talking about after that night. Has he really apologized?" Gianna pressed, her voiceced with concern.


    Athena sighed, looking down at her hands. "I blocked his number. So perhaps he has sent a text..."


    "That¡¯s not what I mean either! Has hee to see you either at home or at the hospital to apologize?"


    Athena shook her head, the realization weighing heavily on her shoulders.


    Gianna sputtered an incredulousugh. "For real? I need to smack his head then. Is he crazy?"


    Athena chuckled softly, albeit sadly. "Maybe it¡¯s because I made a snide remark before he left..."


    Curious now, Gianna turned to her, eager to know. "What did you say?"


    "I told him that this must be why his wife left him..." Athena responded, a hesitant pause hanging in the air.


    To her surprise, Gianna burst intoughter.


    "Why are youughing?" Athena asked, taken aback by her friend¡¯s reaction.


    But Gianna just couldn¡¯t stop. Theughter came in waves¡ªpausing for breath, then restarting, each urrence managing to coax a chuckle from Athena despite herself.


    After a while, the choruses ofughter finally brought Athena to a point of weariness. "C¡¯mon, Gianna."


    "I can see where Kathleen got her smart mouth from!" Gianna eximed. "But still, that¡¯s not enough for him to ghost you. I¡¯m guessing his pride is consuming him. I never thought he would be that egotistical..."


    Athena nodded in agreement. "I guess all men are the same then," She muttered, standing up. "Stay here. Let me grab the batch of drugs. I¡¯ll be right back..."


    Then she paused, calcting her next thought carefully. "Gianna, you mentioned that the presentation isn¡¯t important, right?"


    Gianna nodded. "Is there a problem?"


    "Do you have any other presentations or work to handle this afternoon?" Athena asked, her worry shifting to her friend¡¯s schedule.


    Gianna shook her head, but her eyes revealed that she was still inquiring about what the problem might be.


    "Can you stay here until five or thereabouts?"


    Gianna furrowed her brows. "I thought you were just getting a batch of drugs..."


    Athena nodded slowly, an idea forming in her mind. "Yeah. But on second thought, I think I should prepare another supply since theponents are assembled already. Just a little heat and some tunings, and they will be good to go. Can you wait for me?"


    Athena felt hopeful, believing that if all went well, she could also begin working on the case concerning the individuals responsible for the Grey disease. Since she was already here, it made sense to multitask as efficiently as possible.


    "Yes, I can wait. I just wish I¡¯d brought some snacks with me..." Gianna mused, ncing around the brightly lit room.


    "I wish I had some too..." Athena murmured as she walked into theb. Her stomach grumbled softly at the thought of food. "Just knock on the door when it¡¯s five. I tend to lose track of time when I¡¯m working."


    Gianna nodded and waved her hand dismissively, resting her head against the couch and deciding to catch some sleep since food would remain a distant dream for now.


    Inside theb, Athena made a quick call to Finn. "Hello, Finn, are you still at the hospital?"


    There was a pause at the other end of the line.


    "Finn..." She prompted.


    "Yes, ma¡¯am, I¡¯m still at the hospital," Finn finally replied.


    Athena sighed in relief, grateful for her dependable employee. "I need a favor, Finn."


    "Of course, ma¡¯am. Please go ahead," He said, ever the dutiful doctor.


    "I know you were supposed to take your break now and all, but can you work for a couple more hours? I left the hospital to handle some urgent matters, and I trust you the most to manage the staff and patients. Can you do that for me until Doctor Lindaes in for her evening shift? Please?"


    "Of course, ma¡¯am. I still have a week of rest after all," Finn reassured her.


    Athena chuckled with him, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thank you, Finn."


    She exhaled in relief, ending the call, her eyes beginning to scan the equipmentid out for drug preparation. Linda and Finn were her mostpetent doctors, focused on their work and not swayed by the petty gossip that floated around or the influence of the evil twins.


    Their reliability made them invaluable to her¡ªparticrly when she was absent.


    Just as she was about to dive into her work, her phone dinged with a text notification.


    A smile stretched across her lips when she saw it was from Antonio.


    <i>"Would</i><i>you</i><i>go on a date</i><i>with me, beautiful</i><i>woman? It¡¯s</i><i>been</i><i>a</i><i>while</i><i>since</i><i>we</i><ist</i><i>connected; we¡¯ve</i><i>both</i><i>been</i><i>busy</i><i>with</i><i>our</i><i>respective jobs. Is</i><i>seven</i><i>p.m. okay?"</i>


    Athena¡¯s excitement bubbled up, and she quickly texted back, <i>"Yes.</i><i>It</i><i>is</i><i>perfect."</i>


    Immediately after sending her response, her phone started ringing. Sheughed softly as she answered the call. "Were you waiting for my text?"


    "Of course," Antonio responded, his joy evident in his voice. "So, I¡¯ll pick you up at seven? At your ce or Mr. Thorne¡¯s?"


    "My ce," She replied, her smile growing.

 Chapter 272: Just A Business Meeting

    <h4>Chapter 272: Just A Business Meeting</h4>


    "Are you going on a date with Ewan, looking and smelling like that?" Gianna asked, a frown masking her face as her eyes quickly scanned Athena¡¯s face and clothes.


    Athena scoffed, shot her a re, and then transferred the carton containing the batch of drugs to the backseat with her left hand.


    "It¡¯s not a date, Gianna. It¡¯s a business meeting," She spoke curtly, dusting her hands off as if she were shaking off any lingering doubt. "The one I have a date with is Antonio, and that¡¯s at seven. Get the facts straight."


    Yet, she sniffed her clothes, scrunching her face when she perceived nothing out of the ordinary. "You talked about a smell..."


    Gianna snorted and rolled her eyes as she turned on the ignition. "Yes, you reek of chemicals. I think you should leave the coat in the car and get another top at a store... maybe even a spritz of perfume..."


    Athena shook her head, cutting her friend off. The next stop would probably lead to Gianna suggesting aplete makeover. She didn¡¯t need to do that for Ewan. "I¡¯m going to meet Ewan like this. He knows I¡¯m a doctor¡ªno need to give him any other ideas."


    Gianna shrugged as she pulled the car out of its parking spot. "If you say so. So what¡¯s the business meeting all about?"


    "It¡¯s about the Grey disease... I¡¯m not entirely sure. But he mentioned finding the mole..." Athena replied, relieved again that Gianna wasn¡¯t a stranger to her second upation.


    Talking with her friend was therapeutic to an extent, aiding her in distancing herself from the sadness that flooded in from not having Aiden around.


    "Oh, I assume he is taking this up as a responsibility. That says a lot about him. He¡¯s a changed man. Surely, you¡¯ve noticed."


    Of course, she had noticed, and more. But what was there to do with that information? Exim in praise?


    So, she chose to say nothing in response to Gianna¡¯s statement, preferring instead to look out the window as her friend shifted gears. It was already fifteen minutes past five, and Ewan would be waiting, considering his strict policy againstteness¡ªeven during their cold marriage.


    Fortunately for her, Gianna seemed to read her thoughts and stepped on the gas as they approached the city outskirts. "So, am I dropping you at the hospital first?" Gianna asked after a few moments of silence.


    "Not at all. Just drop the drugs with Finn..."


    A significant pause.


    "You know what, just drop it at the hospital¡¯s pharmacy."


    She didn¡¯t want to stress Finn or put him under any duress with the evil twins. She didn¡¯t want the same for Linda either. The twins were devil incarnates.


    "Tell them it¡¯s from Doctor Athena. Tell them I had another business meeting, so I couldn¡¯t make the trip myself."


    Gianna nodded. "So I¡¯ll drop you at the Dixons first."


    "Yes. I¡¯m alreadyte for the meeting." Athena concurred smoothly.


    Gianna darted her a sharp look, raising an eyebrow.


    "What is it?" Athena swore that if it was yet anotherment about her clothes and appearance, she would give her friend a knock.


    "Check in my bag behind you. You¡¯ll find a lip balm, powder, and perfume. At least organize yourself a bit... you don¡¯t need the whole world to know you were at yourb."


    Athena sighed, giving in to Gianna¡¯s insistence. She shook her head, turned aside, and grabbed Gianna¡¯s bag, scoffing softly when she spotted the light makeup purse. "You carry this everywhere you go?" She asked, pulling the purse out.


    "Of course," Gianna replied nonchntly. "A woman should always travel with these essentials. Emergencies happen; you shouldn¡¯t be caught looking ugly or disheveled at any point in time."


    Athena¡¯s expression as she watched her friend ramble was a mix of amusement and disbelief.


    Why would one stress oneself unnecessarily? She wondered, dusting her face with powder while ncing into the small mirror. "Well, thank you... I won¡¯t be looking like a homeless person this evening..."


    Her sarcasm was evident, but Gianna could only chuckle, graciously epting thepliment, her head tilted inughter as if bowing.


    Athenaughed too, then refocused on her tiny mission.


    Ten minutester, they were at the Dixons.


    "Fighting!" Gianna eximed shortly as Athena opened the car door to step out.


    Athena, surprised, turned to her friend. "Fighting for what?"


    Gianna shrugged, adjusting the gearstick. "You may need it."


    Athena didn¡¯t bother stressing herself over thement, deciding instead to thank her friend for the help that day. She stepped out of the car and shut the door firmly behind her.


    "See youter!" She waved, standing and watching as Gianna reversed out of the parking lot and into the bustling street.


    Then she turned to the entrance of the caf¨¦.


    Her heartbeat quickened with every step she took, and she struggled to keep it calm, but it wasn¡¯t working.


    "Quit it!" She whisper-yelled, pausing to ce a hand on her chest.


    Inhaling deeply, she questioned herself, "You¡¯ve met him before, so why are you beating like crazy?"


    But then she recalled that her traitorous heart had skipped in those past encounters as well. Anger had driven her then, revenge too, hence she had managed to douse those unwee feelings.


    "Well, nothing has changed..." She muttered as she allowed herself to sink into the memories of those cold years.


    By the time she finished her little mental pep talk and baptism, her heart returned to a more normal rhythm, and a cold tint surfaced in her eyes.


    Taking a final, steadying breath, she covered the distance and walked into the caf¨¦. It didn¡¯t take her more than a few seconds to spot Ewan a few meters away, seemingly...devouring ice cream?


    He was the center of attention for the female clientele in the restaurant, even those who hade with their spouses.


    She could certainly see the reason for that attraction.


    Her heart rate, which had cautiously settled, suddenly kicked back into overdrive as she took in his striking visage.


    Ewan had always been handsome, but here, perched in a cozy corner of the caf¨¦ with dimly colored lights around him, he looked... sexy, almost edible.


    He savored the ice cream he held, relishing it slowly, almost as if he was romanticizing every lick. His focus remained sopletely directed toward the dessert that she couldn¡¯t be surprised he hadn¡¯t noticed her yet.


    Maybe she should have listened to Gianna.


    She let out a soft curse when she realized the extent of her thoughts as she made her way toward him, acutely aware of the attention she was garnering with each deliberate step in his direction.


    The admirers were undoubtedly envious, and Athena felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her, recalling that it was a good idea to have left her smelly coat in Gianna¡¯s car.


    "Hey..." Even her voice came out breathless as if startled by her own feelings.


    Athena cursed herself internally. <i>Behave</i><i>yourself! </i>Shemanded, clearing her throat, though the action was interrupted midway when Ewan lifted his head, stared into her eyes, and smiled.


    Athena¡¯s grip tightened on the sling bag Gianna had convinced her to wear for the asion¡ªwhat was going on with her heart again?


    "Athena, finally... I almost thought you wouldn¡¯t be making it," Ewan spoke calmly, standing to his feet, dwarfing her in an instant.


    He walked to her side, drew out a seat, and gestured as a prince would. "Please, have a seat," He said, still smiling down at her.


    Athena cleared her throat again, her hold never loosening on her bag. She muttered a quick ¡¯thank you¡¯ and sat down, her body tense as Ewan held the chair smartly and gently pushed it in.


    "So, how was your day? It seems you¡¯reing directly from the hospital..." Ewan started as soon as he sat down, picking up the ice cream spoon.


    "Yeah..." Athena muttered, her voice almost catching in her throat as she watched, almost enamored, as Ewan licked the ice cream off the spoon.


    Did he perceive the scent of chemicals from her clothes? But she had worn some perfume!


    And why in hell did he order the damn ice cream?! Was it on purpose?


    "Do you want some?" Ewan asked, his attention fully on her now, breaking her thoughts.


    "Yeah."


    "Do you still like chocte?"


    Athena nodded, not entirely shocked that he remembered. She has epted that Ewan wasn¡¯t entirely ignorant during their marriage.


    She watched him call over the waiter, easily charming the female who seemed to be hanging on his every word, her eyshes batting as he spoke to her.


    A pang of irritation surged through Athena, as the waitress dipped her chest area lower, offering Ewan a generous view of her breast.


    What?! She felt an acute urge to call the waitress to order and remind her to focus on her job rather than trying to seduce her client.


    However, she caught herself just in time to question her motives and emotions. Was it the dim lighting that was affecting her perception?


    Should she request a different ambiance? Because she wasn¡¯t enjoying what she was feeling, or the memories it was resurrecting within her.


    "Are you okay? You seem lost in thought. Is it about a patient?" Ewan¡¯s concern dripped from his words like velvet, making it all the more unbearable for her.


    Why was he doing this to her?


    "Yeah, I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m just not used to this lighting," She replied, her voice steadying just a bit. "Can we move somewhere with better lighting? I have to read the document, right?"

 Chapter 273: Just A Business Meeting II

    <h4>Chapter 273: Just A Business Meeting II</h4>


    It was worse. So much worse. Athena thought weakly, wishing for the former spot.


    In the brightened atmosphere, she saw Ewan¡¯s strong jaw, sharply defined cheekbones, and finely lined lips that spoke tales of teasing. His features had an almost sculptural quality, the angles of his face casting shadows that entuated his strong masculinity.


    The blue of his eyes sparkled with mischief and warmth, a vibrant hue that seemed to reflect the very depths of the sea, captivating and intense. His shoulders, broad and muscr, held an air of strength that made her remember those nights of electric passion they once shared.


    Just looking at him, she could see the transformation brought on by his recovery; he looked perfect, just as he had been when she firstid eyes on him years ago in the elders council, perhaps even more so.


    When he turned to speak with the waiter, a male this time, her gaze unconsciously drifted down to those broadened shoulders again, recalling how they had held her legs steady in nights filled with earthshaking desires and uncontained fervor.


    <i>Alert! Bad</i><i>territory!</i> Athena shook her head, determined to shake off these thoughts, knowing one step into reminiscence and she¡¯d be lost.


    Yet... why was she feeling this way all of a sudden? What hade over her? She wondered in a panic as heughed at something the waiter had said, hisughter sending shivers down her spine.


    Was she in her ovtion period? Was it simply because she hadn¡¯t been with a man for so long?


    Thank goodness for the date with Antonio, then. Perhaps he would be able to quench these ridiculous feelings swirling around in her head.


    "What do you think of this space? Is it to your liking?" Ewan asked, his voice rich and warm.


    He should stop talking like that, stop looking at her with those vibrant blue eyes while speaking in that mesmerizing tone!


    She swallowed hard and leaned further into her seat, even though there wasn¡¯t any extra space. "Yes. The lighting is perfect," She managed to say.


    The previous space would have been far more appealing, but the ambiance there reminded her of the reckless adventures she had taken to make him fall for her.


    One particrly wild night, fueled by passion, she had danced on a pole like a stripper in those kind of dimly colored lights, desperate to surprise him when he returned from work. The desired effect had worked, igniting a passion in both of them like never before.


    Yet he¡¯d cast a cold shadow over the intimacy with his words: "<i>Give</i><i>me</i> a <i>son</i>, <i>Athena." </i>


    To him, it had been a mere biological imperative, as if she were simply a legal whore meant to bear his child.


    Revisiting that memory poured cold water on her otherwise heated thoughts, granting her the steadiness to respond when Ewan called her name twice.


    "Are you sure you¡¯re okay? We can postpone the meeting..."


    Athena waved his words and concern away. "I¡¯m fine, Ewan. Let¡¯s get straight to the meeting."


    She turned and gracefully epted the chocte ice cream the waiter handed to her, and then returned her attention to Ewan.


    Noticing him staring at her keenly, she decided to return the favor.


    She took a slow, pleasurable bite of the ice cream, savoring it as she remembered seeing him do earlier, paying more attention to her lips as she brushed them with the remnants of chocte.


    A Cheshire cat grin threatened to break free when Ewan¡¯s eyes darkened in response to her movements. "You seem to be enjoying the ice cream..." He remarked, his voice now tinged with a breathless timbre.


    Athena nodded meekly, taking another scoop and repeating the same deliberate motions.


    This time, Ewan let out a barely restrained groan as her tongue darted out, licking the remnants of ice cream from her lips.


    That tongue had certainly wiped out his sanity countless times during their marriage, while doing inhumane things to his body, igniting desires he struggled to suppress now.


    His body grew hot and tensed as he found it increasingly difficult to disentangle himself from those enticing thoughts, especially with his little man responding to her every flick of the tongue.


    How could he have been so blind those years ago? He thought. A couple who shared such vibrant sexual chemistry could never be simply tonic; it had been foolish to think otherwise.


    He cursed softly under his breath as she repeated her ice cream seduction, his little man fully attentive now while his ability to breathe wavered.


    "Are you okay, Ewan?"


    She had to be doing this on purpose, he thought, noting the amusement dancing in her eyes, her voice sweeter than usual.


    Was it fun for her to toy with him like this? A smile crept onto his lips; he was pleased that she at least found him worthy of her time and amusement.


    "Yes, I¡¯m fine," He managed to reply, trying to suppress the thoughts intensifying the challenge presented by his little man.


    "That¡¯s great..." Athena muttered, taking another delectable scoop of ice cream. "This ice cream is so delicious. I didn¡¯t know it would be this good in here..."


    Ewan nodded, thoroughly strained as he let his eyes trace the outline of her face, taking in her delicate features and fairplexion.


    Her skin was wless, radiating a luminous glow that almost seemed ethereal under the caf¨¦¡¯s soft lighting. Her midnight-ck hair framed her face beautifully, contrasting against her warm brown eyes that reflected depth and intelligence.


    Even though she wore a simple work shirt, nothing could hinder the beauty that emanated from her in waves, making him yearn desperately to draw closer. He felt an irresistible urge to drop a kiss on the bare skin where thest unbuttoned hole on her shirt left his gaze wanting. And maybe, just maybe, continue down the enticing path...


    "Ewan..."


    "Yes, I¡¯m fine; you can have all the ice cream you want. You deserve it."


    Athena smiled innocently, expertly batting her eyshes like the waitress had earlier, reveling in the desired effect it had on him.


    Two could y this game, she thought, feeling satisfied watching the strain on his face, while knowing there would be a strain under too.


    However, the thought of thetter sent a hot flush to her cheeks.


    <i>Forbidden</i><i>territory.</i> She chanted internally, tapping her phone screen. Time was zipping by, and she needed to conclude this meeting quickly to prepare for her date with Antonio.


    "Thank you, Ewan. So, about the reports... tell me about them..."


    Ewan was all too pleased with the shift in atmosphere, relieved he could divert his thoughts from the ice cream pleasures that rendered him weak.


    "Sure, mydy..." He murmured, his eagerness evident as he picked up his phone.

 Chapter 274: Just A Business Meeting III

    <h4>Chapter 274: Just A Business Meeting III</h4>


    Mydy? Athena held back a scoff. Maybe she should remind him that this was a business meeting, and that he should address her by her name¡ªand probably her title too¡ªDoctor Athena.


    Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed Ewan staring at her strangely.


    "Is there a problem with the document? Did you lose it?"


    Ewan shook his head, his brow furrowing slightly. "I¡¯m just considering the deal I¡¯m supposed to make with you..."


    Athena¡¯s defenses instantly shot up. "What kind of deal?"


    Ewan hesitated, then sighed as if giving in to the want he couldn¡¯t suppress. "I want more time with the children. I know that breaches the final oue in the council, but..."


    His face contorted with frustration and pain. "I just can¡¯t help it! After spending so much time with them on Sunday, I just can¡¯t help but want more..."


    "So, what¡¯s the deal?" Athena interjected, needing him to get to the point so she could make her decision.


    Irritation bubbled within her. Did he think he could use his business shrewdness on her? He should¡¯ve thought twice!


    Ewan swallowed, noticing Athena¡¯s stern features. She was clearly not pleased. But he forged on...


    "I want more time with the children, even just for today, in exchange for the information in this document." He spoke calmly, his phone firmly held aloft in his lifted hand.


    A tense silence stretched between them for several seconds. Ewan rushed to fill it, feeling restless. "But you¡ª"


    Athena¡¯s hand shot up, halting him midway. "No need. You can keep the information to yourself, then. It¡¯ll be less stress for me after all, since you¡¯d be finding and dealing with the mole first. It¡¯s your noble duty, right?"


    Her tone was too calm for Ewan¡¯sfort. He understood perfectly well that herst remark was a thinly veiled insult, delivered with a condescending edge, but he swallowed hard, knowing he deserved it¡ªafter all, it was Athena delivering it.


    She could send him to hell, and he would never hate her for it, nor would his feelings for her change.


    Panic surged through him, however, when she stood up smartly, taking her sling bag with her. "This was a mistake, Ewan. I must have given you a false picture, or maybe some undeserved allowance that made you greedy and audacious. That ends now. Have a good night."


    Her lips were set in a firm line as she turned to walk out of the caf¨¦.


    But Ewan would rather be condemned to death than let Athena walk out of here without the truth.


    He hastily stood and rushed to position himself in front of her, careful not to touch her arms to avoid incurring her wrath. Thest time still stung whenever he thought about it.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Athena. I was just... too needy. Yes, selfish, greedy, and stupidly audacious. I¡¯m sorry about that. Please don¡¯t mind me. Please have a seat, and let¡¯s discuss the looming danger ahead of us in the form of Morgan and the Grey disease." He spoke hurriedly, his hands raised in a cating gesture, remaining tense while Athena regarded him nonchntly, as if he was nothing.


    He hated that look but knew he had caused it, so he swallowed it down.


    "You can send it to me as a document, then." Athena finally spoke, silently rejoicing inwardly.


    Did he think he could win her in a business negotiation? Haaa! He should inquire from Aiden or Gianna about her bargaining prowess.


    Ewan, oblivious to her prideful thoughts, shook his head. "I can do thatter, but we need to discuss a few things in the document."


    He paused, his gaze turning pleading. "Please take a seat."


    Athena lingered deliberately for a few moments before returning to her seat. "You have less than thirty minutes. I have somewhere else to be."


    Ewan opened his mouth to ask where she was off to at such ate hour, but he held his tongue, noting the way she was still fuming. He would ask herter. For now, he needed to make the most of the limited time he had with her.


    Maybe, if the fates were gracious, she would be pleased with his findings and let him spend additional time with the children. Goodness, he missed them so much!


    "Ewan..."


    He handed the phone over to her without a word.


    "You think the government will be able to capture Morgan before the deadline they¡¯ve given the public?" Athena asked, her eyes still focused on Ewan¡¯s phone after several minutes of intense reading.


    Ewan nodded. "Yes. Following your lead on the heat signature, they¡¯ve been busting locations where the drugs are being kept, thereby also seizing the drugs. So far, they haven¡¯t encountered any difficulties. It will only be a matter of time before the mole in the presidential staff makes his or her move."


    There was a significant pause. "The second reason you put up the heat signature theory was to catch that mole, right?"


    Athena finally lifted her head from the document. "You know about that too?"


    Ewan shrugged, though he felt pleased with the note of surprise in Athena¡¯s voice. "I just guessed."


    Athena nodded slowly, still doubtful of whether the president even knew anything when he had met her gaze; he only acted because he trusted her judgment to some extent.


    But Ewan... she shook her head. This man wouldn¡¯t kill her with surprises.


    "Well, you¡¯re right. Seeing as the government, along with other countries¡¯ authorities, is closing in, they will get desperate and try to alter theponents of the cure. However, that process will first release a different type of heat signature, alerting the secret security service to the headquarters."


    A pause.


    "Moreover, everyone who has been in the secret room at any point has had their phones tapped, ording to the email Colt sent me two days ago. We are just waiting for them to make one wrong move, and then we¡¯ll be on them too. So yes, you¡¯re right, the research too. We might catch Morgan before the two-week deadline is up."


    Athena returned to theprehensive document after her speech, her eyes widening in saucers when she saw the topic on the next page.


    <i>What?!</i>

 Chapter 275: Just A Business Meeting IV

    <h4>Chapter 275: Just A Business Meeting IV</h4>


    Ewan knew the moment Athena unearthed the name of the mole.


    He felt a pang of hurt for her as he watched a myriad of emotions wash across her face¡ªdisbelief, pain, anger, and ultimately, resignation¡ªan eptance steeped in the confirmation of a suspicion.


    "You suspected him at one point?" He asked, wanting to prolong their time together, a fleeting connection forged in urgency and uncertainty.


    Athena nodded somberly, her eyes glued to the document that held the damning evidence. Her mind raced, consuming every detail about the man in question, the man she once thought loyal.


    "But there are still some loopholes..." She dropped the phone on the table, disappointment roiling within her. She wished the document was longer, filled with more answers to her many questions.


    "From Spider?" She met Ewan¡¯s gaze when he remained silent, his expression thoughtful.


    "Yes. What do you think about it?" Ewan asked, reclining deeper into his seat, his arms crossed over his chest as he studied her. Athena seemed eager to talk, the tension in the air crackling with unspent energy.


    "I think he did a very good job," She replied, then paused, shaking her head slightly. "You were right earlier. I suspected him of this, but I discounted it because of the history we shared and themon goals we had before appointing him as the head of the Nimbus operation."


    She sighed, her mind bombarded with the weight of the information Spider had uncovered on Alvarez. It was revealed that he had been in cahoots with Morgan or whatever higher-up was orchestrating the chaos surrounding the Grey disease.


    The reports detailed the staggering amounts of money funneled into his ount monthly. It was arge sum, one that made her expect more integrity from someone she had once considered a colleague. How could he betray them like this?


    Of course, it exined hisxity and explosive frustration when she had jokingly pointed out his shorings in dealing with the case, yet it didn¡¯t make the bitter pill any easier to swallow.


    Her fingers itched to text Aiden with the newfound information, to strategize the next best steps, but she quelled the urge. If he wanted to harbor malice, even when he was in the wrong, then so be it. Far be it from her to reach out first.


    Working with Ewan on this case felt more appealing, especially considering the strength and connections his friends brought to the table.


    "So, what do you want to do? Should we confront him?"


    Ewan¡¯s use of "we" struck a harmonious chord within her, and she refrained from correcting him, fully aware that they had been coborating since the attack on hispany.


    "Yes, we will. But first, I have to talk with the others who started the operations. I need to present this evidence to them, and from there we¡¯ll know what next to do." The thought of facing the others filled her with weariness, particrly Aiden. The prospect of exining everything to him felt daunting.


    Ewan nodded, seemingly satisfied. "I hope you all agree to send him to the ck cells. He put our lives in danger, remember? He could have cost us everything, including Susan¡¯s life."


    Athena couldn¡¯t help but agree. That was a suggestion she intended to pass along to the others. This was tantamount to treason, after all. Alvarez had betrayed them.


    Her curiosity surged regarding his reasons for such betrayal, leading her to decide that confronting him, after the virtual meeting with the others, was necessary. It was either that or she would escte the matter to the president, which might bring even worse consequences for the traitor.


    The mere thought ignited anger within her as she recalled Susan¡¯s face when the gun had been pointed at her, and how Morgan had forced her into a situation of absolute terror. No, Alvarez would pay dearly for his betrayal. It clicked into ce how Morgan had known Susan¡¯s identity.


    Wait! She inhaled sharply, her heart racing. If Alvarez was working with the gang, what fate had befallen Heronica and Cole?


    "Athena..." Ewan¡¯s voice gently pulled her from the depths of her turmoil. "You seem to be making ns and deductions without me. I feel left out, like you¡¯ve used me," He added, genuine hurtcing his teasing tone.


    Athena was momentarily taken aback by the implication of his statement and the slight whine in his voice. He looked at her with those puppy dog eyes, and a rush of unexpected warmth filled her chest.


    Had he perhaps had a drink beforeing here?


    His theatrics were confusing, stirring feelings she wasn¡¯t ready to face.


    "I¡¯m sorry," She muttered before she could stop herself. "Sometimes, I get lost in my thoughts..." She exined, surprised at her urge to justify herself. Ewan didn¡¯t deserve that.


    "Then I¡¯m not a goodpanion, huh? If your thoughts are..."


    "Ewan, stop." It was her turn to scold him.


    The way he raised his brow¡ªso achingly attractive¡ªdidn¡¯t help matters either, making her resolve soften.


    "Stop talking, and quit making those expressions with your face."


    Ewan held back augh. If she weren¡¯t as imprable as he once believed, maybe that was a good sign?


    "I am grateful for the research, and I appreciate you sharing it with me. But I really should take my leave now..."


    "You haven¡¯t finished your ice cream yet. Should I order a takeaway for you?"


    Athena shook her head, unable to suppress a smile as it danced across her lips. "Ewan, it¡¯s okay. About the mole¡ªget ready. You might be following me to confront the bastard. Aiden is currently unavable."


    Ewan rose to his feet in sync with her, his brow furrowing as he contemted Aiden¡¯s absence, thrilled at the prospect of apanying her again. "Is he unwell?"


    Athena pursed her lips, then nodded. "A case of special dysentery."


    Ewanughed, unable to contain himself, and guffawed even harder when Athena joined in. "You know he¡¯s going to kill you when he finds out you told me..."


    Still chuckling, Athena waved his words away. "I¡¯ll survive. You won¡¯t, though, if you try to y games with me concerning my children..."


    Ewan¡¯sughter sputtered to a halt as tension wrapped around them like a tightening noose. "Sure..." He muttered, inhaling deeply. "It won¡¯t happen again."

 Chapter 276: Just A Business Meeting V

    <h4>Chapter 276: Just A Business Meeting V</h4>


    Athena smiled coyly, dusting imaginary specks of dust off Ewan¡¯s shoulders as if they were close friends simply ying around.


    "I hope it won¡¯t, unless our little truce will be over, Mr. Ewan," She whispered, looking up at him, unfazed by their closeness or the gaze of the public, which she could almost feel pressing against them.


    "Uhmm..." Ewan stuttered, unsure whether he was aware of the game Athena was subtly ying. Was she flirting with him? Or was it all sarcasm?


    Before he could voice his thoughts, she pointed to the spot where the ice cream was being sold. "On second thought, I think I¡¯ll take you up on your offer. I will need a takeout."


    Ewan nodded eagerly, like an infatuated teenager, and hurried off to the stand, a spring in his step as he feltpelled to please her.


    Athena watched him go with a smile blooming on her lips, her confidence soaring as she noticed some female patrons casting her envious nces.


    However, that happiness flickered when she caught herself staring at Ewan¡¯s perfectly shaped rear, entuated by the snug fit of his pants.


    What are you doing, Athena? She scolded herself for what felt like the hundredth time, shaking her head and instantly turning away as if she had been caught in a moment of weakness.


    She strode toward the caf¨¦¡¯s exit, desperate to escape the temptation that clung to her.


    Meanwhile, Ewan was busy at the ice cream stand, oblivious to the admiration he had inadvertently stirred.


    As the female server batted her fakeshes, he requested an extra scoop in the chocte bucket¡ªhaving opted for the bigger size¡ªand added a tub of vani and strawberry, the favorites of his children.


    "Can you please hurry up? Mydy is waiting outside," He uttered, impatience seeping into his tone as he tired of her incessant flirting. "Or do you want me to report to your boss or shut down his business?"


    The server shook her head frantically, cursing her poor choice of attire and career. If she were a model, would Ewan have brushed her off so easily? She didn¡¯t think so; she was sure she was more beautiful than his ex-fianc¨¦e Fiona or the woman sharing his table.


    Ewan ignored the flirtatious nces from the server, dismissed her half-hearted professionalism, and snatched the nylon bags she handed him, careful to dodge her borate, painted nails.


    Turning, Ewan¡¯s gaze searched for Athena, his pulse quickening when he didn¡¯t see her in their usual spot.


    Panic gripped him as he didn¡¯t find her anywhere in the caf¨¦ either. What if she had sent him on this errand just to make her escape? But why would she do that? Over a little gamble?


    He rushed outside.


    He halted on the sidewalk, breathing erratically when he finally spotted her, casually leaning against his sports car.


    Her eyes were shut, head tilted back to the dark sky as if lost in thought. Relief washed over him, yet he didn¡¯t immediately approach; instead, he stood still, admiring her features, the cool night light casting a gentle glow across her curves and emphasizing the smoothness of her neck that he couldn¡¯t help but yearn to kiss and nibble.


    Her skin seemed to shimmer under the moonlight, each delicate curve mesmerizing him deeper. Her hair danced lightly in the night breeze, framing her face, and Ewan found himself captivated by the way her lips slightly parted, creating an allure that made his heart race.


    Just as he was about to take a step closer, she opened her eyes, her gaze locking onto his as if she had sensed him there all along.


    "Are you nning to stand there for a month?" She teased, pushing herself away from the car.


    Ewan shook his head, warmth flooding through him at the thought that she could feel his presence just as intensely as he felt hers. "I just couldn¡¯t help myself."


    Athena didn¡¯t bother to ask for an exnation; the knowledge that she had allowed him to admire her for more than a minute already sent tingles through her. Instead, she glided to the passenger side and pointed at the door.


    Unwasting any time, Ewan closed the distance, opened the car door, and carefully ced the ice cream in the backseat. He then got in, his posture still rigid as he navigated thebyrinth of thoughts swirling in his mind. "I got enough for you and the kids. Please send them my regards."


    "I will, Ewan. Thank you." A smile blossomed on her face, appreciating his thoughtfulness. Gianna had been right.


    "Am I dropping you at Mr. Thorne¡¯s?" He ventured cautiously.


    Athena shook her head. "Drop me at my ce."


    "You¡¯ve moved back?"


    "No," She replied, a hint of mischief reflecting in her eyes. "I have to prepare for a date."


    Ewan swallowed painfully, gripping the steering wheel so tight it shone white in the dim light of the interior.


    A date?


    She was going out with someone¡ªafter spending time with him? This woman was going to be the death of him.


    "Who is the lucky man?" He managed to ask, teeth gritted as anger bubbled beneath the surface, aware of her gaze on him.


    "Antonio," Athena replied, amusement sparkling in her eyes as she watched his reaction.


    That bit of jealousy she sensed emanating from him gave her a forbidden thrill. She leaned back deeper in her seat, her eyelids fluttering shut, trusting he would get her home safely.


    "Athena, we¡¯re here," Ewan muttered, still rigid in his seat.


    Athena opened her eyes slowly, pretending she had been asleep. The thought of being that close to him, with his piercing eyes on her, had been overwhelming. The man was undeniably a force!


    "So soon? Thank you for the night, Ewan," She said softly.


    He nodded fitfully, fighting against the invisible urge to ask her to stay or drive her to his ce instead¡ªa temptation that felt incredibly hard to shake.


    "I will see you tomorrow then..."


    Ewan nodded again, and as Athena stepped out of the car, she leaned back through the open window, curiosity etched across her features. "Why aren¡¯t you talking?"


    "Because you won¡¯t like what I have to say next. I hope you have a nice date, Athena. Good night."


    Before she could respond, he sped off, desperate to put as much distance between them as possible.


    Athena burst intoughter, delighted at his flustered retreat.


    Maybe, just maybe, she and Ewan would manage to be good friends after all.

 Chapter 277: A Real Date

    <h4>Chapter 277: A Real Date</h4>


    "You look ravishing, Athena."


    Antonio dered softly, standing as Athena reached the table he had reserved for their date, her vibrant presence nearly taking his breath away.


    She was wearing a stunning, form-fitting crimson dress that hugged her figure like a gentle embrace, the neckline dipping elegantly to showcase her corbones and a hint of her d¨¦colletage. The fabric shimmered slightly as it caught the light, entuating her every curve while cascading down to just above her knees.


    Pairing the dress with strappy ck heels that added height to her already perfect figure, sheplemented her look with delicate silver jewelry that blinked softly with each movement.


    Her hair was styled in loose waves that framed her radiant face, her makeup tastefully done¡ªhighlighting her eyes with smoky shadows that drew attention and full lips painted a soft pink.


    When she had entered into the high-end restaurant, heads had turned, conversations had paused, and a collective breath seemed to be held as all eyes had fallen upon her.


    Antonio felt a rush of pride, knowing she was his for the evening. The feeling was mixed with a tinge of anxiety as the sheer effect her beauty had on others didn¡¯t escape him. The envious nces from other diners¡ªwomen especially¡ªspoke volumes about how striking she truly was.


    "Thank you, Antonio," Athena replied, taking her seat, a modest smile gracing her lips as she epted his praise.


    She felt satisfied with her look, especially since she had managed to pull it off without Gianna¡¯s help. Her friend had been preupied with the children, and Athena didn¡¯t want to trouble her.


    Noticing Antonio¡¯s awe-struck expression, she chuckled softly. "Antonio, you are staring too much..."


    He shook his head, sitting down, and beckoned the waiter to their table.


    "What do you expect, Athena, when you show up looking like that? You know how I feel about you, yet here you are, throwing my heart into a frenzy, sending it into overdrive, while not epting my request. Are you trying to kill me, woman?"


    "Of course not," She said with a bright smile. "Why would I do that? You are important to the kids and me."


    Antonio nodded slowly, retrieving the menu from the waiter and handing one to Athena.


    "Order anything you want..." He urged confidently, but Athena¡¯s mind strayed to the ice cream buckets she had transferred to the refrigerator as soon as she got home.


    The thought of Ewan resurfaced like a tidal wave, and she had to tamp down on that craving while deciding on something spicy from the menu instead.


    "Are you sure that¡¯s all you want? Aren¡¯t you hungry after a hectic day at work?" Antonio inquired, a crease forming between his brows.


    Athena shrugged. She didn¡¯t feel hungry; instead, an odd thirst for ice cream lingered, alongside something else she found hard to identify¡ªor perhaps, something she didn¡¯t want to acknowledge.


    "So, tell me about your new job. Since you came to this city, you have been busier than I am..." She suggested, hoping to steer the conversation away from food and that persistent craving.


    Antonio chuckled. "Please, don¡¯t mind me. I think it justes with the territory of settling down. I¡¯ve been so busy with work. I didn¡¯t know managing a couple of departments could be so stressful!"


    Athenaughed at his revtion. "Well, now you know. I¡¯m actually d that you are doing this for yourself and that you¡¯ve found something you love... What does your father think about this, considering you are his first son? Shouldn¡¯t you be more interested in the family business?"


    He shrugged, resignation evident in his demeanor. "I told him to pass it on to my younger brother. I could be an advisor to him and a silent partner too..."


    "And was he okay with that?"


    Antonio scoffed, rolling his eyes. "As if. He just can¡¯t understand why I would work to make another man rich instead of doing that for him. He doesn¡¯t see it from my perspective..." He paused, his voiceced with suppressed frustration.


    "I¡¯ve always been bent out of shape trying to please him, and it drove me to booze and casual affairs. But since meeting you, I discovered purpose; life is about more than just that."


    Athena raised a mischievous eyebrow, intrigued. "So, you¡¯re iming I am your messiah?"


    Antonio nodded emphatically. "Without mincing words. I¡¯m d I didn¡¯t let my mother bully you..."


    At that moment, the waiter arrived with their orders, and the next hour slipped away withughter and reminiscing about old memories, intertwined with discussions of future aspirations.


    Athena could see why she had been so drawn to Antonio; he was simply good for her, stroking her ego and filling her with warmth and hope.


    "So, tell me about the recent discovery regarding the Grey disease... any groundbreaking truths yet? Thest time, you sent me away before I could get a handle on what you all were talking about..."


    Athena chuckled at Antonio¡¯sint. "I didn¡¯t send you away. You told me Herbert had fixed an important meeting with you. I didn¡¯t think you would want to bete, given how stern he is about punctuality."


    Antonio pouted, epting the exnation grudgingly.


    "But to your earlier question, I think we¡¯ll be done with Morgan and the Grey disease soon enough," She replied, exhaling slowly as she dabbed her mouth with the napkin before her, signaling that she was finished eating.


    "That¡¯s great!" Antonio eximed enthusiastically, mimicking her action with the napkin. "So, what steps are you guys taking? The government has given a deadline of two weeks..."


    A significant pause followed his inquiry as Athena hesitated, wondering if she should divulge this information to him.


    Yes, he was a close ally and knew, to some extent, of her ndestine operations, but was it safe to fill him in? He was still new to the country, and she didn¡¯t want to add any stress of potential attacks to his already full te.


    "Nothing really. The president assured me he would take care of the matter, and I trust him," She decided to say, hoping she had reignited his attention elsewhere.

 Chapter 278: A Misunderstanding

    <h4>Chapter 278: A Misunderstanding</h4>


    "Are you sure you don¡¯t want to spend the night at my ce, sink yourself in a jacuzzi, and forget your worries for a while? I¡¯m certain the kids would understand that mommy needs some time out sometimes..." Antonio suggested as he killed the engine of his car right outside the grand gates of the Thorne mansion.


    The offer was tempting, aforting respite from the chaos of her life, but Athena hesitated, unsure if she was ready to take that step.


    "Maybe some other time, Antonio," She finally replied with a warm smile, inhaling sharply when he leaned in closer.


    "Are you still giving any thought to my request, or is it in the trash can since this fiasco with Morgan started?" Antonio¡¯s voice was yful yet earnest, his eyes darting keenly at her eyes and lips, very expectant.


    Athena chuckled nervously, feeling the weight of his gaze on her. "Of course I am. You¡¯re an important person to me; I don¡¯t joke with decisions that concern you, Antonio."


    "I¡¯m pleased to hear that," Antonio said, his voice dropping to a husky, breathy tone that made Athena¡¯s heart race. He leaned even closer, and she felt a tingle of nerves wash over her.


    "Uhmm..." She stuttered, desperately needing a reason to be out of the car. "I will see you around. Thanks for the night. You..."


    Just as she hurriedly sputtered her goodbyes, Antonio pressed his lips against hers in a chaste kiss.


    But he didn¡¯t pull away; his lips lingered, as if waiting for her permission to deepen the intimacy.


    Athena hesitated, her curiosity piqued and her heart pounding as she contemted what this kiss could mean for them.


    With a rush of joyous impulsiveness, Antonio teased her lips with the tip of his tongue.


    When she instinctively opened up, allowing him to explore, a surge of desire washed over him, making him dizzy. The intoxicating rhythm of blood rushing to his groin shattered his thoughts, grounding him only when Athena abruptly pulled away.


    "Wha..." Antonio¡¯s words stumbled out as he processed what just happened, his eyes momentarily hazy from pleasure.


    A sudden shake from the gates snapped him back to reality, and his gaze darted to a woman exiting the mansion.


    He cussed the unknowndy mentally, seeing as her touching the gates had alerted Athena.


    "Who is..." He began, but before he could finish, Athena had already swung the car door open and was hurrying out.


    "Goodbye, Antonio!" She called, nearly bumping into Susan, who was carrying a backpack and scrolling through her phone, not expecting to encounter anyone.


    "Where are you going?"


    Susan huffed,ing to a stop, eying Antonio¡¯s car. "You¡¯re back early..."


    Athena, ignoring her friend¡¯s leisurely tone, pressed on, "Where are you going, Susan? Who were you chatting with?"


    "I¡¯m going home. I also need to find Morgan and kill him!" Susan replied with a mix of frustration and determination.


    Athena would haveughed at the absurdity of Susan¡¯s statement if it weren¡¯t for the serious undertones of the situation. Instead, she stepped closer, cing her hands on Susan¡¯s shoulders. "Listen, I understand your anger, but this isn¡¯t the right decision."


    Silence hung between them for a moment while Athena searched for the right words to persuade her adventurous friend to stay put.


    "All I can say is that you need to trust me. I promise we will have our revenge on Morgan. I won¡¯t do it without you. Just be patient with me until everything is sorted out. Please."


    After a contemtive silence, Susan sighed, her head slowly bowing in acquiescence.


    Athena hugged her tightly, feeling a surge of emotion as Susan began to weep softly against her shoulder.


    "I promise we will get our revenge on all who have wronged us, who have hurt us," She whispered softly,fortingly.


    Five minutes and two wipes of tearster, both women stepped into the mansion.


    "Are they all awake?" Athena asked, greeting the security detail stationed around thepound as they walked toward the porch.


    Susan shook her head in surprise. "No... I don¡¯t know why they¡¯re up, though," She said, her brow furrowing. "Mr. Ewan is here."


    Athena froze mid-step, shock gripping her. "You said what?"


    "Mr. Ewan is here," Susan repeated, oblivious to Athena¡¯s rising fury. "He brought a carton ofics for the kids and¡ª"


    But that was all Athena could take. How dare Ewan show up here after promising her he wouldn¡¯t y these games?


    Was this the reason for his impatient demeanor after dropping her off?


    Had hee to see the children behind her back, possibly thinking she would spend the night with Antonio?


    Anger bubbled within her as she marched past Susan, who noticeably shivered at the sudden shift in atmosphere.


    Stepping into the living room, Athena spotted the twins huddled over aic book, Ewan pointing things out to them, while old Mr. Thorne, his wife, and Gianna lounged nearby watching TV.


    She felt waves of fury wash over her at the sight¡ªone big happy family. <i>How</i><i>convenient!</i>


    Her children, noticing her presence, alongside the others, shrunk under her gaze, instinctively knowing she was upset, though unsure why.


    "Ewan, meet me outside!" Athena snapped, her voice clipped as she turned around, wanting to shield the kids from the storm brewing inside her.


    Once outside, she whirled around to confront him. "What is the meaning of this?" She demanded hotly when he finally emerged, wearing an infuriatingly calm expression that made her want to p the serenity from his face.


    "I..." He started, looking mildly taken aback.


    "Don¡¯t bother. Get out of here. I don¡¯t want to see you near the kids until it¡¯s your visitation time. Am I clear?" She dered, her voice rising, fury bursting forth.


    "Athena..." Ewan said hesitantly.


    "AM I CLEAR, EWAN?!!" She screamed, unable to contain the storm that raged within her.


    Ewan gave a simple nod, yet the variety of emotions shing across his face told a different story.


    Without another word, he turned and headed toward the gates, leaving Athena standing on the threshold, her heart racing with indignation.

 Chapter 279: A Misunderstanding II

    <h4>Chapter 279: A Misunderstanding II</h4>


    "What was the meaning of that?" Athena asked the remaining adults in the room, her annoyance thoroughly coloring her voice and tone, after she had sent Susan to take the twins to their rooms.


    She had also instructed her young friend to pack up their things; they were returning to her house tonight. Enough of the interference from left, right and center!


    "Why would you allow Ewan in here knowing the terms of the elders council, the terms we had agreed on in court?" She continued, her eyes resting on Gianna, who raised her hands in weak protest, seeing the raging anger in the former¡¯s eyes.


    "I thought you both had worked out more differences, considering how happy the children were to see him, despite their feeble attempt at holding long faces at first, and how smooth he had settled in. We thought..." Gianna paused, unsure of her next words.


    "We are sorry, Athena. That will have to suffice now. I thought wrong. It¡¯s obvious we all thought wrong."


    She got to her feet after that. "I will help Susan to pack," She concluded, already walking toward the door that led to the passageway.


    Athena didn¡¯t bother calling her friend back or saying anything to thetter. She rather dumped her buttocks inside the closest sofa unceremoniously, still fuming.


    A tense silence stayed and cloaked the room.


    The two elderly adults exchanged furtive nces while watching Athena stew in her anger, and Old Mr. Thorne gestured that his wife left them alone.


    The older woman didn¡¯t waste any time. She dropped a kiss on her husband¡¯s cheek and got to her feet. "Goodnight, Athena. I¡¯ll be leaving you with Edward now... if you are hungry, there is food in the refrigerator... you can microwave some portions..."


    Athena managed to mutter ¡¯thanks¡¯ before the woman left the parlor, leaving the duo in therge sitting room.


    Old Mr. Thorne allowed more of the silence to cloak them, and when he couldn¡¯t take it any longer, he got to his feet and sauntered toward Athena, who had continued to look at a particr spot on the floor as if it had something to offer her, despite being aware of the iing figure.


    "Athena... talk to me. What is the problem?" Old Mr. Thorne inquired softly as he took a seat in the space right beside her. "Is it about what happened with Aiden?"


    Athena¡¯s head snapped toward the old man at such a fast pace that an onlooker would fear for the breakage of her neck.


    "How did you know about that?" She asked, eyes shing with a new kind of annoyance. "Did you talk with him? What did that traitor tell you?"


    Old Mr. Thorne sighed, sping his hands together. "Your unstable emotions are making you assume a lot. Yet that doesn¡¯t make it any good..." Hemented softly after a deep inhale and exhtion.


    "Can you calm down, let¡¯s have a good discussion. At the end of it, hopefully, you will see that not everything is just in ck and white... sometimes you will have to give the grey areas a chance to exin..."


    Athena hissed softly, her feet beginning a tap dance on the plush floor, her mind still running in different directions.


    Why was the old man speaking in parables? Did he think she was really in the mood for that?!


    Aiden had disappointed her, and now Ewan, whom she had epted would be her partner in solving these cases, had also gone ahead and messed their little partnership up by thinking he could y around with her wisdom.


    So, where was the grey area? All these were making her angry! Can¡¯t someone just be trustworthy?! Did they no longer exist?


    She would have loved to call on Zane and Sandro, but they were loyal to Ewan first. And she didn¡¯t want to involve Gianna in some kind of operation first, even though thetter now knew every part of her. It was just too dangerous.


    So, what could she do?


    "Athena..."


    "What is it, old man?" She bit out, wishing she had even taken Antonio up on his offer. She really needed that jacuzzi like right now. She needed to ease up on the stress, not umte more.


    Old Mr. Thorne sighed again, yet epting that he had to get straight to the point unless she would ignore him too.


    "Aiden didn¡¯t tell me about what happened that night. I happened to hear you both shouting. I couldn¡¯t exactly get the details but your voice tone informed me that it was a serious situation. I confirmed it when I tried to get more information from Aiden before he left the mansion. But he was tight-lipped and angry too. I¡¯m not sure about what..."


    Athena chuckled sarcastically not believing that Aiden had really stayed away because of thest remark she had made concerning his ex-wife.


    "What happened, Athena?" Old Mr. Thorne pressed on.


    This time, Athena told him the truth including that which involved Scarlett¡¯s death. When she was done, Old Mr. Thorne looked paler than usual.


    "That... Morgan..." He gritted through his teeth, unhappy that Athena had been carrying the sorrowful weight all this while.


    "He deserves to die slowly!" He proimed with all urgency fisting his hands.


    When he noted Athena¡¯s hunched shoulders though he flung his hands across her shoulders drawing closer to her.


    "I am truly sorry about that," He muttered, relieved when Athena slowly rested her head on his chest.


    She wasn¡¯t crying but he knew she had done the fair share of that. Maybe the tears were far spent. His heart broke at the thought.


    "And about Aiden," He continued softly.


    "I am sure he wille to his senses soon enough, that he will dump his pride soon enough and apologize properly. He shouldn¡¯t have kept such news from you no matter what. That was a wrong move on his part."


    Athena said nothing to that, not in the mood to speak again.


    Talking about Scarlett always did that to her, draining her ability to want tomunicate.


    "But I am afraid you have a misconception about Ewan,"

 Chapter 280: A Misunderstanding III

    <h4>Chapter 280: A Misunderstanding III</h4>


    Athena¡¯s brows shut up instantly, the first sign of emotion since her narration about Scarlett and Aiden¡¯s betrayal.


    She lifted her head from the old man¡¯s shoulder. "What did you say?" She asked anger mounting on her voice ready to fire if old Mr. Thorne started defending Ewan.


    "Ewan didn¡¯te here by himself." Old Mr. Thorne spoke, swallowing saliva.


    Athena stared at him with widened eyes, a myriad of emotions shing through her, seeing as she had used Ewan without getting urate information.


    The look on his face when she was sending him away, the pleading look in his deep blue eyes for understanding...


    Regret crashed over her in waves.


    "Why would you do that?!" Her voice resonated with shock.


    "Why would you invite him in here knowing our fragile truce?! And why didn¡¯t you say anything when I was sending him away, when I was berating him?" She asked, guilt seeping into her voice as her anger became directed at Old Mr. Thorne.


    "Why did you even invite him in the first ce?!" Her voice rode higher as she shifted away from him.


    "Are you going to let me speak or are you going to keep shouting? Did you forget that your children are still awake?" Old Mr. Thorne asked calmly, throwing a bucket of ice on Athena¡¯s ming self.


    She cooled down noticeably, especially noting the look of love and understanding nestled in the eyes of the old man.


    "You should learn to control your emotions, Athena," Old Mr. Thorne said softly after a moment of contemtion. "It could be a weapon in the hands of enemies if you don¡¯t."


    But Athena already knew that. It was one of Master Shen¡¯s lessons to her, a lesson that always seemed to develop wings and fly whenever it came to Ewan.


    She didn¡¯t know if it was because of their bad past that she was easily angered by him.


    "I am sorry," She sighed, shaking her head slowly. "My feelings have just been all over the ce."


    "I guess Gianna is right," She continued softly. "Maybe I should go for counseling."


    "Maybe you should," Old Mr. Thorne agreed with a soft smile on his lips.


    Athena smiled too wishing she had had old Mr. Thorne by her side those years ago when her life had fallen apart.


    She didn¡¯t know why he had sent for Ewan but she knew that the former wouldn¡¯t do anything that would jeopardize her life.


    Pushing her resentment and anger away she covered the distance between them and ced her head on his shoulder again.


    "Tell me old man, why did you invite Ewan over?" She asked softly, needing to know.


    "Well, the kids wanted moreics. They were done with their assignments and because they had taken a lot of sweets, they had been overactive. So, I called Ewan for directions to get moreics but then he told me that he had a carton already. Without thinking it through, I asked him to bring it..."


    A significant pause followed.


    "Such an intentional act of his had made me so happy that I had forgotten the use in your fragile truce," Old Mr. Thorne exined gently with a warm expression on his face. "And I am truly sorry about that."


    Athena exhaled gently, understanding the old man¡¯s view. "It¡¯s okay, old man. Just continue..." His voice was soothing too.


    Old Mr. Thorne tapped her shoulder in aforting motion, pleased with her understanding. "Honestly, I just wanted him to deliver theics himself so that the kids would see his responsibility and love for them, even though I¡¯m sure that they already know this..."


    Heughed softly, reminiscing on the pleasant memory, his eyes glinting with warmth.


    "When he came, the children were overjoyed despite their attempts to act otherwise. I could see the glee in their eyes as he brought outic book afteric book from the big carton. But then, he wouldn¡¯t give them all¡ªhe insisted they could only ess two per week so as not to lose track of their studies..."


    Athena couldn¡¯t help but smile at the truth before her. Ewan truly was responsible.


    Suddenly, she felt a sense of relief wash over her that her children had someone like him in their lives, even if it stirred up her own inner turmoil.


    "And," Old Mr. Thorne continued, "they seemed to genuinely enjoy spending time with him."


    A pause.


    "Athena, they really need that strong male figure in their lives, especially after all these years, especially with the Morgan¡¯s issue still alive. They need to know they have a protector in Ewan."


    A weight lifted a bit in Athena¡¯s heart, momentarily easing the tension swirling inside her. The thought that Ewan could be a positive influence was something she hadn¡¯t fully considered amid her frustrations.


    "Still," She sighed, raising her head from his shoulder, shaking off lingering misgivings, "Thest thing I need is moreplications. I just wanted to keep things simple for the children. I didn¡¯t want Ewan¡¯s presence to upset the bnce."


    Old Mr. Thorne nodded, his expression turning serious. "I understand your concerns. But sometimes, bncees from addedyers of support, not fewer. The children adore him¡ªit¡¯s evident. They deserve stability and love, especially during these turbulent times."


    As she processed his words, a newfound perspective clicked into ce for Athena. "You might be right, old man. But it¡¯s hard to forgive Ewan for what he did in the past."


    Her voice faltered a little, and vulnerability crept into her tone. "So much weight rests on this fragile truce, and I don¡¯t want to shatter it, especially not for the kids."


    "You don¡¯t have to make these decisions alone, dear. You have time to figure it out. The heart isplex, and sometimes what you see as betrayal can transform into something more." He leaned back against the sofa, evaluating her with wise, knowing eyes.


    "Whatever you choose, ensure it¡¯s for the children. Their happiness has toe first."


    Athena thought about her children¡¯s faces¡ªfull of hope, innocence, and a growing fondness for Ewan. She didn¡¯t want to deprive them of a loving connection, but fear of her own feelings held her hostage.


    "Thank you, Mr. Thorne," She finally replied, her voice softening. "I know you¡¯re right, and I appreciate everything you¡¯ve said tonight."

 Chapter 281: A Misunderstanding IV

    <h4>Chapter 281: A Misunderstanding IV</h4>


    "Before you go," Old Mr. Thorne interrupted gently, seeing as Athena was about to get up to retire for the night. "I want to ask one more thing. A favor. Could you consider letting Ewan find his way back into your lives, perhaps at your own pace? It would mean the world to him."


    Athena opened her mouth, prepared to argue the point, but the sincerity in his expression grounded her. Instead of gratifying her defenses, his request lingered in the air, prompting her heart to consider opening that door just a crack.


    If Ewan had changed, could there be room for him in their lives again? He could be a good friend at least, for he demonstrated outstanding character since the truth hade to the surface.


    "I will think about it, Old Mr. Thorne," She replied, brushing away any doubt, not up for another round of worrying and mental stress. Everything will fall into ce in due time. "I need some time to figure everything out."


    Old Mr. Thorne nodded slowly, satisfied with the answer. "The door is always open for you, Athena. You¡¯re part of this family too, no matter what," He reassured her, his voice warm and patient.


    After a few moments of shared silence, she straightened up, feeling lighter. "I¡¯ll see you tomorrow," She said, lingering a little longer as she prepared to leave. "And thank you for always being there."


    Old Mr. Thorne furrowed his brows. "Tomorrow? Are youing to visit me?"


    Athena chuckled, realizing thetter¡¯s confusion. "I was a bit hasty before in making a certain decision. That wasn¡¯t nice of me. The children and I will be troubling you some more, till this fiasco with Morgan is properly tackled."


    Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s lips widened in a smile of happiness. "Thank you, Athena. Have a beautiful night!" He actually hoped that she would have one free from nightmares. Maybe he should ask Florence to make for her the special tea?


    "You are wishing me a good night, but there¡¯s a frown on your face, old man?"


    Old Mr. Thorne met Athena¡¯s amused gaze andughed, getting to his feet. "Oh, don¡¯t worry about that, my dear. I was just thinking of asking my wife to make you her special tea... it helps with sleeping..."


    Athena¡¯s eyes twinkled with gratitude. "Thank you..." She muttered. "I will really appreciate that. Have a good night."


    With that, Athena stepped out of the cozy confines of the sitting room, a hint of smile ying on her lips, her heart a little less burdened and her thoughts a little clearer.


    She knew the road ahead wouldn¡¯t be easy, but perhaps, with time and understanding, she could navigate both theplexities of her decisions concerning Ewan and her children.


    The smile dried up though when she walked into her room and noticed that the children were sitting on the bed in thepany of Gianna and Susan, their packed bags lying idly on the floor. She had forgotten for a second there that she had instructed Susan to pack up.


    Now, she exhaled gently, and shut the door behind her.


    "This won¡¯t be necessary..." She spoke, noting that she was the center of attention, that they were expecting her to say something, to lead their movement of the mansion.


    "Excuse me..." Gianna frowned, ncing at the kids and Susan.


    The trio was just as confused as she was.


    Athena sighed, and plumped into the sofa.


    "I meant we don¡¯t have to leave tonight," She exined softly. "We aren¡¯t leaving actually till Morgan is dealt with, and the matter with the Grey disease has been resolved."


    It was safer for them here, especially for the kids, considering the probability of anyone turning against them...


    Gianna would have loved more exnation on thatst sentence but she wasn¡¯t sure her friend would want to talk about it in the presence of the children.


    "So, is my movements restricted too?" Susan asked, folding her arms across her chest.


    Athena shook her head immediately. "Not at all," She said firmly. "You can go anywhere you want but you have to let us know so that we can keep tabs on you."


    This period was very critical especially as they were having some good luck bursting the various areas where the gang kept the drugs and all. So, they would have to be extra cautious.They couldn¡¯t afford to lose anyone again.


    She didn¡¯t think she could bear it.


    "Alright then," Susan said thoughtfully after a moment. "I guess I will have to unpack."


    A pause.


    "Do I turn in my report to the headquarters tomorrow?"


    "Not until Director Alvarez has been removed from seat..." Athena replied with a firm voice, grateful that her young friend had even mentioned this before thetter had acted on it.


    If not, her ns would have gone to dust...


    But her reply, however, got Susan frowning and getting up from the bed.


    "What do you mean?" She asked, folding her arms across her chest. "You don¡¯t want to involve him?"


    Athena nodded firmly. "I don¡¯t want to involve a traitor," She said firmly. "Our research shows that he has been in cahoots with the gang. It was how Morgan had discovered your identity..."


    Silence descended in the room.


    Gianna and the twins weren¡¯t sure who Alvarez was, but from the pieces they could decipher that whoever he was, he had been a mole. A paid agent of the gang. And that his days were up.


    "That bastard!!" Susan screamed letting her hands fall to her sides; fisted hands. "How can he do such a thing against his country after all his big talks about right and wrong, about justice and fairness?"


    Athena exhaled tiredly. "Guess the paycheck that romanced his bank ount every month was worth the blood of the many people that the Grey disease has imed."


    She shook her head in disappointment. "But that¡¯s it for the night. We can continue this discussion for tomorrow. But for now, Susan, please lie low. Don¡¯t send any report to the headquarters, or evenmunicate with anyone there, until we have discovered if he is the only one, or if he had roped the others into the mess too."


    Susan agreed with a nod before walking toward the door. "I will see you tomorrow then...Good night everyone."


    The pleasantries were echoed by the others before she left the room.


    Gianna followed behind but before she departed, she turned to Athena and urged her to take it easy with the twins, unaware of the conversation that Athena had shared with Old Mr. Thorne.


    "Don¡¯t worry. Everything is under control," Athena promised, managing a reassuring smile before wishing her friend a good night as thetter walked out the door.


    When she directed her gaze to her children, they shrank back slightly, their eyes not meeting hers. They thought she was still angry with them.


    Sighing heavily, she got to her feet and sauntered over to the bed. "How are my sweethearts doing?" She asked, taking a seat and opening her arms wide, inviting them in.


    Without hesitation, the twins burrowed into her embrace.


    "Mom, we¡¯re sorry... we thought you had given him permission toe with theics... as a matter of fact, we don¡¯t like theics..." Kathleen dered, her voice earnest.


    Athena held back theughter threatening to burst forth at Kathleen¡¯s words, especially since she could see theic book thetter was clutching tightly in her small hand.


    "It¡¯s okay, Kathleen. I misunderstood everything. I¡¯m the one at fault. Don¡¯t be hostile if hees around. Okay?" She nced at Nathaniel, knowing that he was usually the one to keep a tight face around Ewan.


    However, he nodded quickly to her statement.


    Athena bit her lip, noting the relief sighs that escaped from the children¡¯s lips. They had genuinely epted Ewan, and if that was so, why should she stand in the way?


    She dropped a kiss on the foreheads of her children before gently releasing them from her embrace. "Mommy has a meeting to get to now, so you two have to sleep. Okay?"


    The twins nodded, even though they wanted to sleep nearby.


    They began to chat excitedly about theics to a smiling Athena as she led them from her room into their assigned ce.


    "Sleep well, my sweeties..." She muttered softly, pressing gentle kisses on their foreheads. "Mommy loves you so much."


    "We love you too," The twins chimed happily in unison, causing Athena to chuckle and shower them with another kiss on their foreheads.


    Just as she was about to leave, a thought struck her. "Sweeties, do you think you can help me with the contact of your friends? I need their help to do something..."


    Kathleen and Nathaniel exchanged a cursory nce but nodded, getting out of bed.


    While Kathleen sat back on the bed, Nathaniel moved toward the table and grabbed the phone resting on it. "I¡¯ll send you an email address, mom. You can reach them there."


    He didn¡¯t, however, mention that he would see the messages too should she use the email.


    Athena ruffled his hair when she received the email address. "Thank you, sweetheart. Now, have a goodnight¡¯s rest..."


    Once she left, Nathaniel quickly sent a message to the group chat.


    "I gave Dr. Athena our contact. Let¡¯s meet her needs to the best of our abilities!"

 Chapter 282: Night Affairs

    <h4>Chapter 282: Night Affairs</h4>


    <i>Do I keep waiting or should I send another email? Maybe they didn¡¯t see my previous one? </i>Athena thought while sitting on the bed, staring at her phone. Her feet made a tap dance on the floor while her left hand made the same on herp.


    It had been more than fifteen minutes since she had sent an email to the address Nathaniel had given her, but so far, there hadn¡¯t been a reply.


    Were they asleep already? She wondered, looking at her phone keenly as if she could magically rouse the hackers through its screen.


    Asleep, though? She didn¡¯t think so. Nighttime was the time for these people¡ªa time without interruptions, both inwork waves and physically.


    They just didn¡¯t want to reply to her. She thought forlornly, wishing she could share this dilemma with her children. Yet, she didn¡¯t want to disturb them, nor did she want to inform them of the email¡¯s contents.


    After waiting for five more minutes, she gave up and dropped the phone on her dresser.


    At that moment, she remembered the second important thing she was supposed to do this night.


    So, she picked up the phone again and started a video call with Aiden first, hesitating a little to add the others, curious to see Aiden¡¯s expression when he answered her call.


    But he didn¡¯t answer.


    She pursed her lips, threatening fire and brimstone should he ignore her call again. He was online, for goodness¡¯ sake!


    But he missed her call for the second time, and no fire and brimstone fell.


    She cursed under her breath, wanting to erase him from the n, but knowing that she couldn¡¯t. He had helped her get this far; she couldn¡¯t leave him by the wayside.


    So, she tried for the third time. This time around Aiden answered the call.


    Athena maintained a calm expression as she took in the features of his face. Despite being in his mid-forties, he still looked like a man in his thirties, evidence of good genes and a diligent attention to his diet and exercise. She had not seen anyone so strict with food as Aiden. He only indulged in sugary foods and junk once in a while.


    Even though a frown masked his face, he was a handsome man who still attracted women in droves, and she was still amazed that he hadn¡¯t given marriage another chance.


    Could it be that he was eternally scarred by hisst marriage or that he was still in love with his ex-wife, considering the hold she still had over his emotions?


    "Have you finallye around to your senses?"


    Aiden¡¯s gruff tone broke Athena away from her thoughts and her delusions that he would want to apologize for thest night since she had made the first step.


    Holding in the need to cuss him out loud, she suppressed the urge to contort her face in anger and ignored him entirely, deciding to add Ethan to the video call.


    She was just about to add a couple of others when a message appeared on her phone.


    Her heart raced when she saw it was from Ewan.


    Why was he texting her? An exnation? Or a rebuke?


    While pondering this, her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at her door.


    Who was that? Athena¡¯s mind sidetracked to guess the possible person behind her door at this time of the night.


    Could it be the children? Maybe their friends had sent them a reply?


    The knock sounded again, cutting off the answer her mind supplied.


    "Who is that?" She finally asked, a furrow creasing her forehead, her eyes keen on the door as if she could see through it if she concentrated hard enough.


    "It¡¯s me, Athena..."


    Oh... Florence...


    "Pleasee in," Athena said, not taking her eyes from the door.


    The door opened slowly and steadily, and then Florence stepped into the room with a mug and a tray.


    The tea! Athena sighed happily, getting to her feet.


    "Edward told me about your sleeping issues... and I knew I just had to make this tea." Florence mentioned as she covered the distance, handing the cup to Athena. "Take a sip, and tell me what you think..."


    Her eyes were brimming with excitement, curiosity, and glee, so much so that Athena feltpelled to take a sip just to humor her.


    "What do you think? Does it meet your expectations?" The overly eager Florence queried, stepping closer, invading Athena¡¯s little space.


    But thetter wasn¡¯t bothered. If anything, she felt grateful, especially since the tea wasn¡¯t bitter, as she had feared, but instead had a hint of lemon and sweetness from honey. What was the mix?


    "It tastes nice. I think it will do its job..." She said with a wide smile, holding the cup to her lips. "What is the mix?" She continued, taking another sip.


    Florence¡¯s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, it¡¯s a secret. Maybe I¡¯ll tell you some other time. It¡¯s alreadyte, and we both have to retire for the night."


    Athena chuckled, nodding her head. "Sure, sure. Thank you very much for this, then. Also, send my regards to the old man."


    "Of course, I will," Florence chimed, but didn¡¯t move an inch.


    Athena pursed her lips. Was there something else?


    "Uhmm..." Florence paused, then sighed in resignation. "I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m in the position to say this, but I want you to release Ewan. For your sake of course. Only then will you have the peace you wish for. Ewan, and whoever it is that is haunting your dreams."


    A slight pause.


    "Of course, it doesn¡¯t mean that you ignore their wrongdoings and all... just let them go from your mind so that you can have rest. You mustn¡¯t bring Morgan to justice out of a sense of revenge and grudges. Just do it because it¡¯s the right thing to do, not to satiate the bloodlust in you. Trust me, thetter won¡¯t be satisfied when you are done. So... please bring Morgan to justice from a ce of fairness... I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m making any sense, but I¡¯m just speaking from experience... revenge is not exactly worth it, not when your mind isn¡¯t at peace or when it¡¯s overwhelmed with anger and bitterness."


    "But my mind¡ª"


    Florence ced her index finger on Athena¡¯s lips, silencing her. "Just think about it. I wasn¡¯t hoping for any answer."


    Athena nodded, albeit curious about the sad look in Florence¡¯s eyes. What was her past? Had she enacted revenge on someone?


    "Thank you, Florence. I appreciate the advice," She said instead, realizing that it echoed what Old Mr. Thorne had advised as well. Letting go. She wasn¡¯t sure how to do that, but maybe counseling would help.


    However, Morgan... that was another case. At least Ewan hadn¡¯t killed anyone. He had only chosen to act foolishly out of some misguided duty.


    "Okay then. Have a good night. I will see you tomorrow," Florence said, tapping Athena gently on the arm, motherly affection shining in her eyes.


    Athena smiled and drew her into a hug. "Thank you too. Have a good night," She muttered, reveling in the rightness of the moment.


    The hug felt so right, so... she didn¡¯t know what word to ssify it, only that the old couple felt like family too.


    She snorted softly, a smile ying on her lips as the old woman, after disengaging from the hug, tapped her right cheek and pulled it.


    "Go to sleep. Don¡¯t linger on any funny business," The woman said, and then she left the room.


    Momentster, Athena picked up her phone after locking the door. It was time for the meeting and, of course, to read Ewan¡¯s message.


    Inhaling deeply, she opened the message, her eyes widening slightly when she saw the contents.


    "Hi, Athena. How are you settling in for the night? I am truly sorry about my behavior tonight. Please don¡¯t take it out on the twins, Gianna, or the old couple. It was all my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have gone against your word. I am so sorry for that. I hope you can forgive me and let it slide. I would really appreciate it. To make amends, I asked Spider to check out the other members involved in the Nimbus operation and the agents working there... the information you need is in the document below. I hope this goes a long way in mending our truce. Thank you so much. Have a night as beautiful as your smile."


    Must he add thatst sentence? Athena mused, cussing when she realized she was actually smiling.


    What? Just over a sentence?


    She cursed out loud, pping her forehead. It must be because she had been out of the dating field for so long.


    She believed that wouldn¡¯t be the case if she was dating. Maybe she should consider Antonio¡¯s request? The idea seemed good to her.


    A ding on her phone snapped her out of her thoughts. It was from Ethan.


    <i>"Why</i><i>the</i><i>VC?"</i>


    Athena tapped on it to reply, but on a second thought, let it go. She was going to call them after going through Ewan¡¯s document.


    A/N:


    VC= video call.

 Chapter 283: Night Affairs II

    <h4>Chapter 283: Night Affairs II</h4>


    It was good that she had chosen to go through Ewan¡¯s document first before continuing the video call. Athena thought, grimly digesting the information she had just absorbed.


    The Nimbus operation was thoroughlypromised.


    It wasn¡¯t just Alvarez who had sold his soul to the devil; he had dragged his subordinates into the quagmire as well. Worse still, he had been introduced to the gang by two of her former colleagues, once champions of justice and fair y.


    What was going on? She wondered, scrolling through the document again, even though she had already perused it twice. Why were people so easily thrown from their high horses by the allure of money?


    Couldn¡¯t one remain steadfastly principled? Why were they so insatiably greedy?


    Athena would have med it on poverty or desperation, but these men were wealthy¡ªeach boasted investments valued at over five million dors. So, why weren¡¯t they content? How much was Morgan¡¯s boss paying them?


    A thought nagged at her then. Could Morgan¡¯s boss be a former colleague? The notion sent a chill down her spine. She shook it off. If he was, then Spider would have located him.


    Athena wet her lips and dialed Ewan¡¯s number. She cursed and terminated the call, however, when she checked the time.


    Gosh, had she really spent that much timebing through the document?


    Just as she was about to turn her attention elsewhere, her phone started ringing.


    Ewan.


    Shouldn¡¯t he be asleep? The man really has a habit of messing around with his health.


    "Ewan, shouldn¡¯t you be asleep?" Athena asked as soon as she answered the call, clutching the fabric of her nightgown.


    "I should be, but I was half hoping for your call. I didn¡¯t want to be asleep if you should call eventually..." His voice was warm, but there was a hint of hesitation lurking beneath.


    "That was a stupid gamble," Athena pointed out without thinking. "Why do you always mess around with your health? If you are awake at this hour, how will the drugs work then?"


    A significant pause ensued on the other end, and for a moment, Athena wondered if she had gone too far. But then she negated the thought. She was his doctor, and his health was still a priority, especially with the kids involved.


    "Were you calling to rebuke me further?" Ewan finally spoke, his tone controlled, though Athena could tell he was slightly nervous¡ªas if waiting for a bomb to go off.


    Was she that explosive? She wondered, retracting the sharpment that had been lingering on her lips.


    "Not really. I was calling to thank you for the extensive research you conducted and for sending it to me on time. I almost made a huge mistake. Thanks for the save."


    A pause followed.


    "Thanks. I¡¯m d you liked the gift. So, are we good?"


    Athena snorted softly, registering the relief and happiness in his voice. "Yeah, we are. Seeing that has been settled, you can go to sleep now..."


    "Wait..." Ewan called out, halting her midsentence.


    What is it now?


    "What are you going to do concerning the information? Are you going to confront them? What does Aiden think?"


    Athena was just about to dere that Aiden could shove his input where the sun didn¡¯t shine, but she mped her mouth shut and then spoke the next second.


    "I think I will confront them. Do you think you will be free to apany me tomorrow? I¡¯m unsure about that movement, but I¡¯m just forecasting. I have yet to present the situation to the others, but I¡¯m guessing they would want me to handle it... you know..."


    Athena paused, noting that she was rambling. "Will you apany me?"


    "Yes, it will be my utmost pleasure."


    Athena rolled her eyes. So dramatic. "See you tomorrow then."


    "Yeah, see you. Do have a good night." And the call ended.


    Athena pouted, taking the phone from her ear. She had half-expected him to wish her a night as beautiful as her smile.


    She shook her head at the thought and dialed Ethan on video call. She didn¡¯t wait for him to answer; instead, she added Aiden and the six others who had been marked innocent by Spider.


    Luckily, they were all awake, not minding the time differences, each operating on their own schedules, except Aiden, who was in the same vicinity as she was.


    Greetings filled the digital space as everyone¡¯s video appeared and they saw each other. Even gruff Aiden had to smile and greet, especially since Athena wasn¡¯t even paying him any attention.


    "So, Athena, why did you call? This was really an impromptu call, or did I skip an email somewhere?" A bearded middle-aged man with silky brown hair said while drinking from a cup of coffee.


    Athena noted that he was actually in an office, likely upte to manage pressing matters.


    "Well, there have been some developments in the Nimbus operation. Some people are no longer working towards the same goal as us..." She paused, observing the frowns and curiosity masking the faces of the men, particrly Aiden, who was now ring at her, fiery and intense, not minding that the others could see him.


    Athena knew why he was so worked up, but she didn¡¯t care. He could cling to his pride; perhaps it would enlighten him about the case they were on.


    "Are you saying we have traitors in our midst?" Another male spoke up. Clear-eyed, he seemed to be going about his daily business, managing herpanies from a distance¡ªa friend of Ethan and a loyal ally of hers.


    Athena nodded, thoroughly calm.


    Then she told them about the Grey disease and the gang¡ªin summary¡ªand how Alvarez and the others hade into y.


    When she concluded her narration, which included dates and references, everyone was stunned. To validate her ount, she sent each participant a copy of the document.


    "So, gentlemen, what should we do?"


    A pause ensued as each of the men deliberated on the matter, well except Aiden, who was still ring at her intently.


    Athena held in a scoff when she received a notification that he was typing in her inbox. What did he want to say now?


    <i>"Why</i><i>didn¡¯t</i><i>you</i><i>inform</i><i>me</i><i>of</i><i>this? </i><i>You</i><i>are</i><i>so</i><i>childish, allowing</i><i>your</i><i>anger</i><i>to</i><i>dictate</i><i>you</i><i>in</i><i>sensitive</i><i>times</i><i>and</i><i>situations..."</i>


    Athena ignored the message, choosing to focus on the discussion at hand.


    Clearing his throat, Ethan caught her attention. "Boss, I think you should tackle this yourself." A pause. "I¡¯m sure you already have a n in mind. Regarding the Nimbus operation, I nominate Rick. He is a good fellow."


    Athena slowly nodded. Rick had been one of her most dedicated team members; he was trustworthy and had a fierce loyalty that made him an ideal choice. He also had a crush on her.


    "What should we do about the culprits then?" She asked, tapping her thighs, still disregarding Aiden¡¯s messages which continued flooding her inbox, each more annoying than thest.


    "I think we should send them to the deepest part of the ck cells. I¡¯m sure they would find it veryfortable," Another man suggested.


    Athena nodded slowly again. "Do you have any contacts in the CIA?" She asked the male who had just spoken.


    The man furrowed his brows. "You are the one with the contacts..."


    Athena sighed, grasping his point. After the event a few nights ago, she had cut off contact with her CIA friends and her boss. She didn¡¯t think she was up for groveling.


    "Can¡¯t we just hand them over to the government, since their crime is against the state?"


    "But that will bring the Nimbus operation to light..." Ethan pointed out, confused about Athena¡¯s hesitation to involve her former colleagues.


    After moments of silence, Athena agreed to handle the situation. "I will give you all a report when I have dealt with it."


    The men nodded their agreements, and then the video call came to an end.


    Instantly, her phone rang with Aiden¡¯s call. She ignored it, swiping up Ethan¡¯s contact. "Ethan, how is it going?" She asked when the call went through.


    "Better than expected. Mallory and Eden tell me operations are going well in their locations..."


    Athena was pleased to hear that. Mallory and Eden were Ethan¡¯s best people who had grown up with him in the orphanage, and who were also working with and for her. They were managing herpanies in her absence, sending reports to her and Ethan at the end of every month.


    "What about Master Shen¡¯s son? Has he given you any trouble since?"


    "Not at all..." Ethan replied, but two days ago, one of my informants saw him getting cozy with a man sporting a scorpion tattoo.


    Athena raised an eyebrow, recognizing the implication. Bolin was in cahoots with Morgan too? She shook her head, knowing that the idiot would have to go down with Morgan. It couldn¡¯t be helped.


    I¡¯m sorry, Master Shen, she thought, feeling for herte mentor who had been saddled with an unfortunate family.

 Chapter 284: Night Affairs III

    <h4>Chapter 284: Night Affairs III</h4>


    The phone buzzed incessantly on Athena¡¯s nightstand, the caller ID illuminating the screen once more to reveal Aiden¡¯s name, stubbornly demanding her attention.


    She huffed, choosing to face the ceiling, while fighting the urge to pick up. Ignoring him felt like a form of rebellion against a stubborn whirlwind of emotions swirling in her chest.


    For the umpteenth time, she would deny his call, but the fact pained her. The calls had be a bitter reminder of the fractures in their rtionship, forcing her to evaluate the decay of trust that had once anchored their partnership.


    Each ring echoed like a wave crashing against a cliff, relentless and unyielding. Athena buried her face in her hands, mentally scolding herself.


    How could it havee to this? A former ally¡¯s betrayal hitting harder than a physical blow, all the while Aiden continued to reach out, seemingly oblivious to the wall she was trying to build between them.


    The betrayal weighed heavily on her heart, a lump forming in her throat as she ruminated on the actions of her former colleagues. They had known about the true nature of Scarlet¡¯s death, yet stayed silent, hiding the grim truth from her. Their smiles had felt so genuine, their camaraderie so real.


    Worse... How could they still hold positions in the CIA after what that stupid organization had done? She couldn¡¯t help but wonder, picking her phone again.


    The CIA had always presented itself as a bastion of justice, yet they had proven to be just as corrupt as the criminals they always handled.


    And the idea that the Boss, Shawn and Eric, could still work under the banner of the organization despite such treachery left her feeling hollow. She had always trusted them to uphold a standard that now seemed to evaporate like mist before the morning sun.


    What was the difference between them and Alvarez then?


    If nothing else, she knew there was no way she could reach out to them; pride wouldn¡¯t let her. Yet, she knew no other one in the CIA, no one whom she could trust to handle this situation with Alvarez and co.


    Athena took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. What to do about this situation? That was the question that loomedrge in her mind.


    She had promised her colleagues that she would take care of this. Had that been too forward, especially since Aiden was no longer her partner?


    Biting her lip, she nced at her phone again, Aiden¡¯s name staring back at her. Maybe she should block him.


    Her hand hovered his contact, stilling when she remembered that he had called her childish earlier.


    The gall!


    She hadn¡¯t even bothered to check the other messages, not wanting any unnecessary thing to stress her mental health.


    She cursed under her breath, when his call shed again, brows furrowing next when the call suddenly cut. Had he given up?


    She sighed the next second, frustrated with herself for allowing Aiden¡¯s persistence to irritate her even more.


    She pursed her lips, feeling in her guts to call Ewan. She questioned the feeling however. What could Ewan do? She didn¡¯t think he knew anyone in the CIA.


    Thinking about this possibility made her recall the response she was expecting from Nathaniel¡¯s friends. Quickly, she moved to her mailbox, a frown masking her face when she found no response even after refreshing twice.


    What the hell was all these blocked roads? She mused angrily, frustration boiling over.


    Biting her lips, she reverted to her contact list, and brought up Ewan¡¯s contact. So far he has proved his worth not only in the lives of the children, but in therger scheme of their mission.


    He was a solid anchor, to an extent, in the storm that had turned her world upside down.


    After some hesitation, she dialed his number, sinking back against her pillows.


    Please pick up, she urged silently, her heart racing as the phone rang.


    "Hello?" Ewan¡¯s voice, warm and yful, sted through the speaker, and she realized that she had been holding her breath.


    "Ewan, it¡¯s me," She rambled, trying to rein in the tension in her voice.


    Ewan chuckled. "Athena, I know you¡¯re the one. Why are you calling? Weren¡¯t you scolding me about staying up some minutes ago? Aren¡¯t you ying a part in it now?" He teased lightly.


    Athena let out a soft huff, the corners of her lips curling into a reluctant smile. She could understand the irony. "Yeah yeah. But it was an emergency. However..."


    A pause.


    "Why are you still awake?"


    Another pause. "Are you working, Ewan?" This was stated in a slightly annoyed tone.


    "Nah. My reason is the same as before... I didn¡¯t want to risk falling asleep... in case you needed my help."


    "That¡¯s a stupid gamble, Ewan."


    Ewan chuckled again, a sound that brought warmth to the chill that lingered around her heart. "What can I say? I like to live dangerously."


    "Speaking of danger," Athena said, leaning forward, ignoring the warm tingles around her heart, her voice turning serious, "do you have any contacts in the CIA?"


    There was a brief silence on the other end, stirring her anxiety again. "Why do you ask?"


    Athena hesitated, contemting how much to share. "I just finished a call with some of my colleagues.. and we decided that Alvarez and the others, who had betrayed our trust, deserve thepany of the ck cells... The problem is that the ck cells is under the jurisdiction of the CIA. I need a contact there."


    A notable silence at the other end, making Athena more anxious than before. Can Ewan turn up like before?


    "The CIA... I thought you had some men there... I remember you bringing them during the court case at the elder council. Weren¡¯t they the males that led Alfonso out of the hall?"


    Athena licked her lower lip, thinking of a good lie. She hadn¡¯t bargained on Ewan remembering Shawn and Eric.


    "Yeah, they are." No need to lie about it. He could easily find out if she did.


    "So, why aren¡¯t you utilizing their services? Is there something you are not telling me?"


    Athena exhaled tiredly, rubbing her forehead. She didn¡¯t want to tell Ewan about Scarlett. No. That was too personal. "We had a fallout somehow... I can¡¯t reach them now either way..."


    Another pause ensued on the other end.


    "So, do you have someone? Can you help me?" Athena continued, not wanting to give Ewan a chance to ask more questions.


    "I think so. Just give me a few minutes." Ewan finally answered.


    Athena nodded as if he could see her, exceptionally relieved, and then ended the call. Keeping Ewan around was certainly not a bad idea.


    Five minutes passed agonizingly slowly before her phone rang again. It was from a strange number.


    Who was that? She wondered. Was Aiden calling with a different number?


    She scoffed at the thought, letting the call ring out.


    When the number started calling again, she had no choice but to satiate her curiosity. Heart racing, she picked it up, wary.


    "Hello?"


    "Athena?"


    Athena removed the phone from her ear, ring at it hotly. Shawn?


    "Yes, who is this?" She pretended like she didn¡¯t know who was speaking.


    "Shawn." A striking pause, and a loud exhale. "Athena, I¡¯m really sorry about Scarlett. I should have informed you, but I just thought you would be better off not knowing. That was a foolish decision on my part, and I am sorry..."


    Another pause.


    "I¡¯ve tried reaching you for days, but it seems you blocked me. I was thinking of visiting next week... our friendship means a lot to me. However, when Ewan reached out to me about the situation with Alvarez, I wanted to touch base."


    Athena¡¯s mind raced as she processed the implication. "You know Ewan personally?"


    "Not really. I¡¯m not sure how he got my contact. But he called a minute ago, mentioning that you need my help concerning Alvarez... the male you chose to oversee the Nimbus operation... I just had to call..."


    Athena said nothing, while battling with her feelings which were unable to pick a side. She was angry with Ewan for reaching out to Shawn, but she was also relieved.


    Shawn, feeling indebted to her, would make the favor easy to ask.


    Still... Why didn¡¯t Ewan let her know before making the call? Most likely Spider had gotten the contact for him...


    "Athena, are you there? Please talk to me? What¡¯s going on? You know I can keep your secrets more than Eric can..."


    Athena chuckled before she could help it. "I can¡¯t believe you are still this petty." She finally spoke, rxing. "I¡¯m still angry with you, Shawn..."


    "I know." Shawn replied gently. "You can tackle meter... Let¡¯s just deal with Alvarez first. If there¡¯s any truth in the document Ewan sent me just now..."


    "It¡¯s the truth. Alvarez is in cahoot with the gang. But how can I trust you, Shawn, when you¡¯re still with the CIA? They worked with Morgan at one point to annihte Scarlet and I..."


    A sigh echoed from the other end. "I still work with the CIA because I want to keep things less corrupt. We both know how that organization is important to world unity. Since Scarlet¡¯s death, I¡¯ve been seeing a lot of misappropriation of funds and resources... Eric and I are working to end it from the root... The Boss too..."


    A pause.


    "You can trust me, Athena. This matter won¡¯t leave my lips, unless to Eric, whose help I¡¯ll need to carry out the mission... and maybe Boss..."


    Athena exhaled, choosing to let go for now. "Okay then. I need your help to convey the traitors to the ck cells."


    "d to do it. Also there¡¯s something I should point out Athena... The CIA has no friends," Shawn stated firmly. "It does only what benefits them. And right now, taking care of Morgan is a priority in their list. His involvement with the Grey disease threatens to jeopardize us all."


    Athena mulled over his words, understanding the logic but still feeling a sense of mistrust. "You¡¯re sure about this?"


    "Absolutely. We¡¯ll take care of it."


    After exchanging a few more words, the call ended, leaving Athena deep in thought.


    Albeit, she texted Ewan a quick ¡¯thank you¡¯ for putting her in touch with Shawn.


    As she prepared to set her phone down, she noticed some movement outside her window. Her heart lurched, panic rising in her chest. Who could it be?

 Chapter 285: Night Affairs IV

    <h4>Chapter 285: Night Affairs IV</h4>


    Who would dare infiltrate the Thorne mansion, with all the security agents and tools functioning? Athena couldn¡¯t help but wonder, stepping out of her bed slowly as if the intruder was lurking in a hidden section of her room.


    With the same stealth, she walked to her wardrobe, opened it slowly, and touched the ck bag resting atop the bag of clothes she had brought when she arrived at the mansion.


    She exhaled in relief when she felt her registered gun nestled inside the bag, yet that didn¡¯t calm the racing in her heart or the marching feet in her head.


    "Calm down, Athena. You need your wits about you," She muttered to herself, grasping the gun tightly as she moved toward the window where she believed the sound wasing from.


    But if she judged by the noises she was hearing, it meant that the intruder was already inside thepound¡ªwhich indicated that the person had bypassed the security measures in ce. How was that possible?


    Unless... she paused in her steps. Unless the person was a spy in their midst, maybe part of the security detail guarding the mansion.


    Exhaling visibly again, she clutched the silky purple nightgown against her body tightly while her mind raced in different directions. Was the safety of her childrenpromised too?


    The thought brought a mix of unsettling rage and nerves pooling in her belly. Without a second thought, she retraced her steps to the wardrobe slowly, donned a robe over her flimsy gown, tied it with its belt, and closed the distance between her and the window.


    Once there, she inhaled deeply, her heart thumping louder inside her chest as she could hear the intruder¡¯s ragged breathing on the other side.


    The intruder had climbed to her window¡ªmaybe to kill her? Abduct her? She wasn¡¯t sure. But she will see for herself.


    Not wasting any more time, her hand holding the trigger steadily, she opened the already-ajar window suddenly and pointed the gun downwards, her face contorting in anger when she saw who was looking at her nkly.


    Aiden.


    "Damn you!" She cursed aloud, hitting the window pane.


    What was he doing here? Couldn¡¯t he take the hint that she didn¡¯t want him any closer?


    She stepped aside as he threw himself into the room smartly,nding with a thud on his two feet.


    Athena sneered at the unnecessary disy. He could have simply continued climbing in and stepped into the room more subtly, but he had to showcase some ridiculous show of strength. Did he think she was someone to impress?


    Silence descended upon them, thick enough to sap the willingness to speak from the air.


    "What are you doing here, Aiden?" Athena demanded finally, folding her arms across her chest, her expression a board of unconcealed annoyance and irritation.


    Aiden pursed his lips, slipping his hands into his pockets. On second thought, he pulled them out, unsure of how the image of that gesture would resonate with the reason he was here. "Can we talk?"


    His voice was steady, but the faint tremor in his posture betrayed his unease.


    "Are you sure you want to do that? You might be subjected to childish ramblings... surely your matured brain might not be able to handle that," Athena snapped without hesitation, meeting his gaze strongly, fire burning in her eyes.


    Then her shoulders deted.


    "Just get out, Aiden. I was about to sleep before you barged in. I had a very long day and night..." She spoke in a resigned tone, stepping back toward her bed. "You can close the window after you..."


    But Aiden didn¡¯t leave his apartment at three in the morning to be chased back into the cold night. He hade here to talk, and talk he would. "Athena, let¡¯s talk like two mature adults..."


    "But I am not an adult, old man," Athena interrupted sharply, the fire rekindling in her eyes as she pointed toward the window. "Get out."


    Yet Aiden remained steadfast. He stepped back when Athena grabbed the gun from its resting ce on the dresser.


    "What are you doing?" He inquired, his brows furrowed.


    "We can settle this matter amicably. You don¡¯t need to resort to extremes like this..." He continued, wishing he had waited until morning. But he had been too restless, so he had no choice but to brave the dangers of the night toe here for her. Hence, he couldn¡¯t leave until he had spoken his piece.


    "Just give me a chance..."


    Athenaughed scornfully. "A chance?" She scoffed, still brandishing the weapon. "Why didn¡¯t you give me that a year ago, or even months ago?"


    "I was trying to protect you. I couldn¡¯t afford for you to sink into depression over the truth," Aiden replied hastily, lifting his hands as if in surrender.


    But Athena clicked her tongue, shaking her head ruefully. "How noble of you." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "You are a real saint, Aiden."


    Aiden inhaled deeply for control and strength, never feeling happy or in the mood to contend with this side of Athena. "I am sorry then, Athena. It won¡¯t happen again."


    "Of course it won¡¯t happen again, because no one is dying again, nor will I give you the leverage to misbehave again!" Athena raised her voice, flinging her arms wildly.


    "Enough with all this, Athena. We have more important things at stake here than your pride!"


    "And what do you know of pride? You¡¯ve never seemed to have a problem with yours, despite it being suffocating."


    Aiden took another deep breath, as if steadying himself in an emotional storm. "I was wrong. I should have trusted you, and I didn¡¯t. My stubbornness and foolhardiness have ced our friendship on the brink of chaos, and I¡¯m sorry for it."


    "Do you think a simple apology will fix this?" Athena muttered, incredulity shining in her eyes.


    "You messed up and had the audacity to berate me on top of it. What sort of messed-up pride is that? And howe I have never seen this side of you? If I had, I wouldn¡¯t have been friends with you in the first ce."


    She clicked her tongue. "You judged Ewan months ago for his pride, yet you are just like him. You are a hypocrite."

 Chapter 286: Night Affairs V

    <h4>Chapter 286: Night Affairs V</h4>


    Hypocrite?


    Aiden felt like shaking Athena until her stubbornness cracked¡ªher words piercing into his skin like needles and echoing incessantly in his head.


    She hadpared him to Ewan, the very person who had allowed his sense of duty to misguide him. How could she possibly draw such a parallel?


    Yet, he swallowed his annoyance and chose to admit that he had messed up by keeping their feud alive for days. He should havee around since then, at least.


    He should have been the mature one; he should have stepped up to resolve the issue. Seeing they were not just friends but partners, he ought to have ignored her taunts regarding his ex-wife, understanding that she had been riding a wave of unstable emotions.


    Yes, he was wrong in that respect, and he should apologize.


    "I am sorry, Athena," He finally spoke, his voice low, filled with sincerity. "I shouldn¡¯t have allowed my pride to cloud my judgment, especially considering the strength of our friendship and partnership. You deserved the truth from me, and I am sorry I didn¡¯t give you that. Please..."


    He paused, the weight of his request pressing against his chest. "Find it in your heart to forgive me."


    ¡¯Please don¡¯t refer to me as a hypocrite again.¡¯


    That word always triggered bad memories for him. It was the first time Athena had used it against him, and while he considered correcting her, he decided against it for the moment. She was still fuming.


    Seeing that she remained silent, just staring at him with a mix of emotions, he closed the distance between them slowly and sat on the edge of her bed. "Athena, please say something..."


    But Athena felt no inclination to speak to the man beside her; her emotions were still in turmoil.


    "Athena..."


    "Fine!" She snapped softly, her voiceced with irritation. If that was sufficient to send him out of her room, she would dly agree.


    "Thank you very much," Aiden replied, visibly relieved despite the tense atmosphere surrounding them.


    "So, tell me, where did you get the information you shared with the group? I didn¡¯t know you were researching this... you should have let me know..." Aiden¡¯s eagerness was palpable, and Athena wouldn¡¯t be surprised if that was the main reason he hade to visit.


    "Why should I have?" She calmly asked, crossing her arms defiantly.


    "Because we are in this together, whether you like it or not." He met her gaze with intensity, his eyes piercing into hers. "And I need to know everything about this case so we can work together effectively. Remember, it¡¯s not just about Nimbus now; the government is involved, and I am part of the secret security service."


    "Well, I didn¡¯t ask to work for the government..."


    Aiden cursed softly at Athena¡¯s nonchnt dismissal.


    "It was a contract; it¡¯s only until this matter with the Grey virus has been resolvedpletely, along with the gang and whoever is sponsoring them."


    With a sigh of exasperation, Athena epted that she wouldn¡¯t be sleeping tonight. It was best she handled this briefing now because tomorrow was already filled with too many activities. Hence, she shoved his infuriating demeanor out of her mind and focused solely on the task ahead.


    "Fine." She said sharply, though her voice softened. "Let¡¯s talk about the update, but if you cross me, Aiden, again, you won¡¯t have to worry about Morgan; I¡¯ll be the oneing for you."


    As she spoke, she ced the gun back on the dresser, and Aiden let out a sigh of relief he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding. He nodded, the weight of remorse evident in his expression. "I promise it won¡¯t happen again."


    Athena wasn¡¯t entirely satisfied, but having no choice, she informed Aiden about Ewan¡¯s input in the document and the role he would need to y tomorrow.


    "Do you think it¡¯s okay to trust him with such work?" Aiden asked after she finished, his eyes narrowing to a spot on the floor as he contemted Ewan¡¯s credibility in this mission.


    Athena chuckled. "Ewan may not be loyal to anyone else, but he is fiercely loyal to his children. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve seen that; he would do anything to the tail end, perfectly, because of them. Don¡¯t worry about him¡ªhe will do his job. And weren¡¯t you singing his praises just a few days ago? Worse, he already knows so much about our operations. If he wanted to snitch on us, he would have done so already."


    Aiden scoffed lightly. "You seem to have done aplete 360-degree turnaround from the person who distrusted his motives when we were in the cave..."


    Athena chuckled. "Well, I noticed that since the emergence of the truth in the court case, his character has been quite exceptional..."


    "So, you¡¯re cutting him some ck?" Aiden interjected, raising an eyebrow at her.


    Athena furrowed her brows, wondering what had crawled up Aiden¡¯s backside. "Not exactly. I just don¡¯t want to be a bitter person, especially since my children have epted him. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to be friends with him. If ¡¯friends¡¯ is too strong a word, then I can settle for acquaintances. I don¡¯t think there is anything wrong with that..."


    "I see," Aiden muttered, though Athena wondered if he truly understood. What was he even thinking?


    Meanwhile, at Sandro¡¯s apartment, Ewan was still awake, staring at Athena¡¯s message, half-expecting her to send another, even though he hadn¡¯t replied.


    The truth was that he was holding back now so that he could replyter; trying to ascertain if she would still be awake whenever he dropped a reply.


    If she was, then...


    He pursed his lips. What would he do? He shook his head, dropping the phone onto the bed. Why was he acting so overeager when they would still meet tomorrow?


    Sighing tiredly, he turned over on his bed, ready to force himself to sleep.


    Just then, his phone dinged with a text.


    With speed faster than a bullet, he grabbed the device, letting out a dejected sigh when he saw it was just Spider.


    Was there more information to share? He wondered, opening the message.


    His eyes widened slightly as he read its contents.


    Athena had emailed Spider with a request?! How did she get Spider¡¯s contact?


    He took his lips in when he saw Spider¡¯sst message.


    ¡¯Should I let her have the truth?¡¯

 Chapter 287: Getting Ready

    <h4>Chapter 287: Getting Ready</h4>


    "Is there any other patient on my waiting list for today?" Athena asked Ciara as she scrolled through thetest news spreading across the socials on her tablet.


    "No, ma¡¯am. You¡¯re done for the day," Ciara replied, looking up briefly. "The other doctors can take care of the other patients. You can rest now. You are the manager of the hospital, not just a mere doctor..."


    Ciara suddenly covered her mouth, realizing she was overstepping her boundaries. Worse, her boss was now looking at her with a nk expression.


    However, she rxed when Athena chuckled heartily, shaking her head.


    "Thanks for your concern, Ciara. But I will be fine. The reason I blew through my schedule today is because I have another ce to be in the next hour," Athena mentioned, a smile still dancing on her lips.


    "Oh, no wonder. Forgive my intrusion and assumption then, ma¡ª" Ciara began, still apologizing even after knowing her boss wasn¡¯t angry.


    She nced at her watch as Athena sauntered into her office. It was just ten a.m. in the morning. Where was her boss¡ªher mentor¡ªgoing? To rest?


    Well, whatever the boss chose to do with her time was none of Ciara¡¯s business. The woman deserved all the rest she could get, she thought, drafting an email on her phone with status reports and sending it to a certain official email address.


    Ciara wasn¡¯t sure why the man had requested reports on Athena¡¯s work, but she guessed he was just keeping tabs on his investment.


    Meanwhile, in her office, Athena was still reading the news released by the KN media, which had been hurriedly replicated by other media houses without appropriate referencing.


    As she scrolled through the detailed report, including dates, ces, and times, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a swell of pride for her children.


    The news was a favorable one too; the government were closing in on Morgan and the moles in the government house. If they could capture these two, then they could find the creators of the Grey disease and, ideally, the mastermind behind the entire cruel setup.


    It was also heartening that they were updating the public on this matter; it would garner goodwill and make their enemies act hastily.


    She exhaled when she finished reading the article and dropped her phone onto the table.


    Next, she pulled out her lunch bag, which Florence had packed for her, seeing as she had rushed out of the house without taking breakfast. She retrieved the lunch box and, too exhausted to stand up again and go to the restroom to wash her hands, took out a wipe from its box.


    She wiped her hands thoroughly, enjoying the gentle scent it emitted, before tossing it into the dustbin. Then she picked up her fork.


    As Athena ate, she yed Candy Crush on her phone. She was one of those who couldn¡¯t eat without engaging in some activity, whether it was reading a book, ying a game, or even examining thebels on containers surrounding her. Multitasking was essential to her.


    Just then, her phone dinged with a text.


    Ewan.


    "Are we still on for the movement today?"


    Continuing to chew, Athena sent him a positive reply, pausing momentarily when she recalled the response she had received from Nathaniel¡¯s friends yesterday after Aiden had left her room.


    They had sent her some research, but it contained everything she had already uncovered on her own. To say she had been frustrated was a gross understatement, especially since she suspected there was something more. She just couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling.


    She didn¡¯t bother the children about it either, knowing there was little they could do about it.


    Resigning herself to her fate, she decided to keep her ears and eyes open for any information she could glean from Ewan himself.


    Her thoughts were interrupted by another text. She smiled when she saw it was from Chelsea.


    ¡¯Hey friend, I¡¯ll be in your location in the next couple of hours. Save a meal for me.¡¯


    Athena smiled, dropping the fork and typing with both hands. ¡¯I¡¯m expecting you. I will save three meals!¡¯


    Even though the idea of therapy and counseling was still a bit new to her, she was happy to see her friend. She was even happier that Chelsea had taken it upon herself to do the counseling.


    Chelsea was known as a medical genius for good reason. She held degrees in both pediatrics and psychology, only choosing to practice pediatrics because she adored children.


    ¡¯Well, it seems I will be her first test subject in psychology.¡¯ Athena thought, picking up the fork again, continuing her eating and gaming.


    She made a mental note to inform Old Mr. Thorne about this matter, so he could prepare a room in the mansion for her friend, considering her apartment in the penthouse was not in use for now.


    On a second thought, she decided to send a message to Old Mr. Thorne¡ªknowing that with the mission which loomed ahead, she might easily forget. She also texted Gianna about their friend¡¯s impending arrival.


    After that, she shot a message to Shawn to confirm their readiness for the operation that was about to take ce. There could be no mistakes.


    She furrowed her brows when her phone rang with a call from the boss.


    Afterst night, she had unblocked the contacts of her former colleagues, knowing she would need to stay in contact with them for the mission ahead.


    However, why was he calling?


    She assumed Shawn must have briefed them already on how the operation would proceed.


    "Hello..." She answered coldly, putting more food in her mouth.


    "Athena... I am sorry again about Scarlet." The boss began immediately. "But we didn¡¯t just ept the news; we have been working to root out the corrupt officials in the system...to find out the source of that evil. We can¡¯t just let the madness continue."


    He paused.


    "Shawn mentioned that he had exined things to you, but I just thought I should let you know..."


    Athena sighed, letting go of her resentment. There was just no need for it.


    "Are you close to getting to the person who issued the order?" She asked.


    Another significant pause.


    "Almost. I¡¯ll let you know when I do."


    "Thank you, boss." She appreciated that he was still on the case.


    "You¡¯re wee. Good luck out in the field today."

 Chapter 288: Getting Ready II

    <h4>Chapter 288: Getting Ready II</h4>


    "How many times are you going to stare at that message?" Sandro asked, amusement coloring his voice when he stepped into Ewan¡¯s office and found his friend smiling sheepishly at his phone.


    "Till you go blind, or till the message disappears?" He continued,ing to stand beside Ewan as he set a file on the desk.


    He subtly peered into his friend¡¯s phone to confirm his suspicions; chuckling when he discovered he was right.


    "Ewan, it¡¯s just a thank-you message..."


    Ewan hissed in response, gesturing for Sandro to leave his side with a flick of his hand twice.


    But Sandro wouldn¡¯t budge, prompting Ewan to take his eyes off his phone and re at his friend.


    "Don¡¯t you have more files to peruse?"


    Sandro shook his head. "Not at all. I¡¯m free as letter Z."


    Ewan frowned, trying to grasp what was so special about Z, and when he couldn¡¯t, his re on Sandro intensified. This time, irritation joined the mix. "Are you done working on the Vernon¡¯s case? The one with the overseaspany?"


    Sandro pouted, slipping his hands into the pockets of his slick navy blue pants. "That¡¯s a work for tomorrow."


    "You can do it today. Procrastination doesn¡¯t sit well with you," Ewan stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Go on ahead."


    "And what about you?"


    Ewan raised an eyebrow. "And what about me?"


    "Are you going to keep staring at Kathleen¡¯s message for another hour?"


    "Maybe," Ewan said, shrugging his shoulders, a smile ying on his lips again as he returned his gaze to the phone.


    "She called me ¡¯Father,¡¯ Sandro," He muttered softly, his thumb grazing the text message.


    ¡¯Thanks for theics, Father. Nathaniel and I love it! Have a beautiful day!¡¯


    Oh, he was really having a beautiful day, he mused, the smile on his lips growing wider.


    Sandro, watching this disy for the umpteenth time, shook his head. There was a lot of work for his friend to aplish today, and he was busy reading and rereading an already-read text.


    "Ewan, I get that you are over the moon, but you have a meeting in the next five minutes!"


    Ewan frowned again, looking at Sandro. "I thought I told you to postpone it. I have another meeting with Athena..."


    Calling her name struck a chord in his heart, one that came alive with a faint hum. He couldn¡¯t wait to see her, to talk to her, to do things together without anyone else intruding. His hands even shook with excitement.


    "But that¡¯s not until an hour or twoter!" Sandro pointed out in disbelief, not understanding this side of his friend.


    Shouldn¡¯t he be more engaged now, especially since he would be leaving soon, to return, God knows when?


    "I don¡¯t want to wear myself out before our mission. I need all the rest I can get..." Ewan replied, reclining deeper into his chair. "Yet, here you are interrupting me... Go away. You¡¯re giving me a headache."


    Sandro furrowed his brows. "Have you taken your meds?"


    Ewan sighed, feeling he shouldn¡¯t have made thatst remark. "Yeah, I have." He lied through his teeth, holding back the urge to begin a tap dance on the table.


    Doing so would certainly alert Sandro to his deceit. He didn¡¯t meet his friend¡¯s gaze either.


    Hence, he let out a sigh of relief when Sandro finally gave up, strolled back to the visitor¡¯s chair and sank ungracefully into it.


    "Maybe it¡¯s good you postponed the meeting till tomorrow...I don¡¯t even have the strength," Sandro piped, throwing his head back on the chair and looking at the ceiling, a myriad of thoughts floating through his mind.


    Ewan said nothing to that. Instead, he let his mind wander too, fantasizing about how the uing mission would go and how he and Athena would...


    Professional footsteps walking into the office jolted the men from their calm states. They both turned to the intruder.


    "Perry, is there anything the matter?" Sandro asked the male who also served as his personal assistant.


    "Madame Ruby is here. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was okay to let her in, so I came to seek permission..."


    Sandro and Ewan exchanged nces.


    "Okay, thank you. I¡¯ll being over," Sandro said, watching as Perry gave a slight bow and walked out of the office.


    "Handle her," Ewan said immediately after Perry left, eager to return to his thoughts.


    But Sandro wasn¡¯t that easily dismissed. "Handle her? What do you mean by that? You never told me why she visited you then, and why she left crying..."


    "She tried to ckmail me," Ewan answered without hesitation, causing Sandro¡¯s jaw to drop.


    "She did what...?" A pause ensued as he swallowed, ncing at the door as if expecting Madame Ruby to walk in, then back at Ewan. "How? What did she want? What was her bargaining tool?"


    Ewan exhaled and sat up in his chair. "Somehow, she discovered what happened in the elder¡¯s council regarding Athena and me, and she threatened to leak the information unless I directed more shares to her..."


    Silence hung in the air for just a few seconds as Sandro struggled to process the information, and then he burst into boisterousughter.


    "What?! She did what?! The audacity!" He eximed, clutching his stomach as heughed. "She must think you gullible because you fell for Fiona¡¯s games..."


    Ewan¡¯s hot re at this statement didn¡¯t deter Sandro fromughing.


    Heughed until he was satisfied, and even then, there were still shes of chuckles as he struggled to contain his amusement. "So, what are you going to do about her?"


    "I told her to surrender her shares. Threatening me was against the contract..."


    "But you won¡¯t do that, right?" Sandro asked, a knowing glint in his eyes.


    "No, I still need herwork. Still, go deal with her. You know what to do."


    This time, Sandro wasted no time. He bid Ewan well, stood to his feet gaily, chuckling to Ewan¡¯s chagrin, and walked out of the office.


    Ewan¡¯s attention was drawn next by a ding on his phone. Was it time? He wondered, picking up the phone and furrowing his brows when he saw two messages. One was from Athena. The other was from Spider.


    He opened Athena¡¯s first.


    ¡¯Meet me at the Dixons in five minutes.¡¯


    Ewan frowned, looking at the time. Had there been a change of ns?


    Next, he opened Spider¡¯s text.


    ¡¯All ready, boss.¡¯


    Right on time, he thought, getting to his feet as his mind wandered, for the umpteenth time, to how Athena had obtained Spider¡¯s contact.


    Spider had talked about the remarkable hacker who referred her to him; Ewan hoped that whoever this remarkable hacker was, he or she hadn¡¯t managed to collect any truths before Spider had secured everything with a cyber-lock.


    He wasn¡¯t ready for another battle in muddy waters with his wife.

 Chapter 289: Secret Operations

    <h4>Chapter 289: Secret Operations</h4>


    "Are you not going to tell me why we are on this mission an hour early?" Ewan asked Athena, peering through therge, scratched window of the flying aircraft, his voiceced with a gruffness he couldn¡¯t quite mask.


    Below them, clouds swirled like cotton candy against the deep blue of the sky, but his gaze remained distant, lost in his thoughts.


    He had anticipated being alone on this mission with Athena, relishing the opportunity to converse with her about everything and nothing, perhapsying the groundwork for a better rtionship. However, his hopes had been dashed when he stepped onto the aircraft and saw Aiden seated beside her.


    A flicker of irritation surged within him¡ªwhat had changed her mind? Something must have happenedst night, something he wasn¡¯t privy to and might never uncover.


    "An emergency came up," Athena replied simply, her voice steady and cool as she studied him, narrowing her eyes in an attempt to decipher the reasons behind his annoyance. Had he left an important meeting for this?


    "If you had been in a meeting, I apologize for the interruption. But you would have informed me about this matter. You would have stayed back too... I would have understood," She continued, still fixing her gaze on him, willing him to meet her eyes.


    But Ewan wouldn¡¯t oblige; instead, his focus shifted to Aiden, a hot re settling on the older man. He had always respected thetter, but now he felt the overwhelming urge to toss him out of the airne.


    "Is there anything the matter, Ewan?" Aiden asked, his tone light despite suspecting the reason for Ewan¡¯s annoyance. A smug smile tugged at the corners of his lips too, making Ewan mutter a soft curse under his breath and turn back to the window.


    Athena felt caught in the crossfire of their tension, darting nces between Aiden and Ewan. What was going on between them?


    Analyzing the situation only added to the chaos swirling in her mind, so she abandoned the topic. They had too much to aplish today, and it would be best for her to focus.


    Just as she was about to direct her thoughts back to the mission, Ewan¡¯s voice cut through the hum of the aircraft¡¯s engines again.


    "What was the emergency?"


    For a few seconds, Athena simply stared at Ewan. He continued to gaze out the window, as if something importanty beyond the clouds. What was with these monotone questions that felt disjointed? Did he think she was up for this?


    "Look at me when you are addressing me, Ewan. I¡¯m not one of your assistants," She stated somberly, feeling pity for his neck as she noted the speed at which he jerked his head to face her, an apology glimmering in his eyes.


    "Sorry..." He muttered, meeting her gaze unsteadily.


    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder why he was ufortable. Did he dislike flying, or was it something deeper?


    "It¡¯s okay..." She murmured, letting the matter drop. "ording to our sources, the two others who introduced Alvarez to the operation are about to travel to the eastern continent in the next hour. We don¡¯t know when next they¡¯ll be in the country if we let them go. So we have to make our move now. All things are in ce. We just have to do our part."


    Ewan nodded thoughtfully. "Do you think they will confess once we capture them? Do you think they have direct contact with whoever the mastermind is?"


    Athena and Aiden exchanged a furtive nce.


    "We are not sure," Aiden answered, setting aside his earlier smugness. It was time for serious business. "But at least we should be able to gather some information that will move us forward..."


    "...and cripple whoever is behind this," Athena added, ncing out the window. Based on the time, they would soon be arriving at their destination.


    She inhaled deeply, bracing herself for the inevitable confrontation with old acquaintances.


    Ten minutester, the ne touched down at the designated port, and the trio disembarked, immediately ushered into a sleek ck Mercedes-Benz S-ss, its tinted windows providing an air of secrecy.


    "Are you ready?" Aiden asked his colleagues as they cruised five minutes out from the residence their sources had provided¡ªa location where, luckily for them, the two culprits had decided to rendezvous before their impending journey.


    Athena and Ewan nodded in unison. They were both born ready.


    "Are all the others in position?" He asked the driver, who was also an agent. The driver gave a curt nod.


    "Everything is as arranged, sir."


    "Good," Aiden muttered, although his hands shook frantically at the thought. He tucked them beneath his thighs, trying to hide his nervousness. One of the men he was about to arrest was a cousin to his ex-wife¡ªher favorite cousin.


    For hours, he had wrestled with the thought of giving her a heads-up, but each time he rejected the idea. This was a covert operation and could not bepromised. He didn¡¯t trust her to keep the matter secret; he doubted she would prioritize loyalty to the country over her cousin.


    Besides, she wouldn¡¯t even answer his calls unless it was time for him to visit their daughter. And that time was far away.


    Momentster, they arrived at the doorstep of the whitewashed mansion, which appeared ordinary to a bystander. However, Athena could tell by the quality of the windows and the woodwork that it was a million-dor project. She knocked firmly on the door.


    "Do you think they are around?" Ewan asked, scanning the neighborhood. It seemed family-oriented, evidenced by the small bicycles parked on the porches of most houses. Did these culprits of theirs live here with their families? That wouldplicate matters if it were true.


    Just then, the door swung open, revealing a tall, burly man standing on the other side, regarding them with narrowed eyes.


    Ewan maintained a nk, unsuspecting expression, even though he knew that the man before them, with a frown etched on his face, was one of the most dangerous mercenaries in the ck web.


    Spider had given him premium information about this operation. Still was.

 Chapter 290: Secret Operations II

    <h4>Chapter 290: Secret Operations II</h4>


    "Are you lot not going to introduce yourselves?" The mercenary¡¯s voice boomed, slicing through the tension in the air and abruptly pulling Athena and Aiden out of their shocked silence.


    They hadn¡¯t been expecting Kovan, one of the notorious twin mercenaries known for their intimidating presence and ruthless methods.


    What was he doing here? Athena wondered, even as she offered her trademark smile, a mix of confidence and charm, aimed at the bulky man before her.


    Did he recognize her?


    After all, she had been the one to take down his twin brother. It didn¡¯t matter that she had worn a mask¡ªthese things had a way of getting around, especially in circles like theirs.


    "We are here to see Cecil and Lincoln," She stated lightly, her hand extending for a handshake, hoping to disarm him with her friendliness.


    But Kovan scrutinized her, his sharp eyes trailing from her head to her toes, dismissing her outstretched hand with an air of disdain.


    "Have no idea what you¡¯re talking about, woman. Are you sure you are in the right neighborhood?" He countered dismissively, shaking his head as if to clear away the absurdity of their presence.


    Athenaughed, the sound light but edged with annoyance. "Of course! Just tell them that the A2 are here."


    Kovan opened his mouth to deliver a snide response, but Aiden tsked, interrupting him to grab his attention.


    "Just do what the woman tells you to do, son. You don¡¯t want to see her angry. Neither do you want to keep your bosses¡¯ friends outside."


    Kovan¡¯s frown deepened as he scrutinized the trio again, his gaze hesitating on Ewan, the billionaire businessman.


    Of course, he recognized Athena¡ªthe doctor who had disrupted their business interests¡ªand Aiden, her sidekick. However, he didn¡¯t know they were linked to his bosses.


    Had they been working together all this time? Thoughts raced through his mind as he pursed his lips in confusion.


    "I¡¯m not your son, old man," Kovan finally shot back, before abruptly shutting the door in their faces.


    "Do you think he¡¯ll being back?" Ewan asked, breaking the tense silence that enveloped them like a shroud again.


    "I don¡¯t know," Athena muttered, ncing around in uncertainty. "I didn¡¯t even know he would be here."


    "Let¡¯s hope for the best then," Ewan replied, his eyes scanning the area for any hidden surveince beyond Spider and the cyber team he worked with.


    "But this might jeopardize our ns. Kovan alone is a variable that could alter everything. Who knows how many more might be lurking around?"Aiden stated, a trace of doubt creeping into his voice as he swept his eyes across the environment.


    Before Athena could offer a response, the door swung open once again, but this time, it wasn¡¯t Kovan.


    "The A2!!" A male voice boomed from the other side, as a tall figure with a broad grin swept forward, embracing Athena first.


    She giggled, not stepping away from the flurry of kisses that descend on her cheeks next.


    Ewan¡¯s frustration simmered beneath the surface as he watched the scene unfold, wanting to p the man¡¯s mouth away from his body.


    The male extended a one-sided hug to Aiden next.


    Ewan marveled at how his two colleagues exchangedughter and teasing banter with their target as if they were merely catching up over drinks.


    "Cecil, it¡¯s been a long time! Since you wouldn¡¯t check on us... well, here we are," Aiden joked,ughing as Cecil yfully struck his shoulder.


    It wasn¡¯t until Cecil turned his gaze toward Ewan, taking in the billionaire¡¯s nk expression, that his energy shifted.


    "You brought the billionaire businessman too..." He remarked, curiositycing his tone. He was well aware of Ewan¡¯s status, even remembering the whispers about his rtionship with Athena. Why was he here?


    "Yeah. We are also here for business," Athena replied, a cheeky smile blossoming on her lips.


    "I see..." Cecil mused, before stepping back and opening the door wider. "Please,e in then. Lincoln will be joining us soon; he¡¯s in the restroom."


    Athena scrunched her nose, prompting another round of boisterousughter from Cecil. "You still haven¡¯t changed, woman¡ªdissing people without saying a word!"


    Athenaughed in return, settling into one of the plush, expensive sofas. Ewan followed suit, taking a seat beside her, while Aiden found a spot on a different couch.


    Kovan and three others lingered in the background, pretending to be engrossed in their phones, a facade not lost on Athena.


    She exchanged a furtive nce with Aiden. What was next?


    "So, what business are you here for?"


    Lincoln¡¯s arrival interrupted the moment, and greetings and hugs erupted once more.


    However, when Lincoln met Aiden, he scowled, refusing to shake his hand, choosing rather to fold his arms across his chest.


    "Why would you divorce my sweet cousin? You promised me you wouldn¡¯t break her heart?"


    Athena was taken aback by this revtion, her mouth falling slightly agape.


    Ewan, on the other hand, wasn¡¯t surprised; Spider had filled him in on details about this culprit of theirs. And it had made him wonder if Aiden had dropped the truth on his ex-wife.


    However, knowing how stuck up Aiden could be, Ewan guessed the answer was a resounding no.


    Meanwhile, Aiden was at a loss for words. A momentter, he sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "It just didn¡¯t work out, no matter how hard I tried for it to."


    "I see..." Lincoln muttered before suddenly delivering a strong punch to Aiden that sent the other man tumbling into a chair, blood trickling from his mouth.


    "Aiden!" Athena screamed, horrified and enraged.


    The trio in the dining area erupted intoughter, their amusement stark against the backdrop of violence.


    Ewan remained calm, regarding the fracas as just boys¡¯ banter.


    "What the hell, Lincoln!" Athena shouted, her eyes aze with fury.


    But Lincoln simply winked at her as he sank into a sofa, unfazed. "I just had to do it for my cousin. So, back to business... why are you lot here? It must be important if Aiden is here, not minding my presence..."


    "We are here to make a report..." Aiden sputtered through his bloodied lips, slowly getting to his feet as he garnered everyone¡¯s attention, giving Ewan just the opportunity he needed to send an SOS to the team.


    The potency of Lincoln¡¯s blow showed that age had done nothing to diminish these people¡¯s strength. Worse, they were all as ruthlessly trained as Aiden¡ªthese were not mere politicians who could be cowed by a gun.


    "And what report is that?" Cecil asked, crossing his legs with an expectant expression masking his face.


    "Well, there¡¯s something going on at the Nimbus operation. We have a mole there working with the ck Scorpions gang," Aiden supplied, shocking Athena and Ewan.


    This wasn¡¯t the n they had agreed on.

 Chapter 291: Secret Operations III

    <h4>Chapter 291: Secret Operations III</h4>


    What was Aiden thinking, approaching this situation in such a way?


    Athena¡¯s mind raced with questions as she struggled to suppress the urge to clench her fists in anger.


    Was he trying to give their position away? Or was he merely attempting to confirm Ewan¡¯s report?


    Seeing the earnest glint in Aiden¡¯s eyes, she deduced it was likely thetter.


    Maybe she shouldn¡¯t have brought him along on this mission, she thought, her lips pressed into a firm line of disapproval. But she had never known that Lincoln was Gloria¡¯s cousin.


    Was he allowing emotions to overshadow his quest for justice?


    Meanwhile, Cecil and Lincoln exchanged a calm nce, their demeanor radiating curiosity mixed with an undertone of skepticism.


    "A mole?" Lincoln began, sping his hands together as if to fortify his resolve. "What mole? I haven¡¯t heard any news of this. Alvarez never mentioned it."


    "That¡¯s because Alvarez is the mole." Aiden¡¯s voice held a sharp edge, his keen eyes scrutinizing the expressions of his old friends.


    But their faces were like masks, betraying nothing. Still, he pressed on. "He is coborating with Morgan to distribute the counterfeit drugs and disrupt Athena¡¯s efforts to develop her cure."


    Lincoln and Cecil turned their attention to Athena, earnestness flooding their gazes, disbelief hanging palpably in the air. "Is this true?"


    With no choice but to y hardball, Athena nodded, her determination steeling her resolve. "We discovered this after multiple operations were sabotaged. He¡¯s unaware of our findings, however... we are here to brainstorm on how to proceed since you two are also founders of this organization."


    If Athena hadn¡¯t seen Ewan¡¯s reports, if she had relied solely on word of mouth or her instincts, she might have fallen for Lincoln and Cecil¡¯s innocent act.


    Their eyes widened and their mouths dropped at the appropriate moments, but she wasn¡¯t fooled. They were all trained by the reputable CIA, after all.


    A heavy silence settled over the room following her announcement, as Cecil and Lincoln took their time processing this rming piece of information.


    Behind them, the men seated at the dining table abandoned their pretense of being engrossed in their phones; their vignt eyes locked onto the gathering, their minds working furiously.


    "Wow, this is huge. Alvarez was the most righteous among us... how could he..." Cecil shook his head, disbelief still coloring his features. "Have you spoken to the others?"


    Aiden shook his head. "You two are the first."


    Cecil nodded, a mixture of concern and gratitude crossing his face. "I appreciate that. Yet what is Ewan Gietti doing here? Don¡¯t tell me he¡¯s part of our little family now?"


    "Well, he actually is." Athena interjected, seizing the straw Cecil had unwittingly offered.


    "You hired your ex-husband?" Lincoln asked, surprise and incredulity evident in his tone.


    Athena chuckled lightly. "Actually, I wasn¡¯t aware of it untilter. About our rtionship¡ªwe¡¯re cool as friends, especially since we¡¯re working for the same organization. Our divorce was peaceful, though it took some idiots some time to understand this."


    She included thatst remark, fully aware that both men had likely seen the tabloids when Fiona and her father deemed themselves worthy enough to meddle in her life.


    She watched as Lincoln and Cecil exchanged yet another nce before Cecil snapped his fingers, alerting one of the men behind him. "Get us some drinks."


    To Athena and the others, he added, "I apologize for ourck of hospitality. I was just too curious about your presence here."


    Athena waved it off with a smile. "It¡¯s okay. We¡¯re past that."


    With lighter discussions andfortable silences taking over, a male¡ªanother mercenary, Athena suspected¡ªreturned with whiskey and ss cups, setting them on the ss table.


    "I hope you still enjoy this, Athena..." Cecil remarked with a yful smile.


    Though she no longer did, Athena epted the cup, taking a sip and casting a quick nce at Aiden.


    <i>Let¡¯s</i><i>wrap</i><i>this</i><i>up</i><i>quickly, </i>was the unspoken message she passed to him.


    They still had to track down Alvarez and handle the rest of the operation.


    However, Aiden raised an eyebrow, silently asking how they would aplish that, as he sipped his whiskey.


    Suddenly, there was a hard knock on the door.


    Tension thickened in the air as everyone exchanged notable nces.


    "Are you expecting anyone, Cecil?" Aiden asked before the question could bubble up from his old friends.


    The duo¡¯s heads shook in unison, a crease forming on their foreheads.


    Lincoln gestured to the male who had served them drinks, instructing him to open the door.


    Every pair of eyes in the room was now fixed on him, the atmosphere taut with anticipation, unaware of the silent tension bubbling beneath the surface, as the man walked toward the door with the confidence of someone who owned the world.


    But when he opened the door, a bullet was embedded into his forehead swiftly.


    A shocked silence fell across the room as the man crumpled to the floor, exposing the grim reality to the others. It was a silent pistol at work.


    Immediately, everyone sprang into action. The remaining two mercenaries leveled their guns at Athena and her team, but Aiden was already prepared; his own weapon was drawn, Athena and Ewan¡¯s too.


    "What the hell! Aiden? Did you bring men to our house?" Cecil shouted.


    Aiden shook his head, weapon still trained on the mercenaries, as well as on his old friends. "I should be asking you that. Did you inform Alvarez of our arrival?"


    Tension rose exponentially in the room as guns were now aimed at one another.


    Just then, the door swung open again, and bullets fired from the mercenaries, effectively halted anyone from entering the house.


    As Lincoln turned to signal his men to call for backup, two agents suddenly burst into the sitting room through the ss pane, shattering it dramatically. They had already begun shooting as they entered, creating chaos in their wake.


    Athena, Ewan, and Aiden dove behind the furniture with Cecil and Lincoln, the two groups momentarily forgetting their previous usations against one another.


    "Can we just talk?" Aiden yelled, hoping the shooters would have the decency to listen.


    Fortunately, they did.


    "Talk then, Aiden," came the curt reply from one of the masked men.


    Aiden furrowed his brow, trying to ascertain who their attackers were.


    He rose slowly, hands raised in surrender, and stepped out from behind the furniture. Ewan following despite Athena¡¯s frantic hand gesture to him to stay put.


    "Not just Aiden; you all shoulde out and take a seat." The man speaking waved toward the door, and the second masked individual with him stepped aside, opening the door to allow ten more men d in ckbat gear to enter, all outfitted with weapons.


    Athena licked her lower lip nervously, fear spiraling within her. Who were these people?

 Chapter 292: Secret Operations IV

    <h4>Chapter 292: Secret Operations IV</h4>


    "Are you not going to talk, Aiden?" The masked male asked, his gun resting casually at his side as he observed the group.


    They were huddled on a sofa that had been shoved to the center of the room. Those who couldn¡¯t fit sat on the floor¡ªspecifically, the mercenaries.


    Aiden finally opened his mouth to respond, but the masked man swiftly ced a finger over his lips, silencing him.


    With a dismissive nod, he turned to the figure behind him. "Take two and check upstairs to see if there¡¯s anyone up there..." He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the group. "We will wait until you threee back."


    When they returned just five minutester, a woman apanied them, exuding an aura of stoic confidence that even guns and weapons couldn¡¯t shatter.


    Athena¡¯s jaw ckened in disbelief as she took in the sight of the new arrival.


    d in a stunning cerulean gown that hugged her figure perfectly, the woman radiated beauty. Her wavy brte hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing a face that seemed to glow under the stark lighting. She wore designer shoes that clicked authoritatively against the floor,pleting her sophisticated look.


    It was Gloria.


    Athena instantly looked at Aiden. Thetter had the same expression on his face.


    "Gloria..." Aiden stuttered, utterly taken aback. "What are you doing here?"


    Ignoring him, Gloria stood tall, her posture straight and her chin held high, embodying confidence itself.


    "What is going on here?" She demanded, her gaze fixing on the masked man who appeared to be leading the operation.


    "Are you working with these people?"


    Gloria frowned, shifting her focus to the group in question. "Lincoln is my brother. We were supposed to travel to see our family today." ncing at her watch, she added, "Our ne is leaving in the next few minutes. What is this about?"


    "Well, your brother is in trouble. I think you¡¯ll be going to see your family alone," The masked man replied, a hint of amusement ying at the corners of his mouth.


    Gloria shook her head slowly, her elegant demeanor unshaken. "I won¡¯t be doing that. I¡¯m sure he is innocent of whatever usations you have against him. There must be a mistake. But who are you people?"


    The masked man shrugged, gesturing with his gun toward Ewan. "We work for him."


    At that moment, all attention turned to Ewan, who remained seated near Athena.


    Sensing the scrutiny, he sighed tiredly, stood up and extended his hand toward Athena. "Do you trust me?"


    ¡¯Do you trust me?¡¯ That was the best he could muster? Athena thought, simmering with anger. What was his game?


    Why hadn¡¯t he included them in this setup? Did he take pleasure in giving her high blood pressure? Did he love ying the ¡¯knight in shining armor¡¯ so much?


    "What is this, Aiden?" Lincoln asked, recovering his voice, now visibly scowling. Cecil was beside him, not far behind in his skepticism. "Is this a setup?"


    Aiden found himself momentarily at a loss for words. Though he understood this was Ewan¡¯s backup n and felt a surge of relief at that, the revtion still caught him off guard.


    He rose to his feet as Athena ced her hand on Ewan¡¯s. Together, they moved to the side of the man who now shook hands with Ewan.


    "You lot took your time..." Ewanmented, turning to gaze at the traitors, who still in the dark.


    "We didn¡¯t want to make any mistakes. You know how meticulous Spider can be." The masked male cited, flipping his gun yfully.


    "What is going on here, Aiden?" Gloria demanded again, her frown deepening as she red at both Aiden and Athena, as if there was a deeper connection between them.


    Athena swallowed hard, hoping she wasn¡¯t the reason for Aiden and Gloria¡¯s estrangement. She knew their divorce had been finalized four years ago.


    Aiden looked at Ewan, subtly urging him to take charge of the exnation, as he was still reeling from the rapid turn of events.


    "Gloria, your cousin is a threat to our government. He¡¯s working with the Scorpions gang to distribute drugs worldwide." Ewan answered somberly.


    A heavy silence filled the room, then Cecil and Lincoln erupted intoughter at Ewan¡¯s rming statement.


    Ewan, however, didn¡¯t have time for their mockery; his head was beginning to throb painfully.


    He turned to the leader of the operation calmly. "Take them away. You will meet the CIA operations team at the Knof junction. Make the exchange. Don¡¯t worry; they won¡¯t ask questions. They¡¯ll think Aiden sent you. Am I clear?"


    The masked leader nodded, and his men sprang into action.


    The mercenaries weren¡¯t ready to surrender without a fight though, but before they could reach for their guns, Athena shot Kovan in the hand¡ªhe was closer¡ªwhile Aiden took out another.


    "Just making the work easier..." She muttered under her breath when Ewan nudged her shoulder.


    "You..." Kovan snarled as he turned his gaze toward Athena. "I remember you now..." His face contorted in anguish as another male cuffed his injured hands. "You killed my brother."


    Athena shrugged, unapologetic. "No hard feelings. It¡¯s part of the job."


    Kovan roared in rage, but before he could form another outburst, the man behind him knocked him out cold, dragging his limp body from the room as Cecil and Lincoln were simrly cuffed and escorted toward the door.


    "You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing, Aiden... you got this wrong..." Cecil protested, a desperate edge to his voice.


    "I wish I did," Aiden replied, but his focus remained fixed on Gloria, who was ring daggers at him.


    "Where¡¯s the proof?" She challenged.


    "It¡¯s confidential," He answered, closing his eyes momentarily as she hissed in frustration and strode toward the stairs.


    "You could have just shown her the document..." Athena muttered, watching Gloria fuming as she ascended.


    "She¡¯s not part of the operation, Athena," Aiden stated, eyes not leaving his ex wife until thetterpletely disappeared from view.


    "So, what¡¯s next, people?" Ewan interjected, eager to break the heavy, mncholic atmosphere. They had just secured a victory, after all.


    In response, Athena jabbed his shoulder, a smile tugging at her lips. "When are you going to start involving us in your backup ns?" She asked, air-quoting ¡¯backup¡¯ with a teasing flourish, her anger thoroughly dissipated.

 Chapter 293: Secret Operations V

    <h4>Chapter 293: Secret Operations V</h4>


    "With the number of times you¡¯ve saved us, Ewan, we should give you a Medal of Honor... maybe even an award..." Aiden joked as they boarded the aircraft that would take them to their next destination.


    The mood was light, and Ewan chuckled in response, an eyebrow quirking up in curiosity as Aiden subtly gestured with a nod for him to take the seat next to Athena.


    A brother¡¯s code?


    Ewan found it interesting. He never thought he would see the day when Aiden would look out for him like this.


    With a gracious nod toward Aiden, Ewan took the seat beside Athena, who pretended not to notice the silent exchange.


    The realization hit her like a gentle wave: Aiden had somehow managed to score Ewan good points. And she was beginning to understand why Ewan had seemed so irritated during their flight earlier.


    Was he that eager to sit close to her?


    Disposing of that thought, she forced herself to focus; friendship was all she could allow between herself and Ewan.


    "As a matter of fact..." Aiden continued, filling the silence as the aircraft began preparations for takeoff. "I owe you some nice drinks, Ewan, for saving me from a heart attack... To be honest, I was so flustered seeing the capacity of mercenaries in there that I almost gave up on the mission, opting instead to make small talk and live to fight another day..."


    Athena and Ewan joined in Aiden¡¯sughter, fully understanding where he wasing from.


    "But really, Ewan, thank you. Don¡¯t mind Athena¡¯s anger; I¡¯m sure she is grateful."


    "I¡¯m not angry..." Athena interjected softly, casting Aiden a re. "I just wish he would involve us in these backup ns of his. The surprises are enough to trigger high blood pressure! Who knows what he¡¯s got in store for us? Wait a minute..."


    She paused, turning to Ewan, who was already staring at her unabashedly.


    She swallowed before she could help it, feeling a rush of heat bloom on her cheeks. What was wrong with this man?! "What...are your ns for us over there..."


    She nced away from his piercing gaze, which felt as if he were reading her very thoughts. "I¡¯m sure you have a backup n too..."


    Ewan shrugged, a yful smile ying on his lips. He had noticed the faint blush tinting Athena¡¯s cheeks before she turned away, and it pleased him more than he cared to admit that she wasn¡¯t as impervious to his presence as she always pretended to be.


    "Just the same as before. If things don¡¯t go as nned, we have an extra team waiting."


    Just then, Athena¡¯s phone lit up with a text message. Her brow furrowed as she read it twice.


    "What is it?" Aiden asked, epting the drink the single flight attendant had ced before them, his other hand holding a ss cup.


    "Is it from the CIA colleagues?" Ewan interjected, stretching his hand toward Aiden for a drink as well. He could use something to soothe his head¡ªthe wine might help.


    "Yes." Athena finally answered, her voice steadying. "They have sessfully arrived at the ck site. I think we can say that the first phase of the mission isplete."


    "Will they be able to retrieve Alvarez and the others soon?" Ewan asked, gratefully epting the ss of wine from Aiden with a nod of appreciation.


    "They won¡¯t need to. Only Eric was avable at our previous location, along with ten of his trusted officials. Shawn is waiting for us at our next stop. I hope he hasn¡¯t burst a vein from impatience." She muttered thest sentence under her breath, but it was just loud enough for Ewan¡¯s sharp hearing to catch, eliciting a light chuckle from him.


    "Okay then. That¡¯s better." Aiden rxed further into his seat, taking another sip of his wine, mentally preparing for what would surely be another emotionally taxing mission. Alvarez was an old friend of his and Gloria¡¯s, and at this stage, his ex-wife might think he was bent on harming her rtionships with people that mattered.


    "Are you not going to pour me some wine, Aiden? Is it only Ewan who deserves that kind of attention?" Athena teased, her tone a strange mix of annoyance and yful challenge.


    Ewan chuckled, and Aiden, surrendering with a grin, raised his left hand in mock defense. "Pardon me, Le Princess..."


    As he spoke, he deftly set down his wine on the tform between them and began pouring wine into another goblet with exaggerated flourish.


    Athena couldn¡¯t suppress theugh that escaped her lips, especially when he presented the ss to her with the same theatrical ir.


    It urred to her how fortunate she was to have let go of her anger¡ªif she hadn¡¯t, she would have missed out on this light-hearted moment. Aiden was a good friend, despite his asionally frustrating antics.


    epting the goblet as a princess would, she earned another chuckle from Ewan, a sound that sent pleasant warmth trickling down her spine.


    "So, tell me, Ewan... those men... who are they? Which agency do they work for?" Athena started, her tongue loosening under the influence of the strong wine.


    Ewan, who had just lifted his goblet for another sip, paused, letting it hover near his lips. He pursed them thoughtfully before finally bringing the goblet down. "They¡¯re part of my security team..."


    "They don¡¯t look like your security team," Aiden and Athena remarked simultaneously, exchanging knowing smiles.


    Ewan sighed, dropping the goblet onto the tform. "Honestly, they are. You just don¡¯t know them yet."


    Athena and Aiden shared another nce filled with curiosity.


    "So, your security has levels?" Athena queried, taking another sip of wine.


    Ewan nodded, picking up the goblet again, his heartbeat calming back to normal.


    "That¡¯s cool. Does Zane have the same setup?" Athena inquired, genuine curiosity piquing her interest.


    Ewan nodded again. "Yeah."


    "Wow, you should introduce me to where you recruit them then..."


    Aidenughed. "You already have the Nimbus operation, Athena,"


    Athena shrugged. "Yeah, right. Still..."


    "It¡¯s cool to have security agents who prefer to stay hidden and undetected," Aiden concluded, still chuckling. "I bet our agents are like that; you¡¯ve just seen them all considering your position."


    Athena tsked lightly, turning her attention back to Ewan, who was savoring his wine. "Do you think Old Mr. Thorne would have something like that?"


    Ewan paused, contemting whether Athena¡¯s current fixation was a good idea. "I think you should ask the old man yourself. I¡¯m sure he¡¯d be pleased to let you know the answer."

 Chapter 294: Secret Operations VI

    <h4>Chapter 294: Secret Operations VI</h4>


    "We are all ready?" Athena asked as they confidently entered the Hidden Spoon; a rundown restaurant that Spider had imed and thus, had convinced Ewan, was merely a front for operations that ran out of sight.


    Still Ewangged slightly behind Athena, taking in the peeling paint of the restaurant, the disordered patrons, and dim lighting while he watched her interact with a waitress who was eyeing them from head to toe.


    He struggled to mask the admiration and respect that flooded his features for his wife. He didn¡¯t want her getting ufortable.


    Since he had be her partner, she seemed to think he was the admirable one; however, in his heart, he knew it was she who truly deserved the credit.


    Managing secret missions while keeping her businesses running smoothly, all while taking care of the kids, was nothing short of remarkable. She was a force of nature, and he couldn¡¯t wait for the day he could tell her that openly, without fearing her dismissive smile or subtle wave off of his words.


    And, he couldn¡¯t help but acknowledge, albeit grudgingly, that she might not have transformed into this strong woman if she had stayed with him.


    As his daughter had pointed out, more than a week ago, he had been foolish¡ªso foolish and full of himself. He hoped he wasn¡¯t that way anymore.


    "Where are we heading to?" He whispered to Aiden as they moved quickly through a dusty passageway that desperately needed a good cleaning. The walls here were more grimy and in dire need of a fresh coat of paint.


    Couldn¡¯t the Nimbus organization take care of it? They didn¡¯t have to jeopardize their cover really. Just a little paint and scrubbing...will do.


    "To the headquarters. I thought that was made clear on the ne," Aiden answered, a smirk tugging at his lips, well aware that his cryptic response hadn¡¯t answered Ewan¡¯s true inquiry.


    Unfortunately for Aiden¡¯s teasing, Ewan quickly deduced his intent. He fell silent, patiently waiting for the moment of revtion.


    They followed Athena into a room that looked like a storage area, navigating through stacks of boxes until they reached a long metal box.


    "Don¡¯t tell me that¡¯s the elevator..." Ewan mused, casting a sideways nce at Aiden.


    Athenaughed, turning to meet his gaze. "Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re afraid."


    "Can that even hold our weight? It looks like it could copse at any moment. Is there no other entrance?" Ewan protested, ncing skeptically at the contraption.


    Aiden snorted and yfully jabbed Ewan on the shoulder. "Quit whining and get into the elevator. We don¡¯t have much time. In case you¡¯ve forgotten, you still have apany to return to."


    Ewan scoffed. "Sandro can handle everything perfectly in my absence. Now, answer my question." He halted, folding his arms across his chest.


    Athena grinned at his defiance. "Do you want to take the stairs? I think it¡¯ll be safer for you..."


    Ewan frowned in distaste. If the restaurant looked this filthy, how ghastly must the stairs be, which likely hadn¡¯t seen foot traffic in ages? No, he decided, he would pass on that.


    "Is there truly no other entrance? Surely, there must be another way for agents toe in. They can¡¯t being up from here¡ªthat would raise rms with the restaurant patrons."


    Athena nodded, acknowledging his point. "There is actually, but this one is preferable, especially since we want to catch Alvarez off guard. There are less agents stationed as watchdogs around this side."


    Ewan inhaled softly, recognizing the wisdom in her reasoning. "Let¡¯s go then." He stepped into the elevator first, arms still crossed over his chest, bracing himself for the ride.


    As the elevator dropped down and opened at its destination, Ewan rushed out first, exhaling heavily and inhaling deeply.


    If he thought his phobia of enclosed spaces was bad in modern elevators, this one was far worse.


    He had actually moved closer to Athena, hoping her presence would calm his nerves as it had in the past, but when she red at him then, questioning his intentions, he had quickly stepped back, choosing to face his fear alone.


    Just then, he felt her hand start to massage the center of his back gently¡ªa soothing touch that began to ease his tension.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I forgot you were ustrophobic," She whispered, standing beside him, her fingers working their magic.


    Yet, as much as he relished her touch, he knew he couldn¡¯t allow that feeling to linger, especially since his little man was getting ready to be quenched of thirst.


    So, he thanked her and moved away, trying to regain hisposure. "I¡¯m fine now," He stated firmly, meeting her curious gaze.


    Before Athena could respond, Rick appeared, breaking the moment. "Finally, you guys are here. Everything is ready," He whispered as he stepped closer, his expression shifting from tight-lipped seriousness to something resembling hope.


    After their meeting the night before with the other founders of the Nimbus operation, Athena had reached out to Rick about the recent developments in the organization and his role in the day¡¯s events.


    "Everyone is ready?" Athena asked, shaking Rick¡¯s outstretched hand.


    "Yes, everyone except those on the list," He replied, his unease palpable.


    "Good then. Still, double-check that everyone is in position. I need to pay a visit to Alvarez. He¡¯s in his office, right?"


    Rick nodded, his handsome features remaining tense.


    Aiden patted Rick¡¯s shoulder gently¡ªa gesture of camaraderie¡ªbefore following Athena and Ewan, both moving quickly to avoid any more questions from Rick¡¯s inquisitive gaze.


    When they entered Alvarez¡¯s office, he was on the phone. Seeing the serious expressions on their faces, he furrowed his brow.


    "I¡¯ll call you backter, sir..." He said, ending the call abruptly. "Shouldn¡¯t you both knock before barging in?" He asked, sizing up Ewan with a frown. "And what is Gietti doing here?"


    He scanned Ewan from head to toe, still not indicating for them to sit. "You should know better, Athena. Civilians aren¡¯t allowed here. If he wants to join us, there are procedures for these things..."


    "That¡¯s enough, Alvarez. I¡¯m tired of hearing your voice," Athena cut in, taking a seat in one of the chairs as if iming a territory.


    Alvarez¡¯s mouth hung open slightly, discounting the potential cooling breezes of the room. How dare she speak to him like that, especially in front of Ewan Gietti? Was she trying to prove a point? Well, he wouldn¡¯t let her!


    "Did you forget who you¡¯re speaking to, Athena? I can see the fame is getting to your head." He paused then, turning his attention to Aiden. "Aiden, can¡¯t you put her in her ce? What good are you, then?"


    Aiden shot Alvarez a sharp look, and the leader couldn¡¯t help but notice that his old friends seemed different, as if they had awakened on the wrong side of the bed.


    He watched in displeasure as Aiden gestured for Ewan to take the seat next to Athena, choosing to remain standing.


    Alvarezughed, unable to tolerate the thick silence any longer momentster. "I understand that you two hold significant power to my position here, but I¡¯m still in charge, and these agents listen to me."


    He tapped the inte. "Send in the best agents. There are some people who need to be vacated from the premises!"


    Despite his authoritative gesture, Alvarez¡¯s unease did not dissipate, especially as the trio remainedposed, their expressions unchanged, as though they were far above him.


    Were they here to unseat him?


    No! That wasn¡¯t possible. If they did, he wouldn¡¯t be of any use to the Boss.


    Momentster, agents streamed into the office¡ªmore than he had anticipated¡ªand to his surprise, they did not approach the trio standing before him. Instead, they positioned themselves purposefully around him.


    "What are you lot doing? Take them away!!" He screamed as panic surged through him when they stood still.


    His anxiety peaked most when they ignored hismand. He quickly turned to Rick, who had just entered the office. "What¡¯s this, Rick? nning a coup?"


    Rick chuckled lightly, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Direct your questions to Athena... traitor."


    Alvarez swallowed hard, instincts kicking in as he reached for his phone.


    "Don¡¯t bother," Athena warned, correctly anticipating his desire. "Cecil and Lincoln are already cooling their heels in the ck cells."


    Alvarez¡¯s color drained from his face at her words. Hand trembling, he set the phone down and sped his hands together to steady himself. "What¡¯s going on?"


    "I think you already know, Alvarez, judging by how scattered you appear," Athena replied, her demeanor so cool it almost radiated ice.


    "No, I don¡¯t," He stated firmly, attempting to steel himself against pleading guilty. There was no proof. No proof that they had apprehended Cecil and Lincoln, nor any indication that they knew he was colluding with the Scorpions gang.


    "Don¡¯t bother, old man," Ewan spoke for the first time since entering, locking his gaze with Alvarez¡¯s. "Save the cold expression; it¡¯s unnecessary. We already have enough proof."


    He paused, pulling out his phone and pushing it toward Alvarez. "So be a good boy and tell us where Morgan is."

 Chapter 295: Secret Operations VII

    <h4>Chapter 295: Secret Operations VII</h4>


    Cold sweat broke out on Alvarez¡¯s forehead, and he felt it seep through his shirt as nervous vibrations coursed through his body under the intense scrutiny of the people surrounding him.


    It was as if the collective gaze of the world was focused solely on him. His game was up.


    He sped his hands tightly on the table, knuckles pale against the dark surface, while he contemted his next move, ignoring the pool of shame swelling within him with every passing second under the weight of their disappointed looks.


    The detailed report from Ewan lingered in his mind¡ªhe knew that only divine intervention could save him now.


    "I..." He began, but the words fell t, failing him like the hope he once had. Everyone in the Nimbus organization was already aware of his illegal operations.


    He swallowed painfully, his thoughts drifting to Cecil and Lincoln. They were really in the ck cells? The realization struck him hard: he wasn¡¯t far from joining them.


    Did they speak the truth? If they did, he didn¡¯t feel the pressure to confess; if not, he must negotiate his way out, using whatever truths he had, no matter who got hurt in the process. He could not leave his family.


    What would they do if they discovered his betrayal?


    Portia could easily file for divorce! She was as steadfast in her principles as he had once been, a topwyer in town. There was no way she would defend him if this case went public.


    Alvarez shook his head, seeking rity. His best option seemed to be to work with Athena. Perhaps she would be lenient, or he could¡ª


    "Old man, aren¡¯t you going to say something? We don¡¯t have all day..." Ewan¡¯s voice cut through the haze of Alvarez¡¯s thoughts like a knife, his finger tapping rhythmically on the table to emphasize their dwindling time.


    "Okay... sure... Athena, Aiden, I¡¯m sorry..." Alvarez stammered, desperately trying to align his focus with their expectations, his gaze locked on Ewan¡¯s hand as it moved to take away his phone.


    "We¡¯re not here for apologies, Alvarez. We need information," Aiden interrupted brusquely, leaning forward, his anger evident in the clench of his jaws.


    Alvarez felt the painful knot in his stomach twist tighter as he wondered, yet again, how their dirtyundry had been aired to the public and how his involvement had been uncovered. They had covered their tracks so well!


    He nced at Ewan, who was the spark behind his turmoil now. How could this businessman know so much?


    Did the billionaire belong to some secret organization that he wasn¡¯t aware of?


    Ewan Gietti. The man was a stray bullet, a variable he had never seening.


    Ewan¡¯s more forceful tapping on the table brought Alvarez back to the moment.


    "I know. But I¡¯m still sorry."


    "Yes, we heard the first time... Because you¡¯ve been caught. That¡¯s fine. Move on to the next," Athena pointed out dismissively, raising an eyebrow at the sh of irritation that crossed Alvarez¡¯s face.


    Oh, he wasn¡¯t genuine in his remorse at all, but that was eptable. By the time he spent three days in the darkness of the ck cells, he would surely sing a different tune.


    "Sure, I will talk. But I want to make a bargain for my freedom. I¡¯ll tell you everything..."


    Alvarez¡¯s words were drowned out by the boisterousughter of those around him, including the agents.


    How dare theyugh at him? He felt an urge to dismiss those disrespectful agents, but powerless frustration held him fast.


    "Are you serious, Alvarez?" Aiden asked, still chuckling in disbelief. "You¡¯re one of the few who¡¯ve worked with me the longest. Do you honestly think that suggestion of yours will fly?"


    No, Alvarez answered in his mind, knowing Athena wouldn¡¯t entertain it either. The two were cut from the same cloth.


    "Good. Start talking," Aiden instructed, reclining into his chair, an air of authority surrounding him.


    Alvarez¡¯s lips pressed together tightly. They truly intended to treat him like a criminal. Years of friendship meant nothing to them now. Those bastards!


    "I will shove a dirty sock into your mouth, Alvarez, the next time you¡¯re prompted to speak."


    Ewan¡¯s statement nearly elicited augh from Alvarez, but the man¡¯s frigid expression stopped him. Ewan was as cold as Aiden, if not more so.


    How had he ended up here, sharing space with Athena again? Weren¡¯t they divorced? Hadn¡¯t they despised each other?


    "Okay, I¡¯ll talk," Alvarez finally relented, resigning himself to fate. It was either this or torture in the ck cells for information that needed to be extracted. Maybe if he talked now, they would show him some pity.


    "Morgan is in hiding. We¡¯ve lost track of him. Somehow, he¡¯s off the radar. Hisst reported location was around Peluv Street in the next county. If I had to guess, he¡¯s shacked up with a friend or a member of the gang. But I truly don¡¯t know where he is," He confessed, watching as Athena took notes on her phone.


    She nodded slowly, recognizing the truth in his words. "And what about Heronica and Cole?" She continued, steering the questioning further.


    "They¡¯re still in the containment cells."


    Athena exchanged a quick nce with Aiden. "Why didn¡¯t you let them go, considering Morgan is your friend?"


    Alvarez grimaced, disgust twisting his features. "He is not my friend. Just a necessary means to an end. Well, his crew is still here because I was trying to negotiate a deal."


    "And what deal is that?" Aiden pressed, his voice low with intensity.


    Alvarez hesitated, his mind spinning through various potential lies.


    "Don¡¯t bother lying, old boy. It won¡¯t end well for you if you do," Ewan threatened, clearly reading the emotion etched on Alvarez¡¯s face.


    Alvarez let out a long, dejected sigh. "I wanted direct ess to the main Boss. I wanted to know who the powerful man was, so I could rise above Cecil and Lincoln, who were always unting their status and knowledge over me."


    Athena¡¯s expression ignited with rage, her eyes narrowing. "Let me get this straight, Alvarez... you¡¯re in this business for show?"


    "And the money... it¡¯s lucrative. Can¡¯t you see how well-developed the operations are?" Alvarez retorted sharply.


    "Don¡¯t even say what I think you¡¯re about to say," Rick interjected, finally finding his voice, disgust rising in his throat for this once-hero who had now turned into a viin.

 Chapter 296: Secret Operations VIII

    <h4>Chapter 296: Secret Operations VIII</h4>


    "What do you mean, Rick? Haven¡¯t I done things for this organization? Isn¡¯t there a significant change and shift now, both in methods and avable tools, than in thest two years?"


    Alvarez turned to Athena next, desperation dripping from his tone. "Weren¡¯t you impressed when you stepped in here weeks ago and saw the improved state of operations? What else could feasibly run this ce if not money?"


    Athena didn¡¯t bother to respond.


    Whatever Alvarez said today, whatever ploys he attempted, the final decree was that he would be cooling his heels in the ck cells by the end of the day. Nothing was going to change her mind.


    Meanwhile, Rick let out a humorlessugh, a dry chuckle that sent tendrils of fear, snake-like, down Alvarez¡¯s spine.


    "You think I don¡¯t know that our old Boss from the CIA funnels running funds to us every month? Enough money to cover operational costs and then some? You¡¯re just too greedy!"


    The revtion hit Alvarez hard; he paled visibly as both Athena and Aiden, new to this insight, turned to Rick in shock.


    "Boss sends money monthly?" They both asked simultaneously.


    Rick nodded, a faint smile ying on his lips.


    Athena felt a surge of relief that she had reconnected with the Boss, grateful she had chosen to unblock his number. She needed to speak with him again to express her thanks, right after this interrogation.


    "How did you know?" Alvarez¡¯s soft question caught Athena¡¯s attention¡ªand not in a good way. The man was leading them in circles, and with Chelsea set to arrive any minute, her patience was wearing thin.


    As if on cue, Chelsea¡¯s text dinged on Athena¡¯s phone: ¡¯I¡¯ll be touching down at the port in the next five to ten minutes.¡¯


    Athena cursed softly, drawing Ewan¡¯s gaze. He wanted to ask her what the problem was, but she appeared to have everything under control, so he decided to hold his questions.


    The strong-willed independent woman wouldn¡¯t appreciate him fussing over her at every opportunity.


    Meanwhile, Athena¡¯s fingers flew over her phone as she messaged Gianna. ¡¯Gia, hi. Chelsea is here. Please pick her up. I owe you a meal.¡¯


    "He told me to keep an eye on you too...Turns out you were sneakier than I thought," Rick continued, pulling Athena back to the moment.


    So, the boss had suspected Alvarez at one point? She shot him a sidelong nce, feeling a surge of anger towards the man who had caused so much suffering and was now trying to y the victim.


    "So, did Morgan agree to your request?" She pressed, eager to push Alvarez out of her presence.


    "We were still haggling over the price," He muttered, head bowed.


    Athena nodded, then turned to Aiden. "Is there anything you want to ask him?"


    Aiden pursed his lips, scrutinizing Alvarez closely. "How long? How long have you been in league with the devil?"


    "Close to a year," Alvarez mumbled, staring down at the floor, embarrassment washing over him.


    "Please take him away," Athena snapped, unable to hide her disgust as she looked away from him. "You know where to deliver him."


    The agents wasted no time. They quickly grabbed Alvarez, who initially held onto his pride and stayed silent, but when the reality of his impending fate sank in¡ªhis family and status spiraling out of reach¡ªhe dropped to his knees, hands sped in a prayer.


    "Please... mercy... Remember our friendship..."


    Athena tsked, rising to her feet. "You should have thought of that when you decided to dabble in crime." She gestured for the agents to move him away swiftly, their advances drowned out by Alvarez¡¯s desperate echoes of ¡¯please¡¯ and ¡¯mercy.¡¯


    "What are we going to do about Heronica and Cole?" Ewan asked, keeping pace with Athena as they entered another hallway.


    Rick had departed to deal with the other coborators who had participated in betraying the organization and everything it stood for. All aplices were on their way to the ck cells.


    "As we¡¯ve done with the others," Athena replied, stopping at a door.


    Without hesitation, she opened it, pausing when she saw Heronica and Cole sitting on a plush sofa, munching on packs of Doritos. They had clearly been engrossed in a Netflix binge before her entry and were now ring at her in surprise, their eyes wide.


    At least the old fool was smart enough to keep them chained, Athena noted, observing the way their feet were locked to each other.


    "Athena... I thought I wouldn¡¯t see you again. What are you doing here?" Heronica asked, striving to keep calm, especially in light of the deadly look Athena sported, not to mention the two intimidating men nking her.


    Was that Ewan Gietti?


    "What am I doing here?" Athena chuckled dryly, her voice icy. "Just here to put you where you belong. ytime with Alvarez is over. Get up!"


    Heronica and Cole exchanged cautious nces butplied without hesitation, sensing that this was not the best moment to test Athena¡¯s patience. Despite not being armed with an electric shocker, her presence was intense enough tomand obedience.


    "Don¡¯t even think about attempting to escape. You¡¯ll only worsen your punishment," Athena warned as they stepped into the hallway.


    Aiden, no fan of long-winded discussions, pulled out handcuffs he had spotted earlier in the containment room and swiftly secured their wrists.


    No loose ends, he thought, as he pushed them forward roughly. "Walk."


    However, because Heronica and Cole¡¯s legs were linked together, this proved difficult, especially as neither was particrly coordinated. Their struggles drew no sympathy from their captors.


    "Where are we headed? Where are you taking us?" Heronica inquired after a tense silence, eyeing the group of agents waiting ahead to receive them.


    "To the ck cells. You¡¯ll meet your fellow evildoers there," Athena replied sharply.


    Heronica¡¯s face paled, her body suddenly trembling as the horrifying implications sank in. The ck cells?


    "She¡¯s having a panic attack!" Cole shouted, darting manic nces between Heronica and Athena¡¯s imposing group.


    But Athena merely shrugged. "She¡¯ll be fine. She¡¯ll find a coping mechanism surely¡ªunless she has no ns to survive in the ck cells."

 Chapter 297: Friend?

    <h4>Chapter 297: Friend?</h4>


    "She¡¯s better now. Awake even. Agents..." Athena stopped mid-sentence as Heronica suddenly waved her hand, seeking attention.


    With her lips pressed into a tight line and her frown deepening, Athena chose to remain impassive to Heronica¡¯s plight.


    She had maintained her calm when panic had thrown Heronica to the ground, and remained indifferent while Cole had frantically shouted for help, desperately searching for anyone who might take pity on them. But no one hade to their aid.


    Athena had only shown a sliver ofpassion by providing a bottle of cold water, musing to herself that the ck cells likely needed the duo alive for after all.


    Fortunately for the ck cells, Heronica was alive and breathing steadily.


    Was she waving to say thanks? Well, she could express her gratitude from where she was.


    The impatience coiled within Athena¡¯s chest as she watched Cole assist Heronica to her feet.


    "Thanks for your help, Doctor," Heronica said with a quivering voice.


    Athena shrugged nonchntly. "It¡¯s just for the sake of the ck cells. Is that all you wanted?"


    The only reason she entertained this exchange was her need for information; perhaps Heronica knew more than she was willing to admit. Otherwise, Athena would have simply left. Her body still overflowed with disgust for people like Heronica and Cole, who showed aplete disregard for human life.


    "I¡¯m sorry,"


    Ewan hissed from behind Athena, clearly frustrated with Heronica¡¯s meek apology, which seemed more rooted in fear of consequences than genuine remorse.


    "Don¡¯t bother, Heronica. You¡¯re going to spend time in the ck cells. Nothing will change that," Athena replied sharply, noting the tears that filled Heronica¡¯s eyes as she fell to her knees, pleading, ignoring Cole entirely.


    "Please... I can¡¯t spend time there... I¡¯ve heard it¡¯s the worst ce on earth..."


    "And don¡¯t you think you deserve that, given the number of unnecessary deaths on your hands?" Athena fought to suppress the urge to lessen Heronica¡¯s sentence, recalling the fact that the girl was just the same age as Susan¡ªtwenty-one, young, and careless.


    Yet thetter needed to learn a lesson about consequences. So, Athena gestured to the agents toe and pick Heronica up.


    "Athena, please..." Heronica¡¯s voice broke through, but Athena remembered all too well when they had first captured her.


    Heronica had vowed that the entire male poption of the gang would sleep with her, while sinking iron nails into her thighs at that moment.


    Athena shook her head. The fact that thedy was only twenty-one didn¡¯t change her actions or the cruelty she¡¯d disyed. She needed the ck cells.


    "You know what to do..." Athenamanded, turning away while shutting her heart against Heronica¡¯s cries as she was led away from the passageway.


    "You don¡¯t have to feel bad, Athena. You did the right thing," Ewan said, trying to offerfort.


    "I know," Athena replied, appreciating his sentiment but unable to shake the nagging doubt. "It¡¯s just that she¡¯s young, and I can¡¯t help but wonder what brought her to this life¡ªabandonment? A dysfunctional family?"


    Ewan ced gentle hands on Athena¡¯s shoulders, his eyes softening as they met hers. "Maybe all of that. But she has to understand that her actions have consequences for the first time in her life. You can always help herter. But not anytime soon," He added thest sentence after a significant pause.


    Athena nodded, looking up at him, searching his captivating eyes for understanding. "Yeah, not anytime soon. Thanks, Ewan."


    Ewan smiled, nearly blinding Athena with the warmth of his expression as his hands fell from her shoulders. "You¡¯re wee, anytime, friend..."


    Athena chuckled softly, tilting her head to the side. "Friend?"


    Behind them, Aiden shook his head in amused exasperation and discreetly slipped away, not wanting to intrude on their conversation.


    "You think we are friends?" Athena continued, her teasing toneced with genuine curiosity, not entirely unaware of Aiden¡¯s departure. She found it amusing, and Ewan¡¯s smile indicated that he did, too, as he watched Aiden¡¯s retreating figure.


    "I think we should be friends. For the sake of the kids, at least. And for our work together. Don¡¯t you think so?"


    As her expression shifted to seriousness, she contemted the reality of their situation.


    Ewan had hurt her deeply; he had obliterated her trust and love for him six years ago. Though recent revtions painted him in a more favorable light and showed that he wasn¡¯t wholly responsible for the past, it didn¡¯t mean he was entirely innocent. Still, he was trying to change.


    Athena recalled Florence¡¯s advice about letting go and embracing forgiveness. So far, it has been working well. She hoped she wouldn¡¯t regret it now.


    Hence, she stretched out her hand, smiling brightly when Ewan met her gesture, his relief evident in his eyes.


    "Yes, let¡¯s be friends. Good friends."


    It was a necessary step for the kids at least.


    Ewan felt on top of the world, even though thest thing he wanted with Athena was merely friendship. But he could wait. He was a patient man.


    Just then, a dull pain red in his head, and he couldn¡¯t shake the thought that this matter could have waited until he was home.


    He sighed, staggering on his feet, his vision blurring,pletely aware of Athena¡¯s panicked touches on his skin.


    "Ewan, are you okay?" kept echoing in his ears, before the world around him faded away, and he copsed to the floor like a ragdoll.


    "Aiden!" He heard her scream for Aiden as everything slipped into darkness.


    Meanwhile, back in the city, Gianna was struggling with her car, frustration boiling within her as she hit the steering wheel when it refused to start.


    "What¡¯s this nonsense?" She muttered angrily, grabbing her phone to call Jake¡ªbut the call went straight to voicemail.


    Exhaling heavily, she leaned against the seat, eyes closed. She needed to pick Chelsea up. And she couldn¡¯t call a cab, not until Morgan was dealt with ordingly.


    Running through her list of close friends, she realized they were all busy¡ªshe had been given permission by the boss, only because she was an outstanding jeweler.


    Then Sandro and Zane crossed her mind.


    She shook her head. Zane wouldn¡¯t even pick up her calls, and Sandro was still at odds with Chelsea.


    The memory of that vtile confrontation during the Thorne¡¯s party reyed vividly in her mind.


    What should she do? She steeled herself, preparing to make a choice.


    She first dialed Zane¡¯s number; surprisingly, he hadn¡¯t blocked her number, though, predictably, he didn¡¯t answer.


    Then she called Sandro.

 Chapter 298: Not Superman!

    <h4>Chapter 298: Not Superman!</h4>


    "When was thest time you took your medication?" Athena¡¯s voice crackled with barely contained anger as she questioned Ewan, who had just regained consciousness.


    Ewan hesitated, taking a moment to assess his body and surroundings. A crease formed on his forehead as he realized he was in an unfamiliar ce, the dim light casting shadows around him.


    His gaze darted left, eyes widening as he spotted an array of machines and tools. Had Athena brought him to aboratory? For what purpose? Where was this ce? It didn¡¯t seem to be above the ground, considering the earthy smell he was perceiving.


    "Where is this ce?" He managed, the anxiety creeping into his tone.


    "My personalboratory. Now answer my question, Ewan!" Athena snapped, impatience ring within her.


    Ewan pursed his lips, trying to suppress a smile that threatened to surface as realization dawned on him. He was in Athena¡¯s secretboratory!


    He recalled reading reports from Spider about the government and foreign nations trying to uncover its location, only to draw a nk every time. How had Athena managed to keep this ce off the radar?


    The nature of the chemicals and substances she worked with should have made it too hot to hide. The enormity of what she was entrusting him with filled him with gratitude so potent he felt teary.


    "Why does your face look like that? Do you want to cry?" Aiden¡¯s voice broke through Ewan¡¯s thoughts, pulling him back to the moment.


    Of course, Aiden would know this location.


    "Are you that happy to be here?" Aidenughed, ncing at Athena. "Athena, you¡¯ve made the man speechless."


    But Athena was in no mood for humor. She gave Ewan a light smack on the thigh. "Get up!"


    Without hesitation, Ewanplied, sensing that Athena was in a foul mood. "I¡¯m so¡ª"


    "Don¡¯t even finish that stupid statement!" She cut him off, giving him a hard knock on the head. "I¡¯ve told you to stop ying with your health!"


    Ewan remained meekly quiet, though internally he mused about the logic of her hitting him while he was already in a fragile state. Wouldn¡¯t that only aggravate the situation?


    "What¡¯s wrong with you? One minute, you want to be friends¡ªthen you¡¯re slumping into unconsciousness! Do you want to die? What about the children?" Athena¡¯s voice rose,ced with concern and anger at the same time.


    Ewan shot Aiden a re as thetter struggled to suppressughter, covering his mouth to avoid Athena¡¯s wrath.


    Aiden¡¯s breath caught however, when Athena cussed, shot a frustrated nce toward him, and then stormed out of theboratory.


    "Man!" Aiden pped Ewan on the back,ughing boisterously. "You¡¯ve barely begun your friendship with Athena, and you¡¯re already making her veins bulge! Are you sure you¡¯ll survive at this rate? Friendship with her isn¡¯t always easy; she can fuss like a mother hen."


    Ewan sighed, shifting on the bed forfort and leaning back against the metallic headboard. "I think I can manage." A soft smile crept onto his lips.


    "You... wicked man..." Aiden teased, pointing yfully at Ewan¡¯s grin. "But you¡¯ve been chipping away at her walls little by littletely. At least you¡¯re out of the enemy zone now. The friend zone is something, yeah..."


    "Yeah," Ewan muttered, his smile fading as he considered the implications.


    "Or are you expecting something more?" Aiden took a seat on the high stool next to the bed, gaze contemtive.


    "Is it bad if I want more?"


    When Ewan received no immediate answer, he turned to Aiden. "What? Is that a bad aspiration?"


    Aiden shrugged. "I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re stupid or just courageous. You really think you have a chance at snagging her heart more than Antonio?"


    Ewan¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line as he considered Antonio¡¯s presence in Athena¡¯s life. He sighed and turned his gaze to the ceiling, deliberating on his inescapable reality. "So, there¡¯s no chance at all."


    "No," Aiden replied without hesitation. "You should be grateful she chose to overlook your past mistakes and forgive you. I think that¡¯s enough."


    Ewan nodded slowly, even as he grappled with a lingering sense of longing. How could he live without the taste of her lips again, without touching her intimately again? The thought made his hands twitch with restless desire.


    "Ewan..." Aiden spoke, sping a hand on his shoulder. "Sometimes love means letting go. Trust me, I know from experience."


    Ewan looked at Aiden, shifting slightly. "You let your wife go?"


    Aiden shrugged his shoulders. "It was the best decision at the time."


    "Best for you or for her?" Ewan inquired, with a raised eyebrow.


    Aiden frowned, taken aback, not expecting such a thought-provoking question. "What do you mean?"


    Ewan raised his hands in defense. "I¡¯m just asking. Don¡¯t take it personally. She doesn¡¯t look happy. She can¡¯t even bear to look at you. If letting go was a mutual feeling, why is there such a tension? Something¡¯s off..."


    "A rtionship therapist now?" Aiden asked, the gruffness in his tone making Ewan almostugh.


    Before he could respond, Aiden huffed, stood up, and walked out of the room. Ewan was left gobsmacked. What the hell just happened?


    Just then, Athena stepped back in, ncing between him and the now-closed door. "What happened? What went up his ass?"


    "Well, I mentioned his ex-wife..."


    Athena furrowed her brows, confusion crossing her features as she considered why that name hade to light. But rather than probe further, she red at Ewan, who shifted ufortably under her scrutiny.


    "You have the nerve to gossip about someone when you haven¡¯t even taken care of yourself. Come to think of it, you never answered my question..."


    "The drugs ran out." Ewan cut in, giving a deep sigh.


    "And why didn¡¯t you tell me?" Athena pressed while mentally calcting. Anxiety washed over her when she realized the drugs should have run out around two days ago. She had been too involved in the case that she had forgotten to send him a refill.


    "A lot was going on... didn¡¯t want to set us back..."


    "You would have set us back even more if you had died on the mission, Ewan! You need to stop ying with your health. You¡¯re not Superman!"

 Chapter 299: A Pick-Up

    <h4>Chapter 299: A Pick-Up</h4>


    "Gianna!!"


    Gianna¡¯s eyes lit up at the sight of her friend.


    She beamed, her smile wide as she waved her hands vigorously, excitement bubbling within her. She walked briskly, the polished tiles of the terminal shining under the bright evening light, as she approached Chelsea.


    The tall, striking figure of Chelsea stood near a busy arrival area, her oversized sunsses perched atop her nose, reflecting the vibrant atmosphere around them.


    As Gianna drew closer, herughter erupted as she took in Chelsea¡¯s ensemble¡ªa ridiculous gray pair of pants that seemed to be two sizes too big paired with a ck oversized sweatshirt that sported a quirky portrait of Michael Jackson.


    The portrait was more cartoonish than realistic, furtherplemented by a pair of sleek headphones draped around her neck like an essory fresh off a runway.


    Next to her sat a vibrant, cartoonish backpack adorned with stickers, as well as a trusty trolley that looked like it had traveled more than a few adventures with Chelsea. She looked less like a sophisticated traveler and more like an overzealous fan pulling together an eclectic look for a concert.


    "Don¡¯t you think you went a bit overboard with this disguise?" Gianna teased, a giggle escaping her lips as she embraced Chelsea.


    The two rocked side to side as if they were teenagers enjoying a long-awaited reunion.


    "Well, I¡¯m not with the fierce Areso, and I don¡¯t have any bodyguards hanging around me... and honestly, I just want to go home and rest... Not in the mood for some fans fanning...Where¡¯s Athena? I thought she¡¯d being with you..." Chelsea inquired, her sharp eyes darting around the terminal, searching for any sign of Athena amidst the throng of travelers rushing to their own destinations.


    "She¡¯s busy with some stubborn patients... you know how her work is..." Gianna replied, giving a slight shrug while she grabbed the handle of her trolley and the bag.


    "Hey! I can carry that!" Chelsea protested with a yful pout, her finger pointing at the backpack, but Gianna quickly shifted away from her grasp, shaking her head in light-hearted defiance.


    "I can see the tired lines around your face... just rest up, will you? I¡¯m notining about carrying your stuff. The car is just over there." Gianna insisted, gesturing toward a sleek ck vehicle parked in a more exclusive section of the terminal parking lot.


    The car gleamed under the sun, its polished exterior reflecting the hustle and bustle around it.


    Chelsea¡¯s expression changed, her curiosity piqued. "A new car?" She asked, momentarily forgetting any silly grievances against Athena.


    Gianna bit her lip, shaking her head as she felt a rush of nerves. "I borrowed it from a friend. Mine has some issues,"


    Chelsea¡¯s face twisted into a yful smirk. "Wow, you can drive it?"


    Gianna let out a nervousugh that didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Chelsea. "Nope. My friend will be driving us today."


    As they walked side by side toward the car, a flurry of curiosity stirred within Chelsea. Who was this friend? What kind of person made Gianna so nervous?


    Had Gianna finally entered a romantic rtionship without alerting the group?


    "Finally! I was beginning to think you went on the ne just to get her..."


    Chelsea¡¯s musings were abruptly halted when she halted immediately, her ears catching a booming, familiar voice drifting through the air as Gianna opened the door to the back seat and dumped her backpack onto the far edge of the seat.


    The unmistakable voice resonated with her as if it were an echo from a distant nightmare.


    Could it be? No. She shook her head vigorously, refusing to entertain the possibility. Gianna wouldn¡¯t do this to her; she knew how much Chelsea detested even hearing the name of the male who had wreaked havoc in her life without so much as an apology.


    She had never shared the specifics of that fateful night with her friends, and she certainly didn¡¯t intend to start now. The memories were too raw, the pain too fresh.


    Trying to calm her fraying nerves, Chelsea inhaled deeply, steeling herself. She observed as Gianna left the door ajar and strolled to the back of the car to stow away the trolley.


    Shouldn¡¯t the boyfriend have helped her friend instead of leaving her to struggle?


    Frustrated yet determined, Chelsea slid into the car, ready to confront the driver and give him a piece of her mind.


    However, the moment she settled into the back seat and raised her head to confront him, the words dried up in her throat.


    The man seated in the driver¡¯s seat was the spitting image of her past tormentor, a doppelg?nger that made her heart race in fear and anger all at once.


    What?! How could two people look so much alike?


    She took in the sight of the man¡ªdark sunsses shielding his eyes, a heavy ck coat enveloping him despite the balmy weather, and an array of rings adorning his fingers as they gripped the steering wheel with unyielding tension.


    No. Not Sandro.


    Worse, tattoos curled around his broad fingers. Sandro never had a tattoo.


    But she couldn¡¯t deny that the ck hat perched atop the male¡¯s head added to the intimidating aura he exuded.


    A gangster?


    Was Gianna nervous to make introductions because this guy was somehow connected to the underworld?


    Chelsea snorted softly to herself in disbelief. Surely Gianna should know better; she wasn¡¯t nearly as judgmental as Athena could be.


    "So, why didn¡¯t you help your girlfriend with the luggage? What are you doing just sitting there? Let me tell you¡ª I won¡¯t have just anyone treating my girl less than she deserves. Do you hear what I said?" She barked finally, summoning more courage than she felt.


    Silence met her audacious promation, creating a thick tension that hung in the air.


    Chelsea furrowed her brows, bewildered as she held the driver¡¯s piercing gaze through the mirror. Even with those sunsses obscuring his eyes, the intensity of his scrutiny felt palpable, almost suffocating.


    Why was he staring at her like that? They were just meeting for the first time!


    Had she unknowingly interrupted some intimate moment between him and Gianna? Was this man a temte of an abusive boyfriend?


    "Chelsea, move your butt..."


    Gianna¡¯s voice cut through the thick tension like a knife. She quickly squeezed into the car, shutting the door with an air of urgency.


    "I was trying to strike up a conversation with your boyfriend here, but he seems unable to speak. Is he a shy person?" Chelsea said, shooting a nce at Gianna, who looked both amused and exasperated at the same time.


    "What did you just say?" Gianna¡¯s voice held a note of incredulity and disbelief.


    Chelsea shrugged, a yful grin forming. "You were disying some major nerves, and I figured it was because you were anxious about introducing your boyfriend to me. But why would that be? I don¡¯t care if he¡¯s a gangster, and I¡¯m definitely not Athena, who would..."


    "Stop it!" Gianna shrieked withughter, ncing between the driver and Chelsea. "That¡¯s the most ludicrous thing I¡¯ve ever heard! You know my principle¡ªI don¡¯t date colleagues."


    "Colleague?" Chelsea echoed, turning her gaze back to the man driving. He had just started the car, seemingly eager to leave the awkwardness behind him.


    "Yeah, I know he looks like a gangster, but Darius is a good jeweler, trust me," Gianna replied, a forced smile stered on her face even as her cheeks ached from the effort of lying.


    She stole a sideways nce at Sandro, hoping he wasn¡¯t enduring too much difort from this charade. She could see the tension in his grip on the wheel and sensed that time spent in this arrangement was wearing thin for him, especially with Chelsea chattering like there was no tomorrow.


    "Gianna, are you even listening to me? It seems like your mind is elsewhere..."


    "You really can¡¯t deal with not being the centre of attention, can you?"


    Both Chelsea and Gianna were taken aback by the driver¡¯s unexpectedment. Their jaws dropped, shock fleeting over their faces like a summer storm.


    "What did you just say?" Chelsea finally managed to croak out, frustration and confusion bubbling within her.


    "Deal with it," Sandro replied bluntly, his tone cool and unwavering.


    Chelsea narrowed her eyes, feeling annoyance rise within her. There was a strange undercurrent in the atmosphere¡ªsomething resembling hostility emanating from him.


    She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Darius and Sandro were somehow rted, despite the fact that Sandro had never mentioned any living rtives apart from his mother.


    Turning to Gianna, her frustration tangible, Chelsea pressed on, "What¡¯s the deal with your friend?"


    Gianna hesitated, lost for words as uncertainty flickered across her face. "I..." She sighed, a hand finding her forehead in exasperation. Couldn¡¯t he have waited for a few more minutes?


    "Darius, one more word, and I¡¯ll make sure HR finds out about your recent escapades," Gianna said with a pointed re.


    Chelsea didn¡¯t know what "escapades" referred to, nor did it matter to her in that moment. However, she noticed how Darius¡¯ tense shoulders visibly rxed.


    "Do you have any idea why he hates me?" Chelsea inquired, ncing back at Gianna, hoping for some rification.


    Gianna shook her head vigorously, perhaps too quickly for Chelsea¡¯sfort.


    Sensing that fatigue was beginning to catch up with her, Chelsea gave up. She reclined into the seat, while trying to find afortable position as she let her eyes flutter shut for a brief rest.


    Meanwhile, back at theb, Athena was struggling to suppress herughter as she scrolled through Gianna¡¯s text on her phone.


    Sandro had been the one to pick up Chelsea, and the added twist¡ªhim disguising himself¡ªwas simply too good to pass up. Athena couldn¡¯t contain her mirth when Gianna sent her a picture showcasing Sandro¡¯s ludicrous outfit.


    "What are youughing at?" Ewan¡¯s gruff voice echoed through theb, drawing Athena¡¯s attention. Who was capturing her attention this way?


    Without hesitation, Athena showed him the phone.


    "Is that Sandro?"


    "The one and only," She said, her mirth subsiding when Aiden stepped into the room.


    "Where have you been, old man?" Athena inquired, aware of Ewan chuckling next to her as he viewed the image.


    "Just taking care of a few things. I got a call from Colt. It seems they¡¯ve located the mole. I¡¯ll need to check it out now," Aiden exined briskly. "So, see you..."


    "Tomorrow," Athena finished for him, her expression serious yet hopeful. "We¡¯ll meet to tackle Morgan once and for all. Until then, take care."


    "Right," Aiden nodded at Ewan before making his exit, his footsteps echoing as he left the room.


    "Is he really that sensitive about his ex-wife?"

 Chapter 300: More Apologies

    <h4>Chapter 300: More Apologies</h4>


    Athena turned to Ewan at his question, a furrow marring her forehead when she noticed that he was still snickering over the picture.


    "You seem more concerned about Sandro¡¯s funny pictures than Aiden¡¯s marriage. So why do you even ask?"


    Ewan lifted his head from the device, confusion clouding his face. What did he do wrong now? Had he asked the wrong question?


    He wetted his lips, more confused at why she was ring at him hotly.


    ¡¯What did you do, Ewan? Think! Think!¡¯ Hemanded his mind, keeping the phone gently on his thighs.


    "Athena..." He called, but she hissed and walked out of the room.


    Ewan couldn¡¯t believe what was happening. Was he not permitted to talk about Aiden?


    Being someone who easily got restless when there were no answers lying around, he grasped the phone tightly in his hand, removed the drip that had been put in his arm¡ªit was almost done after all¡ªand stepped down from the tiny bed.


    Looking around theb once more, marveling at the structure, which he could see was built to keep the signatures of the materials off the radar, he left theb into the adjoining room.


    He paused in his movements suddenly, when he saw Athena hunched on the sofa, her hands sped together.


    As if sensing his presence, she clicked her tongue. "To an extent, I can understand Aiden¡¯s sensitivity to his marriage, to his wife, because for a long time, whenever your name was mentioned, I reacted the same way. Until I decided that I wouldn¡¯t let you have that power over me; I won¡¯t let others see that you had the power over me. Only, I don¡¯t know Gloria¡¯s story."


    A significant pause.


    "Aiden might be a good friend of mine, but I don¡¯t support people blindly, especially on matters like this. Worse, you men have a loathsome pride that won¡¯t let you see the truth in front of you most times."


    Ewan pressed his lips together, pondering what to do next. Yes, he regretted his actions over the past years, but regrets wouldn¡¯t solve the situation. And that¡¯s why he had devoted himself to her, to being of use to her and the children too.


    Yet, at this moment, looking at her dejected frame, he wished he could do more, especially as imaginations of what she could have gone through ran through his mind.


    Things that had pushed her to learn martial arts, things that had driven her to the CIA to work as an agent. Had she, at any point, encountered abusers?


    The thought of that sent shivers of fear down his spine, even as his heart tightened under a painful grip.


    Inhaling deeply to dissipate this feeling and failing, he covered the distance between them, sat in the space beside her, and flung his hand over her shoulder, making sure that the posture was friendly and not something more intimate. That would scare her off even more.


    "Athena, I am sorry..."


    "Ewan..."


    "I will keep apologizing until the end of time. I don¡¯t think I will ever stop, until the day I die. Every day now, I live for you, I live for the children, and I don¡¯t exactly need your permission for that. I just want to do the best I can to ensure you and the children live the best lives from now. But if there¡¯s a way, maybe a new scientist has discovered, where one can go back in years..."


    A pause embedded in sorrow and longing. "I will..."


    Ewan¡¯s voice, which had now turned hoarse like he was about to weep, made Athena sit up, without shrugging his hand across her shoulder.


    She looked into his eyes, which had turned bluer, as if the ocean was about to spill some of its flow.


    "I would have gone back, Athena, no matter the cost, even if it takes my entire worth. I would have changed a lot of things. I¡¯m..."


    A pause, during which a tear slipped from Ewan¡¯s eyes, and his hand tightened on the device in his hand.


    "Athena, I¡¯m sorry that I wasn¡¯t the man you needed me to be six years ago. I may really me it on my anger, on my youthful exuberance, but it¡¯s all on me. I should have known better. I should have been better. I should have been a man my father, my parents would be proud of."


    He bowed his head, feeling the tears fall unbidden then, sorrow consuming him, leaving no room for embarrassment at crying before a woman.


    Meanwhile, Athena wasn¡¯t sure what to feel, or what to say about the matter before her.


    She couldn¡¯t say she had entirely washed Ewan¡¯s te clean; she wasn¡¯t Jesus. But the raw anguish she saw in his eyes tugged at her heartstrings, so much so that she flung her hands around his waist andid her head on his quaking shoulder.


    "It¡¯s okay, Ewan. Everything is fine, or rather will be fine, when we are done with Morgan."


    Ewan gnashed his teeth then, wishing to be done with Morgan already, so that they could all move forward.


    "I will not be able to forget what you did, Ewan... but I think I can move past it, so long as you maintain your righteous stance. Because the next time..."


    "There won¡¯t be a next time, I promise." He spoke, controlling the almost obsessive urge to drop a kiss on her hair.


    Friends, he reminded himself. They were just friends. But didn¡¯t friends drop kisses on each other¡¯s hair?


    He shook away the thought; now wasn¡¯t the best time to try out that theory, especially as she had taken the initiative to hold him tight. This was a sess. He didn¡¯t want to mess it up.


    But all of a sudden, she jerked away from his embrace as if remembering something.


    "You are here without the drip... was it done before you came out?"


    Ewan sighed loudly, cursing the sickness of his body and the drip. As much as he loved Athena fussing over him¡ªand it was evidence that she cared¡ªhe didn¡¯t want it now; he wanted to stay this way forever, to breathe her in.


    God! He had forgotten how enticing she smelled. He bit his tongue from asking her to return to his embrace.


    "Ewan!" Athena shouted, oblivious to Ewan¡¯s desires.


    "I think so." Ewan finally answered, after sighing tiredly again.


    Athena scanned him from head to toe, kissed her teeth, and stood to her feet, hurrying out of the room without another word.


    Ewan shut his eyes when he heard her shout his name again.


    "Ewan, get here!"


    Ewan licked his lower lips, inhaled deeply, and got to his feet.


    "You told me it was finished... what is this?" Athena asked, a frown masking her face as she pointed at the drip bag lying carelessly on the edge of the bed.


    "Well... isn¡¯t it...?" He stuttered, licking his lower lip again, sidetracking Athena for a second.


    She huffed, her eyes lingering on his lips for a second before reverting to the drip bag.


    "Your medicines won¡¯t be ready until tomorrow, hence the drip..."


    "That¡¯s not a problem. I can take it tomorrow. It¡¯s just a couple of hours away. I feel better." Ewan cut in, stepping closer to her. "Stop worrying your pretty head over nothing..."


    Heat crept up to Athena¡¯s cheeks, even as she busied her hands with the drip, tangling and disentangling the wire from the small metal pole.


    Ewan chuckled heartily, walked up to the pole, ced his hand over hers, and started disentangling the drip bag.


    Athena instantly dropped her hands as if burned. She turned and fanned her face.


    No, she couldn¡¯t continue this way.


    Her eyes searched for her phone, pausing when she spotted it in Ewan¡¯s hands.


    Right. The pictures.


    "My phone, please..."


    Ewan wasted no time in handing the phone to her, sessfully disentangling the mess.


    Athena immediately sent a message to Antonio. "Yes, I will be your girlfriend."


    Maybe dating would take her mind off stupid thoughts and emotions.


    "So, what do you think is the story behind Sandro and Chelsea? For Sandro to disguise himself that way¡ªeven going as far as drawing tattoos on his fingers with ink¡ªthen it is really serious. He was even wearing a hat!" Ewan asked, needing to prolong this alone time with Athena, seeing as she was turning towards the exit.


    Athena shrugged in response. "The rtionship lives of my friends are unknown to me¡ªthey don¡¯t want to talk about it."


    "Well, we have that inmon too. Zane and Sandro don¡¯t want to talk about their deals with your friends." A pause. "You know it¡¯s a damn coincidence how we are all entangled..."


    "Yeah..." Athena agreed, walking out of the room to Ewan¡¯s chagrin.


    "Aren¡¯t youing out? You want to spend the night here?" Athena asked as she popped her head into the room.


    It was on the tip of Ewan¡¯s tongue to say that he didn¡¯t want to go anywhere, but he sucked up hisints and followed after Athena.


    "Do you think Fiona would know the location where Morgan would be hiding? We can¡¯t be operating based on one intel, especially since it came from Alvarez..." Athena started as they entered Ewan¡¯s car.


    Ewan nodded slowly, then switched the gear while turning to her. "Do you want to see her?"

 Chapter 301: Visiting A Witch

    <h4>Chapter 301: Visiting A Witch</h4>


    <i>Do you want to see her?</i>


    Athena held back a scoff. Wasn¡¯t that the main reason why she had asked in the first ce? To see the woman who thought herself worthy to dabble with one¡¯s life.


    Ever since Ewan had taken Fiona to the psychiatric hospital, Athena had been, to an extent, curious about the state of her once nemesis.


    There was a time she had conveyed her misgivings about the arrangement to old Mr. Thorne, but the old man had told her to trust Ewan in that aspect, that he knew what he was doing.


    She had let it go, but now, seeing that they needed all the info they could get on Morgan, who better to query than Fiona? And why would she pass up the opportunity to see thetter and her recent condition?


    "Athena, it¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t want to see her. I know how traumatic..."


    Athenaughed before she could help it. Traumatic? Oh please... it wasn¡¯t Fiona who was behind her trauma or nightmares. The witch didn¡¯t hold that much importance.


    "Ewan, of course, I want to see her. I want to know if the doctors are treating her properly."


    Ewan chuckled lightly and faced the road. Why had he thought that she would say no? This woman beside him wasn¡¯t the same as the one who had clung to him during their marriage when the rainfall came with thunder and lightning.


    A couple of minutester, as the sun finally set and the moon and stars peeked in the sky, Ewan parked in front of Connor¡¯s ce.


    "We are here," He announced to Athena, who was looking around their surroundings with furrowed brows.


    "Where is this ce? I don¡¯t think I have heard of this ce before. And where is the name of the clinic?"


    Ewanughed, opening the door. "Did you really think that I had taken her to a clinic?"


    Athena smiled, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "If you didn¡¯t take her to the clinic, where then did you take her?"


    "Well,e and see." He stepped out of the car, and Athena followed suit, curiosity pushing her to bounce as she walked, to the amusement of Ewan.


    Was she that keen? Well, he was keen to see how far Connor had gone.


    "Are you sure you¡¯re ready for this? Connor can be quite barbaric..." He paused, shrugging. "Well, I told him to be. So, are you keen on this?"


    Athena nodded with a smile. Did Ewan think she was a Barbie princess? She had seen too much while on the field; she didn¡¯t think anything would make her jittery now.


    <i>She</i><i>was</i><i>wrong.</i>


    In the living room¡ªsince the door hadn¡¯t been locked; they had just moved in instead of knocking¡ªthey met the stench of blood. It was so thick that Ewan wondered if they had walked in during one of the periods of Connor¡¯s torture.


    "Connor..." Ewan called out, aware of Athena scrunching her nose at intervals as she nced around, as if searching for the scent¡¯s source.


    When he saw Connor walking down leisurely from the staircase, wiping his hands with an off-white handkerchief, he knew his earlier premonition had been right.


    At least thetter was dressed appropriately...


    "Boss, good afternoon."


    Athena swerved in the direction of the rough voice, her brows furrowing further when she saw the tall male who even stood almost a foot taller than Ewan.


    Who was this? Connor? She wondered, taking note of his crisp white shirt, carton brown cks, and ck loafers.


    He was really a doctor?


    Her train of thought stopped, however, when she sighted the red rag in his hands. Blood. That was the source of the odor.


    Had he been doing an operation? What specialty was he?


    "Athena, meet Connor. Connor, Athena..."


    Athena stretched her hand to shake the man who somehow managed to look innocent despite his rough demeanor¡ªexcept for his ice-cold gray eyes¡ªbut he took a step back and bowed instead.


    "Apologies, mydy," Connor said, his head still bowed. "My hands are stained with dirt; if not, I would have taken your hand and kissed it MI¡¯LADY..."


    A giggle escaped from Athena¡¯s lips before she could help it. He was aedian too.


    "Not a problem, gentleman. We are here to see a patient of yours..." Athena spoke, causing Connor to lift his head and look at Ewan.


    <i>Really, boss? Is</i><i>that</i><i>a</i><i>good</i><i>idea?</i> His almost nk expression seemed tomunicate.


    Ewan shrugged in response. "Take us to Fiona."


    Connor hesitated, looking at Ewan again. Could the beautiful mistress handle the sight? She seemed too... posh for their environment.


    "She can take it. She is stronger than she looks," Ewan stated confidently, reading Connor¡¯s thoughts, which were written all over his face.


    Connor exhaled, looked at Athena, and turned around. "Follow me."


    Athena¡¯s mouth fell open, momentster, as she took in the sight in room 704, where Fiona, or someone who looked like her, was.


    "That is Fiona?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Nothing could have prepared Athena for the sight before her.


    Fiona was hunched on the bare floor, which reeked of dirt, urine, even feces. Flies buzzed around her in the poorly lit room, while cockroaches and other critters scurried around her, making noises; yet Fiona wasn¡¯t moved.


    The witch remained hunched, oblivious to them, close to what Athena could see was the toilet if the feces sitting atop it was any indication.


    Athena immediately covered her nose and stepped back, her eyes trailing over Fiona again. Thetter was in a bare hospital gown, bloodied, and her hair... it seemed to be falling out.


    "What¡¯s happening to her? Does she have cancer?" Athena sputtered out in the same soft voice.


    Before Ewan could provide an answer, Fiona swerved around at an astonishing speed, having heard the voice of the woman who now intruded upon her bleary existence.


    Athena gasped in disbelief.


    There were knife scars on almost every part of Fiona¡¯s skin, including her face. Her limbs seemed to have been burned by heat if thecerations she saw there were any indication. Her eyes were cold, and there were no eyebrows. Shaved?


    Athena didn¡¯t know what to think, only that Fiona looked like the witch she was¡ªa zombie at most. She was so thin that Athena could see her bones poking out. Her white teeth were now discolored¡ªcould be seen because she shed a smile at Athena.


    "Are you happy now, Athena?" Fiona asked, her voice sounding like a frog¡¯s.


    She stretched her hands toward Athena, thetter raising her brow when she noticed the absence of nails and the presence of ck blood, with flies buzzing around it.


    Happy? Athena wasn¡¯t happy¡ªnot exactly. But she wasn¡¯t sorry for Fiona¡¯s state either.


    "You are just getting what you deserve, Fiona. Don¡¯t bother preying on my emotions; it won¡¯t work. Or would you prefer the ck cells?"


    Fiona nodded, without hesitation.


    No matter how bad the cells were, she didn¡¯t think they could be worse than the hell she was going through here.


    Athena¡¯s brow touched her hairline. "Really?" She asked, finally realizing what this ce was. A torture chamber.


    She shook her head, wondering how Connor could even stay here to administer the torture. She paused to look at him, taking note of the excited gleam in his eyes.


    Could it be? She shook her head. No way. But curiosity wouldn¡¯t lose its hold on her.


    "Are you Connor Brafus?" The question spilled out before she could stop it.


    Connor started, darting his eyes between Ewan and the mistress, like a deer caught in the headlights.


    "Don¡¯t lie," Athena muttered, a feeling settling over her like a cloud. If this was Connor Brafus, then where did that leave Ewan?


    Connor looked at Ewan again, but thetter¡¯s expression was not encouraging; he was still battling shock and confusion.


    "Yes, are you going to arrest me?" Connor finally answered, remembering the agencies Spider had mentioned that the woman was working for.


    "If I was still working with the CIA, maybe... you really gave us a hot chase... and to think you are here..." She looked around the room. "Working for him..." She turned to Ewan.


    "How do you both know each other? How do you know Connor of the Demon Viper gang?"


    She was startled by Fiona¡¯s maniacughter.


    "Why are youughing?" Athena asked, irritated by the intrusion.


    But Fiona¡¯s attention was on Ewan, while Connor battled the urge to slice Fiona¡¯s throat right there and then.


    When he had told Fiona things he shouldn¡¯t have, he had done so thinking that there would be no outsider here except Ewan and his friends.


    How was he supposed to know that the boss would bring an ex-CIA official here?


    He was already battling with his safety, considering her presence; now he was terrified about the potential loss of his tongue, should Ewan find out about hisck of discretion.


    "He should know," Fiona answered, still chuckling. "Ewan, should I sing?"

 Chapter 302: Visiting A Witch II

    <h4>Chapter 302: Visiting A Witch II</h4>


    <i>To sing?</i>


    Ewan swallowed painfully while maintaining a calm demeanor, a hundred percent sure that when Fiona mentioned "sing," it wasn¡¯t anywhere close to choral music.


    No, she was talking about something else.


    He darted a sharp look at Connor, his heart stilling when he saw the truth on thetter¡¯s face.


    The idiot had done what he always did¡ªspilled nonsense while torturing his victims!


    Ewan usually didn¡¯t mind, because anyone he had entrusted to Connor¡¯s hands almost never made it out alive; those who did lost their tongues, paying heavily for Connor¡¯s loose mouth. But this was different. Athena was here now, and Fiona¡¯s tongue was still intact.


    "If no one is going to talk, then Fiona, you should sing."


    Athena¡¯s voice drafted Ewan¡¯s attention away from his thoughts, just as a cloud of anxiousness descended upon him.


    What was his way out of this? How could he get Athena out of here without revealing his secret?


    He had paid so much for Spider to keep the matter hidden from his dark web friends, and now this idiot was about to spoil his efforts and render them useless!


    "I am not taking¡ª" Fiona coughed, smiling devilishly when blood appeared on her hands. "You see what you caused?"


    But Athena wasn¡¯t interested in Fiona¡¯s machinations; she only wanted to know what thetter had to say about Ewan.


    "What were you saying before you coughed?"


    Fiona paused, looked at Ewan, andughed again. She gotfortable on the floor,pletely undeterred by the filthy surroundings; she was numb to it all.


    "I don¡¯t answer to you, Athena, and I never will... I only want to hear Ewan speak for himself."


    She didn¡¯t shiver as she usually would when Ewan red at her¡ªhis re had nothing on the manic methods of torture Connor used on her.


    But Athena was getting impatient, especially since Ewan and Connor had no ns to provide Fiona with any answers.


    Moreover, she had a feeling that this truth was significant, possibly the hole she had suspected in Ewan¡¯s past, one that Nathaniel¡¯s friends hadn¡¯t been able to uncover.


    If she had to guess, she would say that Connor, thinking Fiona might die in his hands, had blurted out some of the old secrets. And seeing the hunched posture of Connor¡¯s shoulders, she knew he wouldter face some reckoning from Ewan after all this was over.


    "I have no idea what you are talking about, Fiona. Do you think you are in a church?" Ewan finally spoke, folding his arms across his chest, feigning nonchnce, hoping to push this nightmare away by iming that Fiona had truly lost her mind to insanity.


    Yet Athena wasn¡¯t just anyone... Will she buy it?


    To Ewan¡¯s question, Fionaughed some more, hitting her thigh.


    The act drew Athena¡¯s attention, and she realized that Fiona wasn¡¯t wearing anything underneath. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Connor had slept with the witch at some point. She wouldn¡¯t be surprised¡ªafter all, he was Connor Brafus, the worst person to fall into the hands of for torture; he was even worse than Morgan.


    "You¡¯re nning to y the ignorant game... I see you don¡¯t care if Athena knows about you..."


    "Fiona, if you tell me what you¡¯re talking about, I will take you out of here to the ck cells..." Athena paused. "That¡¯s what you want, right?"


    Fiona¡¯s eyes widened a fraction, and then she chuckled, clutching her thin dress. "That would be good, but I want more, considering how much you want this piece of information."


    She turned to Ewan. "What about you? What offer can you make me to shut my mouth? I would prefer a new identity so that I can get out of this country. Maybe a nice cabin where I can start my life afresh without all these worries..."


    Greedy. Not a smart move on her part, Ewan thought, looking at her distastefully. She should have epted Athena¡¯s offer immediately because now he wouldn¡¯t let her have the field y.


    "You should have epted her first offer." He echoed his thought, letting his hand fall to his sides as he turned to Athena, thetter watching him with furrowed brows, waiting for the other shoe to drop.


    Fiona must have seen Ewan¡¯s intention from the way he sighed in resignation while looking at Athena because in the next second she jumped¡ªor rather limped¡ªto her feet, falling miserably to the floor out of sheer weakness.


    "Wait!" She called out weakly, hating that she was the one now pleading with Athena for mercy. "I will tell you! Just promise to take me out of here! The ck cells are just enough!"


    However, it was toote, as Ewan now had Athena¡¯s full attention. She didn¡¯t even look at Fiona or take note of her disy or pay heed to thetter¡¯s words.


    Rather...


    "Tell me, Ewan... who are you?"


    "NO!!" Fiona shrieked, attempting to rise to her feet again, this time seeding while cursing her greed. She should have just epted Athena¡¯s offer!


    Now, if Ewan confessed the secret himself, her punishment here would be tripled!


    However, before she could get to Athena, who was now facing off with a worried Ewan, Connor pped her down.


    "Stand again, and I will cut off your tongue," He threatened through gritted teeth.


    Fiona was wise enough, at least, to keep her cool, especially as the woman she had been beckoning wasn¡¯t even paying her the least bit of attention. She remained on the floor forlornly, her ears attentive to hear what Ewan would say.


    "Ewan, are you going to speak, or should I free Fiona from her shackles?" Athena could no longer hold in the impatience. Secondly, it was alreadyte night. She needed to be home.


    Ewan exhaled softly, rubbed a hand over his face. "Can we talk somewhere else? Here is a bit suffocating..." He said finally, his gaze pleading.


    "Okay then." Athena replied after a few beats, turning to leave.


    But Fiona couldn¡¯t bear it. She couldn¡¯t imagine how her torture would go if they both left her here.


    "Athena, please! Show me mercy. I promise not to cause any trouble; please take me to the ck cells!"


    Athena didn¡¯t even falter in her movements, nor did she acknowledge she heard anything. She walked out of the room, head high, aware that Ewan wasn¡¯t following her.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Master..." Connor broke out in a sweat as he fell to his knees immediately after Athena left them.


    People thought he was the devil; they should have met Ewan when he had been their leader! Even at such a young age, his ruthlessness had earned him respect among the members before the title conferred to him by their previous leader.


    "It will not happen again..."


    "Cut your tongue." Ewan interjected calmly, as if he were just talking about the weather.


    Connor opened his mouth, then shut it.


    Behind him, Fiona would have loved the torture of this human, but for the fact that he would turn the aggression on her as soon as Ewan was gone. So...


    "Please, pardon him," She said instead¡ªeven though she wished she had the honor to tear the man¡¯s tongue out of his lips¡ªmaybe then, he would show her mercy.


    "And why do you think you have a say in this matter, witch?"


    Fiona mped her mouth shut. The days of having a say in Ewan¡¯s life were over.


    "Master, please... cutting my tongue would alert the boss somehow."


    Nicely yed, Ewan thought, looking at his once subordinate.


    "Then cut off another part of your body, one that won¡¯t really be missed. Send me evidence when you¡¯re done." And then he walked out of the room.


    Connor sighed in response, relief overshadowing him so much that he stayed in the same position for a while.


    For a second there, he had thought he would be tongueless. But thank God for the idea that popped into his mind. He then looked at his little finger. "Sorry, but you have to go."


    Fiona watched in horror and disbelief as Connor brought out a pocket knife from his pocket, shed his little finger without making a sound apart from a grunt, picked up his phone from his pocket, snapped a picture of the dismembered body part, and sent it to Ewan.


    Sick, she thought, hyperventting when he turned with cold calmness, dropping the phone on the ground. These people were crazy!


    Her heart dropped further when she heard Connor¡¯s next statement.


    "Don¡¯t you think you should also lose a body part, or even two, for the nuisance you caused this evening? It seems I haven¡¯t kept you in submission enough."


    Fiona willed herself to faint, to die, to disappear¡ªanything to avoid the helling her way. But sadly...


    Athena grimaced upon hearing Fiona¡¯s scream as she sent a message to her children while sitting in the car. Looking at the entrance of the house, her brows furrowed when she saw Ewan walking out.


    "You are back early. I thought you were nning on doing the torturing yourself." She stated immediately he entered the car.

 Chapter 303: Revelations

    <h4>Chapter 303: Revtions</h4>


    Ewan didn¡¯t say a word to Athena until they arrived at the closest diner, having broken free from the deserted vicinity where Connor lived.


    Herst statement in the car, though sarcastic, had been unable to leave his mind. He wasn¡¯t sure if she was unhappy about his methods of punishing someone or if she was hinting at his past.


    Nevertheless, he hadn¡¯t said a word when she had spoken, only starting the car. And as if knowing that his mind had been in turmoil, she had followed suit, remaining silent.


    "We will be taking a stop here."


    Even his voice was gruff.


    Athena thought, however, that it was because she was forcing him to tell the truth about his past. Was she remorseful, though? Not at all. She had hungered for this part of his life for so long!


    "What are we doing here?" She asked mildly, taking a look around their environment, her eyes resting on the local bar. "There are better ces in the city."


    "The city is too crowded." Ewan curtly replied.


    Without another word, he opened the car door and stepped out, walking immediately toward the entrance, knowing that Athena would follow eventually despite her misgivings.


    He was right on the money. Athena hesitated for a mere nanosecond, and then she was off her seat!


    She hurried after him, not wanting to spend time looking for him in a bar that would be teeming with drunk men and half-dressed women considering the time of the day.


    She was right¡ªdrunk men and half-dressed women. But she had no difficulty locating Ewan, not when he was the center of attention.


    It was like before in the Dixons; the female patrons were all over him. Only this time, they actually flocked around him, throwing their wares at him, offering sweet nights of passion.


    And again, Athena felt that indescribable feeling rise within her¡ªshe felt like wing those women away from him, taking their eyes out so they wouldn¡¯t see him again.


    However, before she could act on that impulse, a text dropped on her phone, capturing her focus.


    Picking up her phone, she furrowed her brows when she saw Aiden¡¯s message:


    <i>"You</i><i>won¡¯t believe</i><i>who</i><i>is</i><i>the</i><i>mole..."</i>


    But that was all there was to the message.


    Immediately forgetting Ewan for a moment, she dialed Aiden¡¯s number, but the number wasn¡¯t reachable.


    Athena cursed and tried again but she got the same response.


    "There is little to nowork coverage here." A voice cut into her thoughts.


    Athena snapped her head to the left, maintaining the same calm expression when she saw a handsome male staring at her, a smile on his lips.


    "Hey, beautiful... I am Rodney."


    But Athena didn¡¯t extend her hand. This introduction wasn¡¯t necessary; she was just passing through after all.


    "If there is nowork coverage here, how do you people cope?" She asked, watching, yet not perturbed, as the male with a ruddy appearance dropped his hands by his side, having not expected his handsomeness not to have an effect on the beautiful woman before him.


    "There¡¯s a shade a few meters away, where there¡¯s always..." The man paused, suddenly feeling small under the scrutiny of Athena¡¯s gaze.


    "You don¡¯t get tired of the smallness of it? Or you don¡¯t live here? How do you survive either way?" Athena cut in, aware from the corner of her eye of Ewan approaching them.


    Rodney opened his mouth, then shut it. He had approached this woman because she seemed different from the usual ones he saw around this little n of his, and now he was right¡ªshe was entirely different.


    "I do," He found himself answering meekly.


    "When then is your job? Did you go to school?"


    "What are you talking about?" Ewan¡¯s voice interrupted whatever Rodney had to say.


    "Who are you?" Rodney retorted rudely, hating that some other male had interrupted this legendary conversation. This woman in front of him was a breath of fresh air and might be his ticket out of family feuds and responsibilities.


    Ewan didn¡¯t bother giving the male an answer, as his entire attention was on Athena. "We came here to talk, and you are fraternizing with other¡ª"


    "You didn¡¯t seem to have that opinion when you enjoyed those women flocking around you, offering their breasts to you..." She muttered scornfully, her eyesnding on the bar where the women still remained, looking at her as if she were the devil.


    Ewan tried in vain to restrict the smile threatening to break out on his lips.


    "You think this is funny?" Athena red at him hotly, totally forgetting Rodney, who still stood at the same point watching the couple, who seemed to be close to an extent.


    Should he turn and leave? He decided to do just that, but Athena stopped him.


    "Wait. Give me your contact. Or rather, take mine..." She could deal with Ewanter.


    Ewan watched with a frown as Athena typed out her number on Rodney¡¯s phone,mitting thetter¡¯s face to memory. He would need to sketch his faceter for Spider to search out. No way was he letting some town wannabe sidle close to his wife!


    "Aren¡¯t youing, or do you want your women to tear me up?"


    Ewan had been so caught up in his thoughts that he didn¡¯t notice that Athena was done with Rodney, seeing as thetter had remained in the same position.


    He gave the male a withering look. Thetter scoffed in response and walked away. Ewan curbed the urge to drag him back and give him the beating of a lifetime for such disrespect.


    Instead, he turned in the direction Athena had taken, gritting his teeth when he saw that she was surrounded by males.


    In how many seconds of his absence?!


    "Scram!" He gritted out when he got close.


    The males obeyed, thinking he was her husband; he didn¡¯t bother correcting that thought.


    "We could have just gone into the city. It¡¯s alreadyte," Athena started as he took a seat on a chair that was old and creaky.


    "I was impatient to get the matter off my chest." The silence in the car had been stifling.


    Athena nodded slowly in response, looking around her.


    Ewan knew she was giving him the space to begin. A few beats of silence passed between them before Ewan started.


    "Your suspicions are correct."


    "And what suspicions do you think I have?" Athena asked, her eyes fixed on a te of steaming food that one of the bar attendants was taking to a patron.


    "Are you hungry? Last time I was here, their broth was good."


    "Then I¡¯ll have some. I¡¯m so hungry," Athena replied.


    Ewan cursed himself mentally for hisck of sensitivity. They had been on the mission since morning without good food; he should have thought of this. He should have taken her into the city, as she suggested, where she could eat a five-course meal, food meant for the queen that she was.


    However, seeing their situation, he beckoned the waiter and ordered their special.


    "What is their special?" Athena asked when the waiter left.


    "It¡¯s a surprise. But I¡¯ll give you a spoiler; it¡¯s spicy."


    Athena raised a brow, curiosity definitely piqued. "I¡¯ll be the judge of that."


    "Now, tell me about my suspicions," She urged.


    Ewan chuckled nervously, sping his hands on his thigh. "I..."


    He licked his lips, wondering how best to drop this bomb.


    Athena leaned forward on the greenish worn-out table. Anything that had Ewan in knots this way was worth hearing.


    Ewan inhaled deeply and exhaled, looked to the ceiling, and then met Athena¡¯s gaze unflinching, steeling himself. "I was once the head of the Demon Viper gang."


    The bar, abination of a restaurant and a ¡¯microbrewery¡¯, was loud and crazy, but a graveyard silence cocooned Athena and Ewan.


    For a second, Athena wanted tough at the crude joke, but theughter died in her mouth when she saw the seriousness in Ewan¡¯s face.


    Head of the Demon Viper gang? Her jaw ckened before she could help it as she appraised him with her eyes.


    Head of the Demon Viper gang. She repeated it more times than she could count in her head, her fingers beginning to drum against the table, her mind frantic, calcting at what time he ruled the evil gang that was even worse than Morgan¡¯s.


    How had he done it? How had he kept it hidden from the world? How had it kept it from her, especially?


    Most times, it¡¯s easy to hide it from the world, but she was a different case.


    "How..." The words died in her mouth.


    "That shouldn¡¯t be possible." She mutteredter. Even if it exined a lot of things.


    "What¡¯s your code name?" She finally asked, after a few seconds, her heart almost beating out of her chest.


    For some reason, a particr name stuck in her mind despite the fact that she couldn¡¯t put both males on the same pedestal.


    "Wolfsbane."


    A startled cry escaped Athena¡¯s lips before she could help it.


    No, no. She chanted, gripping her thighs. The father of her children couldn¡¯t possibly be the most sought-after criminal eight to ten years ago.


    "But I¡¯m no longer part of the gang. I gave that part of my life up when I married you."

 Chapter 304: Revelations II

    <h4>Chapter 304: Revtions II</h4>


    Ewan was right; the local restaurant¡¯s special was spicy. But, in the face of the bombshell he had dropped mere minutes ago, the spicy vor was almost lost on Athena¡¯s tongue, albeit a good distraction.


    She had chosen to say nothing, as the attendant had cut in with a tray of steaming dishes before she could croak out a response, deciding to push her fraying nerves to the side and indulge in the spicy sweetness¡ªthese foods were best consumed while hot!


    However, as she ate, inhaling and exhaling intermittently, her mind was still besotted with Ewan¡¯s revtion, rather than on the possible ingredients that contributed to such a wonderful ¡¯special.¡¯


    Another reason she had chosen to eat first was partly because she was just hungry, and secondly because she needed to be calm, to think, to sort through her thoughts, and not act like a misguided banshee as she had done earlier when Ewan dered his code name.


    Wolfsbane.


    Athena still couldn¡¯t believe both her eyes and ears. Wolfsbane was sitting right before her. Who could have thought? Who could have believed?


    Was Fiona aware of this all along? Alfonso too? She didn¡¯t think so. If Fiona had known beforehand, she wouldn¡¯t have sidled up to Morgan in the first ce. It only left room for the notion that Connor had spilled everything to the dying woman.


    Athena willfully ignored the imagery of Fiona that floated past her mind, focusing instead on Ewan, even though her head was bowed over her te as she ate.


    Wolfsbane.


    She had first heard the name nine years ago, before her marriage to Ewan.


    At twenty years old, she was the youngest lecturer at one of the most prestigious private universities, even though no one had known her identity because she had both attended and taught college from home.


    However, Zack had deemed her an illiterate, thinking her confinement meant ack of knowledge.


    But that¡¯s beside the point...


    The first time she had heard of Wolfsbane was during one of the online meetings held between lecturers discussing the university¡¯s yearly reports. The head of the arts department had been absent, and one of the lecturers had revealed that it was because his nephew had been murdered by Wolfsbane.


    That report had triggered other discussions among lecturers about the infamous Wolfsbane and the inhumane gang he operated.


    Athena hadn¡¯t cared about it, but the news about the arts director¡¯s nephew had kept ravaging the city for weeks, even reaching her doorstep in the form of Zack ranting to a government staff member over the phone on how to deal with this Wolfsbane who had wreaked havoc on the city; a tyrant involved in everything from drugs and guns to prostitution and human trafficking¡ªeverything illegal, including assassinations.


    Worst of all, no security force had any intel on them. Out of curiosity, Athena had decided to check it out using her dark web skills; however, she hit a dark end after following numerous dead leads and abandoned the search.


    Wolfsbane had no link to her¡ªuntil she entered the CIA, and his name came up again.


    She shut her eyes unknowingly as she remembered the many nights spent poring over information gathered about Wolfsbane, who had assassinated a minister¡ªand to think it was her ex-husband.


    Athena was finding it hard to believe, even more so hisst statement that he had dropped that life when he married her.


    "You lied..." slipped from her lips before she could hold it back.


    Taking cognizance of her environment once again, she realized she was just about to dip the spoon in her hand into an empty bowl of soup.


    Finished already? She cursed and dropped the spoon loudly in the te¡ªit wasn¡¯t as if she could be heard with the loud music booming in the restaurant.


    "It was that delicious, huh? You want more?" Ewan asked, eyeing her with a hint of nervousness.


    Athena folded her lips at his question, uncertain if he was trying to dodge her statement or lighten the atmosphere that had be strung with tension again.


    "You lied to me, Ewan. You forget that I worked with the CIA at one time," Athena repeated, refusing to let this go. She leaned back into her seat, arms folded across her chest. "Do you think I wouldn¡¯t remember..."


    Ewan dropped his spoon, already weary of the spicy special that tasted like ash in his mouth, because of anticipating Athena¡¯s next line of action when all this conversation was over.


    "What are you talking about? I gave up¡ª"


    Athena raised her hand, silencing him. "I joined the CIA just a few years ago. You imed you gave up the gang nine years ago. How then was it that I still dealt with cases concerning Wolfsbane?" She inquired, barely managing to keep the disgust from her voice and face.


    She had read his file more times than she could count, had known the lives of the people he had ruined¡ªwomen, children, establishments, and wars he had supported with hun supplies.


    Remembering now, she felt like spitting in his face. Wolfsbane. She should just turn him into the police; Connor too.


    Ewan, seeing the revulsion on her face, sighed wearily, clutching his thighs. He guessed this was another atonement he would have to make, although since dropping the gang, he had been doing a lot of atonement.


    Yet she didn¡¯t need to know that; she might not even believe him.


    "Athena, I dropped out of the gang nine years ago when I married you. If there was a Wolfsbane sighting, then it would be an imposter or my gang using my name to wreak terror on people. You can ask Sandro or Zane."


    Seeing Athena¡¯s raised brow, Ewan knew he had messed up by mentioning his friends¡¯ names; he should have stuck with himself. However, he didn¡¯t know how else to prove his case.


    "Did you say Zane and Sandro?" Athena stuttered, not believing her ears. "


    What the hell! No wonder they were so close!


    "They were part of the gang? What were their code names?" She continued, even though she already suspected. Wolfsbane was often called in thepany of two other names.


    "Hawk and Phantom."


    "Hawk and Phantom."


    They both stated at the same time.


    Athena¡¯s shoulders deted, her hands falling cidly, though still folded, to her stomach region.


    Ewan, however, didn¡¯t seem surprised at her knowledge. "We dropped out at the same time."


    "What about Spider?"


    Ewan bit his lower lip.


    "I¡¯m just curious, Ewan. Is he still with the gang?"


    Ewan sighed and nodded.


    Athena cursed herself mentally for not making the connection. She knew of Spider from the Demon Viper gang, the one in charge of their web and tech operations; however, it had never crossed her mind that he was the same male who had been saving their lives all this while.


    She exhaled loudly, shaking her head. "This is surreal."


    A pause. "If you are telling the truth, Ewan, you were head of the gang at 22?" Athena¡¯s scowl was easy to decipher. It was just not possible.


    Ewan understood, but he couldn¡¯t lie. "Yes."


    Athena¡¯s face contorted with a variety of emotions¡ªpity, confusion, anger, among others. "You were still young..."


    It was the reason she had been patient with him during their marriage; she had thought she would be able to tone down his youthful exuberance. But s...


    "So, why would they give you that position? Why would you even join the gang andmit such atrocities? Do you know what would happen if this leaked to the media? Our children will be ruined for life!!" Athena whisper-yelled, dissecting this matter thoroughly.


    Ewan¡¯s hands quaked upon hearing herst statement, yet he knew she was right. It couldn¡¯t be known that he was Wolfsbane; it didn¡¯t matter if he was no longer in the gang.


    "Ewan, speak to me! Tell me the story from the top!"


    Ewan inhaled and ced his hands on the table, sping them. This was it. Another time where his heart hung on the line.


    Before he could speak, though, the attendant came to pick up their tes.


    The couple kept silent, declining the attendant¡¯s request to bring the dessert special. Dessert was thest thing on their minds now. The attendant took a bow and left.


    "Such a gentlemanly way of serving in a local restaurant..." Athena muttered, breaking the ice first. "It seems you are aware of this vige. Why are they quite..."


    "Outdated?" Ewan supplied, sensing that Athena was searching for the right words to fit her description.


    Ewan¡¯s supply didn¡¯t quite cut it, but Athena epted it. It could work. "Yes, that."


    Ewan shrugged. "You should have seen it nine years ago. Not much was here. I just think a couple of people moved here for a quiet life, free from interference and whatnot, to be in nature more often..."


    Athena could see that, but it didn¡¯t make it any more reasonable to her. But that¡¯s beside the point...


    "So, tell me, Ewan, your story."

 Chapter 305: Revelations III

    <h4>Chapter 305: Revtions III</h4>


    While Ewan prepped himself in silence on how to expose a hidden aspect of his past, Athena took the time to look around the local restaurant for the umpteenth time.


    This time, however, she could actually understand why Ewan had chosen this ce for the secret reveal. It was loud.


    Conversations swirled around them like a vibrant cacophony, evident in the animated arm gestures that punctuated the air. Even those twirling in certain areas of the restaurant, ostensibly dancing, seemed to be engaged in lively discussions.


    With the booming music apanying their chatter, her conversations with Ewan were shrouded in a veil of anonymity.


    In this bustling atmosphere, the patrons had no interest in them¡ªnot in their secrets, not in their pasts. Perhaps in some form of fleeting pleasures, yes¡ªif the women still eying Ewan was any indication¡ªbut not in knowing anything deeper.


    Everyone minded their business here; no one even recognized them. This would have been a different case had they stopped at one of the more expensive restaurants in the city.


    There might have been paparazzi lurking around to take pictures for the tabloids. There was also a high chance of being monitored by someone keen to harm them.


    Thirdly, the space Ewan chose for this sit-down was at the far end of the bar, where shadows danced intermittently, keeping them enveloped in privacy. It was, in other words, the perfect ce for a conversationced with secrets.


    Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone dinged with a text.


    Assuming it was Aiden with more intel, she hurriedly tapped on the message, a smile touching her lips when she saw it was from Nathaniel.


    ¡¯We know you are dealing with the bad guys, Mom! Take your time! I know we are going to have so much fun together when all this is over! So hurry up!¡¯


    Her heart warmed at the words, and she chuckled softly, sending back aughing emoji, followed by a heart and a hug. She must have done something good in her past life to deserve understanding children, brilliant children.


    "You seem happy over a text? Antonio?" Ewan¡¯s voice dripped with an edge of distaste as he mentioned Antonio¡¯s name, though he managed to keep it at bay.


    Athena shook her head without much thought, although she wondered why Antonio hadn¡¯t replied since she sent him a message¡ªit had been more than an hour now!


    "It¡¯s from Nathaniel. He just gave me permission to stay outte." She chuckled more when she noticed the flicker of confusion spreading across Ewan¡¯s face.


    "Don¡¯t bother about it. Just get back to the main point. Are you ready to talk now?" She queried, her smile fading as quickly as it had emerged, not wanting to be sidetracked by the trivial matters.


    Ewan nodded, letting out a deep, weighted sigh. "It¡¯s a long story."


    "And that¡¯s why I¡¯m happy the kids understand. I have enough time, Ewan. So speak."


    Ewan bit his lower lip as he scrutinized Athena¡¯s expression keenly. Would she cut him off when he was done? Would their fragile truce be shattered?


    A pang of unease welled in his heart at the thought. He couldn¡¯t bear that, yet lying to her was equally impossible¡ªnot when they hade this far.


    "I joined the gang for protection," He began, pausing as Athena raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on her features.


    "Protection is quite an abstract reason. You can¡¯t me me. Most join for mary gains or power, or whatnot. So why did you need protection?"


    "Because of the threats to my life." Ewan¡¯s voice softened as he exhaled heavily. "It started with a death note in my locker during high school. I was barely seventeen."


    Athena¡¯s eyes widened slightly in surprise. She hadn¡¯t seen thising. Who would want him dead at such a young age?


    "At first, I thought it was a prank from my friends, or maybe some juniors or seniors. But then, dead things started turning up in my locker: dead birds, rats, rabbits¡ªsometimes even cockroaches, mangled in the worst possible way. And then they started appearing in my room."


    A frown masked Athena¡¯s face. She would have called this revtion bullshit, but the agony swirling in Ewan¡¯s eyes, despite his efforts to remain calm, gave her pause.


    She knew him well enough to see the tension coiling in his form. Allowing herself to empathize with him, she recognized how traumatic it must have been to receive such horrific gifts at seventeen.


    "It made me paranoid..." Ewan continued after a moment of silence, gathering his thoughts like fragile pieces of ss.


    "I kept thinking someone was following me. I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that someone was in my room; I stopped sleeping in the dark. Then, on my eighteenth birthday, I received a package¡ªa death sentence, detailing the exact day I would die. That¡¯s when I knew I had to tell Alfonso. He was my guardian then, as you know it."


    Athena was on the edge of her seat, her curiosity piqued. What did Alfonso do?


    "At first, he was livid¡ªwondering why I hadn¡¯t told him sooner. He enlisted the help of the police and hired bodyguards. For a while, the awful visitations stopped. But during my graduation, when I climbed to the pulpit to receive my certificate, I was shot by a sniper."


    Athena¡¯s mouth fell open slightly, her eyes instinctively scanning his face in search of a bullet hole.


    "It was a warning shot. It grazed my cheek. The graduation descended into chaos. Alfonso, unsure of what to do, shipped me off to college, thinking maybe the matter would die down. But it only got worse. I had idents¡ªidents I knew had been staged. Somehow, though, I escaped unscathed. My friends even called me miraculous Ewan..."


    Ewan¡¯s voice faltered as he continued, "All that changed in my second year. I went to a party with Sandro and Zane; we were friends then. On our way back, they decided to drop by a friend¡¯s ce for the night, but I had to drop off my girlfriend first at the dorm."


    Athena inhaled sharply before she could help it. Girlfriend? A pang of difort shot through her, but she pushed it away and continued to listen, even as her heart began to beat irregrly.


    "On our way, the traffic light on our side turned red, so we stopped, chatting away¡ªtalking about typical college gibberish. But then the light turned green. I was too engaged in conversation to notice how quickly it had changed." Ewan¡¯s voice wavered, a fleeting sorrow flickering in his eyes.


    Athena could already discern the inevitable oue, and a wave of empathy washed over her for the young Ewan who had faced such a harrowing experience.


    "When I moved, I was crushed by a moving trailer. I passed out. When I woke in the hospital, my hands were cuffed to the bed, and I was met with the devastating news that my girlfriend was dead, and I had been arrested for drinking and driving, for murdering someone."


    Ewan¡¯s hands slipped from the table and gripped his thighs tightly as he struggled to contain feelings he had long buried alongside his painful memories.


    "After recovering from the hospital, I was taken to the police cells. I would have been transferred to Iron Heights Prison if not for the intervention of Herbert, Zane¡¯s father."


    "What about Alfonso?" Athena cut in, suspicion rising. She began to think that the wicked male had been behind all the troubles Ewan had faced.


    "He tried rescuing me from the situation, but the girl I allegedly murdered was the daughter of a prominent government official¡ªa minister, I think. I¡¯m not sure how Herbert managed it, but in the end, I was released on parole. That was how I met Connor."


    "Connor Brafus?"


    Ewan nodded.


    "We met during ourmunity service days. We got to talking, and that¡¯s how the gang came into the picture. I didn¡¯t want to join¡ªI had heard of the gang and their operations. But then, on thest day of mymunity service, I received a package with dead animal remains."


    A pausedened with pain.


    "I was tired, Athena. I was fed up. I was angry. I wanted to know who was behind this. At some point, I wanted to confront Old Mr. Thorne. Alfonso had thought he was behind it..."


    Athena scoffed. "What about him?"


    Ewan shook his head, frustration creeping into his voice. "Both were cleared of the allegations after much research."


    Of course, Alfonso wouldn¡¯t bother killing Ewan, especially since Fiona was being drilled at that time for her role as the puppet master. Athena considered this grim revtion. If not Alfonso, then who was behind the relentless assault on Ewan?


    "Do you think it¡¯s the killers of your parents?" She asked softly, aware that this was also a tender topic for him.


    "I don¡¯t know," Ewan responded meekly, his shoulders slumping as weariness overtook him like a heavy shroud. "I never found out the cause of their deaths, nor discovered who was behind my assault."


    "What about Spider? He couldn¡¯t locate the person or group?"


    Ewan shook his head slowly. "That¡¯s the one mission Spider has ever failed¡ªfinding my attackers, the people behind my parents¡¯ deaths. He still beats himself up over it."

 Chapter 306: Revelations IV

    <h4>Chapter 306: Revtions IV</h4>


    The news that Spider couldn¡¯t make a dent in Ewan¡¯s case left Athena gobsmacked. This meant Ewan was entangled in some deep mess, and worse still, he didn¡¯t know a thing about what was going on!


    She shook her head, her mind racing as she imagined how frustrated she would have been if the roles were reversed. Damn! How was that even possible?


    So far, Spider seemed to be the mostpetent person she had encountered when it came to unraveling the threads of the dark web. If he couldn¡¯t find anything, then there was truly a problem.


    The resigned look on Ewan¡¯s pale face confirmed that he understood the gravity of the situation as well.


    "This is serious, Ewan. Are there no leads? Have you had any attackstely?"


    Ewan shook his head slowly, the weight of his frustration evident. "As a matter of fact, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve had one since we got married, but I¡¯m guessing that¡¯s because Fiona was doing a good job of keeping me stupid... or maybe I don¡¯t really know what¡¯s happening, Athena. It¡¯s frustrating the hell out of me." His voice trembled as he paused, tapping the table harder than usual.


    "I¡¯ve thought and thought. I¡¯ve tried making connections, but to no avail. It¡¯s like I¡¯m stuck in this tangled mess, and it makes no sense to me, especially considering who I am and what I can do. It¡¯s humiliating."


    Athena could understand that frustration firsthand. Her mind raced through possibilities, trying to identify the actual culprit behind this chaos, but so far, nothing had surfaced. The fact that Spider had failed at this only cranked her anxiety up a notch.


    She nced towards Ewan, who seemed almost defeated. "Let¡¯s set this aside for now, Ewan. We will resolve this. I promise you, we will."


    Ewan¡¯s eyes glimmered with gratitude, and a flicker of hope crossed his features. "You¡¯re going to help me with this?"


    Athena looked at him incredulously, as if he had sprouted horns. "Of course I will. That¡¯s what friends do for each other, right? And I can tell it¡¯s part of what gives you sleepless nights."


    Ewan chuckled softly, the sound shaky and imbued with relief, as though he had been holding his breath waiting for her answer.


    Afortable silence settled between them¡ªdifferent from the previous tension¡ªperhaps because it allowed Athena to see another side of Ewan.


    After a moment, she encouraged him to continue his story. They could tackle his attackers another day. If luck was on their side, they might even work on it alongside the Morgan situation.


    Time was running out; the government¡¯s deadline loomed closer. She hoped they would catch Morgan tomorrow¡ªthat would bring her some peace.


    "Ewan..." She called gently, noticing he was hesitating.


    "Alright, I¡¯ll get on it." He inhaled deeply, gathering himself before resuming. He began to tap on the table again, punctuating his words with a nervous rhythm. "I joined the gang straight out ofmunity service¡ªbad decision for someone who had just promised to live right..."


    He chuckled at the irony, sharing a moment of reluctant humor with Athena.


    "But I was at my wit¡¯s end," He admitted, his expression shifting as he recalled his troubled past. Gaze locked on hers, his skepticism red. "The gang was just as the public knew it¡ªterrible. I lost count of the number of times I vomited when I first joined. I couldn¡¯t stomach a lot of what I witnessed. It was another side of life I didn¡¯t know existed."


    "Did Zane and Sandro join you immediately?" Athena inquired, leaning in with genuine curiosity.


    Ewan shook his head. "They came in a few monthster after realizing I had been missing from some of our usual hangouts. I was beginning to attract some rough-looking friends who didn¡¯t belong to our schoolmunity, so they grew suspicious. One night, they followed me to an operation, and the rest is history."


    "What operation was that?" Athena asked, her curiosity peaking in earnest.


    Ewan shrugged. "It was just to deliver a package to another group on the other side of the city."


    "What package? Don¡¯t tell me you didn¡¯t open it?"


    Ewan¡¯s smile held a sad grimness. "You know the story of gang rookies. I had seen too many instances where gang members were shot in the head or tortured for reasons as petty as stealing. I was too scared to be another statistic. So, I just made the drop at the location and came out. You can imagine my shock when I saw my friends waiting outside the building in an old beat-up truck.


    "They were never targeted; whoever had asked them what they were doing in that part of town sote at night, they imed to be friends of mine." He paused, his voice thick with nostalgia. "That was the night they joined the gang, after hours of discussions about what was really happening my life."


    Athena raised her left brow in disbelief. "They joined you just like that, instead of trying to convince you to leave?"


    Ewan shrugged again. "Yeah. But you should know that it¡¯s not easy to leave the gang once you¡¯ve joined. Leaving is like attempting suicide."


    Athena nodded slowly, deep in thought. Of course, she knew. But Sandro and Zane... she shook her head. No wonder their friendship was so tight; the three of them were all blind to the dangers of their choices!


    Shouldn¡¯t one of them have stayed out to keep an eye on the other two? But that wasn¡¯t her business. She sighed, wishing for a moment that things weren¡¯t soplicated for them.


    "So, how did you be the leader of the gang at such a young age? Did you make the highest number of kills or something?"


    Ewan¡¯sughter bubbled up before he could stop it, a sound rich with irony. "Not really. I actually didn¡¯t kill anyone who didn¡¯t deserve it."


    "What? So you got to decide who lives or dies?"


    "Of course not. What I meant was that whoever died in my hands was someone filled with greed and corruption, someone stained with the blood of innocent people."


    "Ah, the Robin Hoodplex, huh?"


    Ewan chuckled again, theughter mingling with the din around them. "I don¡¯t take their money to give to the poor." He shook his head at her, lightening the mood. "I think the leader at that time chose me because of my lineage¡ªbecause of how I was managing my family¡¯s empire. It amazed him that, at my age, I understood the ins and outs of thepany, handling it like a true professional and even doubling the revenue by the end of that particr year."


    "And they never thought of robbing you or causing trouble?"


    "No. We made a pact before I joined the gang. Thepany was off-limits. The boss was a man of his word."


    Athena pursed her lips, nodding slowly. "So that¡¯s the only reason why you were made the boss?" She continued, declining toment on his brilliance¡ªafter all, how many people had the temperament to manage the Gimeti empire at the age of twenty?


    If she were in that boss¡¯ position, she would have handed it over to him too!


    "Not really. Since they honored the pact to stay away from mypany, I honored mine as well." He paused, contemting his next words. "Let¡¯s just say I was a dutiful worker. I went the extra mile. I was selective about the cases I worked on, but I executed them impably, as I would handle matters within thepany."


    Athena could see thatmitment. "So all the killings in the news... you were behind them."


    Ewan nodded without hesitation. "I was. But if you looked into those individuals, you would discover that..."


    "They weren¡¯t innocent. That they were full of corruption. Yeah, I know¡ªI followed your history when I joined the CIA."


    Afortable silence settled between them, unfixated by judgments.


    "So what about the drugs? The trafficking? Were all the victims corrupt too?" Athena quoted with her fingers, emphasizing the word "corrupt" while wearing a twist of annoyance on her face.


    Ewan sighed, reclining further into his seat. "I didn¡¯t partake in those operations. It wasn¡¯t my gang, so I had no say in it. However, if you must know, I sabotaged most of those operations."


    Athena¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. "You did what?"


    Ewan shrugged again, a mix of defiance and regret on his face. "If you paid attention to the gang, you would have seen some police raids, reports of trafficked girls being rescued... well, that wasn¡¯t a coincidence. I was behind all that, along with my friends."


    "Wow. And they never found out? The gang, I mean?"


    Ewan shook his head, causing Athena¡¯s astonishment to deepen. "Well, except for Spider."


    "Because he was your friend too?"


    Ewan snorted gently, bemusement in his eyes. "Not at all. Because his sister had been one of the trafficked."


    "What!!" Athena eximed, her voice louder than intended. Thankfully, the restaurant buzz drowned her out.


    "He didn¡¯t know at first. But I did, considering I took care of the girls I was able to get out. In the process, I discovered her name. So when he threatened to report me after finding out, Iid her file before him. And the rest... is history."

 Chapter 307: Revelations V

    <h4>Chapter 307: Revtions V</h4>


    <i>No wonder the man was so loyal to him! </i>


    With every passing second, Athena began to understand that things weren¡¯t always what they appeared to be at first nce. Unless, of course, you were talking about physical beauty. Ewan was exactly as he seemed¡ªan appealing sin.


    As she studied his features under the dim lighting of the restaurant, she could see all too clearly why he attracted the female crowd. Hell, she wasn¡¯tpletely immune to that allure herself.


    Those sinful lips and...


    <i>Get</i><i>your</i><i>mind</i><i>out</i><i>of</i><i>the</i><i>gutter, girl!</i> Athena scolded herself frantically while keeping a calm exterior.


    "So, if you hated the trafficking and drug business so much, why didn¡¯t you stop it? Why didn¡¯t you just call the police and tear everything down?"


    "Because I needed the protection," Ewan replied, his brows furrowing as if the answer should have been obvious.


    Athena mentally cursed her mind for going off track for even a moment. Now, she had spoken without thinking!


    "I know it¡¯s selfish, Athena. But at that time, I had to do what I needed to survive, especially since I stopped receiving the death threats," Ewan continued, mistaking Athena¡¯s silence for judgment.


    "And what about the other gang members? Did they just swallow it all happily when you became the sessor?"


    Ewan shook his head slowly, his expression somber. "No, they were anything but happy. The boss¡¯s son started threatening me at every turn, even going so far as to set up idents¡ªunaware of how deeply his actions rattled me, especially considering what I had been through, and why I joined his father¡¯s gang in the first ce."


    "So, how did you handle him? Did you report him to his father?" Athena asked, curiosity piqued.


    Ewan held her gaze steadily. "No. I set him up."


    Athena cocked her head to the left, a look of disbelief in her eyes. "You are really crazy,"


    Ewan¡¯s heart paused.


    But then she teasing him with an impish smile.


    And he felt his heart revert to its normal rhythm. Was this woman trying to give him a heart attack with her rapid emotional shifts?


    "Is he dead?"


    Ewan shook his head. "He¡¯s in prison. He¡¯ll be there for a long time."


    "And they don¡¯t suspect what you did?"


    Ewan shook his head again. "It¡¯s well under wraps."


    Athena nodded slowly, her fingers tapping a rhythm on her thigh. "How, then, did you manage to rule the gang? Did you abolish some practices?"


    Ewan knew what she wanted to hear, but life doesn¡¯t always adhere to expectations. "Not until the boss died. Even then, I couldn¡¯t abolish things the way I would have liked. The illegal trades slowed of course, but it caused some unrest. However, I thought that wasn¡¯t enough. Yet the two times I tried stopping the operations, I almost didn¡¯t escape with my life."


    "Why didn¡¯t you involve the police at that point? You were older then, weren¡¯t you?"


    "Most of the police were on the payroll. And even though I was the boss, I was sure that some of my underlings were still running deals behind my back. I was so relieved to leave the gang."


    "Really? How did that even happen?"


    Ewan tsked, his mild frustration evident. "I was the boss."


    "That simple?"


    "Not really. I made another pact¡ªnot to involve myself with their matters anymore, or with the police. In other words, I was saying I wouldn¡¯t betray them, or they woulde for everything I cared about, including thepany... and you."


    "Me?" Athena feigned surprise, her brows arching.


    "Yes, they knew I was getting married; it was part of the excuse I used to extricate myself from that lifestyle¡ªto keep you out of it."


    "Only to throw me into a worse one..." Athena muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. But she couldn¡¯t hide it from Ewan, who was seated across from her.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Athena. At that stage in my life, I was uncertain about everything. I was twenty-three and a fool, letting situations dictate my decisions¡ªespecially after Alfonso¡¯s deal. I hated being a pawn... ironic, considering I was Fiona¡¯s for years."


    They shared a bittersweetugh, both lost in the haunting memories of a turbulent past.


    "You know, without your foster father¡¯s intervention, I might have asked you out naturally. Maybe not marriage, but I would have dated you. I noticed you at the council one time..."


    Athena schooled her expression into a nk te as Ewan narrated the first time he had seen her, the first time she had seen him too. It was a small relief amidst her wounds to think she hadn¡¯t been the only one feeling that spark back then.


    If only Alfonso hadn¡¯t intervened. If only... She sighed, her gaze drifting away from Ewan, furrowing her brows next, upon noticing Rodney nursing a drink while staring at them.


    "He¡¯s been watching us like that for the past twenty minutes. What¡¯s your deal with him? Why did you give him your number?"


    "He seemed like someone who needed help," Athena replied, returning her focus to Ewan. "You¡¯re going to check him out, aren¡¯t you?"


    Ewan didn¡¯t deny it. "I need to make sure he¡¯s a good man."


    In the same vein, Athena didn¡¯t stop him or try to negate his intentions. Let him do whatever he thought was right.


    "So, you¡¯re not nning to do anything about the gang?"


    "No, but you can." Ewan beckoned the waiter for a drink.


    "I¡¯m thirsty," He exined, noticing the frown on Athena¡¯s face.


    "You¡¯re driving, you know that, right?" She gestured for the waiter to leave them.


    Ewan didn¡¯t protest.


    "So, you want me to take down your old gang? I don¡¯t work with the CIA."


    "But you work with Nimbus. You could dismantle the operation; Spider will help you. Even though he works for them, he ims it¡¯s to gather more intel. I¡¯m sure he would want to work with you, especially after what happened to his sister."


    Right. It was perfectly eptable to do it to other people¡¯s sisters until it hit home.


    Athena tsked, pushing her chair back. "I think it¡¯s time we leave here. We can talk more as we head back to the city. It¡¯s gettingte."


    Ewan nodded and rose to his feet, stifling a groan as heaviness washed over his legs and body¡ªit must have been the drugs reacting. He desperately needed sleep.


    Athena must have seen the expression of fatigue on his face because she grabbed his hand without a second thought, leading him toward the exit.


    "I should have taken you directly to your house instead of making you drop me off at Fiona¡¯s," Athena remarked as they walked into the open air.


    Ewan let out a lightugh, followed by a cough. "You didn¡¯t make me do anything, woman,"


    Their moment was interrupted as an attendant burst out of the restaurant, catching up to them. "You haven¡¯t settled your bill..."


    Athenaughed and produced her card.


    When Ewan tried to protest, she pinched him yfully on the back while beaming at the flustered waiter, who was now blushing as he held the card machine.


    "I should have made the payment for that..." Ewan grumbled as soon as the attendant left.


    "Get into the car, Ewan. Let¡¯s go home."


    Home. The word sent a wave of warmth through him. If only...


    "Ewan, hurry up..."


    He cursed under his breath and climbed into the car.


    "So, are we cool?" Ewan finally asked, the burden on his heart lightening somewhat as he gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white. They were only a few moments away from the city.


    "Yes, we¡¯re cool. I understand a lot better now. I hope we find your attacker soon. However..."


    Ewan¡¯s heart rate quickened.


    "I hope your past actions don¡¯t resurface on social media one day. The public wouldn¡¯t understand your side of the story."


    "It won¡¯t happen. Spider has everything under control," Ewan asserted with conviction.


    Athena nodded in response, hoping the man truly did have it all under control¡ªfor the sake of her children.


    Ewan drove Athena to Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s first. As they approached, he paused when he noticed Antonio stepping out of the sleek Porsche parked by the curb. "Well, it looks like Antonio has been waiting for you."


    Athena sighed, sensing the gruffness in Ewan¡¯s tone as she watched Antonio approach.


    She stepped out of the car immediately, and because she didn¡¯t say anything to Ewan¡ªnot even a goodnight¡ªhe got out as well, unwilling to let himself be dismissed.


    "Ewan..." Antonio spat out the name like it was bitter on his tongue. "What are you doing here?" He pivoted toward Athena, his voice thick with usation. "What are you doing with him?"


    "We had some work to finish," Athena responded simply, hoping for a peaceful conversation.


    She hadn¡¯t received a reply from Antonio after her text; she should have known he would want to discuss matters in person. This was something he had craved for quite some time.


    "And what work is that?" Antonio enquired, his suspicious eyes narrowing.


    But Ewan was having none of that. "You¡¯re just my children¡¯s adoptive..."


    "You¡¯ve got it wrong, Ewan," Antonio interrupted, eager to puff up his chest. "She just epted to be my girlfriend a few hours ago."

 Chapter 308: Warring Emotions

    <h4>Chapter 308: Warring Emotions</h4>


    A few hours ago?


    Ewan¡¯s head swam with questions, and then with fatigue. He staggered on his feet, slightly irritated when he felt Athena supporting him¡ªhe wasn¡¯t some charity case!


    That irritability morphed into red-hot anger when Antonio stepped forward and gently removed Athena¡¯s hands from his waist.


    "If he needs a support system, I can be that," Antonio asserted.


    Not wasting a moment, Ewan swatted Antonio¡¯s hands away, tears of humiliation burning behind his eyes. "Get your stinky hands off me!"


    "Damn, dude! I¡¯m just trying to help! If you don¡¯t want it, get your ungrateful ass inside the car and drive off," Antonio barked, folding his arms across his chest and blocking Athena.


    Meanwhile, behind him, Athena worried if she had made a good call, considering how irate and unreasonable Antonio was behaving. Why did he have to announce it in front of Ewan like that? Did a man¡¯s ego have to be so damning? She clicked her tongue and stepped away from his protective stance.


    "Antonio, quit it," She stated, keeping her voice steady.


    Turning to face Ewan fully, she felt her heart drop at the pain etched across his handsome features. Had she caused that?


    "Is it true? You epted to be his girlfriend a few hours ago? When was that? Was it because of the truth¡ª"


    Athena shook her head immediately, aware of where Ewan was headed. "It¡¯s not that. I... I just felt it was the right time to move on rtionship-wise..."


    She left her answer iplete. There was no way she was telling Ewan that she had epted Antonio simply to silence her heart, which had gone rogue without her consent. She could learn to love Antonio; he was a good man and had been a great friend for a long time.


    But Ewan... Nah, he was a whole different case¡ªsinfully attractive and utterly captivating. She still cherished her life and the control she had over it.


    "You don¡¯t need to exin anything to him, Athena. He isn¡¯t worth it," Antonio spat, and Athena bit her lip to suppress the urge to tell him to shut his mouth and get into his car. She understood male ego and possessiveness, yet she wasn¡¯t enjoying this.


    "Antonio, that¡¯s okay."


    But her gaze remained steadfast on Ewan, which clearly displeased Antonio.


    "Alright then, I¡¯m sorry. Can we go inside, or maybe step outside and talk? I¡¯m in need of you..."


    Athena shut her eyes in anger when she felt Ewan¡¯s anger triple a multiple fold¡ªat the implied meaning of thest use, when she felt what Antonio was doing; he was ntanly disregarding her!


    She turned to give him a piece of her mind finally, but Ewan was already walking away.


    "I will see you tomorrow, Athena. I hope you have a good night."


    Athena turned away from Antonio, her earlier irritation forgotten in her haste to speak with Ewan, but when she faced him, she was met only with his back and the sight of his hunched shoulders, weighted with dejection.


    She watched, heart heavy, as he walked to his car and drove off. Why did she feel this way? She shouldn¡¯t be concerned. She shouldn¡¯t feel bad for epting Antonio.


    So why...? Her train of thought was abruptly derailed when Antonio draped an arm over her shoulder.


    For a fleeting moment, Athena considered shrugging him off. But doing so might tip him off that something was wrong. She didn¡¯t want anything to be amiss.


    "Don¡¯t mind the puppet. Does he think he has a chance with you after everything that¡¯s happened?"


    However, Athena wasn¡¯t in the mood for this; she didn¡¯t want to discuss Ewan right now. It waste, and she needed to sleep. Tomorrow was bound to be long.


    "Antonio, can we do this tomorrow? I had a long day," She sighed, observing the sh of anger in his eyes.


    "I¡¯ll make it up to you tomorrow and the next day. With all the recent activities surrounding Morgan..."


    "Yeah, I get it." Antonio interrupted, drawing her closer, a soft smile creeping onto his lips¡ªreminding her of the man she hade to know. Ewan seemed to bring out the worst in him.


    "But must you work with him? Isn¡¯t Aiden doing enough of a good job? Including the other agents that work with you? And what about me? I can help."


    Athena chuckled softly. "You? You¡¯re a busy man. And as for Ewan, you don¡¯t have to worry about him. He has his uses, yes, but he isn¡¯t the one I said yes to."


    "Damn right, he isn¡¯t," Antonio muttered, his voice deepening as he searched Athena¡¯s eyes for permission to kiss her.


    Taking her silence as affirmation, he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers¡ªchaste at first. Then he attempted to deepen the kiss, to push past her lips, feeling her hesitation.


    He understood that she had been out of the dating scene for a long while, yet he knew he had been patient for long enough. This time, he would give it all he had!


    Fortunately for him, Athena allowed him to slip his tongue inside her mouth, pulling her into an unsteady state of numbness, before gently pushing him away.


    Antonio smiled, noticing the flush on her cheeks and her unfocused gaze. He drew her into his chest, dropping a kiss on her hair. "Thank you, Athena. I promise to be the best boyfriend ever." He muttered, nting another kiss on her forehead.


    Meanwhile, Athena¡¯s mind was engaged in a baselessparison, even though she didn¡¯t want it to be. It seemed her mind... had a mind of its own.


    She found herself steeling her heart, forcing herself to think of Antonio and not Ewan, while inhaling the scent of Antonio¡¯s shirt. This internal battle confirmed to her that she had made a good choice in selecting Antonio as her date.


    "Goodnight, Antonio... I will hold you to your promise..." She murmured in a hoarse voice, after disengaging from the hug, meeting his gaze shyly, which gleamed with happiness.


    "I will see youter then. Have a good night, my love."


    Inside the Thorne mansion, Athena sighed in relief when she heard Antonio¡¯s car zoom away from the property. She slumped onto one of the empty sofas in the quiet living room. It seemed everyone had already gone to sleep.


    Even though she was hungry, she thought about resting a little before heading to the kitchen. However, fatigue overcame her, and she fell asleep without realizing it.


    She didn¡¯t know she had dozed off until a touch on her shoulder roused her.


    "Athena, wake up!"


    Forcing her groggy eyes open, she exhaled softly when she noted Chelsea and Gianna standing a few feet away from her.


    "Girl, we¡¯ve been waiting for you forever! Good thing Gianna suggested we wait in the sitting room... otherwise, we would have waited in your room for nothing," Chelsea began, taking the spot beside her on the sofa.


    Gianna, noticing her friend¡¯s state, muttered an excuse and hurried into the kitchen to microwave some of the sumptuous dishes Florence had made for Chelsea, seeing her as an esteemed guest.


    "You¡¯re too tired to talk..." Chelsea continued, cing a palm over Athena¡¯s forehead. "Your body is burning up."


    Athena clicked her tongue. "Already doctoring me up? You forget I¡¯m a doctor too..." She pointed out with a tired chuckle.


    Chelseaughed. "That¡¯s why you need me. Most doctors neglect their own health until another professional points things out to them."


    Athena wondered if her friend was talking about her current state or if it was a veiled reference to her mental health regarding the nightmares and trauma. How much had Gianna already shared?


    "I hope you¡¯re not nning to be my therapist?" Athena jested, darting a look at her friend.


    "And what if I am?" Chelsea teased back.


    Athenaughed, shaking her head. "That won¡¯t work. I get that you¡¯re a psychologist, but I¡¯d prefer someone else. Will you remain professional while doing the job?"


    There was a significant pause. "I can try," Chelsea replied, her tone earnest.


    Athena shook her head. "That won¡¯t work, and we both know it. We want someone who won¡¯t be tempted to cut off someone¡¯s head while hearing my story."


    Chelsea chuckled, allowing Athena to rest her head on her shoulder. "Must you make sense all the time?"


    "Of course! So, when is your friend arriving? The psychologist?"


    "He actually arrived with me yesterday and is waiting at a hotel..."


    "A male?"


    "Yeah, do you have a problem with that? If so, I can find a female one if that would make you morefortable..."


    "No, it¡¯s okay," Athena insisted, her drowsy eyes catching Gianna entering the room with a cake on a tray.


    "Something to keep your mouth busy while the food warms up," Gianna said with a wink, gesturing for Athena to sit up.


    Athena obeyed immediately, recalling the hunger pangs stirring in her stomach. The delicious soup she had consumed at the restaurant had quelled her hunger earlier, but the tempting cake in front of her ignited it once more.


    "Thanks, Gianna," She muttered, taking the fork, pausing when her phone dinged with a text.


    Thinking it was Ewan, she hurriedly opened her phone, but her heart plummeted to ice when she read Aiden¡¯s text.


    ¡¯It¡¯s the Minister of Health.¡¯

 Chapter 309: Warring Emotions II

    <h4>Chapter 309: Warring Emotions II</h4>


    Ewan tried to understand what was going on, but the more he dwelled on the questions, the more he attempted to recall any time during the journey when Athena had felt so desperate forpanionship that she had epted Antonio as her boyfriend, the more his head throbbed with pain.


    His body ached, yet it couldn¡¯tpare to the pain gripping his heart. Why will she choose him?


    Logically, he understood her choice; Antonio was the safe option. However...


    He cursed for the umpteenth time since he had left them standing by the Thorne¡¯s gates.


    For the more he imagined them together¡ªkissing or doing something else¡ªthe tighter the grip on his heart tightened, and he ends up cursing again and again.


    Not sure what he was doing, Ewan drove to a bar and parked the car but didn¡¯t leave it. Looking at the bar longingly, thirsty for bottles of wine or beer to keep the sorrow at bay, he contemted his actions haphazardly.


    No matter his wants and needs, he needed to remember that he had children now¡ªchildren who would look up to him as a role model. Would he want to teach them to drown their sorrows with wine when challenging situations arose?


    He shook his head, albeit reluctantly and painfully. He needed a drink. It didn¡¯t even matter that there was no way for the children to find out if he got drunk tonight; his dutifulness to them wouldn¡¯t allow him to step into the bar.


    He cursed and hit the steering wheel repeatedly to release some pent-up frustration. That only ended up attracting the wrong crowd.


    Ewan was oblivious to this until there was a knock on his window. It was then he became aware of his surroundings; as he hit the steering wheel, the sound of the horn blowing intermittently had invited a group of rough-looking fellows.


    Worse, he was driving an expensive car¡ªnot the ordinary ones he usually took to ces like this.


    However, he didn¡¯t waste time thinking about this matter; instead, he kept looking at the man who was smoking¡ªnked by five others with their hands intentionally ced in the front pockets of their leather jackets. Guns?¡ªwhile he shifted the gear into drive.


    Hence, before the man could knock again, Ewan zoomed out of the parking space, undeterred by the gunshots that rent the air thereafter and struck his car as well. His car was bulletproof.


    He didn¡¯t stop until he got home, which was Sandro¡¯s apartment at the moment.


    "Ewan, what took you so long?" Sandro asked immediately upon opening the door and seeing Ewan standing at the doorstep.


    Noting the forlorn expression on Ewan¡¯s face, a frown masked Sandro¡¯s features. "Did anything happen?"


    Ewan opened his mouth to express his frustrations as he stepped into the apartment, but then he saw therge ck coat and hat sitting pretty on the plush creamy sofa and startedughing¡ªthe kind ofughter that eased frustration and caused a tear to slip from one¡¯s eye.


    "Why are youughing?" Sandro asked, turning away from the bolted door.


    He could see that Ewan was staring at the forsaken coat and hat, yet he couldn¡¯t grasp the reason behind it. Surely, Gianna wouldn¡¯t have...


    He cursed, hitting the wall when his mind supplied him the reason for Ewan¡¯s amusement. "She sent you the picture?"


    But Ewan didn¡¯t respond; rather, heughed harder, needing this escape route for his frustration. Heughed and flung himself onto the sofa, still chuckling when Zane came into the room from the passageway.


    "Did I miss out on some joke?"


    "He didn¡¯t tell you?" Ewan paused in hisughter.


    "Ewan..." Sandro called in a warning tone.


    If Ewan was this way about the matter, then Zane would be worse. Thetter wouldn¡¯t let him live down this day.


    But Ewan wasn¡¯t about to let his joy be cut short.


    "You know Chelsea Statham?" He began, winking at Sandro, pushing his own troubles aside for the moment.


    Zane nodded immediately, taking a seat for this hot gossip, his palms resting on his cheeks. He looked like an ardent gossiper, and Sandro thought so too.


    Seeing that he wouldn¡¯t have a say in this matter, he cursed and took a seat on an adjoining chair. He might as well prepare himself to beughed at tonight.


    "Well, she arrived in our city today. Athena sent Gianna to pick her up. I¡¯m not sure what happened¡ªmaybe her car broke down¡ªseeing as she had to ask Sandro for help, even though she is aware that this man here and Chelsea are not on good terms..."


    "Yet why would she involve Sandro and put her friend in an ufortable situation? I am not surprised; it seems like something she would do," Zane bit out in irritation, cutting Ewan short.


    Ewan, baffled, looked at Sandro. Thetter snickered, happy at the turn of events.


    "That woman is really the worst of it all! She¡ª"


    "Okay, that¡¯s enough, Zane..." Ewanmanded, feeling the highness that hade from the earlier boisterousughter fading away. "You should have let me finish the story before drawing stupid conclusions. This must be the reason why she had called Sandro instead of you..."


    "Not that I¡¯m interested in being her personal driver," Zane muttered, to Ewan¡¯s chagrin. He could see why Athena had said that she hadn¡¯t supported Aiden blindly in the case of his divorce; a man¡¯s ego was really something to watch out for.


    Seeing his friend draw conclusions about a matter thetter knew nothing about was a bit jarring, especially since he had done the same during his marriage to Athena¡ªduring the times Fiona and her mother used his wife of things she didn¡¯t do or ced me on her.


    Letting himself ept this truth, Ewan sighed and leaned back against the sofa, the zeal to retell the story dying away.


    "You¡¯re not going toplete the story?" Zane asked, unable to keep curiosity from dripping off his voice.


    Unfortunately, Ewan was no longer in the mood. "We men are really egocentric brats!" Hemented, shaking his head woefully.


    Sandro was happy, though. He rxed with a smile into the sofa.


    Zane was not pleased with this. Where was the hot gossip?


    "So no one is going to tell me about this afternoon¡¯s events?"


    "Well, you already killed the mood with your stupid grudge. Deal with it," Sandro taunted, before reverting to Ewan. "So, tell us how the day went. Was the mission sessful?"


    Ewan nodded.


    "I am hungry. Is there food?" He asked, deciding to aim for a good night¡¯s rest after eating so that he could be in a better frame of mind tomorrow. Tomorrow was the day they would catch Morgan. He couldn¡¯t wait.


    "Yes, I¡¯ll get it for you," Sandro mentioned, getting to his feet.


    As he walked toward the kitchen, Zane stood up, sauntered toward Ewan, and sat down beside him.


    "Tell me about the funny gossip."


    But Ewan ignored him, focusing instead on the questions he had left for Spider before getting home regarding Rodney and then about Morgan¡¯s location.


    "You really are not going to tell me anything..." Zane whined.


    This time, Ewan turned aside and looked at him so intently that Zane became ufortable. "What?"


    "If I were you, I would talk with Gianna and find out if the two of us really did need to go our separate ways or if there¡¯s been a huge misunderstanding somewhere."


    Zane cursed, stood up from the sofa, and returned to his seat.


    "Don¡¯t make the same mistakes that I did, Zane. Trust me, the pain I¡¯m facing now is terrible. I wish I could go back in time..."


    Zane scoffed. "Athena is not Gianna. Gianna isn¡¯t even worthy of touching Athena¡¯s feet..."


    Ewan balked. "You will regret it, surely," He muttered, shaking his head. "Good luck getting her back after that."


    Zane chuckled sarcastically. "I would rather beg for food on the streets... I would rather give myself up to the Grey disease than get back with that..."


    "No name-calling, Zane. Keep your adjectives to yourself. She is Athena¡¯s best friend, so she is worth something. As a matter of fact, she is a good woman. I know that. If you don¡¯t see that, that¡¯s your business."


    "Preach, brother..." Sandro cut in, interrupting whatever was at the tip of Zane¡¯s tongue.


    Thetter hissed in distaste. "Just tell us what happened today... enough about Gianna."


    And Ewan did just that as he ate. When he was done, the other two men were wearing a myriad of expressions.


    "It¡¯s good news, basically," Sandro finally broke the silence. "You got three of the traitors, and Fiona is getting what she deserves. As for Connor, he should have known better. Yet is that why you came back looking downtrodden? Did something happen?"


    "Athena epted Antonio¡¯s request. They are dating now."


    "Oh shit... I wouldn¡¯t say I didn¡¯t see thating..." Zane eximed, his rant cut short by Ewan¡¯s ringing phone.


    "Connor, what¡¯s the matter?" Ewan got straight to the point.


    "She has given you a location? Good. Continue until she provides the answer to the other question."


    And then he ended the call, the cold glint in his eyes disappearing when he saw Athena¡¯s message drop in coincidentally.


    "Did you get home well? Have you eaten?"

 Chapter 310: Warring Emotions III

    <h4>Chapter 310: Warring Emotions III</h4>


    "This should mean something, right?"


    Silence greeted Ewan¡¯s hope-filled question; he had to ask again, needing reassurance.


    "Come on, guys, say something. It means something, right? Look..." He sidled closer to his friends, who were peering down at his phone¡¯s screen, looking at the message Athena had sent a few minutes ago.


    "Why would she ask about my well-being and if I have eaten if she doesn¡¯t care? Maybe..."


    "Not to burst your bubble, Ewan, but Athena is this way with everyone, especially her friends. And luckily for you, she even epted you as one... I think you should let go of this unattainable dream of being her husband again and focus on being a good friend."


    "Technically, I¡¯m still her husband," Ewan muttered, refusing to ept Zane¡¯s contribution.


    However, Sandro¡¯s re cut that victory short¡ªthey had talked about throwing that marital use around carelessly.


    "I know. I know. I¡¯m just... saying," He muttered, dumping his tired body onto the sofa.


    "Not to be as harsh as Zane, but I suggest you not get your hopes up. Being her friend, really, I think that¡¯s the best you should hope for. Besides, you get to see your kids more frequently. Isn¡¯t that the case?" Sandro queried, not seeing Ewan¡¯s probem.


    Ewan nodded, but he didn¡¯t add that he needed more. His friends would sing the tune of how impossible it would be for his need to be aplished. It was best he kept his feelings to himself from now on.


    "Wait, she is typing..." Sandro announced breathlessly, taking the space beside Ewan on the sofa.


    Zane followed suit.


    "What do you think she is going to send next?" He asked, peering closely at the phone, willing the three dancing dots on the screen to deliver a message already.


    Ewan shrugged. "What do you guys think? I don¡¯t have much experience in this field."


    A pause.


    "Zane, you should be the one giving us answers. You are more versed with women. What do you think?"


    Zane scoffed at Sandro¡¯s statement, but pressed his lips into a thin line while he considered the matter. "I think she is trying to exin herself, considering the fact that you didn¡¯t reply to her previous messages. Women don¡¯t like being left in a hanging loop; they don¡¯t like loose ends either. She would want to smooth things over, make things clearer and less hurtful for you..."


    He stated this in a calm and collected voice like a love professional would.


    However, Ewan¡¯s next act wasn¡¯t what either of the males anticipated. He eximed, and then moved, as if stung by a bee, his fingers typing vigorously on the keyboard.


    "What are you doing?!" Zane whisper-yelled, clutching Ewan¡¯s hands.


    "I just remembered that I haven¡¯t answered her messages. Why wouldn¡¯t I do that?!" Ewan retorted with a frown, shaking his hands off Zane¡¯s hold.


    "At least this way you can see if she cares enough about you..."


    Ewan pursed his lips, eyes narrowing as he tried to make sense of Zane¡¯s words.


    "I¡¯m not supporting this strategy, but Zane¡¯s words make sense, I think. Since you forgot to send her a reply, let her think that you are still annoyed with hertest choices."


    "And then what? What if she cuts me off?"


    As if on cue, the three dots indicating that Athena was trying to send a message disappeared. This time, they didn¡¯te back, and the guys waited apprehensively for a good five minutes.


    "Now, see what you have caused!" Ewan eximed angrily, typing away on the phone.


    Zane looked at Sandro and shrugged. What had he done, if not offer advice? How would he know that Athena would get annoyed?


    Although now he thought about it, that made sense. Athena had her pride. Oh well, Ewan¡¯s mistake then.


    He quickly recovered himself to see the message that Ewan sent to Athena.


    ¡¯Yes, I am fine, and I have eaten. Have you? Were the kids awake when you got home?¡¯


    He was trying to keep the line of conversation open at this time of the night...


    Zane was about to tell Ewan that it waste to be getting chatty when a ding resonated from the phone.


    Athena had sent a reply! Could it be?


    Zane couldn¡¯t help but lean into the phone, aware of the smile blossoming on his friend¡¯s lips.


    ¡¯No, they were already asleep. Only my friends were awake, waiting up for me. I¡¯ve eaten too. Well, since you are awake, I have news for you. We have found the mole.¡¯


    Ewan exchanged nces with his friends.


    Had Athena¡¯s message been because she cared for him, or was it simply because she wanted to give him this news but didn¡¯t want to seem callous by sending it without inquiring about his well-being first?


    <i>Sadly, they</i><i>would</i><i>never</i><i>find</i><i>out.</i>


    ¡¯Who is the mole?¡¯ Ewan typed, not finding it necessary to trouble his mind about this matter anymore. What will be will be.


    <i>Only</i><i>if</i><i>it</i><i>was</i><i>that</i><i>easy...</i>


    ¡¯The Minister of Health. Turns out he has been working with the gang all this while.¡¯


    ¡¯Is he the chief perpetrator in this matter?¡¯


    ¡¯ording to Aiden, the call was made on a private line, but they could get his part of the conversation. And from what they could deduce, he is not the chief perpetrator; he is only a worker in the operation. But it can be said that he has beenmunicating with the doctors... we just need the said doctors to make their move.¡¯


    ¡¯So, are we making a move on the minister?¡¯


    ¡¯Not yet. Making a move now might alert the others. It¡¯s better we allow him to roam about for now; he might lead us to the other traitors in government.¡¯


    ¡¯Is the president aware of this?¡¯


    ¡¯Yes. And he is not happy about it. ording to Aiden, he gave Colt permission to check everyone in the cab thoroughly.¡¯


    ¡¯Good. Let¡¯s hope he¡¯s not the chief perpetrator then.¡¯


    ¡¯Yeah. Let¡¯s. Goodnight, Ewan. I will see you tomorrow.¡¯


    ¡¯Goodnight, Athena...¡¯


    Ewan was just about to type, ¡¯Have a sleep as beautiful as your smile,¡¯ when he suddenly remembered that he wasn¡¯t alone on this chatting expedition. So, he just put a period and closed the chat.


    He took a deep inhale, centering his thoughts on this new piece of information, aware that his friends were doing the same.


    "So, Minister Thomas is behind this, after his big talk on integrity and whatnot? How could he be so callous when his job is to take care of the people? Isn¡¯t he a doctor too?"


    "The best during his time..." Sandro muttered, adding me to the rising inferno in Zane, who had broken the silence first.


    "Why are humans so chaotic and ruthless for stupid reasons like money..." Zane continued, hitting the table, only stopping after realizing how calm Ewan was.


    However, knowing Ewan, he knew that thetter was stewing in anger.


    "What are we to do, Ewan?"


    Ewan¡¯s grip tightened on his phone. "This is Athena¡¯s mission. What she says goes," He replied monotonously.


    Sandro and Zane exchanged nces, unsure if they should be happy that Ewan wasn¡¯t the one handling the case.


    As much as Ewan was ruthless in dispensing justice, he could be reckless at times. If he were the one handling the mission, the minister would have kissed death tonight. The idiot and whoever was conniving with him.


    "So, we wait then?" Sandro muttered, reclining deeper into the sofa.


    "Yeah, we wait." Ewan gritted his teeth while imagining the thousand ways he could torture enough answers out of the minister; they didn¡¯t need to wait for him to bring in the other answers.


    Between him and Connor, he was sure that they could get the minister to talk. Oh well... the government did have its methods. But it was damn slow.


    Just then, his phone dinged with another text. This time it was from Spider.


    With sharp, clear eyes, he ran through the message at breakneck speed.


    "Who is Rodney?" Sandro and Zane asked simultaneously.


    "Just a guy who picked Athena¡¯s interest..."


    A pause, where he chuckled softly and shook his head. "It¡¯s just as Ethan said. She really has an eye for them."


    A car racer? Thief? Keen senses and quick on his feet? Surely there must be a n in her mind for the youngd. Thetter had a lot of shorings, but he could surely be groomed.


    "She wants to hire him as a driver? Doesn¡¯t she have Jake?"


    "I don¡¯t know, Sandro. I don¡¯t know. I guess we will wait and see," Ewan muttered before opening the second message.


    "It is Morgan¡¯s location. Spider is just damn good." Zane breathed in awe, his head dipping lower. "Wait..." He pointed at the screen and looked at his friends, not surprised when he saw the same expression on their faces.


    "That zone belongs to a rival gang, and they sure as hell know us. What are we going to do? Or rather, what are you going to do? If you show your face there, Ewan, you are dead. Worse, you will bring trouble to Athena. Maybe you should leave this one for her and Aiden."


    Ewan shook his head. "Aiden is too busy with the mole at the moment. But I have an idea."


    A pause.


    "Sandro, call Madam Ruby; it¡¯s time to utilize that favor of hers."

 Chapter 311: Finding Morgan

    <h4>Chapter 311: Finding Morgan</h4>


    "If Ethan were here, he would be in the best position to scout this environment," Athena stated with a sigh, as her eyes surveyed their surroundings from the back seat of the ck-tinted Mercedes.


    Beside her was Ewan, and in front of them were two agents¡ªone driving and the other scouting the area like them. The two would serve as a bridge to the other agents waiting at the other end of the street to sweep in when the signal was given.


    At this rate, Athena wondered if there would be any sign given at all by her and Ewan considering the sterile environment. There was no one in the streets; it was as if everyone had run away because of some matter. Even the small restaurant where their car was parked beside was void of life.


    Athena would have been happy, considering that it meant easier passage into the house, but this was not a rtively family-friendly street filled with peace, joy, andughter. No, from the reports Spider had submitted to Ewan and from the few things she could gather herself, this was a neighborhood driven by gangs and other criminal elements.


    No way was this normal. Something was at y.


    The creepy feeling was back again. Could this be another of Morgan¡¯s traps? It most likely was.


    "When you mention that Ethan would be the better scout in this situation, what do you mean?" Ewan asked, taking his eyes from the window to focus on Athena, not pleased that she used the adjective "better" for a man who wasn¡¯t him.


    Athena shrugged in response. "He is very good with stealth. Probably like Zane... that¡¯s why his codename was Phantom, right?"


    Ewan nodded slowly.


    "I was right then. Well, Ethan is also skilled at scaling buildings. How else do you think I was able to get my hands on Fiona¡¯s phone during the court case?"


    Ewan raised an eyebrow in response; nothing fazed him anymore about Athena. She had a lot in her arsenal¡ªa range of tools and agents, many loyal people. And Ethan was one of them.


    Ethan Patterson, who had won Businessman of the Year twice in a row... Ewan shook his head. To think that even then, thetter had been operating Athena¡¯spanies.


    Ewan allowed himself to recap his dealings with the young man; his friends had been right¡ªhe was truly lucky that Athena had epted him as her friend and abandoned her earlier revenge n. It would have been a disastrous monstrosity otherwise.


    He shuddered before he could help it, thinking of the other side of the matter if luck hadn¡¯t intervened for him. Hopefully, nothing would make him and Athena enemies again.


    All his secrets were out in the open, except for the fact that he remembered more than he had told her about, concerning his old memories.


    He wasn¡¯t sure why he was keeping that from her, but his mouth seemed to develop a mind of its own whenever he thought of broaching that topic.


    "Are you okay, Ewan? You seem... I don¡¯t know, lost?" Athena¡¯s melodious voice broke into his thoughts, snapping him away from them.


    "Sorry, I was just contemting how to get past this dilemma." He lied, not finding it necessary to add that he didn¡¯t think anything was wrong in the neighborhood. The people were just obeying the words of the gang leader who ruled the environment single-handedly.


    After the conversation he had with his friendsst night, Sandro had reached out to Madam Ruby¡ªa distant rtive of the head of the gang but a very close friend¡ªabout the operation today, and instructed her to convince the gang leader to stand down as they walked into their territory.


    Ewan didn¡¯t care how she had aplished it, but the incentives in hispany had been enough to carry out the appeal. However, he hadn¡¯t anticipated the clearing of the whole street.


    "Let¡¯s get down," He muttered, turning away from Athena to grab the side of his door.


    However, Athena stopped him by grabbing his shoulder and pulling him back.


    "What do you think you are doing, Ewan?" She asked, a frown clouding her beautiful face. "Do you think you¡¯re bulletproof? Maybe you should call Zane since he¡¯s good at stealth."


    Athena¡¯s care warmed Ewan¡¯s heart; however, he knew that Zane wasn¡¯t free at the moment.


    His friend was currently outside the city for a jewelrypetition partly hosted by his father¡¯spany. There was no way Zane would rush over here, not when he believed that Athena¡¯s boyfriend was after his job.


    But he didn¡¯t say all this; he rather chose to expose the connection knowing Madam Ruby afforded him.


    "Nothing will happen. Madam Ruby has made sure of that."


    The frown on Athena¡¯s face deepened. "What did you say? Madam Ruby? What has she got to do with all this?"


    She remembered vividly the woman who had supported her taking over Ewan¡¯spany when he had been bedridden. The woman could easily pass as a president¡¯s wife with the way she carried herself, not allowing her widowhood to tamper with her business sense.


    Yet, Athena couldn¡¯t wrap her head around why the woman¡¯s name was thrown into the conversation.


    "She knows the gang leader. They are distant rtives. I called in a favor yesterday."


    Athena pouted at Ewan¡¯s gamey before she could help it, cursing at herself the next second when Ewan smiled lovingly at her.


    What was wrong with her? Why was she always letting down her guard when she was around this man, as if she were to fall, he would always be there to catch her?


    Where was that confidence, that trust emanating from?


    And why the hell was she pouting?! She was dating Antonio now! He even sent her a beautiful morning text this morning.


    Athena had been so surprised that it had taken her a couple of minutes to send a reply; she had never received a morning text. Unless she counted the monotonous ones Ewan sent her during their loveless marriage whenever he needed something.


    Ewan, seeing the myriad of emotions shing across Athena¡¯s face, had an inkling of what was going through her mind. Yet he lifted her chin gently, meeting her gaze steadily, surprised that she didn¡¯t p his daring hand away.


    "You look cute when you think."


    His heart warmed further when her cheeks seemed to take on a reddish hue.


    This time though, she pped his hand away, albeit gently, like a friend would.


    "You really have a crazy train of thought, considering that we are on a mission."


    And then she turned away, opened the door, and stepped out of the car calmly, like the bossdy she was.


    But Ewan could see the slight tremor of her fingers and knew that his little act had shaken her. He loved it.


    "So, you¡¯re telling me there¡¯s no sniper to my head, to our heads? You¡¯re really putting some blind faith in Madam Ruby... she could kill you and..."


    "And then face the wrath of Sandro and Zane? Nah, that woman loves her life too much." Ewan interrupted Athena midway as they walked toward the house that fit the description Spider had sent them that morning.


    When they got to the front of the house, they paused and looked at each other.


    "Are your agents ready?" Ewan inquired, jaws ticking.


    Athena nodded, tapping her phone screen on, her fingers flying across the keyboard frantically as she typed out messages to a select few.


    "Let¡¯s go in." She said, sliding her phone into the inner pocket of her trench coat, and bringing out a pistol from the side pocket. Ewan followed suit.


    Both inhaling deeply, Ewan moved first to the door, hesitated for a split second, and then kicked the door open.


    So much force did he use that the door fell from its hinges.


    Athena¡¯s jaw ckened, even though her hand tightened over her gun.


    "How the hell did you do that?" She mouthed, stepping quickly into the neat sitting room, only dirty from the cloud of dust that had risen from the dark green rug which had been used as a carpet when the door fell to the ground.


    Ewan shrugged. "Maybe the door is an old one with rusted hinges."


    Athena¡¯s eyes widened with incredulity; however, she let the matter go, remembering that after all, Ewan was Wolfsbane¡ªthe one who the media imed, or rather gossiped, had superhuman strength. She concentrated on the mission, on finding Morgan.


    "No one is here," Athena muttered weakly, as they returned to the sitting room with the open entrance twenty minutester, after searching the rooms in the one-story building.


    "Could it be that Spider got the coordinates wrong?"


    Ewan shook his head. "Spider never gets coordinates wrong. Something else must have happened. Do you think he got wind of ouring?"


    Athena furrowed her brows. "And how would he have known that? The only people who know of this movement are you, your friends, Spider, and then me and Aiden... Aiden won¡¯t tell anyone else... or..."


    Athena paused, looking at the open door. "Maybe the gang really tipped him off. They must have thought that since they couldn¡¯t kill you, they could spoil your ns..."

 Chapter 312: Finding Morgan II

    <h4>Chapter 312: Finding Morgan II</h4>


    Ewan thought about Athena¡¯s statement while his eyes scanned through the sitting room for the hundredth time.


    Could the gang be behind this? The motive was there; yes, they would want to thwart his efforts since they couldn¡¯t kill him, but how could they have known that he was here for Morgan? How would they even cooperate with Morgan?


    Morgan¡¯s gang was also a rival gang and was currently the most sought-after gang, even by other gangs, because of their cruel involvement in the Grey disease.


    So, no, Philemon wouldn¡¯t hide Morgan; he would rather kill the brute or hand him over to Ewan.


    Hence, he negated Athena¡¯s statement.


    "The gang doesn¡¯t know our reason foring... didn¡¯t know I was working with you... or maybe..." Ewan shook his head, picking up his phone. There was no time for guesswork. It was time to dial in Spider.


    "Spider, we can¡¯t find Morgan here." Ewan knew better than to ask Spider if he had gotten the right coordinates; thest time he had done that, during the search for Zack, the oue hadn¡¯t been funny.


    "Then it means someone snitched on us. Do you know anyway this could have been possible..." Spider¡¯s smooth voice echoed through the phone, which Ewan had put on loudspeaker, leaving Athena to deal with how familiar the voice sounded.


    Frustration threatened to boil over when she tried to remember again and failed. Where had she heard this smooth voice?


    She was so engrossed in her questioning that she didn¡¯t notice that Ewan had finished the call until he called her attention.


    "He said we should give him a few minutes to locate the evil stench again..."


    Athena nodded and made her way to one of the one-seat sofas in the sitting room. The entrance was still open. Ewan sat in the opposite chair, his eyes still scanning the room.


    "You think there¡¯s something to see in this room?" Athena finally asked, noting his eye movements.


    "You never can tell... and it doesn¡¯t hurt to check one more time. The eyes aren¡¯tining..."


    Athena chuckled, marveling at the statement. It was the exact phrasing the Boss from the CIA usually used whenever he wanted them to do a recheck of a premises.


    It never hurt the eyes to keep checking.


    She joined Ewan in the search; it helped pass the time while they waited. But a few seconds in, her eyes decided that watching Ewan was a better duty.


    Seeing as he was too keen on his surroundings, she took the time to peruse his features in the broad light of the sitting room, with the sun rays bearing down mightily on the house, through the open windows.


    Ewan had a fine nose, lips that were perfectly shaped, and a trimmed soft beard¡ªthat usually heightened her pleasure whenever he was pleasing her body those years ago.


    And then there were his blue eyes, which drove her mad with their sheer intensity, especially when he was hungry for her. Blue eyes that were now staring back at her.


    Athena swallowed hard.


    "Do you want me to join you on the sofa?"


    Ewan¡¯s voice was raspy, a soft caress around every nerve ending in her body.


    Athena¡¯s senses quickened, and her lips parted slightly as his eye color darkened to a richer shade. He wanted her.


    That realization sent a crazy spark to her private region. She held back the urge to squish her thighs together¡ªdoing so would alert him to her need, to her vulnerability.


    Grabbing her scattered thoughts with all desperation, she inhaled deeply and stood to her feet, walking straight to the other end of the room, running for her dear life.


    Meanwhile, Ewan was battling with the urge to join Athena on her path to the closed window. He knew why she had walked away and felt happy that she was affected by him, yet was curious to know how much.


    He licked his lower lip as he remembered the kiss he had shared with her those months ago in the elevator. It seemed like ages ago now.


    He wanted more. He decided, damning the fact that she already had a boyfriend... <i>to</i><i>hell</i><i>with</i><i>it!</i>


    However, just as he got to his feet, Athena beckoned him. "Come and see this."


    Ewan hurried over to meet her, finding her looking at... <i>a</i><i>door?</i>


    From where they had been sitting, even as neers in the house, they hadn¡¯t seen this door because, firstly, the sitting room had been bare, and their active eyes had been able to run around easily.


    Secondly, the room was built in such a way that left the door hidden behind a small extension of the wall, which had stopped as if therge emptiness of the room had called it to order.


    "What do you think we will find there? Do you think there¡¯s a secret stairway leading to an underground vault?" Athena asked, raising the gun she had brought down earlier.


    "I am not sure. Let¡¯s check," Ewan replied, his earlier emotions shifting to the background.


    Inhaling deeply, he covered the distance and turned the knob, pleased that it wasn¡¯t locked. The door opened to reveal a neatly kept room.


    "The gang member who lived here must be a neatness freak," Athena remarked.


    Ewan said nothing, instead assessing what they had walked into¡ªa den of guns.


    There were different brands and types, some hanging on the walls, others on boards nailed to the wall. There were pistols, AK-47s, Glocks, shotguns, and even a few sniper rifles.


    There were bullets too, if the wooden boxes wedged between some of the guns were any indication. This was the armory of the gang.


    He watched Athena take out her phone and snap pictures of the ce before sending them to whomever was on the other end. He then approached the long table in the center, which had five chairs fitted around it.


    A meeting ce. He mused, looking for any cupboards where he could find a stack of papers.


    There were cupboards but there were no papers.


    Why had they cleaned everything out and left these guns here? He wondered, opening another cupboard and seeing undetonated bombs.


    Really, an armory. He thought, wondering about the creepy feeling assailing his senses.


    Taking his lower lip between his teeth, he walked to thest cupboard and opened it, pausing when he saw a whiteb coat inside.


    His brows furrowed when he caught thepanybel on its cape. It belonged to Whitman¡¯s Hospital.


    He immediately took theb coat and hurried over to the ce where the name tag should have been sewn in¡ªhe hoped it was, or that the ID at least was in the pocket. There was no ID, but there was an inscription.


    "Athena, do you know any Doctor Finn?"


    Athena, who had been looking at the caliber of guns, some with government insignia, turned sharply, her eyes narrowed. "What did you say? Finn? What¡¯s he got to do with this?"


    Ewan sighed, knowing that she knew the owner of theb coat. He threw the coat to her.


    Athena caught it with one hand, ced the gun on the table beside her, and with both hands, unraveled theb coat, hurrying to the name tag.


    Her eyes widened like saucers when she saw the inscription. Then they shut tight, and then opened again, this time with anger shing through them.


    "That bastard..." She gritted, clenching her fists around the coat, connecting the dots.


    The fact that he was always on duty when bad things happened, the fact that he had been in charge when Ewan had been given an overdose of a dangerous drug after the male had fainted in the elder council, and the fact that she had felt uneasy about him from the start.


    Athena cursed loudly, flinging the coat away from her hands as if it were poison. She struck the table next. "I should have known! He is working with them!"


    She paused then, her eyes widening further when she realized something. "He had taken an excusest week to rest and all. I hadn¡¯t suspected anything, seeing as the week had really been busy..." Sheughed at herself. "It must have been to take care of Morgan."


    How had this escaped her notice?


    "Athena, stop ming yourself. There¡¯s no way you would have known." Ewan spoke, picking up the coat. Athena would need it to prove to Herbert that Finn was a fraud, just in case thetter proved stubborn.


    "But I did know. Even after doing some research on him, I knew something was off about him."


    Ewan sighed and walked up to her, cing a calming touch on her shoulders.


    "Don¡¯t beat yourself up..." He muttered softly, wishing to hug her yet unsure if that was within the confines of their friendship. "We will find him surely, and then he will pay for his crimes..."


    For all the patients he had killed and ruined their lives, Athena added, clenching her fists even more. She would do the honors of bringing his miserable existence, after much torture, to an end. The list was piling up.


    And then she heard it. "What¡¯s that sound?"


    "What sound?" Ewan asked, looking down to meet her eyes now clouded with suspicion.


    "That sound... as if a clock is ticking."

 Chapter 313: Finding Morgan III

    <h4>Chapter 313: Finding Morgan III</h4>


    Ewan willed his heart to remain calm when he finally heard the ticking sound, a sound that couldn¡¯t possibly be a clock¡¯s because of the weight of each tick and its regrity.


    He knew what it was, knew when the realization of the same shed across Athena¡¯s eyes; became amazed when that realization shifted to a deathly calm, a mirror of his own feelings.


    "So I was right. Morgan did really set a trap. Someone did inform him of ouring." Athena stated calmly, while her eyes left Ewan to search for the ticking time bomb. Hopefully, they would be able to deactivate it before it exploded.


    "Where do you think it was kept?"


    "I don¡¯t think that matters." Ewan uttered, even though his eyes searched too for the bomb. His right leg was already swerving to the location behind him, where he thought he was hearing the sound loudest.


    "Why so?" Athena queried, already following Ewan¡¯s lead.


    This time, Ewan didn¡¯t answer. He rather followed his instincts, which led him to a corner of the room they hadn¡¯t seen before because of its positioning; it was darker than the rest of the room, like shadows were congregating there.


    That was where Ewan found the bomb, nestled to a pink Barney doll.


    His heart finally shook, when he discovered that they had barely seven seconds to clear the building¡ªnot enough time to defuse the bomb.


    "Athena, run!"


    His calmness broke, and with insane agility, he grabbed Athena¡¯s hand and ran like their lives depended on it. For their lives did actually depend on it.


    Unfortunately, the door that had led them into the room was shut tight for some reason.


    Athena started to panic, counting down the time in her head. They had barely four seconds left!


    Ewan, without having the luxury to think, took a few steps back and kicked the door with all his might. The door fell t to the other side of the room, giving him the hope to cling to life.


    Without thinking much about his powerful kick, fueled by an insane amount of adrenaline and duty to keep his wife safe, he headed toward the entrance, his eyes shutting immediately as they ran out of the open entrance¡ªnot in relief, but because the timer in his head had gone off.


    "Dive with all your strength..." He muttered, freeing Athena¡¯s hand, right before there was a loud BOOM!!! And everything faded into nothingness, into ckness.


    "Mr. Ewan! Mr. Ewan!"


    Ewan¡¯s eyes fluttered; his senses reawakening as he heard the urgent cry of his name.


    Athena. Where is she?


    That was the first thought that pierced through his mind.


    He needed to save her.


    That waking thought spurred him to finally open his eyes wide, to discard the burning sensation on his back and the pain wracking his limbs.


    His entire concern was Athena.


    "Where is Athena?" He asked, but it came out as a whisper. His throat was parched, like all the liquid in his body had been sucked and drained by the fire he had almost been in.


    "Madam is fine. She is resting in the car."


    "When you say resting?" Ewan tried to get up into a sitting position, noticing that he was sprawled on the floor and that his mouth was covered with sandy particles.


    "She is alive and awake. Just weak and zoned out. She only stayed put because we promised to bring you in..."


    Ewan wasn¡¯t sure why the driver had added thatst part, but he could also see the picture. She had woken up first and hade for him.


    It was good that the agent had taken her away then.


    Even though he had allowed her a split second to dive first, taking a position behind her with his hands outstretched as if to cover her, she must have taken a hit too.


    He coughed as the two men¡ªthe driver and the second agent¡ª helped him to his feet. It was then he noticed that arger part of his trousers had been burnt, leaving only the area around his crotch and a few torn areas around his thighs and knees.


    His shirt too... well, almost gone too. It was like he was wearing just a detachable half-shirt-cor fake material¡ªthe kind worn with sweatshirts.


    "We have already made reservations at a nearby hotel, and made some orders for food and clothes. You don¡¯t have to worry about it." The second agent mentioned, having noticed the reason for Ewan¡¯s pause.


    He gently threw Ewan¡¯s hand over his own shoulder, mirroring the activity of the driver before they walked slowly towards the waiting car which had luckily survived the st.


    Ewan stopped in his tracks again and turned, needing to see the effect of the bomb.


    Ashes upon ashes.


    The two houses sandwiching the burnt house weren¡¯t lucky; it was just as destroyed as the house he and Athena had barely escaped from.


    And he hoped that no one had been inside them.


    He exhaled tiredly, noting that the street was still sterile. Hadn¡¯t people heard themotion?


    Must be part of the order given by Philemon then: don¡¯te out until that stupid man leaves.


    Ewan could even imagine the gruffness of that cruel voice and man.


    "Sir..."


    Ewan knew he had to go.


    "Thank you..." He muttered to the two men before allowing them move him to the back seat of the car.


    When the door was opened, he saw Athena sitting at the far end of the car, waiting, watching him.


    She said nothing as they dropped him gently inside the car until the men left and returned to their designated seats in front.


    "How are you doing?"


    "How are you doing?"


    They both chuckled softly and painfully.


    "You should answer first." Athena started.


    "Why will I?"


    She shook her head, negating Ewan¡¯s question. "You are the one looking like you were ying with fire,"


    Ewan chuckled some more even though it caused pain to wrack his ribs. It felt goodughing with her.


    It wouldn¡¯t have been the same if they had both died in the fire or if she had died. So, he had tough.


    "I am fine then." He conceded, his smile waning when he saw the serious expression that nked her face then.


    "I know what you did, Ewan..." She exhaled harshly, staring at him steadily.


    "Thank you for saving my life. I owe you one."

 Chapter 314: Finding Morgan IV

    <h4>Chapter 314: Finding Morgan IV</h4>


    Ewan couldn¡¯t even nod to ept Athena¡¯s thanks; his neck was stiff, and his back was still burning.


    There must be an injury there. He thought, trying and seeding to lift his thumb to give her a thumbs-up.


    Athena¡¯s smile was sad as she watched this.


    She wished she could get rid of the pain she knew was assailing the man before her, the man who had shielded her so that she wouldn¡¯t die or suffer.


    She hadn¡¯t been aware of his intention when he hadmanded her to dive, but she knew when she had woken up, it was with a startling pain in her back.


    Only it hadn¡¯te from the fire or any injury, but from the weight of him partly lying on her back.


    Before she could cry out in anguish and worry, hearing his faint breathing, the agents who had driven with them here had arrived and hurriedly pushed her to the side, rescuing her first.


    They hadn¡¯t allowed her to fawn over Ewan, despite her reminding them of their ce repeatedly; they had promised to bring Ewanter, and thus she had stopped her verbal attacks.


    Now looking at him, she was not sure what to think of his act of bravery. Duty, or something else?


    "It¡¯s my duty to keep you safe¡ªfor the children, for giving me a second chance at friendship, and to live a life free from maniption. I owe everything to you. We are not even. Me saving you is just... what I should do." Ewan spoke, right on cue.


    Athena said nothing at first, staring at the man keenly.


    Duty.


    She could now understand the earlier fixation on keeping Fiona safe. She could see now why Ewan had chosen to stay blind to Fiona¡¯s excesses¡ªhe could see them but chose to ignore them; Duty.


    Believing that Fiona had saved his life, that she had helped him grow well enough and had given him room in her family, had fueled his sense of duty toward her. Coupled with the abusive medications, he had been a goner.


    There had been no turning away from that until the light of truth shone clearly enough with evidence.


    Athena nodded slowly, finallyprehending that Ewan, at this point, could do anything for her. She should feel happy about this, like Fiona had; she should be satisfied with this turn of events, but surprisingly, she wasn¡¯t.


    She was amazed by her own need; she was amazed that she wanted more than his dutifulness to her. She wanted...


    Athena¡¯s brows furrowed as she understood her line of thought. She cursed, confusing Ewan, who had been watching her all this while, before she faced front.


    <i>Maybe</i><i>the</i><i>fire</i><i>fried</i><i>some</i><i>part</i><i>of</i><i>my</i><i>good</i><i>senses. </i>She needed to rest and rejuvenate herself.


    When they got to the hotel, which was only a few meters from the street, Athena stopped the agents from helping her out of the vehicle, pointing at Ewan instead.


    "He is the one in need of your assistance. As you can see, I¡¯m fine. I just need to change out of these clothes. I smell like barbecue."


    She muttered thest sentence; however, it was loud enough to be heard by the men, and they couldn¡¯t help but chuckle before doing her bidding.


    As they did so, Athena stepped out of the car and waited by the entrance. She wasn¡¯t the one that made the reservations.


    "Thank you, Dillion; thank you, Hank. Please, I¡¯ll be waiting for the medical kit. I need to treat our wounds before we rest properly." Athena spoke after the agents had deposited Ewan on one of the beds in the small hotel room.


    The agents nodded, acknowledging her thanks, and left the room.


    "You will have to take a bath first and wear some better-fitting pants at least..." Athena started after shutting the door. She walked up to Ewan and tried lifting him, but Ewan wouldn¡¯t budge.


    "What?"


    Athena wondered if it was shyness; however, she had cleaned him up before, when he had been brought to her privateb for treatment.


    "You need to rest, Athena, not bother with my bathing. Don¡¯t worry; I think I can take a good bath. That would get me to stop smelling like a burnt rat at leasf."


    Athena chuckled softly and gestured toward the bathroom.


    Ewan tsked as he struggled to walk. "They couldn¡¯t get a suite?"


    Athenaughed, covering the distance and throwing Ewan¡¯s hand across her shoulder, ignoring his protests. "This was the nearest hotel, the only one for miles... You should know this area better than I do. It¡¯s not as open as other cities, hence the level of unchecked crime."


    "That¡¯s true." Ewan grunted, breathing heavily when they finally got to the bathroom.


    Athena led him inside, her nose wrinkling at the low quality of the surroundings. Well, they would have to manage. It was only for a couple of hours. They would need to go home and restrategize on how to get Morgan for good this time around.


    "Just knock on the door when you¡¯re done. I¡¯ll help you out. Please tie the towel over there. It should be enough to go around." Athena pointed out before leaving the bathroom.


    She dumped herself on the soft bed, hearing the shower run. He needed help. She knew that especially around the areas that were scalded. However, this was Ewan¡ªWolfsbane. He had been in worse situations. He could take care of himself.


    A knock sounded on the door, drawing her away from her thoughts momentarily.


    She stood up from the bed and sauntered to the door, her senses keen in case it wasn¡¯t the agents behind it. Fortunately, it was them; her breath eased.


    "Here, ma¡¯am."


    Athena collected the med kit gratefully. "Is there balm inside?"


    The driver, Hank, nodded. "Everything that is required."


    Athena expressed her thanks again. "And if Aiden calls... I might be asleep after showering... just tell him I will call him back when I am awake, that we are okay..."


    She didn¡¯t want her friend toe rushing here, as she knew he would¡ªhe needed to focus on his own job. It was the only way this fiasco could be taken care of quickly.


    "Okay, ma¡¯am. Take care." The other agent, Dillion, spoke before the two men turned aside and walked away.

 Chapter 315: Finding Morgan V

    <h4>Chapter 315: Finding Morgan V</h4>


    Ewan inhaled sharply, pain coursing through the nerve endings around his back as he tried to towel that area of his body.


    <i>Damn!</i> He mused, gritting his teeth when the offending towel brushed against a burning spot. He gave up the drying process, choosing instead to let the old looking fan in the room do the rest of the work.


    ¡¯I¡¯ll just have to stand in front of it,¡¯ He decided, ignoring the dull pounding pain in his head.


    He wound the towel around his waist, made a stable knot, and walked out of the bathroom.


    Hopefully, by now, the agents would have brought in the medical kit; if not, he saw no way he would be sleeping with his back burning like this, with his head pounding as if a carpenter were furnishing wood inside his skull.


    Another hiss of pain escaped his lips when he stepped out of the room, as the wounds decided to torture him again. He felt dizzy and woozy and had to hold onto the bathroom¡¯s doorframe to remain steady on his feet. He needed aspirin, food, and a good rest.


    Looking up with a face contorted in pain, he finally noticed Athena standing a couple of feet away from him, with the medical box in one hand and a bottle of water in the other¡ªprobably for the aspirin.


    The pain faded to the background, and his face rxed into its natural contours without his knowledge when he realized that she was gaping, that she was checking him out, her mouth slightly open in shock.


    He remembered then that he was ripped and bare, and that he hadn¡¯t dried off properly. A smile touched his lips.


    Ignoring the pains ransacking his back, he flexed his arms and stomach subtly, almost purring in pleasure when her mouth opened wider and her eyes traveled from his head to his toes slowly¡ªsurely taking their time to savour the goodness.


    "Like what you see?" Ewan almost pped his mouth shut for such corny words. ¡¯Couldn¡¯t I have blurted something more ssic, yet blush-worthy?¡¯


    He, however, maintained a teasing demeanor while Athena cleared her throat and pointed to the second bed without another word.


    "My body is still wet, so I will stand before the fan for a while..." He continued, already walking toward the fan, pretending indifference while aware that she was still staring at him.


    "Oh my God..."


    He finally heard her croak out, and realized that she could now see his injured back, seeing as he was standing before the fan, which faced the beds.


    "Ewan..." Her voice sounded hoarse, like she wanted to cry. He didn¡¯t want her to cry.


    He tried to turn, to tell her that he had been in worse situations, that he had been scalded before, but then he felt her light touch on his back and knew there was no need.


    He inhaled sharply, his heart beating out of rhythm when he felt her tracing her fingers around his scarred back. Pain mixed with pleasure flooded his bloodstream.


    He was not sure if he should tell her that her touch was making the pain a bit more sensitive or let her continue. Thetter suggestion won.


    His breath caught when her fingers dipped lower, reaching toward the tip of the towel. ¡¯What was she doing torturing him more?¡¯


    He cleared his throat, stopping the movement of her fingers.


    "You did well not letting water touch the wounds," Athena started, finally getting her voice steady, even though she wasn¡¯t sure how he had managed to do that; he hadn¡¯t even taken as much time as she had thought. But the fact remained that he must have been in deeper situations than this.


    "Yet turn, so that it can dry out a little. Then you can join me on the bed."


    Ewan¡¯s heart and mind went into overdrive over thatst statement, as it took on another meaning. Oh, how he wished things were so different...


    He obeyed and turned, giving Athena another view of his ripped body.


    Athena lost her words, but this time she turned with an insane amount of speed and fled to the bed in question, her breath irregr as she took her seat and busied her hands with the contents of the medical kit.


    "Your clothes are over there..." She said after minutes of keeping her head down, ignoring the pain budding around her neck.


    She heard Ewan moving, her breath hitching as he came to stand before her, still wrapped in a towel.


    "What are you doing?" She asked, mentally cursing the raspy state of her voice. She sounded like a woman needing something, and she didn¡¯t like it.


    She also cursed her mind for not remembering the beautiful state of Ewan¡¯s naked body; if she had remembered, she would have left instructions for him and then left the room.


    But would it have mattered? She would have still applied the balm to his back, hence her eyes would have still devoured his bare skin.


    "I think you should take your bath first before treating me. I don¡¯t want to get stained with soot... that might contaminate my injuries."


    Augh escaped Athena¡¯s lips at Ewan¡¯s words. She didn¡¯t know what Ewan¡¯s game n was, but she wasn¡¯t going to y along.


    However, when she finally lifted her head and met his gaze, she gulped, noticing the mischief dancing freely in his eyes.


    What was this man gunning for?


    She also saw stubbornness and knew he wouldn¡¯t ept her help until she had taken a bath too.


    Hence, she stood to her feet and walked toward the bathroom without another word, or meeting his gaze¡ª not even when she paused on her way, retraced her steps back to the bed, and picked up the dress that the agents had gotten for her.


    In the bathroom, she let out a deep sigh and rested her head against the wall, trying to calm her racing heart.


    "Come on... you¡¯ve seen him naked recently while treating his wounds. What¡¯s different now? Why are you behaving like you haven¡¯t seen a naked man before?"


    But she knew there was a difference. Ewan hadn¡¯t been awake when she was cleaning him up. His sinful eyes hadn¡¯t been staring at her with fascination.


    She sighed again and got rid of her partly burnt clothes, wrinkling her nose at the colors she saw around the tub and toilet.


    ¡¯Just shut your eyes and bathe.¡¯ Shemanded herself, turning on the shower. This was better than being burnt in Morgan¡¯s apartment.


    Meanwhile, back in the room, Ewan sent a message to Spider about the status of the mission¡ªincluding the fact that Morgan had almost fried him and his wife¡ªwhile asking for a report on Morgan¡¯s location.


    Just then, a knock sounded on the door.


    Dropping the phone with furrowed brows, he tightened the knot of his towel while getting to his feet, his mind racing back and forth on who could be behind the door.


    Hopefully not Morgan or his minions. He thought. He really wasn¡¯t in shape forbat, even though he was down for that if it came to it¡ªhe could do anything to protect his cute wife.


    A relieved sigh escaped his lips when he saw the agents behind the door.


    "We spoke to the receptionist, and she mentioned that the food will be ready in a few minutes. But they sent us ahead with some desserts. Do you think it will be enough?" Hank asked, releasing his hold on the trolley, his eyes focused on Ewan¡¯s, a nk expression on his face as if he wasn¡¯t seeing the almost-nakedness of Ewan.


    "Thank you very much, Hank, Dillion..." Ewan said, pulling the trolley gently into the room. "Have you reached Aiden?"


    The two agents nodded.


    "But Doctor Athena doesn¡¯t want him here. She wants him to focus on his own mission instead, seeing as they are working on the mole and his threads." Dillion answered.


    Ewan nodded slowly. "Alright then. I will see you guyster. Thanks again."


    The agents nodded their acknowledgment and walked out of the room.


    Inside, Ewan opened the te that had been used as a cover; it was cake and some fruits. ¡¯That can serve,¡¯ He thought, taking an apple and munching it.


    The action halted midway when the bathroom door opened, and Athena stepped out.


    Athena had stayed in front of the broken mirror in the bathroom for a couple of minutes, checking one too many times if her nipples weren¡¯t visible through the yellow sun-dress since she had disposed of her bra with her clothes¡ªher breasts were no longer as small as they had been when they got married earlier; childbearing had changed a lot.


    No panties either...


    She had never wished so much for thepany of a female agent until then.


    "Like what you see..." Athena almost barfed at her own words.


    She had decided to throw Ewan¡¯s words back at him, even though she wasn¡¯t sporting a towel around her frame. Yet, she was still the one feeling nervous.


    "Oh yes, I love what I am seeing," Ewan replied, his eyes shades darker.

 Chapter 316: Finding Morgan VI

    <h4>Chapter 316: Finding Morgan VI</h4>


    Ewan wasn¡¯t a pervert. As a matter of fact, he usually prided himself on his strong sexual control and resilience.


    Seeing Athena standing before him, however, in just a yellow sundress¡ªwhile aware that she wasn¡¯t wearing any form of underwear¡ªdrove blood into his little man and flooded his mind with an insane amount of information¡ªboth past and future fantasies.


    He found himself tracing the mound outline of her uncapped breasts made by the fabric, and his eyes searched for any transparency in the gown so he could feast on her treasures; treasures he had missed more than anything.


    He enjoyed watching her blush too. She had been the one to initiate the game, yet she was the one trying not to squirm. Did she forget that he was the tease between them both?


    "You¡¯re not going to continue the game?" He finally broke the tension that hung heavy with unmet sexual expectations, although he still kept his eyes lingering on the outlines of her breasts.


    "I have no pleasure in ying any games, Ewan. Eyes up, perv..." Athena retorted, folding her arms across her chest, aiming to cover the center of attraction. But her act only served to push the twin orbs up, revealing her cleavage to Ewan¡¯s greedy, stubborn eyes.


    His tongue was parched, and he wished to quench his thirst by...


    "Ewan!" Athena¡¯s harsh call dragged him from his messy thoughts.


    "Go sit over there. Let me rub ointment on your wounds so you can take the much-needed rest. Is that food?" Athena continued steadily, pointing at the trolley, pushing her shame and unnecessary thoughts away.


    She refused to be this vulnerable and exposed to Ewan again. He could see her breast outline... so what? He couldn¡¯t touch it; only Antonio would.


    Even though the thought of Antonio touching her didn¡¯t sit well with her, she swallowed the difort and walked up to the trolley; lseeing as Ewan wasn¡¯t forting with answers, choosing instead to disorganize her with that devilish stare of his.


    A furrow lined her forehead when she saw it was just cake and fruits.


    "Hank mentioned that the food wille upter. I think this can serve, right?"


    Athena nodded and closed the tter. "It can hold the fort. Now, take a seat. I need to apply some balm on my hands too; there are little wounds to take care of."


    But when Athena turned to meet Ewan, her eyes grew wide in an instant, her jaw dropping as she saw him loosening the knot around his waist.


    mping down on the shout of disbelief threatening to escape her lips and refusing to let him see that his stupid acts were affecting her, she turned to the door and released a tired sigh.


    "Ewan, why didn¡¯t you put on at least a pair of trousers while I was in the bathroom?"


    "I was talking with Hank and Dillion. Pardon me; I will be done in a few seconds." However, there was no trace of apology in his voice; if anything, he still sounded mischievous.


    Athena sighed, opened the tter, and took a piece of cake, letting out a moan when the vors sank into her tongue. The hotel wasn¡¯t the best, but the cake was heavenly.


    Hopefully their food would be the same. She thought, taking another piece of cake, pretending to be unmoved when she felt Ewan¡¯s presence behind her.


    "If you are done, go sit on the bed, Ewan. Don¡¯t stress me out. I don¡¯t have time for your games." Even though her voice had taken on a cold, aloof tone, Ewan wasn¡¯t threatened nor saddened. He knew it was a coping mechanism.


    Heplied still, but not without taking a piece of cake and an apple from the te.


    ¡ª¡ª


    "Sorry, just a little more..." Athena was saying a couple of minutester as she applied ointment on the burns on Ewan¡¯s back.


    Since there was nothing for him to bite down on when the pain got intense, Ewan found himself gritting his teeth and grunting at intervals. Taking aspirin hadn¡¯t reduced the pain assailing his nerves; it only cooled down the headaches.


    "I am almost done," Athena whispered, applying thest bit on his lower back slowly, in circr motions, her heart gripping with sorrow and pity at each grunt. Gratitude too.


    "You cany down now, but you have to do so on your stomach. Do you think you can pull it off?"


    Ewan chuckled. Didn¡¯t this woman know what being Wolfsbane entailed? Did she think he was an ordinary patient?


    But then he remembered how he had been under Fiona¡¯s thumb for more than six years and became humble once more. Swallowing his pride, he nodded, stood up, went to the second bed, andy on his belly, wincing at intervals as certain movements caused pain.


    Hopefully, the fruits and cake he had consumed would be enough to hold his hunger at bay until the food arrived.


    Seeing Ewan¡¯s meek obedience without any teasing remarks, Athena allowed herself to rx and apply ointment to the back of her arms and her legs too.


    "Do you need help?"


    She cursed mentally; she had rxed too early.


    "No, I am okay. Ewan, find some sleep. Despite what the agents said, it may take some time before the food arrives."


    Ewan obeyed; however, he couldn¡¯t sleep¡ªhe only kept his eyes shut to prevent Athena from talking.


    He didn¡¯t even open them when Athena¡¯s phone rang, yet his ears were keen enough to pick up the conversation going on between her and the caller, whom he discovered to be Aiden by her first sentence.


    "Aiden, Hank mentioned that you called..."


    A pause.


    "Right, we are okay. Ewan is even sleeping now."


    Another pause.


    "Yes, we will be going home after a nap. I think we can say that Morgan has outsmarted us again. However, who do you think tipped him off concerning ouring? Do you think we have more spies in the Nimbus?"


    Another pause¡ªa lengthy one this time.


    "You are right. The agents couldn¡¯t have known. Should we scrap it as coincidence? I don¡¯t think so. I hope the truthes to the surface soon."


    A pause.


    "How¡¯s the work with the mole going?"


    A pause, where Ewan wished that Athena had put the call on loudspeaker. Maybe he should tell her that he was awake so that she would do it... but he thought better of it the next second, too tired to make her ufortable again.


    "Alright then, Aiden; see youter."


    Another phone call came in a few minutester.


    "Hello, Mr. President..."


    Ewan¡¯s ears perked up. Why would the president be calling? He wasn¡¯t aware of their mission to get Morgan today!


    "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. President. We thought to get him first before rting the matter to you..."


    So he knew then? How? Who was feeding these people information? First Morgan, and now the president? It couldn¡¯t be Aiden, because Aiden¡¯s loyalty was to Athena first.


    Ewan¡¯s hands inched toward his phone so that he could type a quick message to Spider, but he knew he couldn¡¯t do that without alerting Athena. Not wanting to stress her more than she already was, he kept his hands to himself; he could always text Spiderter.


    He was aware when she ended the call, when she sighed part frustration and part tiredness at hovering questions, and when she finallyid down on the bed.


    He was also aware when she started staring at him¡ªher intense gaze seemed to peruse the entirety of his face.


    His nose chose to itch then; and tweaking it to remain calm was all the movement required for Athena to know that he was still awake.


    "You¡¯re still awake... finding it hard to sleep too..."


    Ewan opened his eyes, stilling his irregr beating heart to remain calm in the face of Athena¡¯s intense gaze.


    "Yeah," He muttered. "We should count the ceilings, maybe..."


    Athenaughed before she could help it. "Maybe. Let¡¯s just try and sleep." And then she turned to the other side of the bed.


    Ewan sighed and shut his eyes again. A few more minutes, and he was off to dreand.


    ¡ª¡ª


    Athena woke first.


    She checked her phone, sighing when she saw she had been asleep for only an hour. Sighing again, she got out of bed, pleased that the ointment had worked some magic at least on the pain and the appearance of the burns.


    Darting a nce at Ewan, she saw that he was still asleep. She would have been surprised if he hadn¡¯t been. He needed the rest more than she did.


    Her stomach grumbled then, alerting her to her hungry state. Muttering, she walked toward the door, hoping the servers had kept the food outside, seeing as the door had been locked.


    However, the passageway was empty. She retraced her steps into the room, heading toward the telephone on the dresser, needing to call the reception desk. Upon reaching it though, she discovered that themunication tool wasn¡¯t working.


    <i>Damn! </i>She thought, realizing she would have to go downstairs herself. Muttering her frustrations, she stepped into the hallway and shut the door behind her.


    However, as she got close to the stairs, she heard a voice¡ªa very familiar voice.


    <i>Heron?</i>

 Chapter 317: Finding Morgan VII

    <h4>Chapter 317: Finding Morgan VII</h4>


    <i>Breathe in. Breathe out. Slowly. Steadily. </i>


    Athenamanded herself, her hand on her chest as she inhaled deeply and exhaled softly. She was going to be okay. She wasn¡¯t going to be captured by Morgan ever again.


    "I can¡¯t imagine what would have happened to us if LadyBug wasn¡¯t on our side, you know..." Heron continued, oblivious he had an eavesdropper closeby.


    "Yeah, it would have been disastrous. They would have made a mess of us today..."


    Athena noted that this second speaker was the same person she had heard talking with Heron those many nights ago, when she had first invaded the hideout of the Scorpion¡¯s gang¡ªthe night when she and Ewan had almost died from dangerous smoke inhtion.


    Her breath seized as the men continued to talk about the LadyBug and the strategic position the coded person upied in the operation. Turns out, LadyBug was a female.


    "Athena wouldn¡¯t know what hit her... I can¡¯t wait to see her face when LadyBug reveals herself."


    So, LadyBug was closer than she thought too? Who could that be? Athena ran a thorough check on the possibility of LadyBug being a friend, but nothing came up.


    She would have thought of Madam Ruby, since the widow seemed to have a lot up her sleeve, but the males had talked about the unknown woman being close to her, and not Ewan.


    She was snapped out of her thoughts when she finally realized that the voices were getting closer. They were climbing up the stairs! This meant they were on the same floor as she and Ewan!


    Inhaling sharply, she turned around and walked¡ªfast, yet very lightly on her feet¡ªso as not to alert the two men that there was an eavesdropper, back to the room.


    Inside the room, she shut the door softly, making sure it didn¡¯t thud; no need to inform the males that there was even someone on the floor.


    Was this fate? She wondered, her eyes still shut. Even if Morgan wasn¡¯t with them, capturing Heron and whoever that second male was, should be a huge step in the y.


    Like Heronica, Heron was an important member in Morgan¡¯s inner circle. So, if they could capture him, then there was a sixty percent chance that they could get to Morgan on their next try.


    Yet, who was LadyBug? Athena felt more inclined to catch this person first.


    "Athena, did something happen?"


    Athena¡¯s eyes instantly shot open when she heard Ewan¡¯s groggy voice. He was awake! Good timing!


    "Hey..." She muttered, sauntering steadily to the beds, taking a seat on hers such that the distance between her and a sitting Ewan was merely two feet.


    "What happened? Did you see something?" Ewan repeated his question, his earlier zeal for food forgotten.


    How could he think of food when Athena¡¯s face was paler than usual? Did she see something outside the room? Maybe an orgy?


    The thought of that¡ªthe remembrance of how her face had been that night Gianna was missing for a couple of minutes; when she had seen so many couples in that room¡ªbrought a soft smile to his face.


    "What¡¯s funny?" Athena frowned before she could help it, swearing to give Ewan a knock if he talked some flirty nonsense like before. She wasn¡¯t in that mood!


    "Nothing much. I just remembered an old memory. Never mind about it. Tell me what happened."


    Athena would have pressed further about the memory to satiate her curiosity, but the matter she had just witnessed was far more important. "I overheard Heron with another gang member talking... they are staying in this hotel, on the same floor as us."


    The rest of the sleep and tiredness hanging around Ewan¡¯s eyes cleared out. "You heard them now? Like right now?"


    Athena nodded, sensing the urgency in Ewan¡¯s tone.


    "Do you think Morgan is with them? What were they saying?"


    Athena bit her lip and shrugged. "I don¡¯t know if Morgan is with them. But they talked about a LadyBug who was working with them, a woman who is quite close to me."


    Ewan raised a brow. "LadyBug? Who do you think that is?"


    "I don¡¯t know, Ewan. All my friends are loyal."


    "Sure?"


    Athena frowned again. The loyalty of her friends couldn¡¯t be shaken. Secondly, it was only Gianna who knew of this life of hers¡ªGianna and Susan.


    The first was her best friend, and the second would never be caught dead working with the gang. So, no. It must be someone else.


    Who then?


    As she sank deep into her thoughts, reviewing her friendships, Ewan reached for his phone and dialed Spider.


    "Found the location of Morgan?"


    "Yes, he is lodging in Hotel Laurent."


    Ewan snapped his gaze to Athena and put the phone on loudspeaker. "Did you say Hotel Laurent?"


    Athena¡¯s eyes widened when Spider confirmed Morgan¡¯s location. Hotel Laurent was the hotel they were staying at too! Could this be it?


    She shook her head, grabbing her own phone. They would need all the agents they could get; she and Ewan weren¡¯t in a position to fight.


    However, Ewan¡¯s warm hand on hers stopped her swift motion across her keypad. "Trust me to take care of it," He mouthed, meeting her gaze steadily.


    Athena nodded. Ewan had proved himself more times than she could count.


    "Yeah. He is in room 709." Spider confirmed again.


    Athena chuckled in disbelief. That was two rooms down from theirs. Could they pull this off since luck was on their side?


    "Okay, thank you, Spider. I¡¯m also at Hotel Laurent, and I need your help again. We need to nail this cruel motherfucker once and for all. Are you game?"


    "Always, Ewan. Always."


    ¡ª


    "Do you think this will work?" Athena asked after Ewan made ns with Spider and dropped the call. They were going to enlist the special agents who had taken care of Aiden¡¯s old friends from Nimbus.


    Ewan nodded in response. "It¡¯s better this way. Calling in your agents and Aiden¡¯s might alert them to the issue. I¡¯m not sure if they would be as sneaky as mine. We need stealth at the moment¡ªno people dressed in ckbat clothes storming a hotel. That would tip off the enemies. And we don¡¯t want that happening."


    A contemtive pause.


    "I also don¡¯t want a shootout, as that would attract the government. I don¡¯t want them involved until all this is over. Do you see it?"


    Athena nodded. "Yeah, I see it. So, we just wait, yeah..."


    "Yeah, we y the waiting game again. Do you think the fruits still remain?" Ewan asked, feeling the hunger pangs again.


    He exhaled tiredly when he captured the sad face of Athena.


    "It¡¯s okay; I think we can wait," He continued, lying on the bed again on his belly, pleased that at least the pains around his body had subsided significantly.


    However, a knock sounded on the door, bringing the two friends up short. They both exchanged curious nces.


    "Who do you think that is?" Athena whispered, not rising from her position on the bed.


    But Ewan had no clue, so he said nothing other than shrugging his shoulders.


    The knock came again, and the two friends decided, through eye contact, that they wouldn¡¯t be opening the door.


    But the knocker wouldn¡¯t give up.


    Just then, Athena¡¯s phone rang. It was Hank.


    "Hello Ma, we are outside with the food."


    Athena let out a sigh of relief, but when she remembered that Morgan was just two rooms away, her breath caught, and she hurried out of the bed as Ewan sat up on his bed, hands clenching his thighs, hoping for the best.


    When she opened the door, she beckoned the two men standing outside with a trolley to step inside the room.


    The two men, seeing the urgency on her face, immediatelyplied, pushing the trolley inside. Athena shut the door behind them.


    "Morgan is two rooms away from us," She announced when she noticed the two men watching her, the tant question written on their faces: <i>What is going on? </i>


    The hands of the two men immediately flew to their guns.


    "Then we should go for them," Dillion stated, pulling out the pistol, his hand checking the revolver and the state of the bullets while his face remained upward¡ªas doing the checking was a habit he could perform with his eyes closed.


    "Yeah, but we have already made arrangements. We just have to sit tight here. The rescue team will soon be here. Have you both eaten?" Athena asked as she opened the tter, her mouth watering at the sight of food.


    "Not yet," The agents replied simultaneously.


    "Well then, join us. I think this food is quite a lot," She said before winking at Ewan. It really seemed that fate was on their side. Now, all this day needed to beplete was the capture of Morgan.


    Meanwhile, back in the ck cells, Alfonso was shaken to discover the new inmates who had joined him in his little ck cell that wouldn¡¯t even let him see his hands or feet. High-ranking men who Athena had brought to their knees.


    He had even heard from them that she was now working with Ewan.


    Alfonso chuckled, resting his head on the dark, damp wall covered with mold. Athena had won. Despite how hard he and his daughter had fought, it had been for naught. He should have listened to his wife.


    Or was it ex-wife now, since his torture master had personally delivered the divorce papers to him yesterday and forced him to sign them?

 Chapter 318: Finding Morgan VIII

    <h4>Chapter 318: Finding Morgan VIII</h4>


    "They are here," Ewan announced, bringing the phone down from his ear, eyes twinkling with anticipation.


    Everyone, including himself, let out a breath of relief, tinged with little anxiety and hope. This would soon be all over... if everything went ording to n, if this mission ended on a good note.


    Ewan couldn¡¯t wait, his impatience was revealed in the fiery nature of his sharp eyes; his feet tapping on the floor was enough to show that he wanted to go home.


    "So, how much longer do you think we¡¯re going to be sitting ducks?" Athena queried, stopping for a moment in her pacing, hands folded across her chest. This was the only way to remain calm while her nemesis was just doors away.


    Her hands tingled with excitement at thoughts of all the things she wanted to do to Morgan.


    And no matter how much she tried to suppress these hopeful feelings, knowing how fragile and unpredictable life could be, she still couldn¡¯t help it; the anticipation caressed the nerves in her belly, bringing her mind to a certain form of fantastical enjoyment she had been yearning for¡ªmonths now. Years even.


    "I¡¯m not sure, but less than an hour," Ewan answered, pausing to peruse Athena¡¯s eager countenance. He shook his head, chuckling softly. "A bit of patience, young warlock... the pieces will soon fall into ce."


    Athena scoffed lightly, aware that the two agents were exchanging nces at them, perhaps wondering what was going on between them, obviously aware of their turbulent past.


    "So, any luck deciding who LadyBug is?" Ewan continued, seeking a topic to pass the time. Their victory was imminent.


    "No, not yet. I can¡¯t even make any connections. I guess we¡¯ll just have to leave that truth to time. Or maybe torture it out of Morgan. Or maybe Spider can check it out?" Athena said, her gaze optimistic as she spoke with Ewan.


    Thetter shrugged. "I already sent the request to Spider. He mentioned that he would check it out, even though he hasn¡¯t heard of that code name before. And he hears a lot of things..."


    Thest use was added for the benefit of Athena and the two agents who didn¡¯t know Spider as well as he did.


    As an efficient web master, Spider¡¯s ears and antennae for hot gossip and information were another tool in his arsenal.


    <i>If only his old friend had heard about those who wanted his parents dead, him too...</i>


    He pushed himself deeper into the bed and rested his head against the headboard, eyes closed, phone still clutched in his hand, waiting for good news.


    Seeing as Ewan had chosen to remain calm and collected, Athena inhaled deeply, strolled to her own bed, and attained the same position as Ewan.


    <i>Okay, she would wait too; she would y the waiting game like a queen.*</i>


    The two agents took positions on the old green sofa with ripping seams a few feet away from the door, which was resting tiredly against the peeling yellow wall.


    Ten minutester, Ewan¡¯s phone rang out, shattering the quietness of the room, save for the rumbling of the old fan, which seemed to be doing its job tremendously despite its age and worn nature.


    Ewan cleared his throat and answered the call, his eyes fixed on Athena¡¯s so that she would know when it had happened¡ªthe good news.


    And watched did she, enamored, as Ewan¡¯s face rxed, the tension lines fading away, leaving behind a smoother version of the handsome face she hade to...


    What was she about to say? Love?


    Athena had chosen to focus on the action ahead, hoping it would be enough to douse the insane thoughts that kept parading in her mind despite her will to keep them off. Yet... it wasn¡¯t enough.


    Wasn¡¯t dating Antonio enough to keep them at bay? Should she sleep with the former? Maybe then her thoughts would be filled with his pictures instead of Ewan¡¯s.


    Somehow, however, she knew that wouldn¡¯t be the case.


    Athena held in a curse and pushed her mind¡¯s betrayal to the side when Ewan ended the call and got out of bed.


    "It¡¯s time to go. The mission is over," He said with a smile and twinkling eyes. "We have captured Morgan."


    Athena wasn¡¯t sure when a loud ¡¯yippee¡¯ and ¡¯yes!¡¯ escaped her lips in rapid session, her fists striking the air in happiness. The agents followed suit.


    There were cheers and then handshakes, and then more victorousughs. The worst of the day was over.


    Finally. Athena almost wept in relief, exhrated when Ewan came to her and gently grabbed her shoulder.


    "One battle is won. This is a significant step forward. I think the universe is on our side."


    Athena nodded,ughing. "Damn right, Ewan. Damn right."


    She got to her feet, smoothed her dress, and followed Hank and Dillion, who were leading the way out of the room, since they were the ones with the weapons. Ewan threw a sweatshirt over his head and followed after them.


    At the door of room 709, Athena breathed in and out deeply, darting a sharp nce at Ewan, a small smile dancing on both their lips. Could this really be it? Could Morgan¡¯s days be over?


    She got her answer when the door opened to reveal about ten men in corporate attire of varied colors of short sleeves and in trousers, forming a circle around a smaller group.


    Athena wasn¡¯t even aware when the door shut behind her; her eyes had connected with Morgan¡¯s beautiful but cold brown eyes.


    Morgan broke the silence first with a shortugh. "You?"


    He pointed at Athena, a finger that was instantly cut off before anyone could say "Jack" by one of the men, who had been signaled by Ewan.


    Athena stifled a shout, her heart racing irregrly at the suddenness of the movement, yet she felt thoroughly pleased watching Morgan wail about his beautiful finger, seeing him bemoan his loss and threaten fire and brimstone upon his assant as the pain bowed him over.


    "Don¡¯t ever point at her again," Ewan stated in a steely voice that left no room for argument.


    Athena felt the dancing nerves in her belly again. She couldn¡¯t believe herself. Even now, in the face of blood pooling on the floor, she still had the audacity to be moved sexually by Ewan¡¯s voice and chivalry.


    Meanwhile Morgan had no response; he merely gritted his teeth while battling the reality that his right index finger was no more.


    <i>How could he have walked into this trap?</i> He wondered as he used his shirt to cover the empty space oozing blood between his fingers. He cursed when the shirt soaked, when the blood seeped through; he would need medical attention.


    "You need to take me to the hospital. I know you want me alive..." He called out with a proud voice, a sinister smile, masking the pain and fear building inside him. He could feel his life slipping away.


    Athena and Ewan. These two have checkmated him. But how? Did one of his people betray him?


    His thoughts were pushed away, relegated to the background when he heard Athena¡¯sughter as she looked at Ewan.


    "He said hospital. He must think we will be civilized like the government."


    That statement, innocent as it sounded, sent a foreboding chill down Morgan¡¯s spine. For the first time in a very long time, he was scared for his life. Yet... he would rather die than show fear to these two.


    "You seem too focused on me that you haven¡¯t noticed the two I¡¯m with..." He grunted, smiling.


    Athena furrowed her brow, hearing the gloatful quality in Morgan¡¯s voice. She watched, heart rate kicking up again, as Ewan¡¯s men parted ways; for they had been covering the other two culprits since she stepped into the room.


    Stifling a cry of shock, her eyes widened as she beheld two men she was familiar with¡ªmen she had worked with. Finn and Jake. Jake, her driver.


    How? Didn¡¯t Aiden do a thorough background check?


    What was she saying? She had also done a thorough check on Finn, and yet somehow he was here, working with Morgan!


    How had these two slipped past their keen eyes?


    "Meet my most trusted members: Heron and Dax."


    Athena thought she misheard. She could also feel the disbelief emanating from Ewan. But of course, he had talked to Jake at one time and even knew Finn from the hospital. So what was Morgan talking about?


    She knew the face of Heron, the one who had almost abused her but for the timely intervention of Ewan months ago, and this wasn¡¯t his face. Did Morgan think she had forgotten?


    "Morgan, this is not the time for stupid games. I know Heron personally... I haven¡¯t forgotten the man who threatened to¡ª"


    "The offer still stands," Finn/Heron spoke then, startling Athena, cutting off whatever she had to say.


    That voice. It was Heron, surely, but that face.


    She shook her head, trying to connect the dots, but even that wouldn¡¯t work; it was all hazy. How could this be possible?!


    When Ewan moved sharply, Athena realized it was perhaps to cut off Heron¡¯s tongue. She grabbed his arm. "Wait, please. I need him to talk. I need to understand how these two..." s


    She gestured toward Finn and Jake, both deathly calm, "...are Heron and Dax."

 Chapter 319: Finding Morgan IX

    <h4>Chapter 319: Finding Morgan IX</h4>


    Athena tucked her slightly shaking hands into the thighs-located flimsy pockets of the sundress, her gaze never departing from Finn and Jake¡ªor was it now Heron and Dax?


    She sucked on her lower lip, anger boiling within her, then pain, remembering that Nathaniel had taken to Jake easily, trusting the driver because Aiden had said so. She would have directed some of that anger toward Aiden, but for the fact that she had made her mistake too regarding Finn; she had ignored her gut feeling again.


    She needed to sit down, she thought, feeling her head start to thrum with painful aches, wishing for the relief only her meds could provide. But doing so might give Morgan the impression that she was weak, that his revtion had tipped the scales in his favor somehow.


    No. She would rather borrow a feather from Ewan¡¯s cap, she decided, pushing up her chin subtly, refusing to give in to the feeling of weariness sneaking up on her.


    Ewan¡¯s back was battered; she knew he was in pain, yet he stood regal and tall, like a vengeful savior aiming to bring justice. He was standing slightly in front of her now, waiting for her signal, hermand, trusting that she would do what was best.


    She loved that about him.


    "Please, let me question them..." She said, her grasp now a gentle touch on Ewan¡¯s arm.


    He sighed, red at an immovable Heron, and stepped away, taking a position beside her.


    "No one informed me that you two have decided to give marriage another try..." Heron started, sitting on the floor, tired of kneeling. His hands rested lightly on his knees, while his gaze darted nonchntly between Ewan and Athena.


    Athena, however, had no time to dance around the topics giving her a restless time. "Tell me how you did it. How were you able to act as Finn with that voice?"


    Heron shrugged. "Easy. I just switched the voice texture..."


    Athena refused to gasp in shock as Heron instantly sounded like the Finn she knew¡ªcultured and cautious. He really did fool her.


    "So, I assume that you had stic surgery? That means there must be a real Finn out there right? Considering the documentations..."


    "Of course. He had to go for the mission to be a sess. However, a good doctor, if you ask me. Would have made a nice addition to your team."


    Athena ignored the pang in her heart, the sorrow for an unknown male who had died because of some vendetta; a foolish vendetta that had just ended now. "How then do you possess medical skills?"


    Heronughed. "I¡¯m not an illiterate. Neither is my sister. Where is she?"


    This time, Athena let the smile warm her lips. "Somewhere spectacr. You¡¯ll be joining her soon. Although, I will let you know there are no women there to pass the time with... however, I am sure you will be entertained, after, of course, I¡¯m done with you."


    Heron chuckled¡ªa chuckle that dried up midway when a chilling coldness reced the amusement in Athena¡¯s eyes, a deathly chill that sent shivers down his spine.


    He tried shaking it off with a nervousugh, but he couldn¡¯t¡ªnot when everyone in the room, everyone who wasn¡¯t he and his gang, wore the same expression.


    Who were these people? And what did the bitch mean when she spoke of not being civilized like the government? <i>They are going to take thew into their own hands? </i>


    "Her... no, I will address you by what I know you as..." Athena started again, folding her arms across her chest. "Finn, you messed with my patients. You messed with my drugs. You messed with my practice. And Jake, you yed with my children..."


    Athena wasn¡¯t sure which hurt her most as she recalled Jake throwing her children up in the air and catching them, and them asking for more throws.


    She remembered the kids telling her about his favorite food and sport¡ªa sign that they had already epted him. And then she recalled him asking for a week¡¯s leave to settle some family issues.


    Those memories hit her hard. The gang really made a good y. She would give them that. But she would make sure they regretted that gamble for the rest of their miserable lives.


    Clicking her tongue in anger, she made a call to Aiden.


    "What¡¯s going on? How are you feeling now? Are you home yet?" Aiden started once the call connected.


    "No, I¡¯m with Morgan."


    A short silence ensued at the other end of the phone.


    Athena brought the phone down from her ear and put it on loudspeaker.


    "Athena... are you there?"


    Aiden¡¯s voice took on a shaking quality; it was obvious to the people in the room that he thought Athena had been captured, that maybe Morgan had forced her to call him for some sort of information. It was clear that he was trembling with fear.


    "Yes, I¡¯m here, Aiden. And don¡¯t worry; I¡¯m okay. Morgan is the captured one. Him, Heron, and Dax."


    Another silence.


    "Where are you?" Aiden¡¯s voice was steadier.


    "Still at the hotel. But don¡¯te now if you¡¯re busy. I¡¯m just informing you of the recent change of ns."


    A pause. "Aiden, do you know Jake is Dax and Finn is Heron?"


    On the end of the other line, there was tense silence, followed by curses, more curses, and then a loud thump. Aiden had hit something, and something else had fallen to the floor, crashing.


    "Athena... I didn¡¯t..."


    "I know, Aiden. It¡¯s not our fault. I refuse to me myself, and I refuse to me you too. We will be taking them to Ewan¡¯s hideout..."


    "Ewan? I don¡¯t understand..."


    "Well, we didn¡¯t bust Morgan alone. We had help. Ewan sent for his men again. But we won¡¯t be delivering Morgan and his men to the ck cells yet¡ªno... I want my pound of flesh. Susan too... Somunicate this to her. I¡¯ll send you our location soon."


    And then she ended the call, without waiting for Aiden¡¯s agreement or rebuke.


    "So, all these are your men?" Dax asked Ewan, in Jake¡¯s voice. Ewan didn¡¯t bother answering. Instead, he turned to Athena.


    "Are you done?"


    "A second..." Athena muttered, moving closer to Morgan. "I¡¯ll make you regret the day you were born, Morgan..."


    But Morganughed. "What can a tiny woman like you do? You couldn¡¯t even torture Heronica properly..."


    Athena nodded slowly. "True. I didn¡¯t torture her. But you three are a different case. Oh, Morgan, you have a lot to pay for..."


    "Is this because of Scarlett? You should let bygones be bygones, woman. After all, I made sure I pleased her well enough... didn¡¯t you hear her moans?"


    Athena struck before she could think. She punched Morgan square in the face, followed by another, then another, while heughed like a maniac until a red-ck haze covered her eyes.


    She just kept punching, hearing voices around her, although they seemed far away, moring for her to stop. But she kept punching, not ceasing when her hands felt they were pounding a mushy surface, or when she tasted blood in her mouth.


    She heard screaming too, a shrill cry, and wouldn¡¯t know until Ewan pulled her away that she had been the one screaming.


    "I will kill you, Morgan!"


    But Morgan keptughing¡ªor rather tried tough, seeing as his face was now a bloody mess, his nose was broken, and he was missing some teeth. His tongue burned too, and he knew he had bitten down hard on it.


    His face... he didn¡¯t want to calcte the loss¡ªnothing surgery couldn¡¯t fix, he thought. He just needed to get out of here.


    Meanwhile, Ewan pulled Athena to himself, strategically turning her head into his chest, aware she was weeping, wailing. His hands around her waist, he ignored the breaking of his heart at such sorrowfulness andmanded the men to take away the culprits.


    "Wait..." He called out when the men moved to obey his instructions. "Who is LadyBug?"


    The smile that shed across the lips of the three men caused a stone to sink inside Ewan¡¯s stomach. Whoever this mystery person was, her identity would break Athena¡¯s heart further.


    Who was that?


    From the mischievousness dancing in the eyes of the culprits, he knew they wouldn¡¯t talk either. Well, good that he had Connor on his side.


    "Are..."


    "Don¡¯t worry..." Ewan waved whatever Dax had to say away. "I trust Connor to get all the information we need out of you all."


    "And who is this Connor?" Heron asked, refusing to show his nervousness at the way things were going.


    "Connor Brafus. Remember him..." Ewan asked, a sinister smile blooming on his lips. He took utmost pleasure in watching the two men pale to their roots.


    "Brafus of the Demon Vipers Gang?" Dax creaked out, shaking like a leaf in the winter, the earlier bravado dissipating.


    Then Morgan¡¯sughter came out as a wheeze. "That¡¯s... impossible." He managed to say. "That killing icon is way out of your league."


    "Is he?" Ewan pressed, raising an eyebrow. "When I¡¯m Wolfsbane?"


    Athena, who had turned to watch this exchange, guessing what revtion Ewan was about to make, was pleased to see the expression on Morgan¡¯s bloodied face as he staggered; as his two partners fell to the ground on their knees, paler than death, regardless of the gasps of shock that escaped from the mouths of Dillion and Hank.

 Chapter 320: Finding Morgan X

    <h4>Chapter 320: Finding Morgan X</h4>


    "Thank you," Athena muttered, albeit gratefully, epting the white silky handkerchief Ewan gave to her to wipe the bloodstains off her face and neck. "I¡¯ll have it washed, ironed, and ready before the next time we see..."


    Ewanughed heartily in response. "How will you know the next time we see..."


    Athena opened her mouth to give a reply, but Ewan beat her to it.


    "Never mind. You can keep the handkerchief." A shrug. "As a keepsake..." He added after a pause, smiling when he saw a genuine, soft smile perch on Athena¡¯s lips.


    He was much satisfied about this, since the only smile that had besotted her lips since their encounter with Morgan¡ªup until this moment¡ªwas a sinister one, a cruel one that only an evil stepmother could pull off.


    Meanwhile, the ¡¯soft genuine smile¡¯ faded from Athena¡¯s lips while she wiped her face of blood stains, as she watched Morgan and his two men being led into the back of the ck van Ewan¡¯s men hade with.


    They had followed the back door of the hotel¡¯s entrance, since this wasn¡¯t their terrain and their influence didn¡¯t cover this area. This area all belonged to Philemon, the head of another crazy gang.


    And yet... Athena paused her lips, noting the throng of about ten to fifteen men approaching them.


    She drew in a gentle breath, remaining nted like a rock beside Ewan, watching as Ewan¡¯s men, after closing the van¡¯s back door, stood before them, forming a protective wall¡ªjust in case things went south.


    But Athena was tired.


    Who were these people? Morgan¡¯s gang members? She thought, her eyes scanning their biker attire¡ªsleeveless leather jackets over leather tight pants¡ªsettling when she found no scorpion tattoo on their arms. Maybe they had it somewhere else?


    When Ewan moved away from her, however, her breath caught. She held him back by the arm.


    "What are you doing?" She asked, a frown on her face.


    Ewan spared her a gentle nce. "Someone has to talk to Philemon,"


    Athena¡¯s brows furrowed, but she turned and started searching for Philemon, her hand not leaving Ewan¡¯s arm still.


    Her nostrils red the next moment when she beheld the male, Philemon, staring at her lustfully¡ªshe had done her research on him and had stumbled on his picture, with Ewan¡¯s help, though.


    For a split second, she was too conscious, wondering if, in the bright daylight, her gown was now see-through¡ªshe almost sank into Ewan for cover... if she could.


    She sighed in part exasperation and relief, her thoughts fading away when Ewan came to stand before her.


    Exasperation, because her body tingled again at that movement, at that show of his care for her.


    "Philemon, long time..." Ewan¡¯s chilly voice dragged her away from her betraying thoughts.


    Philemon, a ruddy male who was as tall as he was wide¡ªlooking more like a giant than a normal human¡ªshed crooked brown teeth in response, closing the distance between himself and Ewan.


    "Long time no see, Wolfsbane. Oops, does she..."


    "She knows, no need," Ewan replied, not intimidated by the sheer size of his old foe, a smug smile on his lips, knowing the y that Philemon had wanted to indulge in.


    Again, he was d he had told Athena about his past; otherwise, how would he have gotten away with the recent saves, with Philemon¡¯s runny mouth?


    "Oh, I see," Philemon murmured, a scowl masking his face¡ªdispleased that he had been outyed.


    "Still got your smarty pants on. You¡¯re lucky I value my Ruby¡¯s life and her wishes..."


    Ewan had nothing to say in that regard. "Are you going to be a problem then, since you¡¯ve brought some of your people?"


    Philemon shrugged his shoulders, which Athena was sure could knock down a hefty part of a building. "Not unless you want it. I¡¯m just here because I¡¯m curious. Although I¡¯m not happy you¡¯re the one who finally gets to catch that slimy pig. Can I see his face?"


    Ewan raised a brow, then nodded at one of his agents. The fellow, quite big, scowled at Philemon¡ªno matter that thetter was taller than him by some inches¡ªbefore moving to open the back door of the van.


    Philemon stepped back and peered into the van, in thepany of most of his men.


    "Hello, Morgan..."


    Athena wished she could step closer and see Morgan¡¯s expression upon seeing another foe, but her dislike for Philemon kept her firmly behind Ewan, although she popped her head aside to watch the huge male.


    "Well, I¡¯m sure Wolfsbane has a lot of ns for you," Philemon turned to Ewan then. "Do you still have Connor on your side?"


    Ewan gave a short nod.


    Philemonughed, turning back to the van¡¯s interior.


    "Morgan, did you hear that? Since you¡¯re here, it means Connor will have the pleasure of sampling you before the government. Though I doubt there¡¯ll be much left of you when that maniac is done with you and your people."


    Philemon let out that loudugh of his again¡ªmore like a roar.


    "See him shaking... I¡¯m sure you wish you knew Ewan was Wolfsbane..."


    Anotherugh.


    "I didn¡¯t know either. I only stumbled upon the information by chance. Yet..."


    An amused pause.


    "Would that have stopped you from doing what you wanted? I don¡¯t think so. After all, isn¡¯t that why we are both at odds? You like touching the lion¡¯s tail. Now then, you will know the anger and bite of a lion."


    And then he shut the door himself¡ªmore like banged the door on its hinges.


    "He urinated on himself. Can you imagine?" Philemon roared withughter, turning to his men, then to Ewan.


    Athena couldn¡¯t stop the smile slithering across her lips.


    Philemon, noticing this, shook his head. "You have a vendetta against him too, good Doctor?"


    Athena stepped out of Ewan¡¯s shadow calmly, and gave a nod. "Is that against the medicalws?" She added, noticing the confused expression on his face.


    "Not at all. Just amazed you¡¯re so cool with your ex-husband being a mafia boss... I wouldn¡¯t expect that from a woman holding such a prim and proper position."


    Of course, he would know about their marriage. Athena thought, shrugging her shoulders.


    "All doctors aren¡¯t the same. And we all hate injustice, and anything adding a dent to our good profession," She replied.


    Philemon stared at her a little longer in silence, rattling Ewan¡¯s nerves.


    He was just about to ask the male¡ªor rather tell him¡ªto stop staring at his wife, especially as the gang leader was approaching, when Philemon started speaking again.


    "You know there was another reason I let my archenemy step into my territory and leave unharmed..."


    "And what is that?" Athena asked, in a bored tone, refusing to shiver or shudder in front of the giant, scarred man.


    "You. You¡¯ve cured a lot of my men¡ªand some of their family members¡ªfrom the Grey disease. I figured I¡¯d pay you back," Philemon said quietly.


    Athena was speechless. She hadn¡¯t expected that. However, she recovered her voice just in time to stop Ewan from taking over the conversation; she wasn¡¯t sure where he would take it to.


    "You¡¯re wee then. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse us, we need to get out of here... there are other ces to be."


    Philemon raised his hands in surrender. "Of course. Let them pass," Hemanded his men.


    Athena held back her sigh of relief until she entered the car.


    For a moment, she had thought a gunbattle might ensue¡ªa firefight where she and Ewan would be caught in the crossfire, considering their weak states. She waved back at Philemon when the bulky man waved, causing Ewan to scoff.


    "He¡¯s not your friend."


    "He¡¯s not my enemy either," Athena replied, beforeying her head on Ewan¡¯s shoulder¡ªcutting off whatever words he had to say. They dried up in his tongue at that simple act!


    For the two agents¡ªDillon and Hank¡ªeach cocooned in their own silence as the car drove into the street, they wondered how Ewan, the billionaire businessman, was Wolfsbane¡ªthe most feared man in the underworld.


    If this news got out... wouldn¡¯t he be in danger, along with his family? And did their boss know?


    Hank didn¡¯t think so. Hadn¡¯t Aiden been surprised when Doctor Athena mentioned heading to Ewan¡¯s residence?


    ¡ª


    "Do you want to follow them to Connor¡¯s, or head back to Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s?" Ewan asked as they approached the intersection, where a right turn would lead them to Connor¡¯s, and a left to the Thorne¡¯s mansion.


    "I¡¯ll go with you," Athena replied. How could he even think otherwise? She wondered, checking the injury around his belly.


    Ewan inhaled sharply.


    "If you, who are injured, can go, then I will follow. After all, I want to see Fiona¡¯s face when she sees Morgan¡ªher boyfriend."


    "Fair enough," Ewan said, inhaling deeply for courage, before giving her a quick kiss on the hair. His heart stopped after, waiting for the rebuke or for her to pull away.


    But to his surprise¡ªand joy¡ªAthena didn¡¯t move. Instead, she ced her hand on his and squeezed.


    "Thanks for being a good friend. I¡¯m d you are here... with me..."

 Chapter 321: Finding Morgan XI

    <h4>Chapter 321: Finding Morgan XI</h4>


    <i>Good friend. </i>


    Ewan wasn¡¯t utterly satisfied with the term, now aware of his feelings for the amazing, gorgeous woman whose head rested on his shoulder, but he could take it because he knew that it was more than someone in his condition could ever hope for.


    From friend to good friend. That was progress in his books.


    Maybe if the universe would show him mercy as it had done today¡ªin their capture of Morgan¡ªhe would be promoted, from good friend, to maybe, boyfriend?


    He licked his lower lip, his eyes moving to the window, watching the houses they kept passing as they moved toward Connor¡¯s residence; following steadily behind the ck van where Morgan and his little crew of two had been kept.


    "So, tell me about Philemon... your history with him. I¡¯ve heard of his gang, but talk to me about the deeper things."


    A pause, where Athena wetted her lips, yet didn¡¯t move from her position¡ªa position she was aware she enjoyed.


    "Seeing as he knows your identity, where many do not, are you not at risk?"


    "No, I¡¯m not," Ewan replied, not taking his eyes away from the window. "He knows better than to spill the secret. No matter how tough he looks, he is wise enough to know that I have the upper hand against his gang... well, he thinks that I am still head of the Demon Vipers gang."


    Athena frowned. "I¡¯m not following. The handover wasn¡¯t known even in the underworld? So if, let¡¯s say, your sessor were to let the cat out of the bag¡ªmaybe at a drinking party¡ªyour identity will be exposed and ruined?"


    "Well, it makes sense, your statement, I mean, but my sessor is sworn to an oath to keep his mouth shut, seeing as my name moves the business more than his or my predecessors. The other gangs tremble when they hear my name."


    Athena rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you really made your mark in the underworld. Parents used your name as a monster scare for their children when they misbehaved. I know because mine did..."


    A pregnant pause.


    "Do you miss that lifestyle? The thrill and all?" Athena knew how sometimes she wished for the thrill that came with going on missions¡ªespecially spy ones¡ªso she would understand if Ewan answered in the affirmative.


    But to her amazement, Ewan replied, "No."


    "I joined the gang out of necessity. But business... that¡¯s something I have a knack for, something I have always loved. Maybe because I was groomed to take over from a young age. Yet, I have a knack with numbers."


    Athena could understand too. Her children were enough proof, seeing as they had the business sense to run KN Media.


    "About a previous statement of yours, where you talked about me taking down your former gang..."


    "Spider tells me of the recent atrocity they are indulging in, and the fact that they would have worked with the producers of the Grey disease¡ªif Morgan hadn¡¯t stepped in slyly and taken the contract," Ewanmented, guessing where Athena¡¯s statement was heading.


    Athena furrowed her brows, remembering Philemon¡¯s statement about Morgan, about thetter always touching a lion¡¯s tail, and sighed. That was surely true.


    But it was good it wasn¡¯t Ewan¡¯s gang she was dealing with at the moment. It might have been moreplicated.


    "So, seeing as your former gang knows about this contract, does it mean that your sessor might know the person behind this madness?"


    Ewan tsked. "Spider checked. But the message in the dark web, was from a private number he couldn¡¯t track."


    Athena was gobsmacked. This was the second case where Spider had failed to do his job, not because of ipetence, but because he was outmatched.


    Her mind¡¯s wheels started spinning again, at a wild rate.


    "Ewan..."


    "Yes," Ewan answered after a lengthy pause, where he had been waiting for Athena to continue speaking, and Athena was waiting for him to respond to her.


    "What if... I¡¯m just saying..." She paused again, licking her lip.


    "What if the person behind your parents¡¯ death is behind the Grey disease? What if the person is using the same hacker¡ªa hacker that Spider can¡¯t seem to defeat?"


    There was a tense silence that kicked up then, enveloping these two, making them unaware of their environment to an extent¡ªor the fact they were at Connor¡¯s ce already, with their aplices in front waiting for their order.


    "That¡¯s... a strange... deduction," Ewan muttered, even as he contemted the matter.


    "Maybe you should ask Spider. Surely, there must be some patterns he can see between the two hacks¡ªmaybe he can notice some simrities..."


    Even as Athena spoke, Ewan brought out his phone and typed out the message, forwarding it to Spider.


    "Thanks, Athena... I hadn¡¯t even thought about this. Athena, if this checks out..."


    Hearing the sudden hoarseness in Ewan¡¯s voice, Athena lifted her head.


    "Let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves," She pleaded, gazing at him intensely. "We¡¯ll take it step by step. I don¡¯t want you to get too hopeful¡ªand then bitter if it doesn¡¯t check out."


    Ewan fought the urge to drop a kiss on her dry yet enticing lips, to make them plump and wet like he loved. "Okay, good friend."


    Athena chuckled, shaking her head. "Come on out, Ewan. We are here."


    As they stepped out of the car, they stood side by side, watching as Ewan¡¯s men pushed Morgan and his aplices toward Connor¡¯s porch, Connor who had stepped out to understand themotion in his quiet, almost noiseless area.


    "Wait," Athena called out, remembering something. She took out her phone and snapped some close-up pictures of Finn, sending them to Herbert.


    <i>¡¯He is Heron, Morgan¡¯s right-hand man. Don¡¯t me yourself, old man. We all fell for his tricks. By the way, I hope you¡¯re getting better... let¡¯s catch up over coffee sometime." </i>


    "You can take him in," Athena gestured with her hand as she spoke, when she lifted her head and saw they were waiting for her.


    Inside the sitting room, Connor was still battling with surprise at seeing the number-one criminal of the nation sitting dejected before him.


    He had thought that he had fallen from Ewan¡¯s favor forever¡ªthat thetter wouldn¡¯t give him a job again.


    "Deal with them ruthlessly. But we will be taking our pound of flesh first, before you do... morepany is arriving." Ewan started, folding his arms across his chest, ignoring the pain that single movement triggered.


    Hismand, however, sounded and tasted like honey to Connor. The male smiled deviously, enjoying Heron and Dax squirming beneath his gaze.


    "Is Heronica here?" Morgan¡¯s voice was soft; a man thoroughly humbled, since he smelled of urine.


    He was yet to understand why his body had betrayed him in such a manner. But didn¡¯t he know why? He was about to be subjected to an intense torture he¡¯d never experienced¡ªrather, seen on others!


    Was this karma? A time to taste his own medicine? He cursed himself. When did he be so philosophical?


    Athena¡¯s smug voice drew him out of his haze. "No, you¡¯re lucky. She¡¯s in the ck cells. However, your Morgana is here. Do you want to see her? I¡¯m sure you miss her."


    Connor, not waiting for an order, rubbing his hands gleefully, shouted for Fiona. "Get down here in five seconds!"


    The next sound would have been painful to Athena¡¯s ears¡ªand to anyone¡¯s. But the people in that room weren¡¯t just anyone.


    They listened, all calm, except Morgan, who clenched his fists as the sound of Fiona falling down the stairs, in a hurry, reached his ears.


    He saw red when she jumped through the remaining stairs,nding at the bottom with a cry and a broken leg¡ªif the bone peeking out was any indication.


    Fiona screamed and screamed, but no one came to her. So involved was she in her pain that she didn¡¯t notice Morgan¡ªuntil Connor pped her mouth shut.


    "Any more screaming, and I will cut off another finger of yours! You don¡¯t want to be fingerless, do you?"


    It was then that Athena noticed Fiona¡¯s two little fingers were missing, coated in ck blood. Infected. She thought, maintaining a nk expression.


    <i>Good for her.</i> She looked away, enjoying the expression of Morgan¡¯s pain on his face. The monster really loved the witch. A good pair they were, after all.


    She stepped closer to Morgan. "Seeing as you love her, don¡¯t you think it would be fair to let her suffer what Scarlet went through?"


    Ewan frowned. This was the second time he was hearing that name. Who was Scarlet? His thoughts were scattered by Morgan¡¯s screams of plea.


    "No! Please! I will do anything, Athena! Don¡¯t do that to her! She¡¯s innocent! You can have me instead!"


    Athenaughed at the irony. "Innocent? How can she be innocent? Your Morgana is anything but innocent, and she must go through what my friend suffered at your hands!"


    "Who is Scarlet, and what did Morgan do to her?" Ewan could no longer hold it in.


    A tense silence followed, with Athena wondering how she could tell the story.


    "I¡¯ll tell you about itter... but until then..." She shed her teeth at Morgan. "Why not tell Connor what to do with Fiona? Narrate it properly, unless I will make sure he gets more guys to help him treat her... well."

 Chapter 322: Punishing Morgan

    <h4>Chapter 322: Punishing Morgan</h4>


    Athena was utterly amused and pleased when Fiona finally realized that the man covered with the stench and droplets of blood, sitting on the bare floor a few feet away from her, was Morgan¡ªher main boyfriend.


    Athena watched with a satisfied smirk on her lips as Fiona drew back her head, as if struck, momentarily forgetting the pain smarting her legs, and gaped at Morgan, then at Ewan, and finally at her.


    Athena could see the looks of disbelief, shock, and annoyance shing across Fiona¡¯s face¡ªboth at Morgan and at Ewan¡ªright before the woman let out a curse.


    "You let yourself get captured! You fool! Who will get me out of here then?!" Fiona gritted out, her hand tapping gently on her fractured leg, hissing when the pain kicked up a notch.


    "Someone get her a medic! Can¡¯t you see she is bleeding out?!" Morgan screamed, ignoring Fiona¡¯s contempt, ignoring Athena¡¯s request, ignoring his own condition¡ªthe weakness of his body that foretold a possible infection if his wounds weren¡¯t treated now.


    He frowned, his lips puckering in anger, his left fist clenched¡ªfor his right was too painful to fold¡ªwhen Athenaughed boisterously in response, and the others joined in the loud uncaringughter.


    "Honestly, Morgan, you haven¡¯t gotten the memo yet?" Athena questioned, raising an incredulous eyebrow. "I didn¡¯t take you for someone thick in the head."


    She turned to Heron and Dax, whose heads were hung low, lost in their headspaces, and tsked. "At least these two understand what¡¯s about to go down. They understand that the game is up."


    Morgan chuckled drily, upsetting Athena. What was there tough about?


    "Do you think the movement would end with my death? Do you think my sponsors care about me? The Grey disease will keep..."


    The rest of his words were drowned in a bloodied cough that escaped his mouth when one of Ewan¡¯s men kicked him from behind.


    "Of course, I¡¯m aware the movement isn¡¯t over. But apprehending you? That¡¯s a huge progress. Now, enough talk. Are you going to talk to Connor about a better way to treat Fiona, or should I let him involve more men in the equation?"


    But Morgan was silent, only wincing when Fiona hissed once again in pain.


    Ewan nodded at Connor, and the Irish male used his left foot to stamp on Fiona¡¯s broken leg.


    The scream that erupted from the bloodied mouth of the female was enough to tear down the building. Not even Connor¡¯s threats and hard ps to her mouth could quench such pain, such sobs, such heart-wrenching screams of agony.


    "I thought you were a doctor... how can you bear to stand this?" Morgan finally spoke, his voice hoarse, his eyes bleary with unshed tears; the male wanted to weep.


    Athena found it hrious. "So, because I am a doctor, I should let people get away with their atrocities? You seem to forget that I worked with the CIA, and I¡¯m still working with Nimbus... in that case, it¡¯s my right to deliver justice..."


    "And is this justice, righteous Athena?" Morgan asked, to Ewan¡¯s amusement.


    Was thetter trying to ckmail Athena emotionally? Ewan held back the urge to take over the questioning. If he did, there wouldn¡¯t be time for all this long-winded talk and circling around. No, he would cut straight to the point!


    He nced at Athena, noting her expression¡ªwhether she would give in¡ªso he could step in and remind her why Morgan needed to be punished. But Morgan wasn¡¯t done.


    "Seeing as you¡¯re not fazed by Ewan, it would mean that you¡¯ve forgiven him despite the atrocities hemitted as Wolfsbane... why can¡¯t you forgive me then? Why can¡¯t you forgive Fiona? Are her crimes up to par with Ewan¡¯s?"


    Athena maintained a nk expression, contemting Morgan¡¯s audacity. Did he think that because she was a woman, she could overlook her anger and hurt?


    Morgan, thinking he was getting close to some favorable conclusion with Athena, inhaled deeply, licking his lower lip.


    "We can go to jail if you want, but..."


    Athena burst outughing then. She bent over, holding her stomach as sheughed¡ªone hand on Ewan¡¯s shoulder as if for support¡ªuntil a tear slipped from her eyes, confusing Morgan.


    "Is jail not enough? Maybe life imprisonment..." He tried again, his mind calcting the number of policemen on his payroll.


    "Do you think I¡¯m a joke, Morgan?" Athena asked in a deathly calm voice, stepping closer to him.


    Morgan swallowed painfully and shook his head. "I¡¯m just trying..."


    "To ckmail me emotionally. You tried the ¡¯doctor¡¯ card, and since it didn¡¯t work, you¡¯re now trying the ¡¯emotion¡¯ card¡ªgaslighting, basically. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised, given your narcissism..."


    She turned to Connor. "Get me some gloves."


    Then she reverted her attention to Morgan. "You mentioned Ewan¡ªwell, you both are vastly different. I don¡¯t owe you any exnation either. And he¡¯s not the one sponsoring the Grey disease now, spoiling my practice..."


    Meanwhile, Connor hurried upstairs gleefully to get the gloves from thepartment box. When he returned, Ewan¡¯s crew had left Morgan¡¯s side and gathered behind Ewan, their expressions bored¡ªas if they were watching a show.


    "Here, the gloves."


    "Thanks," Athena muttered, sliding her hands into the gloves carefully. She cast a nce at Ewan, who winked at her¡ªmuch to her chagrin¡ªbefore looking at Fiona. Thetter¡¯s eyes widened in terror.


    "Please... I¡¯m sorry," Fiona begged, making a retreat.


    Fiona wasn¡¯t sure what Athena wanted to do, but the cold countenance¡ªthe chilly aura that had enveloped her once nemesis¡ªwas enough to send fear deep into her heart.


    She bit down on the scream that wanted to escape her lips when pain rocketed through her entire being, triggered by her fleeing movement. She let out a sigh of relief, however, when Athena ignored her and walked up to Morgan.


    "Knife," Athena called out, her voice as chilly as winter, alerting Ewan that this version of Athena was one he had never seen before.


    He watched with furrowed brows as Connor hurried to fulfill the task, eager to please.


    He watched, eyes widening slightly, as Athena took the medium-sized knife, lifted Morgan¡¯s bound hands, and sank the tip of the de into the open, fresh wound on the male¡¯s missing index finger.


    Morgan gritted his teeth at first, sweat beading around his forehead and falling, but when Athena smiled coldly¡ªhumorless¡ªand pushed down the metal, Morgan had no choice but to scream.


    And yet, Athena kept pressing down, her eyes fixed on his face¡ªuntil the piece of flesh split into two, until the knife shed against the bone.


    When a gasp escaped Heron¡¯s lips at the gory sight, Athena, without taking her eyes off Morgan, stabbed the bloody knife into Heron¡¯s thigh.


    The speed, strength, and intensity¡ªplus the element of surprise¡ªcaused Heron to cry out next. She kept stabbing the same point on his thigh with insane uracy and precision, never removing her gaze from Morgan, who was still sobbing in pain.


    Morgan believed he had just met Satan in human form.


    That thigh was gone now. Ewan thought, his lips pressed into a thin line as he lost count of how many times Athena had stabbed Heron; thetter had even passed out. Beside the fallen member, Dax was having a panic attack.


    And still, Athena wouldn¡¯t stop stabbing.


    Fiona watched the spectacle with an open mouth and widened eyes.


    Crazy. She thought. Athena was crazy.


    "Athena! Jesus! Stop!!" Aiden¡¯s voice cut through the haze that had cocooned everyone in the sitting room.


    Beside him was Susan, who was heaving; they had both run from the car when the engine broke down a few meters away.


    But Athena didn¡¯t stop¡ªuntil Aiden grasped her from behind and pulled her away.


    "Stop it. Hey. Stop it." He hugged her to himself, kissing his teeth angrily at the bloody sight before him, then turned to Ewan.


    "What the hell, man! You couldn¡¯t stop this nonsense?" He cursed, even though he knew that once Athena made up her mind about something, hardly anyone could change it.


    "At this rate, we won¡¯t have anyone left to question!" He added, noting that Morgan¡¯s life was slipping away.


    "Damn! Shit!" He cursed again, sessfully removing the knife from Athena¡¯s hand. "Why didn¡¯t you wait for me?! I have told you again and again to leave the torturing to me. Don¡¯t stain your hands¡ªuse me... you promised..."


    "He was mocking me," Athena muttered, her voice returning to its gentle tone. "And don¡¯t me Ewan. He couldn¡¯t have done anything to stop me. And you forget¡ªI¡¯m a doctor; they won¡¯t be dying on me. I will resurrect them if they do, and continue the torture if necessary."


    "Athena..." Aiden was displeased all the same. He didn¡¯t like Athena sinking into this part of her, this part that made her look viinous.


    "Do you know what really happened with Scarlett?" Athena asked, tears now streaming from her eyes¡ªtears that broke Ewan¡¯s heart, tears that made Susan wonder what the creep had really done to her mother.


    "No matter what he did, I will punish him myself. Don¡¯t stain your hands, Athena. I don¡¯t want that." Aiden replied, rocking her softly.


    "But why can you stain your hands, and I can¡¯t stain mine?"


    Aiden¡¯s response was to drop a fatherly kiss on Athena¡¯s forehead. "Because it¡¯s my job to protect you."


    Ewan¡¯s heart clenched at the sight and the words. That should be him.


    Why hadn¡¯t he stopped Athena? Was letting her feel the taste of revenge worth it?

 Chapter 323: Punishing Morgan II

    <h4>Chapter 323: Punishing Morgan II</h4>


    Even though Ewan maintained a calm demeanor watching Aiden approach him with lips pressed in a thin line, he was a bit tense; after all, the older male was a significant part of Athena¡¯s life.


    Offending Aiden was bound to have consequences for his budding rtionship with his wife. What questions would the male attack him with first?


    "What¡¯s going on up there?" His lips moved on their own ord, needing to exhale the tension in some way.


    Aiden shrugged his shoulders in response,ing to stand before Ewan, his eyes fixed tautly on thetter¡ªas if appraising the emotion in his eyes, as if doing so would let him see Ewan¡¯s innermost thoughts.


    "A continuation of what you allowed... Susan, though, is taking the reins this time around. She doesn¡¯t seem to be backing down anytime soon, especially since Athena mentioned Morgan had raped her mother..."


    Ewan pursed his lips, biting down the urge to express his foremost thought¡ªMorgan deserved whatever he was getting, and the females were right to get their pound of flesh¡ªnot wanting to trigger Aiden¡¯s cuss words again.


    "You know those hooligans deserve it. Athena and Susan need the release."


    After Aiden had finally saved Morgan from Athena¡¯s almost maniacal wrath, he had ordered Ewan¡¯s men to take Morgan and his faint-hearted crew of two upstairs to one of the torture rooms.


    However, Susan had stopped them by demanding from Athena what Morgan had really done to her mother. And when Athena had given the answer, a simple yet heavyden "He raped her," Susan, before anyone could stop her, had rushed over, taken the knife, and stabbed Morgan in the thigh.


    She was only able to get in three stabs before one of Ewan¡¯s men, ordered by Ewan, had stopped the youngdy. They had dragged her, kicking and screaming, away from a passed-out Morgan, who couldn¡¯t take the continuous assault, while Dax watched on, urinating on himself.


    However, they hadn¡¯t been able to stop her when she insisted on following the crew upstairs. Aiden had let her go, after Athena¡¯s consent to Susan¡¯s request, on the premise that she not kill the cruel gang leader; they needed to question him.


    It has been more than fifteen minutes and over twenty shouts, as Athena had resuscitated Morgan and Heron before the torture had continued, and the females were not done releasing their pent-up anger that had simmered for months.


    "I know you are right; they needed to get the anger out of their system, but..." Aiden paused, exhaling tiredly. "I don¡¯t want Athena descending into chaos. It¡¯s not favorable for her."


    "How would you know that?"


    Aiden sighed again. "We worked together for some years in the field, Ewan. Both at the CIA and Nimbus. A few times she stumbled into that haze¡ªmostly when there¡¯s gross injustice towards children and women¡ªit triggers her to go on a... well, a crazy, righteous rampage, something like what you just witnessed. And when she¡¯s done, when we return to base, when her mind settles down, she begins to doubt herself, ask questions, even takes to alcohol..."


    Ewan took his lower lip in thought. "Have the kids caught her in that state? A drinking state or doubtful haze, I mean..."


    Aiden shook his head. "She manages to snap out of it before she meets them."


    "And how would you rate the frequency of the matter, and her taking to drinks since the first time...?"


    Aiden furrowed his brows, checking, calcting this matter. "I think the frequency of the matter and the drinking habit thereafter has quite reduced. If I should be honest, I would say that with every descent, she has built a better handle on her emotion."


    "And there you have it, Aiden. Athena is not a breakable ss, I doubt she would want to be attributed as such, not after the fire she¡¯s been through. Of course, it¡¯s okay to show concern for her, to protect her in some cases, but in this matter, I think I¡¯m not evil for letting her vent out her anger. She needed it. And Morgan needed to see that she wasn¡¯t some easy prey to manipte¡ªthat there¡¯s a reason why she¡¯s highly respected by her counterparts in the CIA and Nimbus."


    Silence followed Ewan¡¯s little speech, where Aiden turned it over and over in his mind, realizing after a few turns that his overprotectiveness and assumption to know what was best for Athena was what had caused theirst fight some days ago.


    "You know, you might be right, Ewan," He muttered, to Ewan¡¯s amusement, who thought he was actually right, not ¡¯might¡¯.


    However, he kept his thoughts to himself; no need to push the truce, seeing as the tension had faded between them.


    "So, Ewan..." Aiden slipped his hands into his pockets, taking a position that made him stand next to Ewan, both looking at the staircase that was now stained red with the blood of the captured men.


    "You know Connor Brafus. How is that? Athena doesn¡¯t seem surprised either, which would only exin that she knows¡ªthat you have told her¡ªthat I¡¯m the only one in the dark about a particr matter..."


    A pause.


    "How do you know Connor, Ewan? His identity shouldn¡¯t be privy to people like you..."


    "When you say ¡¯people like me¡¯?..." Ewan teased, folding his arms across his chest, basking in the atmosphere of camaraderie between them, despite the loaded question.


    Aiden scoffed. "Are you going to talk, or will I have to punch it out of you?"


    Ewanughed, shaking his head. "You don¡¯t need to. I¡¯m Wolfsbane."


    Aiden¡¯s chuckle that had followed Ewan¡¯sughter sputtered to a halt. He frowned, swallowing saliva.


    "What did you say?" Humor thoroughly dissipated from his face and voice.


    "I¡¯m Wolfsbane," Ewan repeated in a more serious tone, quelling the need to exin himself as he had for Athena. "Or rather, I was."


    A pause. "I¡¯ve not answered to that name since I married Athena nine years ago."


    A long time, quite all right. Aiden thought, his brain calcting dates and times. But it didn¡¯t change the consequences that came with bearing that name.


    "But you were..."


    "Too young to be leading the gang? Yes, I¡¯m aware, but drastic situations called for drastic measures then."


    Aiden grappled with the disbelief that threatened to consume him, but seeing the level of men who worked with Ewan¡ªeven the few who had saved them in theirst mission¡ªhe couldn¡¯t help but push his disbelief aside.


    "Well..." He coughed, shaking his head, not sure what to say.


    Dramatic much? Ewan thought, bemused, still facing the staircase.


    "Wow, I¡¯m still struggling with this. How did Athena take it?"


    "Well, she was aghast at first, until I exined the situations to her and promised that this truth won¡¯t ever surface in the media."


    Aiden nodded slowly. He could see why Athena had made Ewan make that promise; their children¡¯s future depended on it.


    Before he could ask more questions about this discovery, which still befuddled him, Athena and Susan, in thepany of Connor, walked down the staircase, all three with bloodied fists; the gloves had done little to no good, and it informed Ewan and Aiden of the possible number of times these three had used their fists on the captives.


    "Are you two cool again?" Athena asked, taking off the gloves, epting the clean rag that Hank gave her; the agent had discovered a bunch of clean rags on the dining table.


    "Thanks," She muttered, using the rag to wipe her hands slowly, carefully, to get rid of any blood stains.


    Beside her, Susan did the same, while Connor sank his bloodied hands into his pockets, at ease with them, to the no-surprise of the people around him. Everyone knew Connor Brafus, even Susan.


    "Yeah, we are cool again, especially since I found out that he is Wolfsbane," Aiden replied, looking at Athena meaningfully.


    Susan gasped. "Really? That¡¯s so cool!"


    Ewan smiled. At least one of them thought he was cool.


    Athena, meanwhile, shrugged her shoulders, saying nothing.


    "So, what next?" Susan asked just as immediately, throwing the now bloodied rag into a little dustbin by the doorpost leading to the stairs.


    "We go home," Athena responded weakly, doing the same, before turning toward the exit, feeling the entire weight of tiredness and hunger. She needed a hot bath, food, and rest.


    As they prepared to go home, Aiden and Susan entered one of the cars that had followed the transport of Morgan to this location, while Athena and Ewan entered the car they had ridden in since this particr mission started.


    "I¡¯m so tired," Athena bemoaned, resting her head on Ewan¡¯s shoulder as if it was the most natural thing in the world, letting out a deep sigh.


    Ewan, happy with his luck, rested his head on hers, grabbing her slender hand. "It¡¯s done now. You can rest well enough when you get home."


    "Yeah," Athena muttered. "Will you follow me home? I¡¯m sure Old Mr. Thorne would love to hear from you. Nathaniel and Kathleen too..."

 Chapter 324: A Warm Welcome

    <h4>Chapter 324: A Warm Wee</h4>


    Unfortunately for Athena, her ns for a hot bath, good food, and sleep¡ªin that sequence¡ªwere interrupted when she stepped into the living room of the Thorne¡¯s mansion and saw that there were visitors chatting at the dining table.


    It was only the mere addition of Antonio, Cedric, and his fianc¨¦e, Victoria, but it was enough to give her a headache. She didn¡¯t want more than she had been expecting: Old Mr. Thorne and his wife, her kids, and then her two friends.


    Any more was a crowd, and she wasn¡¯t in the mood for it, not even when one was her new boyfriend. And from Ewan kissing his teeth, Aiden¡¯s heavy sigh, and Susan¡¯s short whistle, she knew that they, too, thought that the three were a crowd.


    "Mom!!!" The twins¡¯ shouts dragged Athena from her mncholic thoughts to her children, who were hurrying toward her with wide,ughing mouths and twinkling eyes.


    She squatted to their height and opened her tired arms wide to wee them, aware, from the corner of her eyes, that Antonio had stood from his seat and was approaching her too.


    <i>No, no.</i> She chanted inwardly, sensing the buildup of Ewan¡¯s unweing energy. <i>Not tonight. </i>She really had no strength for unnecessary machismo at this point.


    All the same, she dropped a kiss on each of her children¡¯s foreheads, smiling when they dropped wet kisses all over her face. She could never be too tired for these two.


    "Mom! Did everything go well?" Nathaniel asked, breaking away from the hug, darting a nce at Ewan, who didn¡¯t know what to do with his hands under his children¡¯s sudden scrutiny, for Kathleen had followed her brother¡¯s lead.


    "Yeah, everything went well," Athena replied, standing to her full height, her lips folding in when she noticed the apparent space and tension buildup between Ewan and the children.


    "Won¡¯t you hug us, Father..." Kathleen finally muttered teasingly, breaking the tension, looking at her father with eyes still shining with the happiness that her parents had returned from the mission in a healthy state.


    Ewan, who had been battling with his annoyance over Antonio¡¯s presence and the need to hug his children as Athena did, immediately sank to his knees, any form of annoyance fading away as Kathleen rushed into his arms, cing her head on his chest.


    "Wee, Father..."


    Ewan smiled so much that it was a miracle his lips didn¡¯t touch his ears. This was the warmest wee of his life!


    Nathaniel joined the hug a secondter. "Thanks for protecting our mother..." He whispered, only to the hearing of Ewan and his sister, right before his little hands wound around Ewan¡¯s body too.


    Ewan was too emotionally overwhelmed to say anything in response. He rather tightened his hold around them, to the chagrin of Antonio, who hadn¡¯t seen this spectacleing.


    <i>When had these fast strides been made?! </i>He wondered angrily, gazing between Athena, who had such a soft look on her face as she gazed at the trio, that he wanted to wipe Ewan off the face of the earth.


    He cleared his throat loudly to break off the emotionallyden atmosphere, but that didn¡¯t work; it rather brought Aiden¡¯s attention toward him¡ªa scowl from Aiden that seemed to order him to keep his annoyance to himself.


    Antonio bit down on his lips angrily and covered the distance between him and Athena.


    "You took so much time, my love... was there a hitch?" He was utterly pleased when Ewan lifted his head then to re at him, anger shing across his features.


    Before Athena could give a response, strung between the two men, Antonio dealt a soft kiss on her lips.


    "You must be hungry, honey. Come this way... the table is already set..." He continued, his hand slipping into hers, taking her away from Ewan and the kids.


    Athena, not pleased with this fiasco but having no choice if she wanted to enjoy a drama-free night, followed him. After all, didn¡¯t she ept him as her boyfriend? She might as well y the cards she had dealt herself.


    Following her departure, Old Mr. Thorne hailed Ewan to the dining table, he with Aiden and Susan, needing to cover up the awkward atmosphere.


    "You lot came at the right time..." The older male continued, even as he watched his wife scurry out of the dining room and into the kitchen, where shemunicated with the butlers and cooks about the addition of more tes and food.


    "So, how did the mission go?" Old Mr. Thorne started, needing to break the tension that had mounted immediately Ewan had taken his seat between the twins¡ªthe twins whose eyes were twinkling as they expected an answer from him.


    Ewan was so overwhelmed with this attention from his children that he lost track of whatever was happening at the table, whatever were the next words of Florence or Aiden; only basking in the attention of his children.


    If only it were not rude to leave the dining table, he would have gone to a separate room to be with his kids, and maybe Athena¡ªAthena, who was sitting beside Antonio. The simple thought was enough to lift Ewan from the ¡¯happy haze.¡¯ He became aware that Athena was speaking.


    "It went well. Better than we had expected," She was saying, a smile on her lips, her gaze gentle as she talked with Old Mr. Thorne¡ªso gentle that you couldn¡¯t reconcile this version of hers with the one that had gone vengeful on Morgan.


    "Ewan, are you okay?" There was worry in Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s voice as he wondered at Ewan¡¯s silence; as he wondered how Ewan was dealing with the news of Antonio being Athena¡¯s boyfriend; the over-cheerful male hadn¡¯t stopped talking about it since he hade for dinner, thinking Athena was around. He had even told the kids!


    "Yes, I¡¯m fine. How¡¯s business, and Florence?"


    Old Mr. Thorneughed. "You can ask her yourself..." His eyes shining as he watched his wife ruffle Ewan¡¯s hair, as he caught Ewan¡¯s surprise right before thetter turned to meet the amused countenance of Florence.


    "You took longer than you told us... you kept us all waiting..."


    "Well, there was a little hitch," Ewan answered, enjoying the attention. "But it¡¯s as Athena said, it finally went well, better than we expected."


    His smile widened when she instructed the staff who were bringing more food to the dining table to bring more for Ewan. "My son looks hungry. I¡¯m sure he is. Athena too..."


    All this while, Cedric and Victoria felt a little out of ce, especially as small talk about business and politics started to dominate the dining.


    Victoria more so, because this wasn¡¯t her turf. She wasn¡¯t pleased either that Athena seemed to be handling it well¡ªworse, her two friends too.


    She hade with Cedric to make apologies, considering thest dining event, which had ended in a mild ban from the Thorne¡¯s household, maybe even to spend a night; but seeing the crowd, she didn¡¯t think so.


    She cursed softly as she stabbed the meat on her te. Maybe she should deal with Athena once and for all. Show her who was the boss.


    "So, Cedric, how are you preparing to take over the leadership of the Thorne¡¯s business?" Antonio asked, drafting Victoria¡¯s attention to the current topic. "I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware of the heavy responsibility thates with leading the Thorne empire."


    Victoria put on a humble smile, as was required, the same with her fianc¨¦, who wore the humility cloak as if it was part of him.


    "I¡¯m just learning the best I can from my grandfather. I don¡¯t think I will ever learn enough..."


    A goodughter echoed through the table¡ªwell, all except from Ewan, who had a confused expression on his face.


    "He is the one taking over thepanies?" He asked, killing theughter and creating a mildly tense atmosphere in the lovely dining room.


    Ewan, of course, had no issues with Cedric, only that he never agreed with some methods of the young man and was privy to some ugly details too. Knowing his old man, thetter must have researched his next-in-line... Or was it because he was the only younger Thorne left?


    "I¡¯m not sure," Old Mr. Thorne finally answered somberly. "I¡¯ve not made my final decisions. But Cedric is a good businessman."


    Ewan shrugged his shoulders. "I guess that makes sense considering his position in the family and in the business. Nathaniel and Kathleen can make do with a couple of shares then, considering they are young... As a matter of fact, I prefer that..."


    Athena inhaled sharply, even as Cedric frowned, not understanding Ewan¡¯s statement. The others in the dining room were just as confused.


    Ewan, who was busy scooping food into his mouth, wasn¡¯t even aware of the mounting tension. And when he felt Kathleen tap him on his thigh, he thought it was because of his fast rate of eating.


    He should eat like a gentleman, he thought; he should be a model for Nathaniel, right before he continued.


    "You know, old man, you owe me some dues, adopting my kids as your grandchildren. Doesn¡¯t it mean you are indirectly campaigning for more time with them?"


    Ewan, smiling now at his joke, looked at Old Mr. Thorne, hoping for an amused countenance. However, his smile dried up when he saw none of that, when he noticed the silence at the table.


    He stopped eating. What did he miss?

 Chapter 325: Objections

    <h4>Chapter 325: Objections</h4>


    The tap again. This time, on both sides of his thighs. More insistent. Nathaniel and Kathleen.


    Ewan inhaled gently. Surely he must have said something wrong, he concluded, darting a sharp nce at Kathleen, who had a nervous look on her face, and then at Nathaniel, who had a disapproving one.


    But what did he say? Was he wrong to make that sort of joke? Was the fact that his children were now adopted kids of Old Mr. Thorne supposed to be a secret?


    Ewan bit his lower lip, his mind¡¯s wheels running faster and faster as he began to see a particr train of thought, one he wasn¡¯t entirely happy with, especially with Athena looking at him like that.


    She hadn¡¯t looked at him in that way... since forever... she looked at him as if he were a devil¡¯s pawn. And he could understand why.


    The Thorne family, no matter the united front they presented to the general public, was anything but that, at least that¡¯s what he thought.


    He didn¡¯t think the death of his godparents was a mistake. They had been murdered just like his own parents. And Ewan could understand why Athena didn¡¯t want this piece of information out in the open.


    If he hadn¡¯t been so consumed with the food he was eating, he would have probably made the connection before speaking, seeing as Cedric was right opposite him with his fianc¨¦e.


    Yet, he hadn¡¯t.


    However, he would be damned if he should let anyone get near his children, if he would let any harme to them.


    No. He would rather die. He would rather make bargains with hell than lose his children to family politics. He wasn¡¯t losing another family member again.


    So, he grasped Nathaniel¡¯s and Kathleen¡¯s hands, which were still on his thighs, and pressed them, conveying reassurance to the twins, who for some reason, now let their angst go.


    <i>Mom, Father will take care of it.</i> Kathleen seemed tomunicate with Athena as she met her mother¡¯s gaze. <i>Trust him,</i> her unwavering eyes spoke, calming Athena¡¯s ming fury to an extent.


    She didn¡¯t know why her children, along with other discussions, had told Ewan about the adoption. Actually, she did. They were beginning to trust him.


    <i>See Kathleen standing firm for him. She </i>thought, a bit afraid.


    Yes, she had promised Florence to give the father of her children a chance with the kids, but seeing how close they were getting gave her a pause. What if he hurt them again?


    Athena didn¡¯t think she could handle it; she actually believed she might kill Ewan this time! Her children were where she drew the line, and seeing them cozying up to Ewan... she wasn¡¯t sure what to feel anymore.


    She was torn between happiness that they were getting along¡ªthat the kids had a father figure whom they believed could save them from even a disturbing family politics¡ªand a feeling of anxiety. What if things went south?


    <i>Athena, calm down. </i>She mused.


    <i>Stay in the present. Assess the situation.</i> She instructed next, her eyes leaving Ewan¡¯s to face the other Thorne at the table, Cedric Thorne.


    His countenance was nk now, but she had been lucky to see it in the first nce when Ewan had first dropped the news: Confusion. Shock. Anger. Then Neutral.


    Athena wasn¡¯t deceived, of course, by histest facial expression.


    Unfortunately for Cedric, however, his fianc¨¦e wasn¡¯t exactly wise enough to keep her emotions under wraps.


    "Mr. Ewan..." She started, her face contorted in a frown. "What are you talking about? Grandfather never made mention to the family about an adoption procedure or ceremony. So I think you must be mistaken; the kids might have been bbing, as kids these days usually do... you shouldn¡¯t have taken that personally."


    Ewan didn¡¯t bother with a response for the bimbo. He rather pressed the kids¡¯ hands again and turned to Old Mr. Thorne.


    His eyes seemed to apologize for the slip of the tongue but were also asking the old man to do the needful since the matter was already out.


    Old Mr. Thorne sighed and slowly kept his fork on the te. Beside him, his wife ced a reassuring hand on his thigh, giving him strength and agreement for whatever he nned to say or do.


    "The kids weren¡¯t bbing, Victoria. They never do." An answer and a rebuke in one sentence.


    Cedric swiveled to meet his grand-uncle¡¯s gaze. "Grandfather..."


    "Grand-uncle, rather..." Chelsea muttered, loud enough for everyone at the table to hear. Noticing the attention drawn to her, she chuckled, shrugging her shoulders. "It¡¯s confusing to me. I was just trying for rity."


    Cedric¡¯s hands fisted on his thighs while he struggled to maintain a nk expression. "Grandfather..." He insisted stubbornly, needing to y the part. "I¡¯ve taken you as such since my birth. What is happening? Why didn¡¯t you inform the family of the new additions to the family..."


    "I had nned to make the announcement on a certain date," Old Mr. Thorne replied, picking up the fork again, refusing to be anything but calm at his table, in his own house.


    "But since it¡¯s out anyway..." He forked vegetables into his mouth and chewed on them naturally. "Cedric, meet Kathleen and Nathaniel, the newest additions to the Thorne household. I¡¯ve been trying to convince their mother, Athena, to make the trip too. I would love to have such an astounding woman as a daughter, but she¡¯s stubborn-headed. Cedric, would you help me convince her?"


    Victoria¡¯s eyes almost bulged out of her sockets. Athena being a Thorne? Next thing, the scoundrel would be sharing Cedric¡¯s inheritance with him! She would never let it happen! She would rather die!


    Fueled by anger, she mmed the table, allmon sense finally eroding away. She even ignored Cedric¡¯s sharp re and the pinch on her thigh thereafter.


    "What the hell is going on here?!" She screamed, eyes shing with rage. "You..." She pointed at Athena. "You bitch... you are the one trying to break this family, trying to sow discord..."


    "Thest woman that called my mother a bitch is cooling her heels in the ck cells. Do you want that for yourself?"


    Victoria¡¯s next words died on her lips, her mouth hung open as she turned to see who had interrupted her speech.


    She scoffed in disbelief when she saw it was just the little boy. "I see that your mother didn¡¯t teach you enough manners to stay quiet when the adults are talking... you scoundrel, one more word from you, and I will..."


    "You will do what?" Athena broke in, her voice attaining a chilling quality that caused Victoria to swallow before she could help it.


    Even Cedric, who had been battling his own emotions, stopped to appraise this woman who might be his rival should he not y his cards right.


    He remembered the first time he had met her at the end-of-year party, the woman who had been falsely used¡ªthat was when she had grasped his grand-uncle¡¯s attention. No, it was earlier. She had been his doctor first.


    Cedric bit down on his lips so hard that he drew blood. If he had known that the overambitious doctor would be a problem, he would have dealt with her ordingly. However, it was not toote.


    He opened his mouth to apologize to her for his irate fianc¨¦e, but she only spared a mild nce, as if he meant nothing, right before she started speaking with his grand-uncle.


    "Handle your guests properly, old man. I don¡¯t take insults to my kids lightly."


    "Seconded," Ewan chimed in, to the chagrin of Antonio, who wished he hadn¡¯t brought up that question about the Thorne¡¯spany.


    Yet, how could he have known that the old man had already made some ys?


    Still... a soft smile touched his lips. His children were richer, and that was a plus for him and Athena.


    "Cedric, take your fianc¨¦e out of here. And don¡¯t return until I tell you. You can use the time and enroll her in a school where manners are taught," Old Mr. Thorne spoke without mincing words.


    Cedric knew better than to plead. He knew his grand-uncle and he knew that tone. With a mild bow, he pushed back his chair and got to his feet, not bothering to wipe his mouth.


    "Let¡¯s go," He said to his fianc¨¦e, but the bimbo was busy ring at Athena instead.


    "I know the games you¡¯re ying, woman, but..."


    "Get out, or I will drag you out myself," Chelsea spoke again, disgust written all over her face.


    "Man, you should get a better woman; this one will wreak your business before it¡¯s even left the ground. See her talking about inheritance as if she¡¯s already part of the family," Chelsea continued, sparing an embarrassed Cedric a nce. "Take my advice, man, dump the bitch."


    "You are the bitch!" Victoria screamed, not minding that Chelsea Statham was one of the women she had fantasized about being friends with.


    This time around though, Cedric dragged her out of the dining table by grasping her arm and pulling her with him as he walked away from the dining table, not minding her shrieks.

 Chapter 326: Objections II

    <h4>Chapter 326: Objections II</h4>


    "Do you see it, Cedric? Tell me, you see it!" Victoria screamed, finally seeding in flinging her arm away from Cedric¡¯s strong hand¡ªor rather, thetter just loosened his grip on her.


    She knew that a mark would blossom there on the morrow, but she was too incensed to think about it now. Instead, she started pacing outside the house, not minding the guards around thepound were watching her.


    "That woman has a sinister n, Cedric. I told you, but you wouldn¡¯t listen! Talking about..." She paused when she looked up and noticed that Cedric was not with her. Had he returned to the dining room without her?


    The opening of the gates, however, alerted her that he didn¡¯t; he was rather going home.


    "Where are you going, Cedric! Are you just going to give up like that?!!"


    <i>Damn idiot!</i> She cursed, flinging her arm bag over her shoulder and stamping across thepound, half running when she heard Cedric start the engine of the car. She wouldn¡¯t put it past him to drive off and leave her here. After all, he had done worse.


    <i>If not for her ambitions, </i>she cursed, opening the car door. <i>What would she be doing with such an irrational man who didn¡¯t know when and how to fight for his rights?!</i>


    "Cedric, how can..."


    The p that connected with her cheek and nose was enough to blind her momentarily, to wheeze out whatever it was she wanted to say from her mouth and from her brain.


    Victoria cupped her cheeks with her two hands, feeling it sting, feeling her nose bleed. Was it a punch? She was too engrossed in the pain to notice or think. She bowed her head, but it only served to increase the sudden headaches assailing her.


    "Are you stupid? Why are you bent on destroying everything I¡¯m building?!" As Cedric screamed, he wound up the ss, making them unseen from anyone outside¡ªhe wasn¡¯t about to take another risk, to give his grand-uncle another reason to adopt another stray.


    "What is wrong with you!" As he spewed the question, he pounded on her back with his fists, making Victoria gnash her teeth in pain.


    When she could no longer take the beating, she howled out, not even stopping when Cedric pulled her roughly by the hair, forcing her to stare at him.


    "You are the worst of the girlfriends I¡¯ve had. Don¡¯t you know how to keep your head down and be a submissive bitch?! Didn¡¯t you learn anything fromst time? Didn¡¯t you see that he is already besotted with Athena, and that doing stuff to antagonize her is only spoiling my chances with him, huh? You idiot!"


    Using his left hand to hold her hair, he used the right one to p her cheek again, not moved by the blood trailing her nose. "You know what, we are done!"


    Victoria¡¯s eyes, which had be meek and calm, immediately red up with defiance again. "You can¡¯t be serious. Your mother won¡¯t be happy with it," She spoke, albeit calmly, not wanting to provoke another round of beating. Her body was already going through enough as it was.


    "My mother can go to hell!"


    "She¡¯s not going there anytime soon, Cedric, and I¡¯m the only of your girlfriends she has approved of, so I think we should work through our differences and find a way to deal with Athena and her stupid children once and for all. That way, everyone wins."


    Cedric pursed his lips, staring at Victoria distastefully. He could see why his mother had chosen her. She was cold enough to survive in their dysfunctional family.


    "Work our differences, huh..." He muttered, letting her face go. "Then do the necessary," He tapped the bulge visible on his trousers. He had gotten hard while beating her, as usual.


    "As you wish, love," Victoria said with a sweet smile, wiping off the bloody trail around her nose, her hands stretching to zip the fly of his trousers.


    "I¡¯ll give you the orgasm of your life," She added, her head going down to do the needful, while biting down the urge to pierce his neck with the pin she used to hold up her hair.


    Meanwhile, back at the Thorne¡¯s dining table, things were returning to normal, with Florence asking if anyone wanted more food, and Chelsea, with Gianna, rising to the asion, cracking jokes with the older woman about food; thetter who was so pleased with their presence.


    Antonio concentrated on his food, or instead, on the twins. Athena caught him watching and asked why.


    He shrugged. "Just pleased that my children have be more wealthy,"


    He chuckled, shaking his head. "So, when are you going to ept the invitation to be his daughter? You know what that means, huh? The power and wealth..."


    Athena frowned. "I¡¯m not interested in those."


    It was Antonio¡¯s turn to frown. "What do you mean you¡¯re not interested? If you¡¯re not, why then did you let him adopt the kids? You didn¡¯t know what that entailed..."


    "It¡¯s what they wanted."


    "Then I¡¯m sure they would want you to be part of the family too... he can be a father figure, you know..."


    Athena¡¯s frown deepened. What was her friend talking about? Was he that dismissive of Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s presence? "Antonio, I think it¡¯s time you left. Didn¡¯t you mention some meeting you have tomorrow?"


    Antonio¡¯s jaw ckened for a second and then tightened again. "You chasing your boyfriend away? The father of your children?"


    Athena rolled her eyes, exceptionally irritated. "You are not the father of the kids. He is right between them." As she spoke, she got to her feet, aware of the silence at the table. However, she was done with these petty fights, and she needed her sleep.


    "Yeah? Why is he not going then?"


    "He needs to rest. Aiden and Susan too. We had a long day, Antonio. Can we do this tomorrow, please?" She added the polite word at the end to appease her new boyfriend, but thetter seemed to have drunk the same poison as Victoria.


    "I had a long day too, Athena. And I came here to see you..."


    "Can you both take it aside?" Aiden spoke for the first time since the dinner started.


    "Seconded. My children need to eat and then go to bed. They don¡¯t need the drama." Ewan supplied, picking up his fork, his nk countenance masking the tumultuous battle within him.


    "You shut your mouth, Ewan Gietti. Because the twins are all over you, huh...don¡¯t forget your ce." Antonio dered angrily, hands fisted in his pockets.


    "I¡¯m their father, Antonio. Deal with it. That¡¯s my ce." Ewan retorted.


    "But you lost that right since I¡¯m their adopted father...."


    "Stop this!" Athenamanded, angercing her words. "Antonio, step out."


    Any form of pleading was out of her mind. She didn¡¯t understand how Antonio had be so unreasonable. In the future, she would make sure not to saddle these males in the same space.


    "What about Ewan? He goes scot-free? I¡¯m the father of the kids too."


    Athena scoffed now, chuckling thereafter. "Father?"


    "Oh, God..." Aiden cussed, knowing what wasing next.


    "You know you¡¯re not their father, adopted or whatsoever. You¡¯re only their godfather. The papers were fake!" Athena flung her arms wide as she spoke, her eyes brimming with anger and madness. "Are you happy now that the secret is out in the open? Now, leave!"


    This time, Antonio said not a word. He didn¡¯t even turn to the people at the table. He just walked out of the room.


    When he did, Athena exhaled and staggered to the wall, her hand massaging her forehead.


    Why can¡¯t they let her rest? She thought, her vision bing hazy.


    Medicine. She needed her medicine.


    Inhaling deeply, she attempted to walk toward the door leading to the passageway; however, three steps in, she copsed.


    Luckily for her, Ewan, who had noticed her unsteadiness, had rushed to her and had in record time caught her in his arms. "Athena! Are you okay?"


    In response, Athena chuckled like a drunk. "See you worrying about me, when your back is a mess... how are you even still standing... let¡¯s go... I¡¯ll treat you..."


    "You will do no such thing..." Ewan muttered, carrying her in his arms, grinding his teeth as pain racked through his back. However, he didn¡¯t stumble or pause; he only followed the twins as they led him out of the dining room and in the direction of her room, while the people in the dining room watched in shock.


    Until Old Mr. Thorne cleared his throat...


    Everyone then bustled to their feet, speaking as they moved. The staff too, as they hurried to clear the dining.


    Chelsea and Gianna hurried after Ewan, while Aiden stayed back to discuss thetest findings with Old Mr. Thorne. He trusted Ewan to do the needful. Moreover, Chelsea was a doctor. She would know what to do.


    In Athena¡¯s room, Chelsea was trying to check Athena¡¯s wounds, but thetter kept muttering that Ewan was the one that needed care, not her. Chelsea was half tempted to drug her friend.


    "Athena, I¡¯ll check on him when I¡¯m done treating you," She said for the tenth time, but Athena shook her head.


    "I just need my drugs."


    Chelsea furrowed her brows, the same with the others with her. "Drugs?"


    Athena pointed to her cab. "It¡¯s over there." And then she met her friend¡¯s gaze meaningfully.


    No words were passed, but her friend understood themunicated message.


    "Ewan, please take the kids to their rooms. Tuck them into bed too. I¡¯ll see about your injuries when I¡¯m done with Athena. Thank you."

 Chapter 327: Somber

    <h4>Chapter 327: Somber</h4>


    "How is she doing?" Ewan whispered as soon as Chelsea stepped into the children¡¯s room; not wanting to alert the children, whom he had just finished reading three bedtime stories to and who were now sleeping.


    Across from him was Gianna, reading a book, legs crossed, like one with no care in the world. She hade in about ten minutes ago.


    "She is sleeping now," Chelsea whispered back before beckoning him toe with her.


    Ewan didn¡¯t waste any time. He had questions for her, and for Gianna too. What drugs was Athena talking about?


    When he had left with the children, he had asked them about the drugs, but they had mentioned having no knowledge of the matter. He hadn¡¯t asked Gianna either when thetter stepped into the room, because of the children¡¯s presence; he didn¡¯t think Athena wanted them to know.


    "So, what¡¯s going on?" Ewan asked as he took a seat on the bed Chelsea indicated that he sit on.


    Chelsea shrugged her shoulders, opening the first aid kit. "That¡¯s her story to tell, not mine. Considering the good state of your rtionship now, I¡¯m sure she might confide in you concerning the matter."


    Chelsea¡¯s somber tone caused dread to settle in the pit of Ewan¡¯s belly, so much so that he almost fell to his knees and begged for an answer.


    What kept him from doing so was the knowing that these friends of Athena were as loyal as the word loyal. They wouldn¡¯t say a word. But whatever it was... was serious. It would exin why Gianna hadn¡¯t said a word since she joined him in the room with the kids.


    Even now.


    She was just watching Chelsea undress his wounds, the book still in her hands.


    Ewan bit his lips as Chelsea redressed his wounds, his mind going to and fro. Was it cancer?


    He shook his head immediately, his heart unable to take it. No, not cancer. Was it some other disease?


    His sped hands started sweating, and he became almost impervious to the pain that came with dressing his wounds, for all his mind was on Athena and what was ailing her. Would she talk to him about it?


    He was ready to call the best doctors in the world, to do the necessary, to make sure she was okay.


    It didn¡¯t matter that she fell into the category of the best doctors. There must be something more to be done about her matter, something that would cure her permanently. He hated seeing her so weak, hated seeing the panic on the children¡¯s faces when she had copsed. He didn¡¯t want to see those expressions again!


    Of what use was he if he let all that happen again? No. Grabbing his phone from his pocket, he sent a message to Sandro.


    ¡¯<i>Get me the contact of the best doctor in the world.¡¯</i>


    It didn¡¯t matter the cost, he would pay for it.


    "How are you calm, Ewan? Is your back numb already?"


    Ewan shook his head. "It¡¯s painful, I just don¡¯t think a weeping me is an image you want to see..."


    A chuckle escaped from Gianna¡¯s lips to the pleasure of Ewan. At least he had made the forlorn womanugh. Maybe...


    But the chuckle dried up just as immediately and she returned to the book she was reading.


    <i>Well, there goes that chance. </i>He thought with a sigh. Getting the answers from Athena, it was then. No need to bother Aiden too.


    "All done," Chelsea muttered, stepping away from him. "You will feel better tomorrow morning. Take these pills."


    Ewan swallowed the pills without hesitation, downing them with a bottle of water by the bedside stand.


    "Goodnight, Ewan."


    "Thank you, Chelsea. Goodnight," He said, meeting her professional gaze, a mundane thought sneaking into his mind then. What was the possible reason why his friend was at loggerheads with this funny woman? He still remembered her snide dig at Cedric.


    "Gianna, you too. Thank you," He said, seeing Gianna get to her feet, leaving with Chelsea. She gave him a nod in return and left the room.


    Alone in the room assigned to him, Ewan couldn¡¯t sleep at first. He was consumed with so much curiosity that was unhealthy for him. He needed to sleep. His body needed it.


    Exhaling tiredly, hey in the bed, his belly to the mattress, and checked his messages. No replies from both Spider and Sandro.


    Not having much to do, he chose to force himself to sleep. Hopefully when he woke up, Athena would be in better shape to talk to him.


    <i>"Goodnight, Athena</i>." He muttered, and shut his eyes, his hands clutching the sides of the pillow.


    His grip loosened in the next five minutes. The pills had done a good job.


    ¡ª


    A call woke Ewan up.


    The male inhaled gently as his hand roved the bed to find his phone. And when he did, his eyes glinted at the screen, for the brightness seemed to be as the brightness of the sun.


    And when he saw it was Spider, the sleep vanished from his eyes.


    He checked the time on the clock on the wall opposite him. Four a.m. He had slept for more than five hours. That was good.


    He even felt refreshed, he noted, sitting up on the bed, albeit making sure he wasn¡¯t resting his back on the headboard, not ready for any pain at the moment.


    "Spider, talk to me... what¡¯s the matter?" He started as soon as the call connected.


    "Ewan, apologies for disturbing your sleep... Sandro told me about your injuries..."


    Ewan furrowed his brows, rxing them when he realized that perhaps while he had been busy with the kids, Aiden must have told Sandro and Zane... if the two had visited.


    Were they in the house at this moment? He didn¡¯t think so. They would have interrupted his sleep by now.


    "Ewan, are you there? How are you feeling?"


    Was this why Spider called? He hoped not. He was hungry for information, not concern, unless it came from Athena and his kids.


    "Yeah, I¡¯m fine, Spider. Thank you. Do you have anything for me?"


    "Yes, I do."


    No hesitation at all. And from the sudden energy burst in Spider¡¯s tone, Ewan could tell that whatever news Spider had for him would be worth the sleep interruption.


    "Talk to me then."


    "Remember thest request you sent to me... well, I checked it out. The patterns are the same. It¡¯s the same hacker, the same ck web guru, that is behind the unseen holes. Do you know what that means, Ewan? If Morgan finally confesses on who has set him up on the mission, we will have those people that ordered the murder of your parents!"


    Ewan¡¯s heart was beating irregrly now. He felt like getting answers immediately from Morgan and his cohorts. Yet, he didn¡¯t think Old Mr. Thorne would let him out of here by this time.


    "How soon can we get answers from Morgan then?" Spider continued, the energy not leaving his voice.


    Yet, how could it? He was about to resolve a more than twenty-year-old mystery. This would be the highlight of his career!


    "Very soon. Hopefully today."


    "Okay, then. Continue your sleep. I wish you speedy recovery."


    Ewanughed, thanked his old friend, and ended the call.


    Continue his sleep? As if!


    He got out of the bed, put on the dark green polo, which was on the side of the bed, and stepped out of the room, with only one destination in mind: Athena.


    When he got to Athena¡¯s room, he dropped a knock on her door. But there was no response.


    He dropped two more knocks on the door, and when he still got no response, he bit his lips, contemting whether he should go ahead and step into the room, even without an invitation.


    The painful groan that emanated from the room right that second made the decision for him.


    Panicking, he turned the knob and pushed the door open, relieved that it was open at least.


    The sight that greeted him, however, made his heart wrench in anguish.


    A nightmare. He was sure, as he shut the door behind him and hurried to the bed. Athena was twisting on the bed, making groaning sounds as if her sobs were muted, her hands clutching her red nightgown so tight that the knuckles shone white.


    "Athena! I¡¯m here!" Ewan whisper-yelled, getting into the bed, drawing her closely to him, and wrapping his hands around her, cocooning her in a bed hug, her head resting on his chest, one leg of hers thrown over his.


    "Shush, shush..." He whispered, cradling her, humming, telling her everything would be okay, that he was here for her.


    Athena¡¯s hand, meanwhile, found its way around his chest, clutching his shirt hard.


    "Athena, you are okay. You are safe. I¡¯m here with you," Ewan kept muttering, kissing her on the hair intermittently, not stopping until the sobs quietened down, until her breathing became even again.


    Ewan let out a sigh of relief, pleased that he hade visiting. Seeing as it was almost morning, though, he believed it right to return to his own bed, as she was better now.


    Before he could crawl out of the bed quietly, however, a hand grabbed his shirt.


    "Ewan... where are you going?"

 Chapter 328: Night Cap

    <h4>Chapter 328: Night Cap</h4>


    "Don¡¯t go..."


    Athena had no choice but to give up the immediate pretense when Ewan tried to deprive her of hisforting warmth.


    She has been awake, in charge of her senses, since his voice and words,<i> "I¡¯m here, Athena!", </i>had drifted into her reurring nightmare, lifting her from the abyss that was Morgan¡¯s yard into the cocoon of his strong arms.


    Her sobs, shing against his persistent efforts atfort, had quieted down; her fraying nerves were soothed under his humming breath, under the kisses he dropped on her hair intermittently.


    Because she didn¡¯t want to snuff the life out of the intense moment, because she didn¡¯t think she was ready to talk about her nightmares, and because she didn¡¯t want to stop his fussing over her, she had pretended to drift off to sleep, thinking that he would hold onto her just for a little while¡ªuntil she was really asleep...


    But s, the beautiful man wanted to run away, buying into her pretense at first nce.


    Her breath caught as she felt him contemte, as she felt his scrutinizing gaze on her.


    Did he think she was still under the influence of sleep?


    Athena cussed mentally. Was she being too forward, too obvious with her need for his warmth?


    She could easily reach out to Gianna and Chelsea, but she didn¡¯t want to burden the duo any more than she already had. Telling them another secret of hersst night hadn¡¯t... been ptable.


    "Okay."


    A word of eptance. She sighed in relief before she could help it, sighing more when his arms came around her.


    How she had missed his strong arms! She thought, pushing her nightmare to the background. Her hand rested gently on his arms; she bit her lips when she felt it flex under her touch.


    "I take it that you are fully awake?" Ewan¡¯s deep voice broke into her thoughts.


    Oh, well. She couldn¡¯t deny it now, even though her eyes were still closed. She didn¡¯t think she could fool him twice in a row.


    "No. I just..." She began.


    "It¡¯s okay, Athena. I¡¯m pleased to be here with you," He muttered, pulling her closer to him.


    Athena wet her lips as she retook the position she was in before he had attempted to leave; one leg over his, her hand on his chest¡ªrefusing to think how intimate this position was. He wasforting her as a friend. That¡¯s all there is!


    <i>Liar! </i>Her mind taunted her, to her chagrin.


    Her face scrunched without her realizing, and Ewan, who was taking cognizance of her features, frowned too.


    "Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?" He asked.


    Silence greeted him at first.


    He sighed. "There¡¯s a lot I want to ask you, Athena, and I¡¯m not sure if you would be willing to share the answers with me..."


    A small pause.


    "But just to put it out there, you can trust me. I will never do anything to hurt you. Rather, I will go to the lengths of the earth¡ªno, scratch that¡ªthe entire universe¡ªto make sure you are okay."


    A dry chuckle escaped Athena¡¯s parched lips. She coughed next, her throat too dry for her liking. She needed water.


    As if on cue, Ewan snatched the bottle of water on the nightstand, opened it, and brought the tip to her lips.


    "Drink." Athena was amused for a second. Did he think she could drink water from this position? The liquid would rather fall to her red gown, soaking it.


    The imagery her mind conjured next, of the consequences of a wet red nightgown, had her trying to sit up.


    Ewan followed her movements, sitting up too.


    "Sorry... I wasn¡¯t thinking..." He muttered, pushing the bottle gently into her hands.


    Athena said nothing in response, feeling her cheeks flush. She really had a dirty mind!


    It was crazy how Ewan¡¯s presence had been enough to make her stop thinking of the nightmare¡ªa rare case. Other times, she would have sobbed more, or just felt depressed when she woke up.


    "How do you feel now?" Ewan asked, taking the bottle from her and returning it to the stand.


    "Better," Athena replied, not sure what to do next. Tell him to lie down again? It sounded too... She wasn¡¯t sure what term to give it.


    Fortunately, Ewan saved her from the stress by beckoning her to take refuge in his arms. She didn¡¯t hesitate, sliding as if she belonged to the crook of his arm, as he rested his back against the bedstand.


    "What about now?" He asked, dropping a kiss on her hair, making her heart beat irregrly.


    She clutched the side of her gown and nodded. "More better,"


    Ewan chuckled. "Is there an English phrase like that?"


    "There is now." Athena muttered, inhaling his masculine scent, wetting her lips. So this was how it was cuddling Ewan Gietti?


    During their cold marriage, they never cuddled¡ªjust mind-blowing sex and cold shoulders thereafter.


    Now, she was pleased, however, that he gave her the cold shoulders. Cuddling after sex would have been brutal on her mind. She would have missed him more, might not have demanded the divorce even.


    Who could, after perceiving this musky scent? She wondered, her nose greedily taking in more of that scent.


    No wonder Fiona had almost gone crazy to have him.


    "Are you sniffing me, Athena?" There wasughter in Ewan¡¯s voice.


    Athena cursed mentally, stilling her nose. Her mind must still be under the sleepy hormones. "No, just the room."


    Ewanughed then, the rumblingughter easing her nervespletely, bringing a smile to her lips.


    "Ewan, thank you really, for putting the fire out."


    Ewan became serious again after the appreciation. "You¡¯re wee."


    A pregnant pause.


    "Athena, are you going to tell me about it? Is it the same nightmare you were having during our marriage? Should I order the scents?" Ewan asked.


    Athena¡¯s brows furrowed. "What scents?"


    "Well, even though I was theplete asshole in our marriage... during the nights when you had nightmares, when you weren¡¯t exactly conscious, I let out the scents to help you sleep. Something Sandro got for me to help you sleep," Ewan exined.


    Athena was dumbfounded. Of course she remembered the scent that her nostrils came to love, only that when she woke up, she couldn¡¯t see what could be the source of the scent.


    Over time, she had forgotten about it, choosing to ept her lot since it somehow aided her to sleep better.


    Yet... she sat upright, away from Ewan¡¯s body, needing to think straight.


    "Is there something else you did that I should be aware of?" She asked softly.


    Ewan met her gaze without flinching. "watched you sleep, on most days,"


    Athena¡¯s mouth fell open slightly. "You did what?"


    Ewan ruffled his hair, his eyes shifting from hers to perch on the wall. "During our marriage, I was not only angry with you because of your father and his stupid attempt at control, but also at you, too. More so, because I was attracted to you. It¡¯s like I told you earlier: if your father hadn¡¯t yed devil¡¯s advocate, we might have still ended up married..."


    Ewan exhaled softly, taking his lower lip, while Athena watched, mesmerized. "It started with the nightmares. Watching you struggle, I couldn¡¯t take it, so I enrolled Sandro¡¯s help. I took to watching you while you slept to know if the scent was working well... with time, it became a favorite pastime, only that I would take out my frustration with my tangled feelings on you when you were finally awake..."


    They both chuckled then, Athena¡¯s tinged with nervousness as she tried to ept Ewan¡¯s confession.


    So, all his cold treatments, his parading of Fiona¡ªor rather letting Fiona parade him¡ªwas... all a cue to kill his own feelings and hurt her too?


    She shook her head. What the heck. At least all that was gone.


    She was pleased to hear this side of his story, however.


    "Is there any other favorite pastime?"


    Ewanughed. "I¡¯ll tell you if I remember."


    Athena smiled widely, returning to his arms, almost purring when he tightened his hold around her, when his fingers mistakenly grazed her side. It, however, brought to her realization that she was just in a thin gown.


    She looked down before she could help it, almost groaning when she saw the shapes formed by her breasts. Maybe he wouldn¡¯t notice... she lied to herself, rxing into his hold.


    "So, the nightmare... want to talk about it?" Ewan asked, needing to talk, unless his hand would go wandering. No way could he sit in good silence with Athena¡¯s body on his, without doing anything.


    She shrugged. If she was going to start singing to a therapist soon, she might as well tell Ewan; after all, he trusted her with his secrets too.


    "Yeah. The nightmare I was just having is different from the one I usually have during our marriage..." She said.


    "Really? Tell me about both..." Ewan prompted.


    Athena paused, and wetted her lips, inhaling deeply. "For the first, I was always in deep ck waters, not able to see anything in front of me, yet aware that I was being watched, that I wasn¡¯t alone, that there were shadows inside the ck deep with me..."


    Ewan frowned, trying to decipher the nightmare. "Does it have a source? When did it start?"

 Chapter 329: Night Cap II

    <h4>Chapter 329: Night Cap II</h4>


    Athena hesitated to speak, giving her mind and heart the space, the chance, to resist talking about these matters with Ewan; not minding her earlier thought that he deserved some of her truths because he had shared his.


    But there was no resistance sponsored by her mind or heart. The organs were calm and collected. She was fully awake, no sleepy hormones affecting her moods or thoughts; her thoughts were clear.


    Her gut offered no resistance either.


    This little discovery came with a startling realization that, like her children, she had begun to trust Ewan¡ªhad begun to let down her guards again.


    Athena drew in a soft, slow breath, her hand clutching her gown tightly again. Should she really let go?


    She tweaked her head at an angle that would let her turn and look at Ewan. Her lips parted when she beheld his intense gaze, his beautiful gaze that caused her heart to somersault over and over again.


    "Athena..."


    She bit her lower lip unconsciously, noting the darkening quality of his eyes, the husky quality of his voice when his eyes perched on her lips and wouldn¡¯t let go.


    Her breath grew heavy when he met her gaze again; it was clear as crystal: he wanted her.


    <i>Move! </i>Her mind screamed, but Athena noted the sudden weakness of her limbs, of her will, even as Ewan lowered his head slowly.


    She wanted it. She realized she wanted him to kiss her.


    However, just before their lips met in a blissful experience, Athena¡¯s phone rang out, disrupting the sweet atmosphere.


    She cleared her throat and backed away from an annoyed Ewan, who cursed the phone intermittently in his mind.


    "Who is calling?" He asked, hands folded across his chest, watching Athena move to the other end of the bed where her phone was.


    Athena swallowed, seeing the caller. "Antonio."


    Of course, it would be that egocentric fool. Ewan cursed, pouting his lips to the amusement of Athena.


    "Get down the angry horse, big man. I¡¯m not answering the call."


    The instantaneous change on Ewan¡¯s scrunched face was phenomenal.


    Athenaughed this time, shaking her head, but she didn¡¯t move back to her previous position in Ewan¡¯s arms.


    <i>Better not to tempt the devil. </i>She had a boyfriend now, and she was never one to cheat.


    "What?" Ewan mused, fixing his gaze on her again.


    Athena opened her mouth to answer but then noticed, blushing as she did, that Ewan¡¯s eyes kept shifting from her face to her lips, and then to her body. She mped her mouth shut and hurried out of bed.


    "Where are you..." Ewanpleted the question in his mind, seeing as she reached for a robe and covered herself properly.


    "Better?" Athena teased, flinging her arms wide.


    Ewan pouted in response. "I wasn¡¯tining in the first ce."


    Athenaughed again, still surprised at her lighthearted mood. "You men are the same."


    She sat on the bed, her back resting against the wall, contemting how to begin the story again. But before she could get to that, Ewan asked her why she hadn¡¯t picked up Antonio¡¯s call, a hint of frustration in his voice.


    "He is your boyfriend..."


    Athena smiled, noting the ufortable way the word ¡¯boyfriend¡¯ left his beautiful lips. "Well, he messed upst night... I can¡¯t answer his calls now. Maybe I will see him..." she replied.


    Ewan frowned. "You don¡¯t have to see him. A text or call will suffice."


    Athena shook her head, chuckling. "You are impossible..." A pause "So, you asked about my nightmares..."


    Ewan nodded, forgoing his earlier irritation, actually pleased with the swift change of topic. Thetter topic was more important.


    "Well, I¡¯m not sure of the source of the first nightmare, but it started after I woke up from aa more than fifteen years ago. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve done your research via Spider."


    Ewan nodded again. "Yet, he didn¡¯t get the truth on what caused thea in the first ce, what triggered it¡ªonly that you had gone missing for some days..."


    "Well, no one knows the truth, not even me," Athena cut in, her eyes distant, not bothering to remember, knowing the consequences that were sure to follow.


    Ewan bent his head low in thought, contemting this matter.


    "That¡¯s to say you lost your memories. Can¡¯t you do something to remedy the issue? Like what you did for me?" He asked, lifting his head.


    Athena shrugged. "I tried. But my case is worse than yours, actually. I¡¯m not supposed to be alive in the first ce. I¡¯m surprised I even survived. Well, if my mother hadn¡¯t insisted on the best doctors to take care of me then, I might have possibly died." Her voice became a little over a whisper.


    "When I ventured into the medical field, it was first for myself. I was driven almost to obsession to find a cure for my head. I even traced and located the expert doctor who had treated me those years ago."


    "What did he say?" Ewan let loose his arms, sping his hands on his thighs.


    "The same as I discovered... it was a miracle I had survived whatever trauma, whatever terrible situation I had been in. ording to his diagnosis, though, the sources of the problem might be a huge burst of water, drowning maybe, or a huge blow to the head..."


    Ewan¡¯s mind wheels started running. "Water, you say..."


    Athena nodded. "That was my diagnosis too. That or the huge blow. Unlucky for me, I can¡¯t remember. The drugs I asked Chelsea to get from my cabs are for the headaches."


    A lengthy pause.


    "Sometimes, when I¡¯m overwhelmed mentally, I get these headaches, sometimes with chest pains..."


    "Simr symptoms with mine..." Ewan muttered.


    "Yeah, that."


    "No wonder you are good with my illness. Thanks for your aid again."


    Athena waved him off. "Don¡¯t bother. You paid for my services, after all."


    Ewan chuckled halfheartedly, his mind on the possibility that Athena was the girl who had saved him those years ago.


    But it was like Zane had pointed out; it was impossible. The Gietti family and the Moore family didn¡¯t see eye to eye. There were boundaries. How could he have met little Athena? How could they have be friends?


    "But do you still have those heartbreaking aches?" Athena asked, breaking into his thoughts.


    He shook his head. "I think I¡¯m okay now."


    "Still, we will have to stop at myb to get the drugs for you. They should be perfect for consumption now. Can you make the stop before going to work?"


    Ewan nodded¡ªlike he would turn down an opportunity to be alone with her. And who said he was going to work? He was returning to Connor¡¯s hideout to get information from Morgan about his sponsor!


    "Good then. So I¡¯m guessing you want to know about the second nightmare?"


    Ewan nodded again, frowning when the haunted look shed across Athena¡¯s face. What could possibly be the source of this?


    "I was being too simple when I mentioned Scarlett was raped by Morgan."


    Ewan inhaled sharply as dread sank into his stomach immediately. Whatever Athena was going to say next, he wasn¡¯t going to like it.


    He was right.


    For as Athena started to speak about Scarlett, about the false mission, and then about the capture; about the torture that came with it, he couldn¡¯t bear to sit still.


    He got out of the bed and started pacing from one end of the room to the other, remotely pleased that he had let her get a slice of Morgan yesterday.


    He only paused when her clear voice cracked.


    He wasn¡¯t surprised; she had been holding on quite well actually.


    Quickly, he covered the distance between them, took the space next to her on the bed, and hugged her to himself, rocking her smoothly, gently, as she cried¡ªhis heart breaking into bits.


    Morgan. Oh, he would kill the evil demon slowly until thetter pleaded for death.


    "It¡¯s okay, darling. It¡¯s over. We have Morgan in our custody," He muttered, using his hands to wipe away her tears as her sobs quietened down.


    "We finally have him. His reign of terror is over; you have gotten revenge for Scarlett. She would be proud of you, as Susan is. She would also be proud of you for taking care of her daughter."


    He dropped a kiss on her hair and wiped thest of her tears.


    "Everything is fine now. You don¡¯t have to sleep in fear anymore, or give Morgan power over your dreams. You caught him, Athena. You caught him. He is now yours to torture, to deal with. Fiona too."


    As he spoke, he dropped another kiss on her hair, then her forehead, and then on her nose, pleased when her breath caught. She was thinking of something else now¡ªsomething other than the memory. She was thinking of him.


    cing his index finger under her chin, he lifted her face, staring into her beautiful brown eyes.


    "Nothing harms you again, sweetheart. I¡¯ll make sure of that." He dropped a kiss on her nose again.


    An astounded, speechless Athena battled with her needs. Finally, the saner part won, seeing the inquiry for permission in Ewan¡¯s eyes.


    "I... have... a boyfriend."

 Chapter 330: Night Cap III

    <h4>Chapter 330: Night Cap III</h4>


    <i>Let me go. </i>Athena echoed in her mind, looking into Ewan¡¯s desire-filled eyes. Yet she didn¡¯t make a move to dislodge Ewan¡¯s finger from her face.


    Instead, she bit down on her lips, worsening the already messy situation for Ewan, who was battling with the need to just go ahead and kiss her¡ªdamning the consequences¡ªand the need of his gentlemanly side, which was advocating that he let her go.


    His gentlemanly side didn¡¯t want her to regret after everything was done. No. He wanted her to savor, not hate his touch on her.


    This saner part won the battle; still he cursed again and again in his mind about his ill luck, before dropping a chaste kiss on her forehead.


    <i>Friendly kiss.</i> He mused bitterly, pulling away.


    "Yeah, boyfriend Antonio..." He muttered, letting her chin go.


    Athena was then able to breathe freely. And breathe, she did¡ªa greedy intake of air, while her hands smoothed out absent creases on her robe.


    Just when she wanted to turn away, however, to take a position where a kiss would be miles away from happening, she spotted a bracelet on Ewan¡¯s hand.


    Her brows furrowed, her interest piqued by the likely history behind the worn-out item that seemed antique, especially as it called to her. Like it was a familiar substance.


    "Where... did you get that from?" She asked, her eyes not leaving the bracelet. Her fingers itched to touch the item.


    Ewan raised his right eyebrow, darting a curious nce at Athena¡ªand then at the bracelet of his savior. And again, the suspicions arose. Could she be the one?


    But even as that thought arose, the cancelling thought came with it. They had been walls apart, miles apart, as families. There was no way they could have met.


    "It is the only reminder I have of my savior¡ªthe girl who saved me from drowning. I took it from Fiona. Does it seem familiar to you?" Ewan asked.


    Athena shook her head.


    "So Fiona knows who the real savior is? Why haven¡¯t you gotten the answer from her yet?" She questioned, her gaze darting between Ewan¡¯s curious expression and the bracelet.


    "I¡¯ve asked Connor to do the needful, but she remains stubborn. However, not to worry¡ªwe will be getting all our answers today."


    Athena nodded, then pointed at the bracelet. "Can I touch it?"


    She couldn¡¯t exin this feeling that was assaulting her within, at the sight of the bracelet; she couldn¡¯t understand why she even wanted to touch it. Was it something from her past? A simr antique, perhaps?


    When Ewan gave her the go-ahead, she slowly reached out and touched the bracelet, taking her time to feel the pearls and costly stones surrounding it. The picture the bracelet presented was a false one¡ªthis was a highly valuable item, worth millions of dors on the ck market. Diamonds were expensive.


    "What do you think?"


    She heard Ewan¡¯s soft voice drifting above her, but the bracelet was calling to her mind, enticing her with its warmth yet coldness¡ªa sh of the stones used for it. And then she tried to remember, to perhaps ce it in some memory. But as usual, pain racked her head and her back; it was worse this time, so much worse that she screamed.


    Ewan jerked, having not expected this, before swallowing her slender frame in a bear hug.


    "Hey, I¡¯m here." He rubbed her shoulders gently, then ruffled her hair softly, as if sweeping the pain away. He wasn¡¯t sure if what he was doing was even working, only moving to calm the woman in his arms.


    But for Athena, it was working.


    "What is the matter? Are you sure you don¡¯t know this bracelet?" Ewan asked, forgoing his earlier argument that it was impossible for them to be friends then; anything could have happened to make them cross paths.


    But Athena shook her head. "I can¡¯t remember."


    Just then, a knock sounded on the door.


    Without opening it, Ewan already knew that the family was awake¡ªthey had heard Athena¡¯s scream¡ªand hade to check on her.


    Not wanting to put her in apromising position, he gently eased away from her, to Athena¡¯s chagrin, and stood, walking toward the door.


    The door opened before he could get to it, and the twins rushed in.


    "Mom!" They shouted as they barged in, their next words cutting off when they beheld the scene in front of them.


    They came to a halt immediately, some feet away from Ewan. They nced at him, then at Athena, whose expression was still tinged with difort but clearly awake.


    Nathaniel¡¯s eyes narrowed in usation.


    "What did you do to my mother?" He demanded. Already he and Kathleen had been awake, discussing, before they heard the scream.


    Did their father try to do something? He wondered, eyes perching on his mother. She seemed okay, except for that look on her face.


    "Nothing." Ewan answered, not sure how to exin his presence or the situation to his children. He immediately turned to Athena for help.


    Athena sighed and got out of bed. "I¡¯m fine. Just a bad headache," She said, moving to the sofa. There, she beckoned the children, who sidestepped their father and ran into her arms.


    "Mom, say the truth. Headaches don¡¯t make people scream," Nathaniel continued, refusing to give up the matter.


    "Bad headaches do," Athena replied.


    Ewan nodded. "Your mother is telling the truth. I know, because I¡¯ve had them, before your mother saved me."


    Nathaniel looked Ewan up and down. "So, why are you here?"


    "The same reason as you are here," Ewan replied without hesitation. "Out of concern. To take care of her."


    "He is right," Athena spoke then, not giving her children any more chance to speak, knowing how assertive and inquisitive they could be.


    "He came to make sure I was okay."


    "Thanks, Father," Kathleen said, giving Ewan a thumbs-up before reaching out to tap her mother¡¯s cheek. "Is that why you told Aunt Chelsea to get you the drugsst night?"


    Athena nodded. This was better than telling the kids she had terrible amnesia and terrible headaches when provoked.


    "So, how are you feeling now, Mom?" Nathaniel asked, tucking her hair behind her ear.


    Athena smiled. "Better. Your father took care of me appropriately."


    Nathaniel pouted, then turned to Ewan. "Thank you."


    Ewan nodded with a smile. "It was a pleasure."


    Right at that moment, a knock sounded at the open door, attracting everyone¡¯s attention. It was Old Mr. Thorne.


    "We heard a scream," He started, looking over Athena and checking for any dents, duly followed by a worried Florence.


    "It¡¯s okay, old man. Just a bad headache," Ewan said, winking at him.


    Story for privates, the old man thought, before giving a slow nod. Alright then. I¡¯m sure my wife can get you her famous tea..."


    Athena smiled widely. "I¡¯d appreciate that. Thanks, old man."


    Old Mr. Thorne chuckled and muttered a few words with his wife, who winked at the kids before turning away. It was morning after all; they might as well start breakfast.


    As she left, Old Mr. Thorne turned to beckon Ewan to follow him so they could discuss the next steps in this almost-solved mystery, when he noticed the bracelet on Ewan¡¯s hand.


    His eyes widened, pupils dting, right as his quaking index finger lifted and pointed to the antique.


    "Where... where... did you get that?"


    Instant silence descended in the room, bringing loud tension along with it.


    "Ewan, answer me. Where did you get that bracelet?"


    Ewan was filled with confusion; he didn¡¯t understand the old man¡¯s fascination with the bracelet. First, it was Athena. Now it was was old Mr. Thorne?


    "I don¡¯t know the identity of the owner. But it belongs to the girl who saved my life when I was a little boy. You know of the ident..." He paused, hope flickering in his voice. "Do you know who it belongs to?"


    Old Mr. Thorne staggered into the room, stopping only close to Ewan. He lifted thetter¡¯s hand, tears filling his eyes.


    "Florence!" He shouted, uncaring of a tear that slid down his cheek.


    Athena was even more confused, not understanding what was happening. Was the bracelet a charm? Something that beckoned people until they couldn¡¯t help but want to touch it, feel it?


    Her eyes went to the door when Florence rushed in, having heard the urgency in her husband¡¯s voice. This time, Gianna, Aiden, and Chelsea followed behind. The shout had dragged them from their rooms.


    What was going on?


    "Edward, what¡¯s going on?" Florence broke the silence, difort spreading across her chest at seeing her husband¡¯s tears. Did Ewan say something to hurt her husband? She was just about to inquire on that when her husband pointed at the bracelet.


    Florence¡¯s eyes widened, and a scream erupted from her lips.


    Kathleen pushed her index fingers into her ears as Florence screamed again, rushing toward Ewan.


    "Tell me, son. Where did you get it?!"


    Ewan was at a loss for words. He looked at Athena, but she was as nonplussed as he was.


    "Ewan, look at me!" Florence yelled, grasping the bracelet gently. "Tell me where you got this bracelet from! It¡¯s a family heirloom! Aren¡¯t you aware?"

 Chapter 331: Night Cap IV

    <h4>Chapter 331: Night Cap IV</h4>


    Family heirloom? Ewan swallowed, darting a nce at the bracelet still held gently by Florence, like it was a long-lost¡ªbut found¡ªtreasure.


    His savior was a Thorne? Yet, how was that possible? There was no Thorne his age; except maybe Cedric. And even then, it wasn¡¯t a male that had jumped into the raging river to save him.


    It wasn¡¯t a male that had been friends with him, ying and running down fields with him.


    No, it had been a female. A female with ck long hair, and the best of smiles.


    There must be a misunderstanding somewhere, he thought, taking a step back before he could realize what he was doing. It couldn¡¯t be a Thorne. Maybe a simr bracelet?


    "Why are you moving away? Won¡¯t you answer my questions?"


    Ewan exhaled, sliding his hand into his pockets. "Let¡¯s talk in the sitting room. Standing is making me more tired than usual," He replied to Florence, who nodded frantically before gesturing to the door.


    "This way, then."


    Together, the people in the room thronged after Ewan into the sitting room, taking seats just as immediately, breakfast forgotten.


    Kathleen sat with her father, while Nathaniel chose to stay with his mother, not begrudging his sister for her choice, because his father had proven himself trustworthy a good number of times.


    "So, tell me, Ewan... the bracelet..." Florence continued from where she stopped, determined to get answers immediately. Her husband let her, because he too needed answers. How was his daughter¡¯s bracelet in Ewan¡¯s hands?


    Athena was just as curious. Her hands sped with Nathaniel¡¯s, her eyes were sharp as ever, as were her ears¡ªready to listen, to understand, and possibly make sense of why she was drawn to the bracelet too, as if it had been an old friend urging her to remember.


    "The bracelet belongs to the girl who saved me more than twenty years ago from drowning to my death, as I mentioned earlier. Seeing as there are no female Thorne around that age, I doubt it belongs to a Thorne. Old man, it can¡¯t belong to Aunt Emily, too, because she was..." A little weighted pause. "Dead when I was two, or was it three?"


    Old Mr. Thorne nodded slowly, leaning forward. "You are right, Ewan. There is no young female Thorne around... yet I can¡¯t be wrong¡ªthe bracelet is the Thorne¡¯s heirloom. Florence, please go get ours."


    Florence shot up to her feet immediately, heading toward the passageway.


    Five minutester, she returned to the sitting room with two simr bracelets. She handed them over to Ewan, who took them gingerly andpared them with the one around his wrist. He swallowed again when he realized it was the same.


    "Maybe it belongs to one of your sister¡¯s children?"


    Old Mr. Thorne frowned. "My sister has only one child, and that child only has Cedric. There¡¯s no other."


    Ewan exhaled tiredly and returned the bracelets to Florence. "Could it be that Aunt Emily misced it before her death? Maybe the girl who saved me stumbled upon it?"


    Old Mr. Thorne shook his head. "I highly doubt that. Emily isn¡¯t one to misce things. She is very careful... yet..." He exhaled painfully. "That is the only reasonable exnation there is..."


    "Or maybe Aunt Emily had a daughter," Chelsea muttered, albeit loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.


    Florence¡¯s eyes widened, her mouth ckening, even as her husband shook his head.


    "That¡¯s not impossible. Emily wasn¡¯t pregnant before her death¡ªI would have known if there was a child."


    But the frown didn¡¯t disappear from Chelsea¡¯s face, to the surprise of Athena. It was like her friend knew more than she was letting on.


    "Chelsea, is there something we should know?" Old Mr. Thorne asked, unable to hide the hope shining in his eyes.


    If Emily had a daughter, then... He had to willfully suppress the rising emotions within him, not wanting to hurt himself in the long run.


    "I¡¯m not sure. But, as you know, Aunt Emily was a good friend of Areso¡¯s mother..." She looked at Florence as she spoke her next words. "I¡¯m not sure if you remember Jessica Walters..."


    Florence nodded immediately, like an agama lizard. "Of course I do. She was the best student of my Emily..."


    Athena¡¯s mouth opened slightly. Emily was a fashion designer. Just as Jessica was.


    It was no surprise that Areso had followed in her mother¡¯s footsteps¡ªor was it Emily? Athena wondered, remembering the first time she hade to the Thorne mansion, the shock that had overwhelmed her when Florence had called her Emily, because Emily had a suit that resembled hers.


    "Yes, that. Well, once, I stumbled into one of the unused rooms in their house, and I saw baby items. It wasn¡¯t Areso¡¯s, because her crib is downstairs. This one was up in the attic. And then I saw some clothes... Areso mentioned that it belonged to Emily Thorne, her role model in fashion. Her mother never stopped talking about her best teacher and friend..."


    A significant pause.


    "When I asked Areso about the baby items, she mentioned that she wasn¡¯t sure who they belonged to. Her mother never spoke about it. As a matter of fact, her mother got cantankerous the first time she asked. Hence, she hasn¡¯t asked about it again."


    Silence, tinged with tension, descended into the room. Florence broke it the next few seconds by calling on the butler.


    "Get my phone!" She called out, hands shaking, remembering the year she hadn¡¯t seen her daughter.


    Darting a look at her husband, she could see that he was remembering too¡ªthe year Emily had imed she was on a retreat with her husband. Could it be that wasn¡¯t the case?


    Yet, why would her daughter keep the pregnancy from her?


    The butler brought in the phone in the next few seconds and handed it over to her. A bow, and he was out of the room.


    Meanwhile, Athena was searching the inte about the woman called Emily Thorne. She gasped softly when the images of thete woman flooded her phone. The woman and her husband.


    Athena¡¯s heart pounded as she noted the resemnce, understanding why Old Mr. Thorne had insisted that she reminded him of histe daughter, why Florence had called her Emily. It hadn¡¯t just been because of the clothes; no, it was her face, the angr nose, the brown eyes, the bow-shaped lips.


    Only she didn¡¯t have the woman¡¯s dark brown hair. No, her hair was as ck as midnight¡ªlike Den¡¯s; husband to Emily.


    Athena gulped in air.


    Beside her, Nathaniel was battling disbelief too at seeing the pictures; feelings assaulted him in rapid session¡ªfeelings that bamboozled him when he first saw Ewan¡¯s picture. Could fate be that funny?


    "Hello, Jessica..." Florence¡¯s tense voice dragged Nathaniel and his mother out of their thoughts into the real world.


    They watched as Florence put the phone on loudspeaker at her husband¡¯s gesture.


    "Who is speaking, please?" Jessica¡¯s soft voice wafted through the phone.


    Athena bit her lips, her mind starting to calcte Jessica¡¯s affection for her¡ªone that had almost caused a divide between her and Areso at one time. Could it be because she resembled Emily Thorne?


    Athena shook her head to dismiss the thought and listened to the conversation. People saw their doppelg?ngers every day. It was a normal thing.


    "...Really? It¡¯s great to hear from you, Florence. It¡¯s been ages... how are you doing?" Jessica was happy to hear from Florence, that was evident from the happy lift of her voice.


    "Yes, I¡¯m fine, Jessica. Please, can I ask you a question?"


    Straight to the point, Athena mused, clicking her phone off momentarily.


    A pause ensued on the other end.


    "Please go ahead, Mrs. Thorne," Jessica finally responded.


    "Thank you, Jessica. Please, I want the truth to this question¡ªnothing but the truth. Did my Emily have a child? Was she pregnant at any time?"


    Another pause.


    This time, the call was cut off.


    If there was hesitation to believe that Emily had been pregnant at any point, that hesitation was gone. Ewan thought, watching Old Mr. Thorne take the phone from his wife and try again.


    The call rang straight to voicemail.


    He cursed loudly and used his own phone to make the call. Luckily, Jessica answered this time.


    "Hello..." Her voice was tentative, as if uncertain what to expect, and Athena knew that the woman didn¡¯t know who was calling her.


    Oh well.


    "Jessica Walters, if you end this call, you end your career and that of your daughter, and possibly your life," The old man dered.


    Really? Athena thought, now amused. The man had to go that far?


    "What do you want? Who is this?" Jessica¡¯s voice gained a curious, annoyed tone.


    "This is Mr. Thorne. Now, answer my wife¡¯s question."


    Silence on the line.


    A silence thatsted more than a minute.


    "Jessica..." Old Mr. Thorne growled, patience running thin, feeling his heart leap at a fearsome rate.


    A sigh echoed from the other end¡ªa sigh of resignation that sealed the matter in Athena¡¯s eyes.


    "Yes, she had a child. A daughter. Named Cecilia."

 Chapter 332: Escape?

    <h4>Chapter 332: Escape?</h4>


    <i>Cecilia Thorne. Granddaughter to Edward Thorne. Heir to the Thorne empire. </i>


    <i>If she was still alive, that is. Wow.</i> Athena mused, hoping the female was alive, seeing the faith shining in the eyes of Mr. and Mrs. Thorne.


    She couldn¡¯t even pretend to understand the feelings sweeping through the couple¡ªhaving a piece of their daughter back, moreso, a granddaughter. It was more than they could ask for.


    Whoever she was, Athena thought, she was both lucky¡ªand well, in for a lot of trouble¡ªconsidering Cedric had been trained from birth to see the Thorne¡¯s empire as his. It would take a lot to dissuade him from his pursuit.


    Fortunately, old Mr. Thorne wasn¡¯t exactly gentle, or a pushover when it came to serious matters.


    Cecilia Thorne. They might be good friends.


    Athena watched the couple murmur the names of their granddaughter under their breath, as if tasting the synergy of the two names. Then she looked at Ewan.


    He seemed ridden with shock, and Athena felt a sinking feeling as her mind supplied the possibility of Cecilia Thorne bing Ewan Gietti¡¯s next obsession.


    She twisted her fingers, unsure how to feel¡ªuncertain if she wanted Cecilia to be found again.


    <i>Jesus! Get rid of that stinking thought, Athena! </i>She cursed herself, hating that her mind could conjure such nonsense.


    She shivered, shaking away the evil thought and the feelings that apanied it. Wishing an unknown female dead because of Ewan?


    What could she say? She was beginning to resemble Fiona! And Athena would rather be dead than be that woman!


    If Cecilia had captured Ewan¡¯s obsession, so be it. She had Antonio as a boyfriend, after all; maybe then she could focus solely on Antonio while co-parenting smoothly with Ewan. Beautiful right?


    <i>No.</i>


    "Is she alive?" Florence finally broke the long silence.


    The phone was on loudspeaker so Jessica Walters could hear the woman¡¯s hoarse voice.


    She sighed. "I don¡¯t know."


    "What do you mean? Tell me everything about my daughter and granddaughter now!" Old Mr. Thorne screamed, unable to contain his frustration.


    Another pause. This time, however, it wasn¡¯t long.


    "Well, Emily informed me when she was pregnant, made me swear to keep it a secret. I was present¡ªDen and I¡ªwhen she told you she was going on a fashion retreat..."


    A pause.


    "It was a retreat, all right, but it was for the utmost secrecy of the pregnancy. She didn¡¯t want it to be a public affair."


    "Why?" Florence was crying now, not bothering to stop.


    "For the protection of the little one. They were getting threats¡ªher and Den. Threats to their lives and careers; she suspected it was from the family. Your sister, Mr. Thorne, and her family. Emily didn¡¯t want to burden you, didn¡¯t want you at odds with your only sister. She thought she could handle it alone, seeing as Den hired bodyguards to keep them safe. The security detail were always around the house."


    A significant pause.


    "I was there when Cecilia was born. A beautiful thing. She got her father¡¯s ck hair, and her mother¡¯s bold, brown eyes. Cecilia. That was Emily¡¯s name for her. Den had no choice but to go along¡ªyou know how much they loved each other."


    A sadugh. A deep inhale.


    "Immediately, I took on the role of godmother and nanny. It was easier since Areso was two then and could get around without giving me a headache. But then the threats worsened¡ªas if the enemies suspected she was pregnant. There was contention for the positions... I¡¯m sure that¡¯s not news to you..."


    "Yes, continue. What happened then?" Old Mr. Thorne asked gently this time.


    "Well, on the day you called her to visit, the baby was four months old. Emily was getting her weight back in check already, and she decided to visit her best friend, Miley¡ªyou know, Ewan¡¯s mother."


    "Yes, yes. I remember her."


    "And that¡¯s all I know. That was thest day I saw her." Jessica¡¯s voice had be hoarse too, clearly weeping too.


    Old Mr. Thorne shut his eyes, pain filling him¡ªoverflowing. His daughter had kept this huge secret from him, because he had always been all for public disys and family parties. Yet, he knew he would have kept her secret. He would have respected her decisions.


    But what¡¯s done was done. His daughter and her husband were gone. It left his granddaughter. Was she still alive? He couldn¡¯t make further inquiries since Ewan¡¯s parents had been murdered in a gruesome manner too.


    "Thank you, Jessica."


    "Not to mention, Mr. Edwards..." A pause. "I¡¯m sorry I¡¯ve kept this secret for so long. It¡¯s just that..."


    "I understand..." Old Mr. Thorne cut in, hugging his weeping wife to his side. "Thanks for telling the truth, still." And he ended the call.


    He ended the call and looked at Ewan. "Tell me everything you remember. Where did you get the bracelet?"


    "From Fiona," Ewan answered immediately, knowing the old man¡¯s patience wouldn¡¯tst as usual.


    He watched Florence¡¯s head shoot up as if she¡¯d been pinched.


    "Fiona? Could she..."


    Ewan shook his head just as quickly. "She¡¯s not the one. But she knows who has the bracelet. She refused to speak, however."


    "I can make her talk," Old Mr. Thorne offered, knowing Fiona was still held captive by Ewan.


    "Not to bother. I will do that myself. We can head there together, if that¡¯s convenient for you."


    Old Mr. Thorne flung his free arm wide. "What¡¯s more important than finding my granddaughter? I¡¯ll follow you. We can even go now." He turned to his wife. "You will stay here. I don¡¯t want you to..."


    But Florence was already shaking her head. "I¡¯ming with you. I¡¯m not scared of a few broken bones and teeth."


    Chelsea and Gianna exchanged nces. They both knew what was about to happen; as unsavory as it might seem¡ªespecially to Chelsea, who was a doctor and didn¡¯t know Athena¡¯s second job.


    Old Mr. Thorne sighed and turned back to Ewan. "Can we go now?"


    Ewan bit his lips. "The kids have to be prepared for school... breakfast..."


    "I think that can be sorted out," Florence replied, wiping her tears, her voice strong again. Without another word, she left the room for the kitchen to get things ready.


    "Mom, do you think Cecilia is alive?" Nathaniel asked, not exactly asking the main question in his mind.


    <i>Mom, do you think you are the missing Thorne? </i>


    "I don¡¯t know, sweetheart. I don¡¯t know. We can only hope she is. It would mean so much to your old man."


    Just then, Ewan¡¯s phone rang out, breaking the silence. He furrowed his brows when he saw Connor¡¯s name shing across his screen.


    What was going on? He wondered, answering the call, hoping it wasn¡¯t bad news¡ªthat it was a call about the answers they were about to seek.


    "Connor, what¡¯s the matter?" He asked after the greeting.


    A heavy sigh, hinting at trouble. "Some men from our gang are here. I¡¯m not sure if they know it¡¯s my ce, but they¡¯re shooting outside, asking for Morgan."


    Ewan¡¯s eyes immediately connected with Athena, then Aiden.


    Without saying a word, he stood from his seat, walking out of therger sitting room into the passageway, toward the room assigned to him.


    "Don¡¯t open the door to them. Keep them out with some shots¡ªmake them think you¡¯re not alone in the house. Can you do that? I¡¯m sending backup. We can¡¯t lose the captives. Am I clear, Connor?"


    "Yes, boss."


    And the call ended just as the door to the room opened. Aiden, Athena, Susan, and Old Mr. Thorne entered.


    "What¡¯s going on, Ewan?" Old Mr. Thorne asked, his face firm like a soldier headed to war, eyes sharper than a knife.


    "Some rescue team has arrived for Morgan and his friends. They¡¯re shooting up the house."


    "Where is Connor?" Athena asked, already pulling out her phone to make some calls, knowing how precarious the situation was.


    "Inside the house. Alone. I asked him to shoot out too¡ªmake them think he¡¯s not alone until backup arrives."


    Aiden sighed. "Ewan, it will take at least thirty minutes for our men to match up."


    "I don¡¯t think so," Ewan muttered, dialing Spider¡¯s number.


    "Spider, send in the cavalry. It seems they¡¯ve traced Connor¡¯s location. They¡¯re from your gang."


    There was a pause on the other end¡ªpapers shuffling, the beeping of aptop.


    "Okay, Ewan. It¡¯s good I ced our men nearby. The new boss would have to deal with the death of some of his men."


    Another pause.


    "It¡¯s obvious he¡¯s taken the new contract for the Grey Disease¡ªor maybe something else is at y... What do you think?"


    "Just keep an eye on them. You¡¯re already an insider. Send any important info to me or Aiden. I¡¯m counting on you." Ewan instructed, too wound up to think about the goals of his old gang.


    "Sure, boss."


    "How many minutes out?" Athena asked, eager to get out of her robe and into some trousers and a shirt.


    "Five. I made the calction right this time. Morgan won¡¯t be escaping today¡ªor anytime soon. Let¡¯s go."

 Chapter 333: Escape? II

    <h4>Chapter 333: Escape? II</h4>


    Morgan was ted. Freedom hade. Finally, he¡¯ll be escaping from this hellhole.


    With his shoulders, he nudged the fellows beside him, while using his leg to gently touch Fiona, who had been chained to a rod near the middle of the room.


    The three of them opened their weary eyes, fixing their gaze on Morgan, who had a triumphant smile on his lips.


    "Idiot, what are you smiling about?" Fiona managed to ask through her dry, bleeding lips, annoyance creasing her features.


    "The rescue team has arrived, my love. We will be out of here soon," Morgan said, his voice thick with hope.


    Fiona¡¯s heart soared immediately, her mind taking the hope like wings and flying free from one fantasy to another.


    Once she was out of here, she would move straight to another continent; away from Morgan, away from Athena, and anything rted to her¡ªincluding Ewan. None of these people were worth her sanity.


    Being here day after day, her priorities had been hammered straight, most especially after the incident a few hours ago, where she had been climbed by more than five men, while Morgan watched and screamed.


    She didn¡¯t think she had ever heard a more heart-wrenching shout. She had almost told him to keep quiet though, for his loud cries were preventing her from staying nk during the maniacal torture. It was a miracle she still had her mind intact.


    To think she had told Morgan to do the same to Athena months ago...


    Fiona shook her head. This was really karma. It was why she hadn¡¯t made a sound until the men were done¡ªnot even when they pped her while they were at it. She deserved it. All of it.


    But maybe, the universe was giving her a second chance. Fiona swore not to misuse it.


    She smiled when she heard Connor¡¯s frantic steps around the house. She would soon be free to start over.


    She smiled at Morgan too, not stopping when tears started streaming down her face unabated¡ªsoon, she would be free.


    "Don¡¯t worry, my love. I will make sure you forget all these terrible experiences. We will get married and have our honeymoon... it doesn¡¯t matter that your body has been contaminated..."


    Fiona smiled more, her face trembling with a bittersweet hope. Contaminated? Well, it was her fault.


    Maybe she was pregnant, seeing as those men didn¡¯t think to pull out. No. Not again. Once she was out of here, she would get medication. She didn¡¯t need a baby to start over. She didn¡¯t need anyone.


    Yet, she kept smiling at Morgan because he was her only ticket out to freedom.


    "Thank you, Morgan." She whispered softly, making a show of reaching for his hands as a damsel would, even though she knew she couldn¡¯t reach him. She didn¡¯t even want to touch him, didn¡¯t want to reach him at all.


    She let her hand fall when the bullets finally stopped flying. Was this it? Freedom? She allowed peace to settle within her, and she started counting the seconds.


    Ten minutester, the door suddenly barged open, startling her. Her attention snapped to the intruder. She held back a cry when Connor entered, smiling brightly.


    Why was he smiling¡ªand not bleeding? Why was he not dead?


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    Dead bodies littered the environment, Florence noticed with a chillingly calm expression as she walked elegantly beside her husband toward the front porch of the house Ewan had mentioned¡ªbelonging to Connor, an associate of his.


    But Florence knew exactly who Connor Brafus was. After all, she had once utilized the services of his old man. It seemed the thirsty killing instinct ran deep in his blood.


    She was, in fact, more than happy that Morgan¡¯s escape n had failed. Yet, her mind was reeling¡ªwhy had the escape n even happened in the first ce?


    ording to Ewan, it shouldn¡¯t have happened unless one of them had been wearing a tracker. Morgan had been the first person toe to mind.


    But, ording to the agents standing guard around the house, who Florence could see clearly, Morgan and his men were free from any tracking software. So then, how could members of the Vipers¡¯ gang have known?


    "Are you okay, love?" Old Mr. Thorne asked softly, a gentle smile ying on his lips, concern flickering in his eyes.


    "I¡¯m fine, worrywart. You should be asking about Athena and her friend Susan," She replied.


    Old Mr. Thorne chuckled. "No. Those two are used to this sort of carnage."


    Florence scoffed lightly, her eyes narrowing as she perused the two women stepping around the dead bodies as if they were nothing more than logs of wood blocking the way. Her husband was right¡ªthose two were imprable by matters like this, just like her.


    Inside the spacious sitting room, chairs had already been arranged in a perfect circle, as if for a round-table meeting. Only, instead of a table in the center, there was Fiona, Morgan, and his crew of two.


    No living member of the rescue team was present¡ªConnor had wiped them all off the face of the earth, most likely to protect his ce in the gang where he was still serving.


    "Please sit," Connor said with a sly smile, motioning to the seats. He took one, and the visitorsplied. The men sent by Spider stood erect like soldiers guarding the perimeter, their eyes unblinking and sharp.


    "Morgan, how are you doing?" Old Mr. Thorne started, his arms crossed over his chest, unmoved by Morgan¡¯s bloodied state or that of his men. "How did you get the escape team here?"


    Morgan shrugged. "I don¡¯t know, old man." He responded tly.


    "I¡¯d be careful with your answers, if I were you." Florence warned, her tone calm yetmanding.


    Athena wasn¡¯t surprised in the least. She knew Florence was as tough as her husband. She reclined deeper into her seat, choosing to remain silent. She wouldn¡¯t be doing the questioning today.


    "I¡¯ll ask again..."


    "Don¡¯t bother. I don¡¯t truly know. I wasn¡¯t even expecting to be saved," Morgan cut in sharply, grimacing in pain as Connor stomped hard on his damaged fingers.


    "Please..." Morgan cried out, clutching Connor¡¯s leg desperately. "I honestly do not know." He added, his voice strained.


    "Let him be," Old Mr. Thorne waved Connor away, his gaze cold. "I¡¯ll get to himter. I¡¯m here for her¡ªFiona Adams."


    Fiona¡¯s head, which had been drooping, shot up in shock. She was the reason the infamous man was here? What had she done again?


    She ransacked her memory, trying to pinpoint where she had wronged the old man personally, seeing the hatred in his eyes¡ªbut nothing came to mind. She stopped thinking as headaches started visiting her for the umpteenth time.


    "How are you doing, Fiona?"


    Fiona only nodded, her tongue feeling heavy and parched. She hasn¡¯t taken water for two days now. When she had asked Connor, he had told her top up the urine in the closet.


    Fiona had thought him mad, yet she knew that if this continued, she might actually... a tear slipped from her eye. Surely, the ck cells were better than this?


    "I¡¯m pleased you¡¯re doing okay," Old Mr. Thorne continued, ignoring that she looked paler than the dead men outside.


    "Do you recognize this bracelet? Ewan told me that you stole it from someone it belonged to..." He asked, lifting the bracelet.


    Fiona¡¯s eyes widened for a nanosecond before rxing to normal. But Old Mr. Thorne already had his answer. She knew what it was, remembered who it belonged to.


    "Tell me, and maybe I¡¯ll let you go to the ck cells. Surely you¡¯d prefer that to here..."


    This time, Fiona didn¡¯t nod. She stared nkly at the old man, but in her mind, she rained curses on Athena¡ªand on whatever good luck was backing the woman.


    How? she asked herself for the third time. How was this happening? Why was it happening? Why did Athena have all the good things? Why couldn¡¯t she have them instead? Why Athena?


    Tears ran freely from her eyes, surprising everyone around her.


    Why was she crying? Florence wondered, watching her closely.


    Ewan shrugged with a faint smile. "You can talk, Fiona, or we can get Connor to do the needful."


    Before knowing the wickedness of Connor, Fiona would have dared Ewan¡ªwould rather have chewed her tongue than expose this truth.


    But she knew who the devil was. She knew the painful ways he treated her, making her wish for death. Her eyes drifted to her leg, which was possibly crippled forever, and she let more tears flow.


    Maybe it was time to give up this fight. Even the rescue team had failed. There was no escaping this reality now, especially with the Thorne family stepping into the matter.


    "Water," She whispered hoarsely, her voice croaky like a frog¡¯s.


    Old Mr. Thorne nodded toward Connor, who hurried toply. Two bottles of water were handed to her.


    She drank eagerly, her face and hair still filthy from the ordeal. Fiona was ready to speak her truth for the first time in her life.


    "You¡¯ve been given water. Now, talk. Who owns the bracelet?" Old Mr. Thornemanded.


    Fiona, without hesitation, turned to Athena and inclined her head toward thetter. "She is the owner of the bracelet."

 Chapter 334: Fiona’s Truth

    <h4>Chapter 334: Fiona¡¯s Truth</h4>


    Athena was as still as an electric pole at the very instant Fiona¡¯s shocking revtion unfolded.


    This must be a joke, right? She thought, her eyes breaking away from the stunned stillness, darting frantically from Fiona to everyone in the room.


    In the room now brightened by the rays filtering through the open window¡ªas the sun made its ascent in the east, ready to fulfill its duty for the day¡ªshe could see clearly the astonishment stered across everyone¡¯s faces.


    Astonishment and disbelief. Incredulity. Stupefaction. Startlement. Bewilderment. Even confusion.


    She didn¡¯t me them; she was just as gued with these emotions.


    "Fi... Fiona... what did... just say?" Florence stammered, breaking the tense silence that hadsted over a minute. Her steps faltered as she staggered toward Fiona, whose eyes seemed to have gained the confidence of thousands, yet whose shoulders drooped in defeat.


    "I answered your question. The questions of everyone. Is that okay to leave here? Is that okay to achieve freedom from this torture house? I really want to leave." Fiona stated calmly, crossing her legs, grimacing as pain upset her nerves.


    She really was going to be crippled at this rate, if no one showed her mercy.


    They should. She thought, cing her hands on her thigh. They should show her mercy. She would do anything to get out of this ce. Even if it meant washing her dirty linen in public.


    What was there to save face? She didn¡¯t think anyone remembered her anymore¡ªon social media, blogs, or even in society. She was a forgotten narrative now.


    Fiona chuckled bitterly at her dpidated self and ruined reputation. So much for fighting for her ce.


    She looked up when the silence refused to be broken after her statement and question, not at all surprised, she saw everyone standing still.


    This truth was one she was supposed to take to the grave; therefore, it was supposed to keep everyone as silent as the grave, since she had broken the pact she made with her father. At least, the secret deserved that much reverence.


    Fiona chuckled again, humorously this time, at her attempt to be funny. It was a good sign, she concluded¡ªher mind could still attempt jokes at this point.


    "No one¡¯s going to say anything? What about you?" She asked, tired of the silence, turning to face Athena directly, ignoring the gestures Morgan was throwing her way¡ªgestures she didn¡¯t care for or understand.


    Of what use was he when he couldn¡¯t keep to his words, when he failed his promises?


    Meanwhile, Athena balked.


    To start with, she stood from her seat as if electrocuted, then took hesitant steps away from the scene until her back hit the wall.


    She, a Thorne? How?


    What in the world was this supposed to mean? That she was Emily¡¯s daughter? And also Ewan¡¯s savior?


    Her head started to thrum with pain¡ªshe wanted to remember.


    Remember something! Shemanded her mind desperately, but all she achieved was more headaches and dizziness.


    Her drugs. She worried, her hands nervously tapping her pockets¡ªboth the front and back. Nothing. She had forgotten them. Or rather, she hadn¡¯t thought to bring them.


    Yet how could she have known she would be hit with something capable of rocking her world as she knew it? How was she supposed to know that her identity would suffer another blow? Or was this evolution now?


    <i>Calm down, Athena. Deep breaths.</i>


    Cecilia Thorne.


    No, there must be a mistake somewhere.


    Firstly, it was impossible for her to be friends with Ewan at such a young age. Secondly, Emily just couldn¡¯t be her mother!


    "Fiona, you think this is funny? I¡¯m not sure what game you¡¯re trying to y here¡ªputting me up as some other identity¡ªbut I think Connor can do so much to reset your mind..." She finally spoke, calm, her voice thick with bewilderment, her eyes stuck on Fiona.


    Fiona shrugged in response. "You can do whatever you want, Athena. After all, you¡¯ve finally won. You won, woman. I thought you¡¯d be d. You are rted to the Thornes... surely that¡¯s the only reason they would be asking me about the bracelet..."


    She paused, eyes narrowing slightly. "What are you? A lost daughter? Or is it niece? Grand, maybe?"


    No response greeted Fiona. She sighed tiredly, sping her hands together. "Have you ever wondered why I hated you? Do you think it came out of nowhere?"


    Athena had no answer, but the way she stared at Fiona implied she craved answers herself. She wasn¡¯t alone on this field.


    Fiona chuckled, a bitter sound. "Yes, I hated you because you were marrying Ewan. But it actually began before then. As a matter of fact, my anger was because you refused to die, to disappear from his life."


    A pause. A cough.


    "Water. Please..." Fiona¡¯s voice trembled as she interrupted herself.


    Connor didn¡¯t wait to be told what to do this time. He hurried to bring another bottle of water, then carefully unfastened the cuffs around Fiona¡¯s hands.


    Fiona sighed in relief, a tear slipping from her eye. Freedom was near. It didn¡¯t matter if it was in the ck cells.


    She took the bottle of water, her hands trembling, ignoring the pungent odor emanating from her body. She drank eagerly, only stopping when the liquid was halved.


    "It started many years ago..." Fiona prepared her heavy tongue for the story ahead, licking her lower lips¡ªpleased at the wetness. Good fresh water. A luxury she hade to appreciate since her time here.


    "Yeah, many years ago. I think twenty to twenty-one years ago, when Ewan found a new friend. Before then, we were already friends, considering the close rtionship our families shared. And we actually found this new friend together." She chuckled softly, a tear falling from her eye.


    "We were audacious then, you see. Always wanting to disobey¡ªor rather, Ewan was¡ªand I was always wishing to follow him around. He was like the big brother I didn¡¯t have." Her eyes, filled with sorrow and nostalgia, fixed on Ewan.


    Ewan, whose posture told of a man in shock, yet whose eyes were as cold as ice as he watched her tell her story.


    "Well, on that fateful day, we were just running toward the borders, wondering what was so special about it being off-limits, when we saw her, right before the boundary lines. She was looking around the environment, filled with towering grasses¡ªand yet, not afraid. If anything, her eyes shone with curiosity, intelligence. Even then, I thought she was brave, thought she would make a great addition to our group... until she told us she was from the other town, that she was Zack Moore¡¯s daughter."


    A pause, where Fiona licked her lower lip again.


    "I told Ewan we should leave¡ªthey were enemies to our families. We weren¡¯t supposed to mix with them. But Ewan..."


    She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "He refused. Insisting she wasn¡¯t her father, just a little girl. So, he took her under his wing, showed her around the towns¡ªareas where he was sure our parents wouldn¡¯t see us... I had no choice but to tag along, thinking it was just for that day... and then she would go back to her town, and never return."


    A bitter chuckle, a mockery of herself. "Man, was I so wrong..."


    She uncapped the bottle and took a sip of the water, ignoring Morgan¡¯s long, longing stare at the bottle.


    Get yours, idiot! She mentally cursed him, redirecting her focus to her listening audience.


    When was thest time shemanded this much attention? She wondered, a soft smile touching her lips.


    Only if she had seen the future¡ªshe would have siphoned money from the Thornes, from Ewan, for this truth, before the court case that had cost her, her freedom.


    "Well, it became a daily affair. Either we went to her town, or she came to ours. We yed together. I enjoyed it, if I¡¯m being honest. It was good having a female friend¡ªboys sometimes didn¡¯t cut it."


    She cast a sharp nce at Athena, whose mouth had fallen slightly open.


    <i>She had been friends with Fiona? </i>


    "I¡¯m sure you¡¯re finding it hard to believe, Athena, right?"


    Athena had no answer. She rather dragged to herself, the chair reclining next to her on the wall, sat down, and continued listening.


    Fiona grinned at Athena¡¯s disbelief. It was expected. "It all went downhill when I became sick. It was a terrible illness thatsted almost a week. Nothing much to note¡ªexcept that Ewan got closer to Athena during that period. By the time I rejoined them, their friendship was already far ahead. They even had secret handshakes and eye gestures. I was so angry at being left out, at bing a third wheel, at not being the center of Ewan¡¯s attention anymore, that I reported the friendship to my mother, who thenmunicated the matter to Ewan¡¯s father."


    A bitter chuckle. A sip of water.


    "Uncle Samuel intervened just as I expected; scolded Ewan, and even grounded him for a week. But that only served to alienate him from me, for he never forgave me for revealing the secret to his parents."


    A slight pause.


    "Not only did my snitching do that¡ªit also made him closer to Athena, much to my annoyance and jealousy."

 Chapter 335: Fiona’s Truth II

    <h4>Chapter 335: Fiona¡¯s Truth II</h4>


    Ewan battled with disbelief, with incredulity, with shock. Yet he knew that Fiona was speaking the truth; maybe because of the resigned tone in her voice, or the rity, the nostalgia evident in her tired eyes.


    Still, knowing this didn¡¯t make her words any easier to believe.


    He had been friends with Athena.


    Once. He had been close to her, had cherished herpanionship enough to defy his parents, to stay away from his friend, Fiona.


    He tried to remember this, and suddenly a wall shut him out. A wall and pain. He gritted his teeth, his fist clenching.


    Damn it! He cursed, giving up.


    His eyes found Athena then, staying. She looked as strung up as he was¡ªless vtile though. She was looking at Fiona with what could be akin to amazement.


    Hell, he was amazed too. He had been friends with both of them, at the same time. An impossibility that had been possible years ago.


    Athena.


    His eyes scanned her face¡ªher lips, her nose, her long ck hair, her high cheekbones¡ªand then back to her plump lips.


    Athena.


    His savior.


    Ewan¡¯s heart shook within him, his fist clenched the more. How could he have missed the trail?


    Another part of his mind urged him not to me himself, yet how could he not?


    He unclenched his fists, syed them on his thighs. She had saved him, and because of that...


    His eyes shut of their own ord. Because of that, she now dealt with headaches far worse than his¡ªheadaches that hadn¡¯t been cured with her spectacr medicines.


    Tears touched his eyelids. He didn¡¯t bother to restrain them, didn¡¯t bother to call the leaking faucet to order¡ªit was the least of his concerns. He would rather let them run free.


    Only when Old Mr. Thorne touched him gently on the shoulder did he open his eyes. No words needed to be spoken. The old man knew he was bleeding inside.


    Ewan wanted to go somewhere and bawl his eyes out, punching the wall all the while... He had tortured his savior for three years... His heart cracked further, opened further, and bled more.


    Athena. Cecilia Thorne.


    He wondered if the old man would forgive him for hurting his granddaughter. But that gentle touch, that forgiving touch... it only served to wound him further, to open the floodgates.


    "Ewan, crying?... that¡¯s a first. Not that I¡¯m surprised. You only cry where Athena is involved..." Fiona¡¯s words broke through the haze, and he realized he had been sniffing, ugly crying in front of everyone.


    Instantly, he collected the handkerchief Aiden handed to him, battling the urge to throttle Fiona right then and there.


    Witch. Jezebel. Wicked woman.


    There was no expletive that didn¡¯t cross Ewan¡¯s mind as he red at Fiona with intense heat. She didn¡¯t even flinch. Days spent in the ¡¯psychiatric clinic¡¯ had made her immune to many attacks.


    "Do you want an incentive to continue your story?" Susan asked sarcastically, folding her arms across her chest, her gaze filled with distaste. She wanted to be done with this phase¡ªonto the next; questioning Morgan.


    "Actually, I do," Fiona replied, licking her lower lip sharply¡ªsuddenly nervous.


    "And what is that?" Florence asked, her voice sharp as a freshly sharpened knife.


    Fiona swallowed painfully; her throat was going through a major crisis. But her stomach needed something more than water.


    "Is there..." A pause, as she processed her thoughts again, not wanting to overstep the little freedom given to her.


    "Is there a way I can get something to eat? Talking is making me dizzy."


    Florence frowned, took her upper lip in, grazing it with her teeth while contemting, as the others did. Finally, she sumbed. Desire to hear more of the story won over her caution.


    "Do you have something, Connor? Chocte or biscuits? Something she could chew on while talking?"


    Connor scowled at Fiona, thinking she was being her cunning self again, but he left to get something from the kitchen¡ªhe had no choice but toply.


    His hands tingled at the thought of another way to make her scream. Surely, they wouldn¡¯t let her leave here?


    He returned with a te of cake¡ªhis favorite cake, meant for his breakfast. He red at Fiona as she collected it from his hands, her expression now softened, humbled by the circumstances.


    Fiona¡¯s hand shook as she used the fork to cut a piece of cake, and when she finally swallowed, she moaned softly as the vors burst on her tongue. It didn¡¯t matter that her throat hurt while swallowing the sweetness¡ªshe would endure it.


    Two scoops in, and Aiden cleared his throat. "You can continue your story now."


    "Yeah, sure. Thank you very much," Fiona said, tilting her head slightly toward Florence, who furrowed her brows in response.


    Humility or coquettishness?


    "Ewan didn¡¯t listen to his parents¡¯ admonitions, of course..." Fiona started, continuing from where she left off.


    "He still kept seeing Athena, ying with her, telling her things I knew nothing of. Worse, he wouldn¡¯t let me y with them¡ªeven though Athena pleaded that I be included. She liked me, you see, Athena. I was also her only female friend. I¡¯m not sure she had met Gianna then."


    A pause, where Athena exhaled and leaned back, resting her head against the wall, sideways.


    "Yet, Ewan was stubborn, and I was unsatisfied with the current situation. So I made another report. This time, a bodyguard was assigned to him. It worked for some time... but somehow..."


    A chuckle. A piece of cake.


    "He found his way to her. Even then, there was this irresistible pull between them. They were too..." She paused again, searching for the right word to exin her thoughts.


    "Inseparable. Like butter and bread. They even finished each other¡¯s thoughts¡ªmuch to my envy."


    A deep exhale. A swallow of sweet cake.


    "This time, I didn¡¯t bother reporting, since it was having the adverse effect. And with time, Ewan epted me back into the group. But some days, he went to our spot without me¡ªas if he wanted to spend time with her alone. The day of the drowning incident was one of those days. Luckily... or perhaps unluckily, seeing how things had finally turned out¡ªI followed them..."


    Fiona cocked her head, contemting the unfairness of fate, of the universe. She chuckled bitterly and shook her head.


    "That fateful day, it was sunny. The weather was bright¡ªshould have been a perfect day. But then it happened. I followed Ewan when he went to see Athena that day... and it was by ake. Theke was supposed to be a secret ce where Ewan and I, and then Zane, spent time, whenever Zane¡¯s father let hime."


    A pause.


    "Seeing Athena sitting on the rocks though, watching the calm stream, I felt bitter. Angry. It was obvious to me that it wasn¡¯t her first time there. Somehow, Ewan had shown her the ce¡ªmaybe on one of those days he deemed it unfit for me to follow him."


    She kissed her teeth, took another piece of cake. "I watched them y, watched themugh, while simmering in anger at my friend being stolen away from me¡ªright under my nose..."


    A bitterugh.


    "I watched them point at fishes in theke, watched them y tag. When the weather changed suddenly, and theke¡¯s currents grew rough, I thought they would pack up and leave. They didn¡¯t, not even when the wind picked up. I¡¯m not sure how, since I was staring at Athena¡ªthinking of ways to keep her away from my town and my friend¡ªbut then there was a ssh. Ewan had fallen into the water."


    A pause, where sorrow flickered in her eyes for a second.


    "I was dumbstruck, couldn¡¯t move, couldn¡¯t even shout. Ewan couldn¡¯t swim. The consequences were damning, yet I couldn¡¯t move. Not until Athena jumped into theke. I thought she was stupid at first. Ewan was bigger than her, heavier... yet she braved the water and jumped in. The ssh knocked me out of my stupor. I screamed then. But... no head rose up to acknowledge my scream... I panicked. And I ran to call for help."


    A deep inhale, and exhale. A slice of cake.


    "By the time I returned with the adults, Ewan was lying on the polished rocks¡ªunbreathing..." She shook her head somberly.


    "I remember thinking Athena was a superwoman¡ªthe sheer strength she had needed to save Ewan... However, I didn¡¯t see her anywhere around. And I thought she had done the necessary and maybe fled the scene, not wanting to incur the wrath of the townspeople. But then I saw her bracelet."


    A significant pause.


    "She had taken it off before diving into theke¡ªto save Ewan. A bracelet she valued more than anything. She never took it off, not even when I asked to feel it. Her reason? <i>¡¯My mother says I should never remove it from my hands.¡¯</i>"


    Fiona sighed, then ate thest piece of cake on her te.


    "So, I knew she didn¡¯t leave. That maybe she drowned trying to save Ewan. I was aghast. I was sad. I took the bracelet as a keepsake¡ªsomething to remember her by, meaning to tell my people about her. But when Ewan woke up, with no memories except that he¡¯d been saved by a girl who always wore a bracelet¡ª"


    She paused again, hands trembling now. "I had to think fast. I told my parents. And together, we came up with a n to deprive Ewan of the truth."

 Chapter 336: Fiona’s Truth III

    <h4>Chapter 336: Fiona¡¯s Truth III</h4>


    Ewan heard a scream, a loud guttering shout filled with immense sorrow, anger, and frustration from somewhere nearby.


    He didn¡¯t realize until he felt the rough flesh beneath his hands, until he heard the pleading words floating around him¡ªloud yet stifled at the same time¡ªthat the shout hade from him; that after Fiona¡¯sst deration, he had lost control.


    When he felt hands grabbing his shoulders, pulling him away from the flesh he was strangling with all his might, he realized that the rough flesh was Fiona¡¯s neck¡ªand that he had been choking her, almost to the point of death.


    "Ewan...please...I¡¯m...sorry..." Her mangled voice finally reached his ears, and he let go.


    Not because he was concerned about how ashen she looked, but because he heard Old Mr. Thorne calling out to him. Even Sandro.


    Sandro? Ewan frowned, pushing away from Fiona as if she were a bag of dirt¡ªthough she was literally that¡ªand turned aside, his frown deepening when he saw Sandro and Zane standing right behind him.


    How? Had he fallen into one of those dreams?


    His eyes scanned the room. The resignation and pity on the faces of the people, including Spider¡¯s agents, were more than enough to inform him of the reality of the situation. He had snapped. Almost killed Fiona as a result. And his friends were here.


    When had they arrived? How long had he lost it?


    He reverted his gaze to Fiona. "You will pay for this." He said through gritted teeth, his eyes reddening. "I will make sure you and your miserable family pay for ruining my life, because this right here isn¡¯t enough!"


    Fiona shook, hands around her throat, coughing, abject fear wrapping her in an embrace.


    "Even your mother, who imed to be apologetic and all, will pay for her wickedness. I¡¯ll make sure of that." Ewan swore, hands trembling¡ªthis time holding back the faucet, mentally cutting off the supply of tears.


    He wasn¡¯t going to cry because of the actions of bastards. If he wanted to let go, it would be in private! Where he could punch the wall until his fingers cracked! Where he could scream at the unfairness of it all!


    "But my mother..." Fiona¡¯s lips quaked, not yet at ease¡ªeven with Florence trying to calm Ewan down.


    "Would have saved me some stress if she had told me the full truth during the court case. She sought to protect your stupid family, even after knowing your murderous acts¡ªyours and your father¡¯s. And she will pay for that..."


    Ewan promised vehemently, allowing Florence to lead him back to his seat.


    Once seated, his eyes found Athena. She was still in the same position¡ªcalm, yet battling with astonishment and disbelief. Of course, this was all too much for her to take in.


    "When did you two get here?" Ewan finally asked his two friends.


    "A while ago. We¡¯ve been listening from outside, not wanting to interrupt the moment... well, until you decided to get your hands dirty." Sandro answered with a shrug.


    "I have no qualms getting my hands dirty," Ewan retorted, frowning.


    "Yeah, but you might regret itter. And there¡¯s the fact that you swore not to go down this rabbit hole again...Let Connor do his job." Zane said, taking a seat beside Susan and exhaling deeply.


    Athena was Cecilia Thorne and Ewan¡¯s savior. It would seem that Ewan had been right to suspect she was the one. He rubbed his face gently, facing Fiona.


    Her family really deserved to be punished.


    "Fiona..." Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s cold voice, clear as crystal, broke through the moment, grabbing Fiona¡¯s attention.


    She shuddered beneath his gaze, wondering if she should have tweaked the truth a little. But did it matter? She was tired of lying about this. Tired of everything. Maybe she was tired of living. Maybe it was time to join Aunt Miley in heaven.


    Will she even be epted there?


    "Continue with your story." The old manmanded, breaking her thoughts.


    A pause, as he crossed his legs, brows furrowed. "Didn¡¯t Ewan¡¯s parents suspect a thing when Ewan started seeing you as a savior? Didn¡¯t they see the bracelet? I¡¯m sure Samuel would have recognized the bracelet."


    And if Ewan¡¯s father had seen little Athena¡ªhis mother too¡ªthey might have known she was a Thorne. They would have recognized Emily¡¯s bracelet. All this would have been resolved long ago.


    Old Mr. Thorne sighed heavily, frustration evident. Why couldn¡¯t fate have yed a reasonable role then? Why now? Why wait until all this confusion?


    "They did..." Fiona wetted her lips, knowing her character was about to get worse from here on out. This was the period when her corruption had begun¡ªfostered by her parents.


    "But I told them I had saved Ewan from drowning before calling for help. And the bracelet, I never wore it outside..." She admitted softly.


    The room fell into silence. Ewan clenched his fists, the thought of torturing Fiona passing through his mind in a hundred different ways.


    "Aunt Miley was quite suspicious, though," Fiona continued, her voice trembling.


    "Not understanding how I could be dry, if I had jumped into the water to save Ewan. But my mother told a cover story... that she had changed my wet clothes since I came to her first for help, before involving others. It was a far-fetched truth, but with the flurry of activity surrounding treating Ewan¡¯s headaches and body frailty, it was all forgotten."


    "So when did your family start feeding him the wrong drugs?" Old Mr. Thorne took over the questioning.


    "When he started to remember he had a second female friend." Fiona answered, her hand shaking as she uncapped her water bottle. "He couldn¡¯t ce her face, but he saw her in his dreams. He confided in me about it, and I told my parents. The rest is history."


    She refused to lift her eyes to meet the gazee pinned on her, her hands trembling as she took a sip.


    "So why didn¡¯t he marry you as soon as you all were grown up? I never even heard of you both dating until Athena¡¯s marriage with him came up..." Florence¡¯s voice was sharp, like a de.


    "That¡¯s because he was against it. Always talking about me being his sister..." Fiona kissed her teeth bitterly before she could help it.


    "I didn¡¯t care, didn¡¯t give up, since he didn¡¯t marry anyone. And anyone who held his attention long enough, I found ways to take care of..."


    "When you say ¡¯take care of,¡¯" Zane interrupted, leaning forward, "what do you mean?"


    Fiona swallowed painfully. "I mean take care of. Either paying them off, or... worse, death¡ªif they proved stubborn. That¡¯s how I met Morgan. Through a referral, I got help."


    Florence shook her head, disgusted. Fiona was a lost cause.


    Even if they brought her before thew¡ªknowing Susan was recording this conversation¡ªshe would likely get life imprisonment, or even death by hanging.


    The ck cells, if Athena agreed, would be mercy.


    "So, you didn¡¯t know Athena was alive again until the talks of marriage came up?" Florence asked.


    Fiona shook her head. "It was before then. I attended a council meeting with Ewan... I saw her there. I was so shocked I almost vomited, thinking I was seeing a ghost¡ªthat maybe my bad deeds had caught up with me. I touched Ewan to check out the girl on the opposite side, and when he confirmed he saw her too, I almost fainted. Not until I discovered that she didn¡¯t remember us. So I connected the dots; it made sense that she would have amnesia, since Ewan did too. Only that pointing her out to Ewan, made him notice her. His eyes rarely left her throughout the meeting."


    "What did you do then?" Florence continued.


    "I pushed for our wedding to take ce." Fiona shrugged. "I felt uneasy about her sudden appearance. But Ewan wasn¡¯t willing. Said he was too young, and that he saw me as a sister. Well, until Zack came into the picture with his useless games..."


    A pause.


    "Somehow, I became thankful to Zack," Fiona added somberly. "because his games made Ewan hate Athena¡ªwhile making him less defensive to my tactics. I preyed on that weak link, using every device to scatter their marriage, to make them divorce¡ªthinking Ewan would finally see me..."


    A bitter chuckle.


    "s, I was just dreaming. Even after the divorce, he never saw me as a woman, never touched me as one¡ªdespite drugging him twice. If I had known he was Wolfsbane, I would have gotten a better drug. He always managed to escape my ws..."


    Fiona paused now, feeling the weight of judgment pressing into her, so heavy she couldn¡¯t breathe, nor could she even attempt her sarcasticughter to diffuse the situation. She didn¡¯t even know how her fullughter sounded now¡ªA distant memory.


    "How could you not know he was Wolfsbane? Weren¡¯t you both close? You didn¡¯t even get suspicious?" Aiden inquired, genuinely curious.


    "We attended different universities." Fiona answered. "He yed a fast one on me then... He..."


    "Her presence was overbearing, even then..." Ewan interrupted with a scowl, rage and disgust swirling in his eyes. "and I wanted her to be a big girl on her own¡ªnot follow me around. So I lied about the university I had input in my applications. She applied to the same university, only to find out I was going elsewhere. Alfonso refused to let her transfer schools. That was that. Not that it stopped her from interfering in my business..."

 Chapter 337: Fiona’s Truth IV

    <h4>Chapter 337: Fiona¡¯s Truth IV</h4>


    "He never loved me. Ewan, I mean. He never did love me, despite all my antics. All he did, all his services, all his care, was all out of duty... If I hadn¡¯t been a saviour, I wouldn¡¯t have been the object of his attention...I was just too blinded by lust and anger to see that." Fiona muttered, after Ewan¡¯s tense response; after the silence had held the stage for about two minutes.


    "And during the time of my fruitless chase, I wasn¡¯t even faithful. I was always with Morgan, visited him... Morgan treated me like I wanted to be treated... all that... and I wasn¡¯t even aware that I was destroying myself." She added, as if talking to herself, but her voice, as soft as it was, could still be heard by everyone in the room.


    A pause.


    "I¡¯m ready to take any punishment." She stated in a more steady tone, finally looking up, looking at Old Mr. Thorne. "I can take anything, sir. Only let me not remain here... please..."


    "You will surely remain here!" Ewan pointed out sharply. "Your mother will join you too!"


    Fiona shut her eyes in pain. No matter how much she despised her mother, no matter how much she disregarded the woman who had always had her back then, she didn¡¯t want her to go through torture in Connor¡¯s hands. It would kill the older woman.


    She almost pleaded with Athena, but remembered that her rival was just as cold-hearted as Ewan when thetter chose to be. And seeing that these truths didn¡¯t put her in a good light, Fiona doubted Athena would help her.


    But maybe Old Mr. Thorne would show mercy... since he had found his long-lost grand daughter. And didn¡¯t he promise to let her stay in the ck cells for her confession?


    Meanwhile, Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s gaze drifted to Athena, whose position had remained unchanging¡ªher sideways gaze still trained on Fiona, an astonished expression still clouding her face.


    His granddaughter. Cecilia Thorne. His Emily¡¯s child.


    He sped his hands tighter, a control measure to stop his eye faucet from cracking open. From the way his wife clutched her cloth, he knew she was holding on too, that she was trying not to show much emotion in public.


    But did it matter?


    His eyes trailed over Athena¡¯s features for the umpteenth time, and he wondered how he hadn¡¯t known she was his blood. Even Florence had called her Emily the first time they had met.


    He sped his hands even tighter. Maybe if he had dug deeper, he might have found the answers sooner.


    <i>A sigh. </i>


    Athena was his granddaughter, and the twins were his great-grandchildren.


    A smile broke out on his lips before he could stop it, followed by a single tear rolling down his cheek. When he felt it, he sniffed and turned away. Looking at Athena made his control harder to achieve.


    "Do you have your mother¡¯s number?" He asked Fiona, his gaze centering on her.


    Fiona, thinking that Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s inquiry about her mother¡¯s phone number meant death for her old woman, instantly shook her head,ying t on the ground¡ªignoring the pain that rocketed across her body as a result; that made her gnash her teeth.


    "Please... I¡¯m sorry. Don¡¯t let my mother..." She begged.


    "Just give me the number." Old Mr. Thorne insisted, not giving Fiona any exnations; she wasn¡¯t worth it.


    Hesitantly, Fiona called out the number.


    "It¡¯s not connecting." Old Mr. Thorne said, frowning at her. "Are you sure you gave me the right number? Because if you didn¡¯t..." He trailed off, warning evident in his tone.


    "She gave you the right number." Athena¡¯s interruption, soft and steady, caused everyone¡¯s attention tond on her.


    She sighed and sat up. "Margaret changed her number when she left the country. She gave me her new number, in case certain situations arise... I think this must be what she had in mind."


    As she spoke, she lifted her phone and called out Margaret¡¯s number in the next breath. Old Mr. Thorne was sharp enough to take the numbers.


    "Hello, Margaret Adams..." He started, putting the call on loudspeaker.


    Fiona returned to her sitting position, her ears attentive to hear her mother¡¯s voice.


    "Just Margaret. I don¡¯t bear thatst name anymore." Margaret said in a hushed voice.


    "And why is that?"


    A pause, then the voice on the other end responded, "Who am I speaking to?"


    "Edward Thorne. Do you remember me?"


    Another significant pause. Shuffling sounds¡ªperhaps papers or objects¡ªechoed through the phone.


    Maybe Kendra¡¯s toys. Athena thought. How was the little one doing?


    "Yes, I remember you, Mr. Thorne. To what do I owe this call?"


    "I want to ask you some questions. But first, why don¡¯t you no longer bear the name Adams?"


    "Alfonso and I are divorced. Finalized a week ago." Margaret answered without hesitation this time.


    Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s eyes flicked to Fiona for an instant¡ªthe woman who had bowed her head in resignation. He felt no pity for her.


    "I see. Well, Margaret, I¡¯m with Fiona now in the psychiatric clinic. We¡¯ve been talking for a while, and she mentioned that Athena was truly the one who saved Ewan from drowning all those years ago. Is that so?"


    A heavy pause whichsted a full minute.


    "Margaret..." Old Mr. Thorne called out impatiently.


    "Yes, it¡¯s true," Margaret finally replied. "I worked with her father to cover that truth. We wanted so much for Fiona and Ewan to marry, so we could gain a foothold in the Gietti¡¯spany."


    Ewan gritted his teeth. Sandro and Zane weren¡¯t left out of the raging storm.


    "I see... Do you remember my daughter, Emily Thorne?"


    "Yes. She was a close friend of Ewan¡¯s mother. A friend to me too. A good woman," Margaret answered, a trace of sadness in her voice.


    "Then, do you know that Athena is her daughter? That Athena is a Thorne? Because surely you must have seen the bracelet."


    But there was no response. Not for a full minute.


    "Margaret, you¡¯d better speak up, or else the consequences will be dire!" Old Mr. Thorne shouted, his free hand clenched in anger at the years lost¡ªat the memories stolen.


    "I saw the bracelet," Margaret finally said, voice trembling. "I was shocked when Fiona mentioned it belonged to the girl. But I didn¡¯t know that Emily had a daughter. I told Fiona to keep the bracelet hidden because of the suspicions. If the girl was a Thorne, we didn¡¯t want to risk the wrath of the family."


    "Well, now you will have it in full!" Old Mr. Thorne finally lost his temper. "Pack your bags, woman! You¡¯ll be going to your daughter in the ck cells!"


    And with that, he ended the call without giving Margaret a chance to respond.


    Over there, Margaret copsed to the floor, her buttocks hitting hard in shock¡ªno matter that Kendra was right in front of her.


    "No, please!" Fiona begged, tears streaming down her face.


    "Don¡¯t bother. I think it¡¯s fitting that your whole family spend some time there. If she was remorseful, she would have told the full truth during the court case!" Old Mr. Thorne insisted, scoffing at Fiona¡¯s attempts to plead.


    Instead, he watched as his wife stood to her feet and walked, slowly, toward Athena as if afraid that thetter wouldn¡¯t ept or acknowledge her position.


    "My daughter..." Florence called, stopping before Athena, hesitantly touching Athena¡¯s cheek. Athena, who was still trying to gain control of the emotions running through her.


    Relief that she had found her real family. Happiness. Confusion. Unnamed feelings, especially when it came to the topic of Ewan.


    Maybe because she was now in a rtionship, with someone else...


    Yet now she could understand why she had been so besotted to him, even during their cold marriage¡ªher heart had remembered.


    Even if her brain had forgotten, her heart had remembered who Ewan was. Probably why fate always brought them together. Probably why he hadn¡¯t been able to thoroughly hate her despite Zack¡¯s machinations.


    Cecilia Thorne. She was Cecilia Thorne.


    "I¡¯m sorry." Florence¡¯s gentle voice pulled Athena from her thoughts.


    "I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t..."


    Athena shook her head. "You weren¡¯t aware in the first ce. No need to take the me." She whispered, aware of Old Mr. Thorne¡ª<i>her grandfather, right?</i><i>Wow. </i>No wonder she felt at home with him¡ªgetting to his feet, approaching her.


    "Still, I¡¯m sorry for not being a better mother to your mother... If I had been, she might have told me about you. Confided in me instead of her friends. And I¡¯m sorry for that. Please, don¡¯t hold it against us."


    Athena smiled sadly, removing Florence¡¯s hand from her cheek, then rising to her feet.


    Hold it against them? She couldn¡¯t¡ªeven if she wanted to. Without knowing her true origins, they had taken into their home, her, the children, even her friends, without aint. What better family could she have?


    Fiona was right. She was the lucky one.


    Athena knew the twins would be pleased with this news.


    "I don¡¯t hold it against you, Grandma..." She said softly, with a wide smile which tugged at Florence¡¯s heartstrings.


    "As a matter of fact, I¡¯m relieved that it¡¯s you both..." Athena continued, looking at Old Mr. Thorne, who now stood beside his wife.


    "I¡¯m d I¡¯m your granddaughter. I¡¯m happy."


    And then she hugged them, finally letting the dam break open.

 Chapter 338: Fiona’s Truth V

    <h4>Chapter 338: Fiona¡¯s Truth V</h4>


    Ewan watched the heart-touching spectacle before him, feeling a strange mixture of ease, pleasure, and relief that things were finally looking up for the Thorne family. Never mind that this matter meant the continuation of the dangerous political games within the Thorne n.


    It didn¡¯t matter. He thought. He would personally see to Cedric¡ªCedric and anyone else foolish enough to think they could walk over his wife and children. Even if it cost him his life.


    "Can you see what you and your family almost ruined?" Ewan¡¯s gruff voice cut through the air as he questioned Fiona, whose head remained bowed, her shoulders sagging under the weight of shame.


    "I¡¯m sorry." Fiona whispered, her voice trembling.


    "You can keep saying that in the ck cells." Zane snapped, his tone sharp with disdain.


    He turned away from Fiona, toward the Thorne¡¯s reunion, a mixture of happiness and amazement flickering across his face at the unexpected turn of events.


    Athena was already a guru in her own right¡ªcareer-wise and wealth-wise; adding the Thorne empire to her cap would be something else.


    He shook his head in amazement. He didn¡¯t doubt she could handle it. If there was anything his father had hinted about Athena, it was that she could handle anything.


    Speaking of his father, Zane pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to his old man about the good news.


    <i>¡¯Athena is a Thorne...Aunt Emily¡¯s daughter, and the one who saved Ewan from drowning all those years ago. Can you believe it?¡¯</i>


    He then locked his phone and slipped it away, watching as the trio disengaged from their heartfelt hug, wiping each other¡¯s tears. He smiled at Athena as she met his gaze, giving her a thumbs up.


    She chuckled softly before following her grandmother to her seat, taking the next avable spot beside the old woman. The elderly woman, refusing to let go of Athena¡¯s hand, held on tightly as if anchoring herself to the truth that had just unfolded.


    "Thank you for telling the truth, Fiona. Thank you for telling the truth this time." Athena said softly, her gaze meeting Fiona, who had lifted her eyes at the sound of her name.


    Fiona nodded humbly. "It was the least I could do. I¡¯m sorry for being the thorn in your flesh for so many years."


    Athena bit her lower lip, her eyes scanning Fiona¡¯s battered body and the wounds that marred her skin. She would need a thorough medical check-up¡ªif Fiona was tost another week. She would ask Shawn to see to that before cing her in one of the cells.


    "It¡¯s okay." Athena said gently. "It¡¯s understandable that you felt jealous¡ªthat I stole your friend..."


    Ewan and his friends widened their eyes fractionally. What was Athena doing?


    <i>Understandable? </i>They echoed inwardly. There was nothing understandable about the evilness of Fiona!


    "Maybe if your parents had done better, you wouldn¡¯t have turned out as you did... maybe if you had my mother as yours¡ªmothers by birth and adoption..." Athena exhaled softly.


    "All the same, thanks for being my female friend at one time. I¡¯m sure my younger self would have appreciated yourpanionship. Thanks for calling out for help to save Ewan¡¯s life... and I¡¯m sorry for how things turned out for you, for the unrequited love..."


    Fiona¡¯s tears spilled over again, uncontroble now, flooding her cheeks as she kept wiping her eyes, the floodwaters refusing to stop¡ªperhaps because Athena herself was crying, too.


    "Maybe in another world, we would have been best friends... maybe..." Athena sniffed, using her right hand to dab her eyes.


    "I forgive you, Fiona. I let you go." She stated softly, her voice steady despite the emotion choking her.


    Fiona¡¯s sobs grew louder, no longer sniffles but loud, broken cries that came from the depths of a woman thoroughly shattered. She couldn¡¯t speak, couldn¡¯t even mutter a word¡ªyet <i>¡¯thank you¡¯ </i>echoed endlessly in her mind, a mantra of remorse and hope.


    "But you will serve your punishment." Athena continued, her voice quiet but firm. "A couple of years in the ck cells. I don¡¯t think you will be let out easily if we take this to court. My friend Shawn will be here soon. He¡¯ll take you to the clinic so your wounds can be treated¡ªand then to the ck cells... for a couple of years... you will be watched... for improvement. Who knows? You might be free before you know it... your mother too. Although I¡¯m sure she¡¯s already remorseful... however..."


    Athena¡¯s tone softened as she nced at Old Mr. Thorne, "as my grandfather has said..."


    The old man¡¯s smile broke through tears streaming down his face. He didn¡¯t think he would ever tire of hearing Athena call him grandfather.


    "She will have to be punished. I¡¯m sure Lucas will have a story for Kendra. Is that okay?"


    Fiona nodded, epting her fate¡ªknowing it could have been worse, that it should have been worse. Her life should have been snuffed out long ago, considering the number of lives she had destroyed.


    "Thank... you..." She whispered, bowing her head, ignoring the frown that twisted Morgan¡¯s face.


    Thetter would soon learn. She thought, uncapping her water bottle. He would soon learn humility. There was no other choice left when dealing with these people. That¡¯s if they let him leave alive.


    "Good. Now, Morgan..." Athena¡¯s voice hardened immediately, her emotions carefully contained as she turned to meet Morgan¡¯s nk stare. "Are you ready to give us the truth to our questions?"


    Morgan opened his mouth to respond, but Athena held up a hand.


    "Wait... before you answer, remember we just rescued Fiona from Connor¡¯s clutches. He won¡¯t be pleased¡ªand he would be too willing to transfer that aggression to you. So think carefully before you reply. You and your crew of two..."


    She paused, her gaze sharp. "Two, because from thest report I got from Aiden, your gang is over. Even now, your little cliques across the globe are being taken out discreetly by the government¡ªnot just of this country, but others. You really went far with the Grey disease..."


    Morgan clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth.


    "You really shouldn¡¯t have crossed me for the third time, Morgan. You shouldn¡¯t have touched my family."


    Athena exhaled softly, a faint tsk escaping her lips as she flexed her hands.


    Morgan drew back, expecting the continuation of the brutal beatings of yesterday¡ªyet Athena remained seated.


    "It¡¯s not yet time." She said calmly, expertly reading his thoughts, reclining in her seat. "But it wille sooner than you think if you dodge my questions. Am I clear?"


    Morgan nodded slowly.


    "Use your words!"


    "Yes. I... understand." He croaked, meeting her gaze.


    "Good. Firstly, how did your rescue team locate this ce?"


    Morgan shook his head immediately. "I don¡¯t know. I only knew they were after us, from the shootout."


    "Hmm... the people who came to rescue you are not from your gang. Actually, they¡¯re from Ewan¡¯s former gang. And from what I know, you lot are not even on good terms. So, it would mean that your employer has already made his move¡ªemploying another gang for his dirty work..."


    A tense silence fell as Athena watched the fleeting emotions flicker across Morgan¡¯s face.


    "And that the only reason they came was to break you out¡ªbecause of what you know. Your job, Morgan, right now, is to let us know what you know. That¡¯s it."


    Morgan coughed then, blood sttering onto the floor¡ªinternal bleeding, Athena noted with aloofness.


    "And what¡¯s in it for me?" Morgan managed to croak, meeting Athena¡¯s gaze.


    "Nothing," Athena replied without hesitation. "Nothing is in it for you. Only that you¡¯ll receive a little reprieve from torture... or..." She raised her left eyebrow, a sly smile curling her lips. "Do you want the torture?"


    Morgan shook his head. After all, he didn¡¯t know much. Why fall into Connor¡¯s hands when he knew next to nothing? Better he tell his own truth¡ªmaybe then he¡¯d get a lighter sentence.


    He almost chuckled at his own thoughts. Hadn¡¯t Athena assured him there was no reward? He wasn¡¯t as lucky as Fiona. He envied his girlfriend.


    "So, talk..." Athena pressed, her tone sharp when Morgan hesitated. "You can start with the name of your employer, and the one who goes by the code name ¡¯Crayfish¡¯? We found that name written in some documents..."


    Morgan coughed again, this time reclining against Heron¡¯s body. But Heron shrugged him off, eliciting surprise from Morgan and amusement from everyone in the room.


    "Heron..." Morgan gritted, clutching his painful fists. Of course, the mighty had fallen. Loyalty meant nothing now.


    He sighed, sitting upright and pushing away the dizziness and weakness that threatened to overwhelm him.


    "Honestly, I¡¯m not sure." He admitted. "I¡¯ve never met my employer. Crayfish is the one Imunicate with¡ªI don¡¯t think he¡¯s my employer, maybe just a messenger. He¡¯s the one giving us instructions. But I don¡¯t know his identity either."


    Athena frowned, her brows furrowing. "But you mentioned that my attacker was someone close to me... I still remember..."


    "Yes, but only because of the information the person gives us concerning your whereabouts and activities. I figured he must be someone close." Morgan replied, voice tired.


    Athena exhaled slowly, frustration flickering across her face. It seemed Morgan was only a useless piece of the puzzle.


    "And what about this ne? This key...What does it open?" Ewan asked, sensing Athena¡¯s disappointment. He lifted a golden ne, his eyes lighting up when he saw the surprise on Morgan¡¯s face.


    Surely, there must be something there; something they could work with.


    <i>Morgan will not be utterly useless to the search! </i>

 Chapter 339: Fiona’s Truth VI

    <h4>Chapter 339: Fiona¡¯s Truth VI</h4>


    <i>What else are these two not privy to?</i> Morgan gnashed his teeth bitterly, openly ring at Ewan, unable to help it. They seemed to be an encyclopedia¡ªwith the amount of information they literally had about him, about everyone, about everything.


    Just how far did their tendrils reach? He bit his lips, unable to suppress the loathing coursing through his veins, immersing himself in the feeling of his pathetic helplessness.


    How did Ewan find out about the ne? If the Wolfsbane knew, then Athena knew too.


    Morgan held in a scoff. The only thing he had managed to aplish concerning Athena was bringing her close to her ex-husband.


    If he had known the truth¡ªif he¡¯d realized she was abyrinth of mysteries¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t be in this mess. Instead of ying maniptive games, he¡¯d have run, or worse, killed her while he had the chance, instead of entertaining the idea of sleeping with her.


    "Are you contemting whether you should continue with the truth?" Sandro asked, folding his arms across his chest. His hateful stare was enough to make Morgan shrink.


    Probably Phanthom or Hawk. Morgan concluded, wise enough to understand that Sandro and Zane¡¯sck of surprise when they stepped into the room was a possible indication that, at one time, they had been part of the Demon viper¡¯s gang.


    He shuddered before he could help it, disgusted with his earlier pride which had preceded his fall.


    "We won¡¯t be asking that question again..." Zane added, leaning forward, hands on his knees.


    "I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about. I¡¯m not one for jewelry." Morgan swallowed hard when Ewan raised an eyebrow, a chilly smile ying on his lips.


    "Not one for jewelry?" Ewan echoed.


    "Yes." Morgan insisted, managing to keep his voice steady. His bravado wavered, however, when Ewan left his position and sauntered toward him¡ªlike a lion stalking its prey¡ªwith that same cold smile still in ce.


    "Are you sure about that, Morgan?" Ewan collected a knife from Connor¡ªwho had delivered it, seeing the intent in his former boss¡¯s eyes.


    This time, Morgan had no words.


    And when Ewan raised the knife to stab him, somewhere¡ªanywhere; Morgan was too consumed by fright to note the exact stabbing location¡ªhe cried out like a banshee, causingughter to spill from the mouths of the others.


    "I know the ne..."


    Ewan smiled even more, patting Morgan¡¯s shoulder with the knife. "Good call, Morgan. Good call."


    He paused, standing to his full height, then retraced his steps back to his seat. "Now, speak. What does this ne open? I¡¯m quite sure it¡¯s a key to something..." His finger pointed at the ne, which had a unique design, albeit resembling a key nheless.


    Morgan¡¯s shoulders sagged further; epting the reality that he was no match for the people before him¡ªthere was no use fighting an already-lost battle. He actually pitied whomever had hired him for this dirty work. Seeing the situation, he knew the man would have a worse fate than he had.


    "It opens a box." He finally managed to whisper.


    "And where is this box? What is the content of this box?" Ewan continued the interrogation, while Athena perked up, hoping for more answers.


    A slight pause from Morgan before he answered: "The box is in my private residence. It contains the details of the contract with Crayfish, some family heirlooms, and pictures. Nothing much. Nothing of note."


    Ewan furrowed his brows, turning to Athena. Thetter was ring intensely at Morgan.


    "If you¡¯re lying, Morgan, I will be cutting off one of your balls." She hissed, venom in her voice.


    "I¡¯m not!" Morgan shouted, note of desperation in his tone. "What I said is the truth." Aware of the rage overwhelming his interrogator, he didn¡¯t put it pass her to actually go on with the threat.


    Athena turned away, her feet stomping rhythmically on the floor, clearly furious.


    Ewan sighed, understanding her anger. They had already seen the contract Morgan had with his employer before the fire that had consumed the hideout¡ªnothing of importance there, except for the codename "Crayfish."


    Like him, Athena wanted more.


    He sighed again and took his seat. Morgan was really useless. They would have just ended his life, but for the fact that he had been a source of misery to the people around¡ªand therefore, he had to pay for his crimes.


    "Where is your residence?" Ewan asked, needing to cover all details, just in case. "Give me coordinates, and passcodes, if any are required."


    A pause. "And don¡¯t bother mixing lies with the truth here. Because one tiny lie could cost you a part of your body."


    Morgan nodded meekly before he could help it, before divulging a secret even unknown to the closest of his people, even to Fiona. The trio watched as he provided coordinates that weren¡¯t familiar to them.


    "It seems like you¡¯ve been lying to your people, Morgan." Ewan observed. "But give us the coordinates of the ones they know about too. We¡¯ll check them out, and any other houses you have."


    To all these, Morgan responded with answers while Ewan typed away and sent the coordinates to Spider for immediate processing.


    "Are we checking it out now?" Ewan threw the question to his people.


    But Athena shook her head. "We can check it outter. There are other things to take care of right now¡ªother than going after a glorified idiot¡¯s house."


    As she spoke, her focus centered sharply on Morgan.


    "I think we should wait for the other chess pieces to move on the board first. It¡¯s not false to say that they¡ªwhoever is sitting atop this game¡ªare watching us. Moving on his house now would be too predictable. Let¡¯s wait it out a little."


    Ewan nodded, a different kind of smile¡ªone of pride and sheer love¡ªcrossing his face. His gesture was echoed by the others on his side of the game.


    Seeing Athena¡¯s hard gaze on Morgan, he knew she had more questions. Hopefully, thetter would have answers, if he didn¡¯t want to lose some body parts.


    There was no telling if Morgan¡¯s silence or failure to answer would only frustrate Athena further.


    Meanwhile, Athena appraised Morgan¡ªnothing his pale color and the slim possibility of surviving the next twenty minutes.


    "Tell me about your contract with Bolin Shen. What is your rtionship? Do you have anything to do with Master Shen¡¯s death?"

 Chapter 340: Fiona’s Truth VII

    <h4>Chapter 340: Fiona¡¯s Truth VII</h4>


    At Athena¡¯s question, Aiden sighed weakly, ncing at his friend who was bent on believing that Master Shen¡¯s death hadn¡¯t been an ident.


    Was it too hard to believe that a strong karate master could have simply given up the ghost out of a heart attack? Was that even to be considered far-fetched, considering the inconsiderate and wicked family members that surrounded him?


    Why was she being so hard on herself? He wondered. Couldn¡¯t she just let sleeping dogs lie? He would have stopped the questioning¡ªfor the sake of its uselessness¡ªbut there was something in her resolve, her determined face, that made him hold back. He knew she had to learn the lesson herself, feel the sting of epting reality on her own.


    Didn¡¯t Ewan mention that he cared too much? Another tired sigh escaped him as he directed his gaze to Morgan.


    Thetter, which met Athena¡¯s gaze tiredly, with an emotion akin to curiosity¡ªalbeit weak¡ªin his eyes.


    The bitch really was leaving no stone unturned. He mused, drawing in sharp breaths greedily, feeling himself grow weaker with each passing second. So much so that opening his mouth to speak seemed like a war in itself. All he wanted was to close his eyes and sleep¡ªsince freedom had be a thing of the past.


    "I¡¯m not as patient as Ewan." Athena¡¯s cold voice snapped Morgan out of his thoughts.


    "Sorry..." The word slipped from his lips before he could stop it. He tried tough at his pathetic submission that came far too soon, but theugh came out as a dried croak. He was really done for.


    "Your suspicions...are right, Athena. Master Shen¡¯s death wasn¡¯t natural. Yes, he suffered from high blood pressure sometimes, and asional heart attacks, but it wasn¡¯t what killed him."


    Athena controlled the trembling of her lips, the onught of sorrow threatening to overwhelm her. She forbade her eye faucet from opening, refusing to let the tears fall. This wasn¡¯t the time to weep. It was the time to set things straight¡ªto seek the truth, to seek revenge.


    Still, she couldn¡¯t stop herself from darting a quick "I-told-you-so" look at Aiden, who she knew had sighed earlier.


    Aiden, for his part, had the grace to look surprised¡ªaware that he had been careless again.


    "Were you behind it?" Athena returned her focus to Morgan.


    Thetter shook his head¡ªan effort that drained him further, taking more life out of his already weakened body. He resolved not to speak unless absolutely necessary.


    "Then who was behind it?" Athena pressed, her voice sharp. She was aware of Morgan¡¯s drained state, but she couldn¡¯t care less. The answers mattered more.


    "His children. Bolin. Zichen. And Fang."


    A pause. "Fang wasn¡¯t necessarily involved¡ªjust a silent partner. Method of death: poisoning his tea."


    Athena bowed her head, fists clenched in rage. How dare those idiots? Those sorry excuses for children! Weren¡¯t they afraid of being caught? Weren¡¯t they afraid of the consequences¡ªher consequences¡ªwhen she found out?


    Silent partner or not, Fang was still a partner to her father¡¯s death! Athena screamed inside her mind, cussing out the first daughter of Mastsr Shen, her hand already flying across the keyboard of her phone, typing a message to Ethan.


    Far be it from her to let this slide. They would pay for their sins.


    Seeing the fury on Athena¡¯s face as she typed, Morgan pitied Bolin and his siblings. They had connived to kill their father, thinking they would have ess to his properties, assuming that the crafty old man hadn¡¯t made a will.


    They would really go through hell in Athena¡¯s hands. He thought, feeling lightheaded¡ªso lightheaded, in fact, that he started speaking more about the subject matter without being asked, driven by the feeling that inactivity might spell the shutdown of his body¡¯s systems forever. He didn¡¯t want that¡ªnot yet.


    "He first came to me... about the n, a year ago..." Morgan began, voice trembling. "When he discovered that his old man was sending money¡ªmonthly¡ªto a trust fund in your children¡¯s name. Bolin hadn¡¯t been able to get past the idea that there might be more going on¡ªthings he didn¡¯t see. He couldn¡¯t bear the thought of you and your kids eating where you hadn¡¯t sown, so he conspired with his younger siblings. To his surprise, they agreed to do away with their father."


    He paused, then added, "As for my rtionship with Bolin¡ªhe¡¯s just a gang wannabe."


    A wheeze escaped him, sounding more like a cough. "I never involved him in my gang because he didn¡¯t seem loyal¡ªwas too shallow..."


    Athena couldn¡¯t help but agree with a nod to Morgan¡¯s evaluation. Having sparred with Bolin more than twice, having lived with him at one time, she could confidently say that Bolin was vastly different from his almost-perfect father.


    "So he formed a little gang with his brother..." Morgan continued, a bitterugh in his voice. "To think he¡¯s nning to kidnap your twins with those terrible, winky people... I heard you took out a lot of them after his father¡¯s funeral... Is that true?"


    Athena didn¡¯t bother answering. Instead, she returned her focus to the message she was typing to Ethan, adding a new use.


    How dare Bolin? How dare he think, plot, and conspire to touch her children? She would make sure he was rendered unable to touch anything again!


    "Do you have more to say before you copse?" Athena asked, pocketing her phone.


    Morgan paused, thenughed softly. "No, I¡¯m done with the matter. I guess you¡¯ll be taking over from here."


    Again, Athena didn¡¯t bother responding.


    As if on cue, Shawn and Eric walked into the sitting room¡ªwithout knocking. They raised both hands when guns were pointed in their direction.


    "Friends of Athena." They chorused, not recognizing the faces handling the guns.


    The guns lowered when Ewan gave a confirming nod.


    "They are with us." He said.


    "Wow¡ªso you really caught him? The ever-invasive Morgan," Eric remarked, approaching Morgan and squatting before him to appraise him. "He doesn¡¯t have much time in this condition. Are we treating him too?"


    Athena shook her head. "No. Connor will do the bare minimum. After all, we¡¯ll soon be delivering him to the government."

 Chapter 341: Rain Of Bullets

    <h4>Chapter 341: Rain Of Bullets</h4>


    Morgan¡¯s heart grew weaker and weaker as he struggled to listen to Aiden recount the events that had led up to this moment to the two CIA agents.


    From their stance andnguage, he had gathered that much. The video call that was going on too, on the phone held by one of the agent¡ªseems the boss at CIA was keen on hearing the recap also¡ªonly confirmed it.


    And when Aiden affirmed, for the second time, that he would be delivered to the government, Morgan¡¯s heart failed him.


    He clutched his chest, feeling the organ seize painfully, his heartbeat bing less regr. His other body tissues and organs moved in that same fallen rhythm. The government? What did that mean? What will be of him? Will he be able to pull any string at all if he should fall into the hands of the President?


    "Help..." He croaked out, unable to bear the pain any longer, but in his present condition, it was just a mutter¡ªone that couldn¡¯t be heard by the people around him. It only took the stretching of his bloodied, weary hand to alert everyone that their culprit would soon be joining the afterlife.


    They all turned to Athena, waiting for her input.


    But the business mogul cum doctor was lost in thought. She was contemting on rebranding her entire business empire, putting all herpanies under one umbre name¡ªthere was no need to hide anymore.


    It took Ewan calling her in a calm voice to drag her out of her mental calctions.


    "Is there a problem?" She whispered, barely, to Ewan, who shook his head immediately.


    "Not at all. Morgan seems to be at the edge of death..."


    Athena nodded slowly, appraising Morgan once more. Delivering him to the government as soon as possible was the best course of action, but... she paused and turned to Susan.


    "Are you done with him?"


    Her question caught everyone by surprise, yet they all focused their attention on Susan¡ªsome, especially Ewan¡¯s agents, wondering what the beautiful youngdy possibly had to do with Morgan. What had the devil done to her?


    Meanwhile, Susan smiled gently at Athena¡ªan appreciative smile that, however, turned cold when she faced Morgan.


    "Not yet. I am not done yet. Connor can do the bare minimum for his wounds now. I will take care of the rest. And if it¡¯s okay with you, I¡¯ll deliver him to the president myself. You don¡¯t have to worry about him anymore."


    "Of course you will," Athena concurred with a smile, ignoring Morgan¡¯s breathless grunts of pain, of impending death, of ongoing suffering and despair. She believed Susan would make him regret touching her mother; she didn¡¯t need to know how effective Fiona could be as a tool.


    Raising her phone, Athena snapped pictures of Morgan and his two aplices and sent them to the president¡¯s personal line. Phase one of the mission wasplete. Then she nodded at Connor, who dly stepped forward to take Morgan away.


    Athena could bet her ass that Connor would do some torturing while treating Morgan. She was happy about that.


    "So, these two are for us, then... three if you count the woman with them. Was she part of the operation?" Shawn inquired, gesturing at the crowd of three who were now the center of attention.


    "No, she wasn¡¯t. But she¡¯smitted as much problems. You will be depositing them in the ck cells. The two males... you know where to keep them. I¡¯ll try to convince the president to toss Morgan in thereter, before he¡¯s taken away for the death penalty... and for the woman..."


    A pause. Athena looked Fiona over again; Fiona whose head was bowed, waiting for her judgment from an old rival. With the fight gone out of her, she was as meek as amb. Her ears twitched at the silence, at the anticipation, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure everyone around could hear it.


    Where would they keep her?


    "Just keep her with Heronica for now. I¡¯ll think about her conditionter..." Athena finally said, letting out a sigh.


    A raised eyebrow when Heron jerked his head up. "So she¡¯s alive?"


    Athena didn¡¯t bother with the stupid question. "Please, take them away," She said instead to Eric and Shawn. The duo was happy to oblige.


    "Wait..." Aiden¡¯s words stopped them from executing their little mission.


    Everyone watched as he beelined for Dax¡ªwho had gone by the name Jake for months, masquerading as Athena¡¯s driver. They watched as he delivered a blow to the man¡¯s face, causing the fake driver¡¯s head to jerk harshly to the left.


    Another blow to the face¡ªbreaking the nose and starting the bleeding from his nostrils.


    No one stopped the assault. No one said a word, not until Aiden finished dealing the blows.


    When he stepped back, Dax was a bloody mess¡ªsplit lip, loose teeth, disfigured nose.


    "You can take them away now. Make sure they¡¯re kept in the darkest parts of the ck cell. I¡¯m sure Morgan will be joining them soon."


    He trusted Athena¡¯s convincing abilities.


    The CIA agents chuckled, lifted the two men¡ªone for each¡ªand headed toward the door. Some of Ewan¡¯s agents followed after them.


    "I think I¡¯ll be moving out too, with Ewan... I need to go to the hospital, make sure his wounds are properly checked, and that he gets the best medicines..."


    As Athena spoke, she faced the entrance, aware of Ewan rising to his feet. Not just him¡ªeveryone who hade visiting, to begin their rounds of farewell until they met again.


    "But first, thank you all for the sess of this mission. It wouldn¡¯t have been possible without everyone¡¯s input..."


    Her eyes ran from Ewan to her new, real family, to Aiden and Susan, to Zane and Sandro, and to the rest of Ewan¡¯s agents.


    "Thank you so much. I am..."


    Suddenly, a series of gunshots rang out outside in quick session, cutting her off. Everyone froze, stunned and on high alert.


    "They¡¯re not giving up either..." Athena muttered angrily, right before the house was subjected to a rain of bullets.

 Chapter 342: Rain Of Bullets II

    <h4>Chapter 342: Rain Of Bullets II</h4>


    Everything became messy and chaotic afterwards. And everyone in the room dodged for cover behind whatever manner of shield they couldy their hands on.


    There were shouts in the room, not of pain really, but frommands¡ªEwan¡¯s men going further to act as shields for the Thorne couple, for Athena. But Athena¡¯s mind was on the havoc being wrecked outside. Eric and Shawn. Were they dead? Had they been shot down?


    Her heart beat escted with a mixture of pain and anger. She couldn¡¯t lose her friends. But she was helpless in the onught of bullets. She hadn¡¯t budgeted that they would havepany this morning. Who was feeding the enemy information? Who could be the betrayer within their ranks?


    She gritted her teeth as she counted the names of the people she had trusted with information, people who were with her here. And yet, she couldn¡¯t ce the tag on any one of them. Maybe one of Ewan¡¯s men?


    With their location still being rocked with bullets, she turned to meet Ewan, only to see him talking into the phone. What now?


    Ignoring the plea of the man guarding her, she hurried, making sure to keep herself low so as not to be hit by the flying bullets, toward his side.


    "Who are you talking with?" Her voice came out sterner than she had anticipated, usatory.


    Ewan frowned. "What? You think I am the one giving away our location? Do you want to speak with Spider then?"


    Athena swallowed the shame that enveloped her. But why was she ashamed?


    Was it now a crime to suspect him? She wondered as she gestured for him to put the phone on loudspeaker. She didn¡¯t think Spider knew her well enough to ept instructions from her. And why was Ewan calling Spider? Reinforcements? They would take so long to get here!


    "Spider, you can continue speaking... what were you saying?"


    Spider¡¯s smooth voice sounded over the phone. "Our men were in position as we nned out. They should be fighting off the gang. Yes, they are... I just got a notification. I think they can keep the enemy busy, and away from the house."


    Athena looked at Ewan with a stunned expression. Another backup? How many backups does this beautiful man n and keep in position? She had never met anyone like him. If he had joined the CIA, she was sure he would have been a favorite to the higher-ups.


    She was d he was on her side. If not... her body shuddered unconsciously at the thought.


    "You still have surveince of the house, right?" Ewan was still speaking. "Now tell me the situation outside..."


    A pause at the other end, making Athena¡¯s spirits dim a little.


    "Well, it¡¯s a bloody massacre. Some of our men are dead. They, of course, were able to stand their ground and kill some of the gang members. The prisoners are injured; one looks dead. The CIA agents..."


    Athena¡¯s breath hitched at this point.


    "I think they are alive. I¡¯m not sure how long..."


    Old Mr. Thorne, who had long informed his security detail to be here as soon as possible¡ª even if it meant taking the helicopter¡ª when the shootout began, sent out a second text. <i>Hurry up!</i>


    They would be needed to help with the carriage of the prisoners to the ck cells, and the tending of the agents. More hands would be needed here too, after the shootout was over, to do away with the dead bodies.


    It was a good thing that this area was located in the middle of nowhere¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t have to deal with the police. God knows he wasn¡¯t in the mood to appease them with lofty words, threats, or bribes.


    Athena let out a relieved breath. She couldn¡¯t deal with losing her friends. Shawn had a family waiting for him at home. She couldn¡¯t handle another burden of guilt.


    "So, how long do we sit out..."


    Spider tsked. "A few minutes. We are almost done."


    An explosion was heard, and Spider¡¯s chuckle followed. "Well, your people usually do things big. Good thing there are no residential houses nearby."


    Athena knew then that a bomb had been employed. How it hadn¡¯t affected the house, except for the quaking that seemed to travel beneath the floors, was something she couldn¡¯t understand. Well, trust Ewan and his zealous antics.


    "Thank you, Ewan." She muttered.


    But Ewan said nothing, rather ending the call and turning to Florence. "Are you okay?"


    Florence nodded, albeit sadly, noting the tension between the duo. She gave Athena a meaningful look before getting to her full height and walking away with her husband, leaving the couple alone.


    The bullets had stopped flying. The house was no longer under attack.


    "I am sorry," Athena blurted out, not wanting the tension to linger.


    "What are you sorry for?" Ewan asked, standing to his full height.


    Athena had no choice but to get to her feet too, aware they were the center of attention¡ª to an extent; some in the room were already walking toward the entrance as the door burst open, ushering in a few of Ewan¡¯s men¡ª a telltale sign that the battle was over, for now.


    "For doubting you again. I just..." She cursed in frustration. "How are they finding us? Did Spider say anything about that?"


    Ewan pursed his lips, still annoyed with the dart fired against him earlier, but understanding her frustration. "He thinks we are being tracked," he answered, his voice level.


    Aiden then joined them. "Our agents are on their way. Mr. Thorne¡¯s too. They will help with the cleanup."


    "Did you send for Rodney too?" Athena inquired, dusting her hands.


    Ewan frowned.


    Aiden sighed. "You are still serious about incorporating him into the family? Are you sure about that? He might be a rattlesnake."


    "I am sure, Aiden. I have a good feeling about him. He will be my driver."


    Aiden gave up. "Have it your way. But I am not bringing him here. You can meet him at the first junction... he will drive you to the hospital..."


    A loaded pause.


    "But first, we have to check out the casualties outside."

 Chapter 343: Rain Of Bullets III

    <h4>Chapter 343: Rain Of Bullets III</h4>


    Spider had been right. Outside was a picture of bloody massacre, with dead bodies everywhere the human eye can possibly perch on.


    Athena¡¯s eyes scanned the corpses, searching for the prisoners¡¯ bodies and then her friends. Susan had confirmed a minute ago that Connor and Morgan had been safe from all the shooting.


    "They are over here!" a gruff voice, a wave of hand in the distance, caught Athena¡¯s attention. She recognized the bulky man as one of those who had been with them earlier in the room before the shootout, one of those who had led the culprits out of the room. She was immensely d he was alive.


    Quickly, she covered the distance between them, the others following suit. She gasped when she saw the state of her two friends. Shawn was bleeding from his side. Eric, from his thigh and leg. They both were in critical conditions.


    "Better vans will be arriving soon. They would convey them to the hospital..." As the man spoke, the first two vans arrived. And without words, the other men got to work, lifting the two agents first, whom Athena had whispered to hang in there.


    "Don¡¯t dare give up on me... or else I will beat you up..."


    Eric managed to chuckle before he was taken away.


    Then there was Fiona, who looked as dead; who had been hit by a stray bullet just close to her chest. Athena had little hope of her surviving but still made the men promise her that thetter would be taken care of properly.


    Dax wasn¡¯t as lucky. He was cold by the time Athena touched his neck to feel his pulse, seeming to have received a shot to his heart and another to his stomach. She folded her lips before moving to Heron, thinking that Dax had really escaped easily.


    Heron was just in a critical condition like Fiona.


    "Let me die," he whispered when he opened his eyes, feeling Athena¡¯s finger on his neck.


    "You won¡¯t be as lucky as Dax," Athena replied with a frown. "Take him away."


    She sighed thereafter, when she got to her feet and noted Ewan talking with the men; the way he tapped their shoulders showed he wasforting them in his own way. And she was swallowed anew with shame when she remembered using him of being the snitch.


    What was wrong with her? Why did she always want to use him when things went south?


    She sighed and flicked her forehead. The pain wasn¡¯t enough, but it was like a note to herself: not to use him again until proven otherwise.


    "I am sorry for the loss of your men..." She spoke, meeting him as he stood, hands akimbo, scanning with keen eyes the bloodied scene.


    She wondered what he was looking for. Familiar faces? After all, these were the members of his former gang. Did he feel guilt, remorse? Was he wondering if she was worth the stress?


    Again, she felt foolish for using him earlier. Even with their cold marriage, he never directly put her in harm¡¯s way.


    "Ewan..." She tried again, seeing as he made no indication that he had heard her earlier. And yet, no answer greeted her. Not until she tapped him gently on his arm. He jerked.


    "Athena... did you say anything?"


    Seeing the momentary disorientation in his eyes that disappeared just then made her sad. Where in his mind had he disappeared to? What memory? Wherever it was, she was sure it was terrible.


    "I said I¡¯m sorry for the loss of your men... both thosemissioned by Spider and those you recognize from your previous gang."


    A tentative pause. Then a tired sigh from his parched lips. "It¡¯s okay, Athena. Thank you. How are you holding up? Are you hungry? I know a..."


    "Ewan, I am fine." Exasperation cloaked her voice. She couldn¡¯t help it. The man should be angry with her, irritated, but here he was asking about the state of her stomach.


    "But you haven¡¯t..."


    "You haven¡¯t either," She interrupted. "Apart from the apple you took from the table. We can eat together after this is done."


    The ghost of a smile that wavered on his lips relieved her, surprised her. Was he really that enamored with herpany? If so, she knew how best to make amends with him. Maybe heading to the park after the day was over?


    "Any more information on how our presence here was discovered?" Aiden asked, interrupting Athena¡¯s thoughts.


    "Or was it just a blindsided attack, seeing as they had attacked yesterday too? Maybe they really just wanted Morgan, either alive or dead..."


    "I don¡¯t think so," Ewan muttered, looking around him. More vans had arrived, and the cleaners were doing their job. Everything would soon be sorted out, including the messy state of Connor¡¯s house. His friend would need somepensation.


    "You think we were tracked? Or maybe a mole?" Old Mr. Thorne asked, joining the trio with his wife. Zane and Sandro stood nearby too, while directing the men when necessary.


    Ewan nodded, then called to one of his men. "You came with a tracking tool?"


    The man nodded and retrieved the tool.


    "Use it and check the prisoners first, including the dead ones, then Connor, then the men around..."


    A pause where he met the man¡¯s gaze longer than necessary. "Check yourself first."


    The man did so without question. But nothing came up. He was clean.


    "Now check the others. Sandro, please take charge of it."


    Ewan trusted his men to an extent, but he had to make sure everything was proven before he drew the line and made another deduction.


    "What if they are all clean?" Athena asked, her voice smaller than usual.


    Without looking at her, Ewan understood why she sounded fearful. If the men were clean, it would mean that the mole was in the inner circle; it would mean one of the close-knit family was a traitor.


    He couldn¡¯t bear to think it, couldn¡¯t imagine the fallout of such mess. As much as he craved the truth, he was hoping that none of his loved ones had submitted to the cold grip of greed.

 Chapter 344: Mole?

    <h4>Chapter 344: Mole?</h4>


    "Everyone is clean?" Ewan addressed Sandro, who had just rejoined the group with Zane, both with palpable tension riding on their faces.


    Ewan could understand why already. If the people were clean, it meant that the mole was within the group, the people known as family to each other. His prayers hadn¡¯t been answered; things were about to get ugly.


    "Yes. They are all clean. The prisoners too. I did a quick check on Connor also. Clean as ever," Sandro answered, his hand gripping the tracking tool tightly. "Maybe the traitor ced a call to whomever is behind this mess. Maybe there is no tracker at all?"


    "Maybe..." Ewan concurred, more to himself, for his voice was barely a whisper. "But to be on the safe side, we will be checking everyone." A pause, where he lifted his head and stared at Sandro steely, pushing sadness and hope aside.


    "Start with you and Zane."


    Sandro hesitated only for a second, epting the emotion¡ªor rather, the no emotion he was seeing in Ewan¡¯s eyes¡ªunderstanding that this was necessary; also aware that the group was now the object of attention.


    Everyone wanted to see the traitor, the one who had dared to sabotage their mission. Of course, he wasn¡¯t the one, but in the world of games, even the most perfect can be framed.


    Inhaling deeply, he gave Zane the tool. "Scan me." He said, biting his lower lip.


    Zane exhaled loudly, nervously, and turned on the tool. Breath catching, he scanned Sandro¡¯s body, back and front, twice to ensure uracy, before he finally let out the held-in air.


    "Clear," he exhaled in relief, catching Ewan¡¯s almost non-existent sigh of relief. Zane¡¯s relief, though, was short-lived as all eyes turned to him.


    Without any words, without wasting time, he handed the tool to Sandro.


    "Scan me," He said, taking in his lower lip.


    Sandro¡¯s hand shook a little¡ªpartly from relief, and then anticipation for the result of his friend¡¯s scan¡ªas he checked Zane out. When nothing turned up, he exhaled harshly and stood erect, having checked out thetter¡¯s legsst.


    "Who¡¯s next?" He asked, his voice steadying.


    Aiden and Susan stepped forward. Both were clean.


    There should have been happiness, but seeing as it now narrowed to just four people who could be likened to family, tension strung tight in the air.


    Old Mr. Thorne offered himself next, his wife following. But they were both clean.


    "Maybe Sandro was right after all. Maybe the details were leaked through a message or something by one of the men. Perhaps Spider can check it out?" Aiden started after thest scan; there was possibly no way that Ewan and Athena were the traitors. They were the main yers in this game!


    "Maybe..." Ewan concurred once again in that nd voice of his. "But still... let¡¯splete the scan. Sandro, check me out."


    Silence reigned among the gathering, not a murmur went out.


    Athena was highly disturbed. What was Ewan ying at? Did he think she was the mole? That was the most stupid thing to be thought of!


    Seeing as he was okay with being searched, then he must be free. Unless... her eyes widened, mouth slightly open, as she stared at Ewan.


    Unless they had been tagged without knowing! That could be done in diverse ways.


    "Hurry up, please!" She called out to Sandro. "I need to be checked too. We might have been tagged without our notice. Spider can check the other route if this one fails..."


    She didn¡¯t think the other route was feasible though. The men here were as loyal to Ewan as her grandfather¡¯s men were to the old man. No way would there have been an infiltration. If there had been, Spider would have discovered it by now. He wasn¡¯t one of the best hackers for nothing; his reputation preceded him because he left no stones unturned!


    Seeing that his earlier abstract thought had been given shape by his friends, Sandro hurriedly scanned Ewan, this time without the usual trepidation and tension.


    If Ewan had a tracker on him, then it was forced on him, without his knowledge. But Ewan was clean.


    This left Athena to be scanned. Her mind¡¯s wheels spun into motion as Sandro approached her with the tool.


    When could be the moment she had unknowingly epted a tracker from the enemy? Feeling curious rather than fearful, she watched as Sandro started the scan from her shoulders.


    He didn¡¯t even get past her waist before the machine started beeping.


    "Take it out." her voice was steel; everyone could hear the rage, the anger shining from that leveled tone.


    Sandro wasted no time. He rushed to open up Athena¡¯s top to locate the tracker, but Ewan clutched his hand, an indescribable emotion fleeting past his eyes as he red at Sandro.


    Luckily, Sandro was sensitive enough to recognize the possessiveness emanating from his friend. So he stepped back.


    Unfortunately, Athena was not.


    "Why did you stop!" She shouted, ring at Sandro, who promptly looked away.


    "Take this thing away from me!" She yelled, fists clenched at her sides, feeling disgusted at the thought that she was the reason for the massacre. So disgusted, she snarled at Ewan when he said nothing after her outburst.


    "What are you waiting for?"


    Ewan didn¡¯t want his head bitten off yet, so he hurriedly lifted her cloth shy of her waist and slid his right hand onto her side, letting the cloth hang on his hand while he searched the area where the tracker was supposed to be.


    But it was empty. He frowned and stopped searching.


    "What is the matter?" Athena asked, her voice throaty, visibly cooled down. She didn¡¯t want to understand why.


    "I can¡¯t find it. Sandro, get the tool, and scan again..." Ewan instructed, hoping it wasn¡¯t what he was thinking.


    But when the scan beeped at the same location where his hand was, he sighed and withdrew it from her body; a hand now shaking with anger.


    "What happened, Ewan? Talk to me! Where is the tracker?" Athena asked, seeing the wrath on Ewan¡¯s face.


    Ewan gritted his teeth, fury darkening the color of his pupils. "It¡¯s inside your body."

 Chapter 345: Mole? II

    <h4>Chapter 345: Mole? II</h4>


    It took a minute for the truth to sink into Athena¡¯s information processing brain cells.


    And when it did, her face underwent varied transformations¡ªfrom eyes widening partly in shock to jaws ckening in disbelief; then to eyes shutting as rage swallowed her up, to jaws firming, to furrows marring her forehead, which informed the observant group that she was thinking on how this matter had urred.


    Who had done it? And when? How could she be ignorant of a machine inside her body?


    Her fists balled, nostrils red next, and teeth grinding followed the cue.


    Who? When? She asked again and again, her mind wheels spinning at an exponential rate. Who would dare to...


    She stopped when an answer clocked into her mind. And when she opened her eyes, rage far from being distilled out, the people knew that they were about to get the second piece of the puzzle¡ªthat the second phase of the mission was about to begin.


    "Who are the tyrants?" Ewan gritted out, voice heavy and gruff.


    "The twins," Athena replied simply, astonished at the simplicity of it, at her carelessness again.


    She didn¡¯t trust the twins, and yet she hadn¡¯t thought to check her body after they had operated on her. But that was only because Finn had assured her that the surgery had been done under strict supervision.


    However, Finn was Heron.


    Athena chuckled. Thenughed. Again and again, until it became a boisterous one, one that had her holding her belly.


    "Now it all makes sense. Those idiots..."


    The people were confused all the more. What was she talking about? Which twins was she referring to?


    "Athena..." Ewan couldn¡¯t bear the tension any more. "When you say twins and idiots..."


    Athena turned to him with a genuine smile, anger seemingly abated. "Mary and Matthew. The doctors you had rushed down to the country to take care of me after the ident that had almost imed my life."


    Ewan felt his world turn over, to think he had yed an indirect role in this. He opened his mouth to exin himself, past the budding headaches that pested his brain, and the pain assaulting his back, but Athena raised her hand, cutting him short, still smiling.


    "I trust you, Ewan. I know you made theme solely to make me live. And I appreciate that. But it seemed their eagerness to arrive had an ulterior motive... as usual..."


    A pause.


    "And to think they manipted Herbert to let them stay and continue to perpetrate their crimes."


    Sheughed again. "Men and brethren, we have found the producers of the Grey virus. If we can nab them, I am sure we can locate the main perpetrator of this crime."


    She chuckled, shook her head at the simplicity of it all. "I have to say they are very smart. It exins why they had us back at the hideout, how they seemed to tow head to head with us. How..." She paused, and cursed, rushing toward one of the vans.


    "Athena wait! What is the matter? What did you remember?" Ewan called out, hurrying after her in thepany of the others.


    Athena stopped, remembering that all these people were for her. She needed their help now more than ever.


    "Theb. Myb..." She cried out, frantic. "They would know the location. We have been there recently, yesterday as a matter of fact. If my hunch is right..."


    Ewan already knew where this was heading. Her research was in the danger of beingpromised. If he was to take a guess, he would say this was the main reason she had been tagged in the first ce.


    "Get the car now! I¡¯m driving!" He shouted, pointing at one of his men.


    Athena watched as the men moved into motion as if being switched on by a remote.


    Some entered the vans and moved out to their earlier designated locations, while others followed Ewan and Athena, including Old Mr. Thorne and his wife.


    "Do you think we can nab them now?" Florence asked five minutes into the speedy drive. She was sitting with her husband at the back seat of the car, in thepany of Susan.


    "I don¡¯t think so," Athena replied. "We will need evidence. Whoever is backing them has ties in the government... it won¡¯t be an easy job as Morgan¡¯s was."


    A pause.


    "Morgan is a national criminal, while the twins are doctors. A hard story to sell to the public would be that the doctors responsible for treating them, were also behind the production of the grey virus. We need evidence. Hard core evidence."


    Another pause. "I doubt we will get some from the hospital..."


    A bitter sigh. "This must be the reason why they had tricked Herbert into employing them permanently, so they can have ess to the hospital systems, and put in more of their people...so they can build a reputable reputation among the citizens."


    She cursed and looked at Ewan, whose grip on the steering wheel was as white as the color white.


    "Do you think Spider can do some digging?"


    "He¡¯s already on it." He answered immediately.


    And Athena wondered if that was themunication he had made when he had been typing away on his phone before the aforementioned car had arrived.


    Ewan Gietti. Her first love.


    She looked away from him; looking at him made her distracted, made her ask a lot of questions she had no business asking, not at the moment, not with what she was facing.


    Still... fate really had a slice of humor; had a funny way of unravelling truth and making connections work.


    Will they work? She couldn¡¯t help but ask herself this question, indulging herself a little. Maybe. Maybe not.


    That he was the reason why she had lost her memories wasn¡¯t helping her decision-making either. Never mind that she had saved him willingly.


    "Are we picking Rodney?" Ewan¡¯s abrupt, abstract question threw Athena off a little bit.


    "Rodney?"


    Ewan pointed at the fellow waiting at the three-way junction, under a tree.


    Athena bit her lips, remembering that Aiden had informed her of his own n concerning Rodney.


    She immediately called him; they were right behind Ewan¡¯s car.


    "Please pick up Rodney."

 Chapter 346: New Lab

    <h4>Chapter 346: New Lab</h4>


    "Are you sure about this, Athena? Keeping him as a driver means he might be privy to your secret matters..." Ewan muttered as he stood with Athena by the side of the car, watching Aiden¡¯s car arrive. They needed to move in at the same time; needed to be cautious.


    It was obvious by the shattered ss pane of the phone booth that theb had been tampered with, at least the exteriors. Athena believed the security system she had cocooned herb with should be standing strong.


    It would take a couple of days to pull it down. She had said to Ewan, a few minute ago, when he had parked the car by the road, right across the booth.


    Assuming they had found out the location of theb yesterday...


    However, considering the time frame between when she had been tagged with the marker, there was a slim chance of the former being the case. Yet Athena was hopeful. She just couldn¡¯t imagine her research beingpromised.


    "Yeah, I am sure. I have a good feeling about him. He would be trained by the Nimbus too. I am sure he is capable of withstanding the training." She replied to Ewan¡¯s worry.


    "Okay." Ewan epted her logic. Didn¡¯t they say women¡¯s intuitions were always on point?


    "Are we ready?" Aiden asked, as he met them in thepany of Sandro and Zane, and other agents, each loaded with guns. They were not nning on having any more casualties today.


    "Yes." Ewan answered, epting a gun from Zane. Even though the enemy would know they were here, might send more troops to annihte them, he would make sure to fight his best, with every arsenal he had. He wouldn¡¯t be dying here today, not until he had dealt with those twins personally!


    "Let¡¯s move in."


    They utilized the booth three at a time, with Athena heading down first with Ewan and Sandro.


    "They couldn¡¯t get past here..." Athena muttered, a smile in her voice. "They couldn¡¯t get to use the elevator..."


    "It was tailored to your thumbprint?" Ewan¡¯s eyes ran over the dusty environment. It looked in the same condition as it had been yesterday.


    "Not really. The <i>press-on</i> button is just hard to find. Only known to Aiden and me. He will do the chauffeuring..."


    A chuckle.


    "He won¡¯t be happy about that."


    Her smile widened when thement earned a little smile from Ewan¡¯s firm lips. He had been uptight since the tracker had been discovered in her body. Was it a sigh that...


    Athena shook the thought. No more of those. They were in the middle of a mission, and Antonio was her boyfriend.


    "So, if they couldn¡¯t get through here then, did they give up?" Sandro asked, his eyes roaming around the underground channel.


    Athena pursed her lips, then shook her head, noting the cracks on the walls.


    "I think they are digging through the opposite end of the channel. Seeing my tracker had led them here, it was easier for them to pinpoint the location...or maybe they didn¡¯t...and are just digging blindly till they get to the spot where my tracker had marked as myb."


    "Then it would mean that your guess was right," Ewan muttered, positioning himself to push the iron door.


    "No, don¡¯t. Sandro, please... you will have to push this door alone. Ewan, get out of there! You are obviously in pain!"


    Sandro immediately pushed his friend gently out of the way, ignoring thetter¡¯s re. And at Athena¡¯s signal, after inputting the codes, he pushed the metal door open, with all of his might. He was heaving in and out rapidly, by the time it was done.


    "Wow..." He muttered when he saw the little sitting room. "Why didn¡¯t you tell me about this, Ewan? I would have loved to y cards here..." He continued, noting the pack of cards on the center table.


    Ewan scoffed. "It wasn¡¯t my secret to tell."


    By this time, more of the agents were now trooping into the hallway, including Old Mr. Thorne and his wife.


    "So, this is it." Florence started when she stepped into theb. "The ce where magic happens."


    Athena chuckled alongside her. "Just science, grandma. Just science."


    Florence blushed to her roots. Grandma had never sounded so wonderful in her ears.


    "So, my dear, have you discovered a location yet?" Old Mr. Thorne asked, happy with his wife¡¯s happiness.


    Athena shook her head. "Maybe I can find one this evening..."


    "It can bete by then..." Aiden muttered, shaking his head, noting the cracks on the walls, his mind running through options.


    "I have one. It¡¯s in a good location... In a residential area, but it¡¯s a good camouge. You can use it as ab for now. The lorry will be here in the next five minutes. We should start packing." Ewan spoke in one breath, shocking Athena.


    "You already had it nned out?"


    Her heart fluttered even as she spoke unhurriedly, her fingers itching to pat his face gently; anyway to convey her gratitude for the ways he had been turning up for her since this fiasco started.


    "Yes. I am sorry I didn¡¯t get it past you. I just got the go-ahead from Spider."


    It must be part of the things he had been typing away on the phone when they had been waiting for vans, she thought, right before she hugged him, stunning him¡ªstunning the people around.


    Old Mr. Thorne, and his wife, couldn¡¯t be happier. Already they were contemting putting on their matchmaking gloves back. It had been a while.


    Ewan took a moment to understand that Athena was hugging him really, before he returned the hug, clutching her tighter to himself, inhaling as much as he could, her beautiful fragrance, never mind what it was managing to upset down there.


    "Thank you, Ewan. Thank you so much." Athena muttered, feeling her eyes getting worked up.


    No. Not now. She insisted, and broke away from the hug, in time to see the devotion shining in Ewan¡¯s eyes.


    It scared her more than she had anticipated.


    She moved away from him as if bitten, not sure what to do about this change of dynamic.


    "You¡¯re... wee..." Ewan stammered-aware of what she had seen, scared that he had pushed her away-before pointing at the boxes.


    "Let¡¯s get packing..." He managed to steady his voice while turning away, swallowing as he felt her heated stare right at his back.

 Chapter 347: The New Driver

    <h4>Chapter 347: The New Driver</h4>


    "Athena, you are not going with them? I thought..." Rodney¡¯s words dried up in his mouth when he was met with unfriendly res from both Aiden and Ewan.


    What had he done wrong now? He checked himself, his words.


    Firstly, he had been left like a destitute while the others had flocked into a phone booth he had watched, wide-eyed, transporting them downwards... to an underground facility? He wasn¡¯t sure.


    Seeing the sophisticated attires and weapons most of the men had adorned, he knew he had walked into someplicated nonsense. Only the amount of money Aiden had proposed as his monthly sry; after bombarding him with questions, after giving him the details of his job¡ªjust drive her!¡ªhad kept him rooted in the madness.


    If not, why would he be involved with gangsters and whatnot?


    He loved his life! And maybe... he loved his boss.


    Although he didn¡¯t think that was enough to sacrifice his life and ambitions. Not with those men looking at him as if he had farted.


    Were they her husbands? He hoped not.


    He was curious about his boss, whom he had read about¡ªafter the phone call that he could see now was beginning to change his life¡ªshe was a doctor and a businesswoman. And now something else, from what he could see; no way were all these bulky fellows government-approved.


    Rodney however hoped that these men wouldn¡¯t stop his quest. He raised an eyebrow daringly when they refused to look away, when Athena remained silent, watching the others who were transporting cartons of things he wasn¡¯t aware of¡ªthings he prayed were not drugs or illegal¡ªinto vans.


    He bit his lip, getting annoyed when a fellow next to Ewan scoffed. Who was that?


    The fellow had sat beside him in the car that had brought them here, but the male had never said a word to him, not even when Aiden was bombarding him with questions. So why the hell was he scoffing?!


    "If you have something to say, get it out!" Rodney finally lost it.


    This time, he got Athena¡¯s attention¡ªAthena, who had been lost in her own thoughts, unaware of the tension going on between the men.


    "What¡¯s going on here?" She asked, darting her gaze between them, eyes centering on Zane because he seemed to be thetest obsession of her new driver.


    "They don¡¯t like me." Rodney answered curtly, frowning when Athena chuckled.


    What was wrong with these people? Rodney began to doubt his wisdom of epting this job, no matter the bogus sry that had been offered him; an amount he wouldn¡¯t have made in that dark, primitive excuse for a town.


    "Zane hardly hates anyone." Athena said, hissing softly when Zane winked at her.


    Rodneymitted the name to memory. He would be doing a lot of researchter, on the whole lot of them, once he was done with his share of the job today. After all, the job came with better amodation and utilities, enough time and resources to unwind.


    "But really... why are you scaring my new driver?" Athena asked Aiden, avoiding Ewan¡¯s gaze¡ªthe memory of his devotion-filled eyes for her, haunting her.


    "I think it¡¯s because he addressed you informally, considering his position." Florence answered, a smile in her voice, her hand wound around Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s waist.


    "Oh..." And Athena turned to Rodney. "Do you have a problem addressing me formally?"


    A curious question, void of any sinister or mocking tone.


    Rodney inhaled and exhaled deeply. "No. You are my boss, after all, ma¡¯am," he said.


    He understood the sharp res now, but couldn¡¯t they have just spoken to him without ring?


    "You have to forgive these macho men... they just haven¡¯t seen a reason to trust you," Athena pointed out then, sensitive to Rodney¡¯s thoughts from the myriad of emotions flickering across his face and expressive brown eyes.


    "I see. I will have to prove myself worthy of the hire then." A small smile resting on his lips, so ready for the challenge. Oh, he would prove himself quite alright.


    "So, aren¡¯t you going with them, ma¡¯am?" The vans were already leaving one by one to a location no one had thought to tell him about.


    "No, that wouldn¡¯t be a wise decision. I still have the tracker within me. Going there will alert the enemy to the new location of myb." Athena exined.


    Rodney didn¡¯t exactly understand what she was talking about, but he understood why he was on the receiving end of another bout of res. Still, he wasn¡¯t alone in this. This time, Athena was also receiving her own share.


    But sheughed in response.


    "You all should get down from your high horses. Rodney is to be trusted. He¡¯s not Jake..."


    A dry pause.


    "Dax, I mean. I¡¯m sure he will do his job. And if he fails..."


    "I won¡¯t fail." Rodney hurriedly added, noticing the thickening tension and the threatening tilt to Athena¡¯s voice. He¡¯d watched enough gun movies to know what went down when someone betrayed a gang, and he would rather cut out his own tongue than be a snitch.


    "You see..." Athena chuckled, looking at her male friends. "He won¡¯t betray us. He¡¯s a good man."


    And then she turned her attention back to Rodney. "You will be driving me to the hospital. Aiden has given you a rundown, right?"


    If "giving a rundown" meant threatening alongsidemands, then yes, the big fellow had done that. Rodney thought, nodding.


    "Good. Let¡¯s go then. I have a surgery to do."


    Doctor Athena Caddels. Rodney couldn¡¯t believe he was now working for the influential doctor.


    He stepped back when Ewan¡¯s shoulder almost hit him, as thetter paused beside him, while Athena moved toward the beautiful car that shone with newness.


    "Don¡¯t get too close." Ewan warned, then continued walking.


    Rodney let out the sigh he¡¯d been holding. Don¡¯t get too close. Was that literal, or did it mean something else¡ªlike emotionally?


    He sighed again. This job really was going to be more tasking than he¡¯d assumed, more than just driving, with all the expectations being heaped on him.


    Hopefully, he wouldn¡¯t be losing his life anytime soon¡ªhis mother would cry a river.

 Chapter 348: Grand Gestures

    <h4>Chapter 348: Grand Gestures</h4>


    "You know you can¡¯t let them know that you are onto them..."


    Ever the present shadow, Athena mused, hearing Ewan¡¯s voice behind her. Wasn¡¯t he out with Aiden, talking over the next steps just minutes ago? She hadn¡¯t noticed him step in behind her.


    "Are we still talking about the intruders, the fanatics trying to break into myb?"


    "No," Ewan muttered, standing beside her, eyes trained on the television set, on which Morgan¡¯s picture was disyed. The gory one Athena had taken about an hour ago, the one she had sent to the president.


    It didn¡¯t take them long to get around publicizing the info. He faintly shook his head. Fulfilling their promise to the public must feel so good, he concluded, aware of the buzzing starting around them¡ªfrom the medical officials in the room to the happy patients and visiting party.


    They must think that the Grey madness was over. If only they knew.


    "Your thoughts are not with me?"


    Ewan¡¯s attention was immediately returned to his partner, who stood still facing the television.


    "Sorry, I was sidetracked by the buzzing around us. The people are happy." He could hear the chatter, the joyful chatter, and the ps on hands and backs. And he could see some heading toward Athena. Maybe to congratte her?


    "I think we should move. We need to get the nonsense out of my body, after all..." As she spoke, she donned a necessary smile on her lips while heading toward the entrance to the hallway.


    She shook hands and epted the admiration and thanks from the people¡ªcongrattions. But it didn¡¯t stop in the hallway, not until she made a sharp bend into another corridor and then into her personalboratory in the hospital.


    "Overwhelmed?"


    Athena shrugged and took a seat. "You were saying something earlier about my being careful..."


    "Yeah..." Ewan concurred, taking a seat three chairs away, not wanting to make her ufortable.


    He was not oblivious of the sharp tension between them, albeit unstable as it was; one that originated after the less than five seconds <i>moment</i> they had experienced in her privateb downtown.


    "I don¡¯t think you should let the twins know. I think you should pretend not to know that it was them behind the instation of the spyware in your body."


    "They will be dumb to think I¡¯m not already aware once the spyware is removed."


    "Sometimes people refuse to see the truth, out of fear of what the truth entails, the consequences..." A pause. "So, who will be doing the surgery? No matter how smart you are, I don¡¯t think you can perform surgery on yourself."


    Athena managed a disbelieving chuckle.


    "Or can you?" Ewan asked, making a subtle attempt at humor. He smiled when Athena chuckled more. "You know you¡¯re always full of surprises,"


    Athena scoffed. "The pot calling the kettle ck. You¡¯re the one actually ridden with it." As she spoke, she whipped out her phone and dialed a number.


    "I have someone I can trust..."


    "You can?"


    Athena sighed wearily, dropping the phone onto her thighs. "Yes. But I don¡¯t know if she can do it alone. She¡¯s never been in surgery alone before. I don¡¯t know if she can handle the pressure or the after-effects of the surgery. She might want to know more. And I fear for her safety if the twins find out she performed surgery on me. I don¡¯t want her getting into trouble because of me. If I had a choice, I¡¯d rather avoid it."


    She paused on dialing the number and sneaked a look at Ewan, slightly put out when she saw he was busy on his phone. Shouldn¡¯t he be watching her, hanging onto her every word?


    Athena had no strength this time to wonder at her crudeness, herme deductions. She just let it flow unbidden. Who was he typing away with? Someone more important than this conversation?


    Had what she read in his eyes down in the undergroundb been a figment of her imagination? Was she thinking too much?


    She let out a deep sigh before she knew it, eyes dting when Ewan looked up and met her gaze.


    "You okay?" he asked next.


    Athena didn¡¯t bother with an answer. She rather looked away from him to the table where many chemical mixtures were being kept. But she was all too aware when he left his seat and sat on the one beside her.


    "Hey... everything will be alright," he murmured, his voice not helping the turmoil starting within her as a result of his closeness, his husky scent.


    Maybe she really needed to take it a step further with Antonio, she thought; her tongue suddenly heavy to speak. Yes, take it a step further with Antonio. She¡¯d have to work around the anger she was holding against him. And then maybe, everything would be fine.


    Yes, that. She¡¯d just been without sex for so long. And that was that.


    Her mind seemed appeased with that theory, but her body didn¡¯t stop the rioting. To retain her sanity, she sharply stood up, stunning Ewan who had been about to take her hand in his, feeling her restlessness. Only if he knew why.


    "Athena, what¡¯s the matter? If it¡¯s about the doctor, you don¡¯t have to worry. I¡¯ve contacted a friend of mine. Not the best in the field, but he¡¯s good. He¡¯ll be here with a few of his own people... if that¡¯s okay."


    And there he went, doing things like that. Athena thought forlornly. Did her poor heart have any chance at all?


    "Why didn¡¯t you utilize his help when I was down and out? That way, we wouldn¡¯t have had this trouble in our hands."


    "The best was needed to keep you alive. And that¡¯s what I got. I¡¯m sorry again for how things turned out... but you can look on the brighter side... if you didn¡¯t have the piece of spyware inside you, we wouldn¡¯t have known that the twins were also involved." Ewan pointed out meekly.


    Athena nodded slowly, reluctantly epting this fact while battling her mind over the grand gestures Ewan bombarded her with daily.


    "He was the one you were chatting with?" she asked, retaking her seat, inhaling deeply to center herself. All to no avail. Her skin nerves buzzed to no end at the proximity. And they literally screamed out when he took her hands in his and held them.


    "Of course. He¡¯ll be here in less than five minutes. His hospital isn¡¯t far from here. Let¡¯s be patient a little longer."


    A significant pause.


    "You can tell your trusted fellow to keep here out of bounds."


    Athena nodded, her throat too clogged to speak, and sent off a message to her favorite doctor after Finn¡ªonly that Finn was a ghost of Heron now.


    She wondered if they had gotten to the ck cells yet, and hoped they did so without being intercepted. She didn¡¯t have a single ounce of strength left for another attack. She needed food, she needed rest. Already.


    Her thoughts zipped out of her mind when she felt Ewan drawing circles on her palm. She turned to ask him what he was doing, but whatever spit remained on her tongue dried up when she met his gaze. This close, he was breathtaking.


    A second only, then she turned away, swallowing. The circle drawing stopped too.


    Surely, he could feel the tension, she mused bitterly¡ªtorn between taking her hand away from his and telling him to continue the rxing gesture.


    In the end, she did neither, only letting her hand rest limply on his. To his credit, he squeezed it gently, then with gentlemanly finesse, ced his palm on the other side of her head, pulling it to rest on his shoulder.


    "Everything will be fine, Athena. I promise."


    <i>With us?</i> Athena couldn¡¯t help but wonder, shutting her eyes. <i>Or with everything around us. </i>


    Her phone pinged with a message¡ªAntonio. She was sure because she had used a separate ringtone for his calls and texts.


    Maybe another apology. She thought, not checking it. She didn¡¯t want this moment interrupted or made awkward again. Antonio¡¯s message could wait until after her surgery.


    A knock sounded on the door a few minutester, at the same time Athena¡¯s phone rang out. Displeased that thefortable silence was cut short, she hissed softly, sharply, her ruffled feathers only rxing when she saw who was calling.


    "Linda, what¡¯s the situation?"


    "Okay. Send him in." She hung up and turned to Ewan, who was watching the door. "I think your doctor is here."


    When the door opened, Athena was amazed to see who was behind it. "Kent?"


    She red at Ewan. "You said he was just a normal doctor!"


    Kentughed. "I¡¯m not sure if I should be offended by that..."


    "You should be! You¡¯re one of the leading doctors in the city, and a senior!" Athena continued, not looking away from Ewan, who suddenly found the door more interesting than the two humans beside him.

 Chapter 349: Surgery

    <h4>Chapter 349: Surgery</h4>


    Kent, a normal doctor? Athena chuckled, attempting to shake her head, muttering a curse when she felt its heaviness¡ªthe anesthesia was starting to kick in.


    She tried biting her lips when Ewan¡¯s face loomed over her, probably seeing if she was still awake, but her tongue felt swollen and heavy too. She was drowsy. Very soon, she would be out of it.


    When was thest time she was under the knife? She didn¡¯t want to remember. Not that there was any time for that, she thought, feeling herself slipping away, darkness covering the face of Ewan¡ªor was it herself?


    Two secondster, she was out.


    "So, you told her that I was just a normal doctor, huh? You must really rate me less..." Kent started, wearing his gloves. With him was Dr. Linda, whom Ewan had no choice but to call in because Kent had forgotten toe with an assistant.


    Maybe he deserved the ¡¯less¡¯ title. Ewan concluded, unashamedly checking out the fine outlines of Athena¡¯s face. His finger, unable to help itself, traced imaginary lines on her cheek, softly, tenderly, prayerfully.


    "So you are going to ignore me? For your information, your ex-wife, whom you are clearly still besotted with, is a fan... surely that counts as much in the book, considering her station,"


    Ewan scoffed. "Just do your work before her friendes in. I¡¯m sure you remember Aiden."


    Kent mped his mouth shut and got to the makeshift operating table, while Linda nked him.


    Ewan only needed to tell her the truth¡ªhalf-truth, so to speak¡ªabout Athena being tagged with a tracker by Morgan. That was enough; he was sure she felt like a hero now.


    "What¡¯s your deal with Aiden?" Linda, second inmand to Finn at a different time, spoke up, flexing her gloved hands, giddy with excitement at the prospect before her; happy really that she was ying such a big part in saving the world.


    Watching her mentor stay as if dead on the table, she wished to strike Morgan dead herself¡ªthe effrontery of the brat to put a tracker in her favorite doctor! She would also make sure to check for any other anomalies in Athena¡¯s system, so thedy-boss would be in perfect health.


    To her question, Kent said nothing, rather asking Ewan to leave the room.


    In response, Ewan scowled. "I am not going anywhere. I¡¯ve seen blood and intestines... if that¡¯s what you¡¯re thinking about..."


    Linda, thinking that Ewan was only making a sarcastic joke,ughed before repeating her earlier question.


    "Well, at one time, Aiden was his... let¡¯s say, bodyguard..."


    "Not mine, but my father," Kent interrupted tiredly, epting that there was no stopping Ewan. After all, he needed to be done with this before Aiden burst into the room. He was in no mood for humiliation, no matter how humorous it might be.


    "And how is that a problem?" Linda continued, passing Kent a scalpel.


    "Well, Aiden took a liking to Kent, taught him a little martial arts while giving him a good spanking while at it..."


    "You saw it?" Linda smiled.


    "No, he didn¡¯t. Just bbing out because I foolishly let slip that I knew Aiden years ago," Kent supplied bitterly.


    "Does it matter?" Ewan asked, a smile touching his lips. "Now get on with the work. I¡¯m not sure she would be appreciative if this takes more time than necessary. She might begin to see you as less, even,"


    Kent scoffed but went ahead to work with Linda while Ewan watched like a mother hawk.


    Unfortunately for Kent, Aiden chose then to call Ewan, asking for entry into the room.


    Luckily for him, Ewan was perceptive enough not to put Athena¡¯s life into the hands of an old friend getting nervous under the eye of a previous, unsatisfied master.


    Aiden had groomed Kent to join the military; thetter had chosen the medical profession.


    They could sort out their differencester, he concluded, not answering the call. It was good that Linda had locked the door on her entry.


    To be on the safe side, not trusting Aiden not to go around banging open doors, he sent thetter a text. <i>¡¯We are fine. Surgery already in progress. Will report to you in fifteen.¡¯</i>


    True to Ewan¡¯s timing, Athena was sewn up before the sixteenth minute.


    "Wow..." Linda muttered, looking at the bloody tiny spywares on a metallic round te. So tiny they had required a tracking tool to locate. In a twist of events, Ewan had been with one. ¡¯They,¡¯ because it was more than one, located strategically in different points of her stomach¡ªpossible because of their little nature.


    Ewan stared at the items, gnashing his teeth, while his hand rested gently on Athena¡¯s forehead. She would be awake any time soon.


    A knock sounded on the door. Aiden.


    "Open it. Should be Aiden,"


    Only it wasn¡¯t Aiden. It was Herbert. And because he was the head of the hospital, Linda had no choice but to let him in.


    "My God, what is going on here?" Herbert asked, amazed at what he was seeing, noting the blood on the scalpels, knowing that a surgery had taken ce. He paled when he saw the person being operated on¡ªAthena.


    "What is going on here? Where is Aiden?" he asked, fixing a pointed stare at Ewan.


    As much as he knew Ewan wouldn¡¯t hurt Athena, Aiden was the one he knew would protect her at the cost of his life. No way could the fellow know about this and not be here.


    And what was a doctor from a rival hospital doing here? He wondered, looking at Kent, up to down. "What are you doing here, doctor Kent?"


    Kent looked at Ewan, who seemed unforting with exnations. "Just here to help out an old friend."


    Herbert looked between Athena on the bed and Ewan again. "Ewan, what is going on?"


    Ewan paused, then exhaled softly. "I will leave the exnations to Athena to make when she¡¯s up, Uncle. And Aiden... he¡¯s right behind you."

 Chapter 350: Explanations?

    <h4>Chapter 350: Exnations?</h4>


    "Do you think I should tell him everything?" Athena wiped her mouth elegantly with a serviette and dumped it on the empty te before her.


    She hadn¡¯t known how hungry she was until Aiden had served her a te of spicy spaghetti with meatballs, gotten from a nearby restaurant. She had been awake for twenty-five minutes.


    Beside her on the bed was Ewan, with an empty te and a naked upper body. Kent had dressed his wounds too before leaving for his hospital.


    "I don¡¯t know," Ewan replied after a slight hesitation. "He¡¯s a close family friend. I don¡¯t want my feelings around him to influence your decision." He turned to Aiden. "What do you think? You¡¯re a neutral person."


    Aiden shrugged in response, drank from his beer can. "I think we should keep the core details between us. Just tell him to sack the twins. That would make them run, and make it easier to trace them and their stupidb."


    "That might work too," Ewan agreed, peering at his phone when its ringtone pierced the air. Sandro.


    "Hey, are you guys done moving in?" he put the call on speaker, seeing Athena¡¯s subtle¡ªor so she thought¡ªeffort in eavesdropping.


    "Yes. Just putting together some things, making it fit for the boss woman." Zane¡¯s chuckle was heard in the background.


    "How is she doing? The surgery done?"


    "Yeah," Ewan answered, a frown appearing on his face, one of distaste, as he spoke his next words. "The bastards put six trackers in her. I¡¯m sure they calcted that we might discover their antics and had put multiple to counter our efforts. Those idiots! Those..."


    A catch of breath, a seize of words when he felt Athena¡¯s calming touch on his hand.


    <i>Stay calm</i>, her beautiful eyes seemed tomunicate to him.


    Did she know what her touch did to him? He wondered, forgetting Sandro for a second.


    Because if she did, she wouldn¡¯t be touching him like that! Looking at him like that! Did he enjoy it? Of course. But it was torture, knowing he couldn¡¯t kiss those sulent lips, that he couldn¡¯t run his hands freely on her skin.


    He cussed out in his mind. She belonged to another man¡ªor so she thought.


    "Ewan..."


    He cleared his throat, ignored Aiden¡¯s scoff, and asked Sandro what he had missed.


    "I was asking you about the trackers. What was their make?" Sandro didn¡¯t know what was going on on the other side, but he was sure that it had something to do with his friend¡¯s honey-bee attraction to thedy boss.


    "Yes. Government stuff. Another indicator that our man is in the seats of power."


    "Do you think it¡¯s the president?" a whispered question. "That maybe Morgan has been flown to a luxurious suite and is taken care of by naked, curvaceous women?"


    Theugh escaped Athena¡¯s lips before she could stop it. "Sandro! I never knew you had such a vivid imagination!"


    Thetter immediately hung up, and Aiden burst out intoughter. "Way to go, Athena. You just alerted the poor guy that the call was on speaker."


    She shrugged, smiling. "I just couldn¡¯t help it. Neither could I believe he mentioned <i>multiple curvaceous women.</i>"


    Ewan managed a nervousugh. Sandro was going to have his ass. But how was he to know his friend would make such a remark?


    A knock sounded on the door.


    "Probably Lindaing to inform us that Herbert is still waiting for us in his office." Aiden guessed. And he was right on the money.


    "He is probably too excited to sit still," Linda added as she closed the door behind them, then headed in the opposite direction; she had patients to call on.


    Linda was right on the money too. Herbert was still pacing in his office when Athena entered, nked by Ewan and Aiden.


    "Herbert, sorry I gave you cause to worry. How are you doing?"


    "Forget about me. How are you doing? Is something wrong with you? Why did you need to call in Kent? Wasn¡¯t Dr. Finn and Linda enough? And the other doctors?"


    Which question was she supposed to start with now? Athena mused, sitting on one of the chairs, too tired to remain standing.


    "Well, I couldn¡¯t involve Finn because he is working with Morgan. The twins too," she finally spoke after a long second.


    Herbert raised an eyebrow, interest sessfully piqued, and sat on the chair. "Tell me more. Do you have evidence?"


    Athena nodded. "Saw Finn¡¯s coat at one of the hideouts, and when we captured him, he confessed to being Heron... the benefits of stic surgery, huh..."


    Herbert had no words, visibly shocked.


    "For the twins, I don¡¯t have concrete evidence, but I know they are responsible for nting bugs inside me... they utilized the ident case appropriately... that could be the only way of nting several bugs inside me."


    Athena¡¯s lips paused, a frown clouding her face as she processed the information again. She had been watched for more than a month.


    "Wow, that¡¯s... huge."


    "Yes... you have to fire them, Herbert."


    When a sorrowful look overtook Herbert¡¯s astonished face, she was sure a ¡¯but¡¯ was right on her path.


    "I can¡¯t. The contract... I told you about it," Herbert replied.


    "Damn the contract! This is a case of national emergency. Or should we involve the president?" Ewan cut in, hands folded across his chest.


    "But there¡¯s no evidence, so how do we prove that to the national security? And mind you, a signed contract is a binding legal document too..."


    "There can be exceptions," Aiden countered. "I¡¯m sure there can be one in this case. This is critical, Herbert."


    "And you think I am not aware of that? That I don¡¯t regret my hasty decision to employ them, even though it was the only way to save Athena¡¯s life?"


    Athena had the good grace to look away.


    "And how do you know the president isn¡¯t part of this shenanigans? That too-good fellow whoughs a lot and hides a secret behind his eyes?" Herbert thundered, revealing his businesslike countenance.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 351: Explanations? II

    <h4>Chapter 351: Exnations? II</h4>


    Well, Herbert wasn¡¯t the only one sharing that thought; the president looked too cheerful, too goody-two-shoes. Athena thought, crossing her legszily as she observed him. But it¡¯s as Aiden believed¡ªshe didn¡¯t think that the powerful man was behind the Grey disease.


    Still, it was best not to jump to conclusions without concrete evidence. Until she was certain that all this chaos was over, the president remained on her list of suspects. Him, his cab members, and his secret security team.


    "Uncle, I understand your frustrations and misgivings when ites to breaking the legals, considering you¡¯re an astute businessman yourself," Ewan picked up the conversation, voice steady. "But can¡¯t you see we are in a dire situation here? If the twins stay at the hospital, Athena¡¯s research will face constant opposition. They¡¯d have countless opportunities to thwart our recovery efforts."


    Herbert sighed tiredly, rubbing his temples. Athena felt a pang of sympathy for him, yet she knew how crucial it was to keep the twins away from the hospital¡ªand if possible, the entire city.


    "I understand all that, Ewan. I really do, and I wish I could turn back time," Herbert replied, voice heavy with weariness. "If I do this, I don¡¯t doubt the overzealous twins will take it to court. And since I have no evidence to justify breaking our contract, it looks bad for me. Mypany might even copse, especially since we don¡¯t know who¡¯s supporting them."


    Ewan opened his mouth to continue pleading, but Herbert raised a hand, signaling him to stop.


    "But I will see what I can do," Herbert said after a moment. "I¡¯ll work with mywyer to find a use we can use against them. Also..." He paused, a flicker of hope lighting his eyes, stirring something within Athena. Maybe they could find a way around this mountain of trouble.


    "I think there¡¯s no explicit use preventing them from being demoted to a lesser rank," Herbert added, contemting deeply. His gaze fixed on the table, lost in thought for a brief moment. Then, after only two seconds, he met Athena¡¯s gaze directly.


    "Don¡¯t worry, my dear. I think I can fix this. But it might be temporary. You just need to find evidence of their insubordination and cruelty to the nation atrge."


    Athena smiled, grateful. "Thanks, Herbert. You won¡¯t regret helping us. Now, by the way..."


    "Wait, you haven¡¯t told me why Kent operated on you," Herbert interrupted, curiosity piqued. "The bugs, yeah, but what was the purpose? How did you discover the truth?"


    Athena raised an innocent brow, but Herbert, persistent, wouldn¡¯t be swayed.


    "Come on, Athena. You don¡¯t think you¡¯re going to escape those questions?"


    "No," she admitted with a resigned sigh. "As you know, the surgery was to remove the bugs. We found out during a sweep, when Morgan¡¯s men discovered one of our hideouts. Don¡¯t ask for the location¡ªthere¡¯s a reason for that." She hurriedly added thatst part, eager to dodge further questions.


    But did Herbert know Ewan¡¯s second identity as Wolfsbane? Or that of his own son? She narrowed her eyes, contemting the possibility.


    If Herbert was aware, then maybe there was no need to hide all this matter from him. His resources were vast, including some she wasn¡¯t even aware of, and it would be invaluable if he lent them to their cause.


    "I see," Herbert muttered, cutting her off before she could press further, before she could make good her choice. "That¡¯s okay. I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay."


    He shifted his gaze to Ewan, who wasn¡¯t sure what to make of it. Was the man nning to grill him soon? He hoped not. And even if he did, Ewan knew he could hold his own ground.


    The case might be different, however, if Zane were on the other end of Herbert¡¯s scrutiny. His friend loved his father too much, always fighting to please him. Though thetter wouldn¡¯t agree...


    In contrast, Ewan wondered¡ªwould Herbert sell them out?


    He frowned, keeping his gaze fixed on Herbert. What was there to gain? Nothing, really. He didn¡¯t think Herbert would stoop that low; the male already had everything he desired¡ªpower, wealth, influence¡ªexcept for a grandchild, which he kept reminding Zane about constantly.


    "So, is everything regarding Morgan now sorted? Do you think the Grey disease is contained?" Herbert asked, turning his attention back to Athena.


    She shrugged. "I¡¯m not sure. Time will tell. But it¡¯s clear someone is backing him up¡ªand until we find and deal with that person, we can¡¯t dere the Grey matter closed. As for the president, he¡¯s not entirely off our trust list, but he¡¯s been helpful so far, I think..."


    She inhaled softly, her tone cautious. "As I said earlier, time will tell. We¡¯re just holding our cards close to our chest."


    Herbert nodded. "And that¡¯s a good move. On behalf of Whitman Hospitals¡ªand of course, the nation¡ªthank you for doing your part to capture this dangerous criminal."


    He chuckled when she made a mock bow, shaking his head when her smile became mischievous.


    "You¡¯re wee, Sir,"


    Herbertughed, the warmth in his voice genuine. "It¡¯s been a while since I saw you like this."


    Ewan watched, curiosity flickering within him. The history between Athena and Herbert was a mystery. Zane didn¡¯t even know the full story. He wondered if Aiden was aware. He should be.


    The man knew almost everything about Athena¡ªsomething that probably should have been his own privilege. But, setting aside jealousy, Ewan didn¡¯t think Aiden would share that knowledge. Instead, he suspected Aiden would suggest he meet Athena himself for the truth.


    "So, I hear congrattions are in order..." Herbert¡¯s voice broke through Ewan¡¯s thoughts, smooth and jolly.


    What was with these men suddenly bing charming whenever Athena was involved?


    "You¡¯re now Miss Thorne... the one they didn¡¯t even know existed. Fate sure is funny. And to think you were so scary before... how terrifying will you be now?"


    Athena shed her teeth, a yful smirk curling her lips. "Scarier. The bogey woman."


    This time, Aiden joined in theughter.

 Chapter 352: ’Whipped Afresh’

    <h4>Chapter 352: ¡¯Whipped Afresh¡¯</h4>


    "So, will there be a party?" Herbert asked, when Athena was done narrating Fiona¡¯s tale, as shortly as possible.


    "Knowing old Mr. Thorne, I am sure he would be interested in that. As a matter of fact, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if your grandmother is already putting things together, sending out invites, to introduce the world to their lost but found grandchild."


    A pause. A deep throatedugh. "Don¡¯t look so ashen, Athena. That¡¯s what happens in high born families. Didn¡¯t Zane throw you a party on your return to the city? And you weren¡¯t even his daughter."


    Augh. Athena paling further. She hadn¡¯t thought of that. Another limelight experience, this time with her children.


    Oh god. She didn¡¯t think the twins were ready for that. Oh, they could handle it quite alright, but considering the uncertain state of things, she didn¡¯t think it was wise to release their information to the public. But could it be helped?


    She rxed further into her seat, aware that she was the centre of attention, aware that Ewan had stepped closer to her. To offerfort?


    Was he even aware that he was closer to her than before? They seemed to draw each other like a moth to a me.


    There she goes letting him confuse her thoughts again. Athena mused, shutting her eyes for less than a second.


    Ewan, who had been watching her, thinking that she was disturbed about the iing party, quickly moved closer, while Aiden and Herbert exchanged amused nces.


    "Hey, it¡¯s okay. I am sure we can convince grandfather not to hold the party, at least to keep the kids away from the public."


    His hand resting gently on her shoulders eased the difort a little, but greatly multiplied the confusion in her mind. It seemed that the only thing her mind wanted to think about was Ewan and his maddening touch.


    "Ewan is right. I think Edward wouldn¡¯t want to ce the kids in the limelight, although the public would be able to connect the dots, seeing as the twins have appeared in the news before..."


    Seeing Athena¡¯s raised brow of query, Herbert chuckled, shaking his head at her quickness to forget. "You remember the kidnapping incident..."


    Athena exhaled and shut her eyes. She had forgotten the only time her children had been abducted from their school.


    She wished to cut off Morgan¡¯s hands then. Maybe she shouldn¡¯t have alerted the president to his capture, so she would have more time with him. Hopefully, Sandro¡¯s imagination wouldn¡¯te to pass.


    She couldn¡¯t stomach Morgan being tended to by curvaceous women. An exhale. "I think we can handle it. Thanks, Herbert. I take it that you will be invited?"


    Herbert smiled, and rxed on his seat.


    Even for an old man, he was a handsome man. Athena noticed. Would have broken many hearts in his younger times, just like his son, Zane. It would exin why no one knew the identity of his wife, or Zane¡¯s mother to be exact.


    No marriage records had turned up when she had done a thorough research on him, years ago.


    She shook her head; not a time for these thoughts. "See you then, Herbert." She rose to her feet. It was time to head home. Maybe check out her newbter.


    If she was to take a guess, the people monitoring her would be fuming now, and would have put a couple of criminals on her tail. It was best not to give them something to feed on. It was best to retire home for now.


    She would talk with Ewan on the best way to get to herb without being followed, maybe recruit more agents to stay hidden and take out unwee guests hovering around.


    "See you, Miss Thorne."


    Athena rolled her eyes. "Please call me Athena. I¡¯m still getting used to my new status."


    "And fighting," Herbert concluded, causing Ewan to re at him. Yet he couldn¡¯t be bothered.


    "Well, if these two big men haven¡¯t told you the truth, I will..."


    "I know, Herbert," Athena interrupted with intelligent grace. "I don¡¯t know how I was able to escape unscathed, but I know that my parents were murdered by the family. I know too that they won¡¯t let me rest, that they will try to kill me off too..."


    A weary sigh. "You can say that again, Herbert. I seem to be getting used to the fights."


    Her eyes looked old then, weary, tired.


    Herbert sighed. "Don¡¯t worry, Athena. I am sure you can handle it. If you handled Morgan... surely you can take them out too."


    A ghost of a smile passing on her lips. "So I should bank on your help with dealing with them?"


    Herbert shook his head,ughing. "What a sly fox you are. You can. But that would be on one of our dates."


    Athena raised a brow, amusement shining in her eyes,ughing when Herbert winked at her. Interesting.


    And when Ewan cleared his throat, she winked at Herbert. No harm done, she concluded... that¡¯s except torturing Ewan with mixed emotions, as he was doing to her.


    "Let¡¯s go, boys," she whistled, feeling good on seeing Ewan¡¯s annoyed expression. He was too easy to annoy.


    Aiden, however, remained in a jolly mood, blissfully aware of the games ying on, that Herbert now knew of Ewan¡¯s still attraction to Athena.


    "Goodbye, Ewan." Herbert called out, teasingly.


    "Goodbye, Herbert," Ewan replied, walking out, gritting his teeth as Herbert¡¯sughter followed him out of the door.


    "Do you go about granting dates to everyone you meet?" he started, once the door shut behind him.


    Athena¡¯s strides didn¡¯t break. But Aiden¡¯s did.


    "Don¡¯t worry about this much, Ewan. They are just ying,"


    Ewan scoffed. "But they will meet to talk about the Thorne family?"


    "Of course. Don¡¯t you want her to win this fight?"


    "I do. But she can meet me."


    Aidenughed, and turned away. "You really are whipped afresh. So much for keeping your cards close to your heart."


    Ewan snorted, watching him walk away, watching Athena mix with the other doctors, maybe telling them that she won¡¯t be around for the rest of the day.


    Beautiful. He thought as he watched her, everything fading from his vision. Just her, talking,ughing, shaking hands, tapping a shoulder, kissing a little one¡¯s forehead.


    He could watch her forever. He realized. He really could.


    Aiden was right. He had been whipped with love afresh, irrevocably.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 353: Sad Longing

    <h4>Chapter 353: Sad Longing</h4>


    "What¡¯s your deal with Herbert? Why is he so... docile, around you?" Ewan asked Athena, immediately they entered the car which would convey them home.


    Aiden had snagged another ride, not wanting to be caught at a cross-fire, with the couple¡¯s unstable state. He cherished his peace of mind so much that he had chosen to unwind somewhere else, while passing up on the chance to mock Ewan.


    Athena was amused by Ewan¡¯s question meanwhile. She rxed deeper into her seat, signaling Rodney with her eyes, to start the ride back home for a much needed rest. The new driver obeyed immediately.


    She shut her eyes, inhaling deeply. She had sessfully relegated her duties to her subordinates, and taken a few days off¡ªHerbert had actually made itpulsory, not agreeing to let here in the next day for work.


    <i>¡¯You need to take your time, and rest. You might be smart, but you are still a human in a very mortal body. I can¡¯t have my best doctor falling sick or developing an affinity for the Grey disease.¡¯</i>


    It hadn¡¯t mattered that she was nowhere near the Grey virus precursor; the old man just wanted her to rest.


    "So, you are ignoring me now? That¡¯s not fair. Is it some nationwide secret?" Ewan wouldn¡¯t give up; and when he noticed that they had the attention of Rodney, he wound up the partition which separated the driver¡¯s section from the passenger¡¯s seat, sessfully muting Rodney out.


    He still wasn¡¯tfortable with the male who looked at Athena like she was more than his boss. Maybe he should tell the male that she had a husband and children to keep him off. Maybe enlist the help of the children.


    A soft smile touched his lips. Surely that would work. He would just have to make sure Athena wasn¡¯t aware of it.


    With that n instated, he rxed into his seat, unaware that Athena¡¯s eyes were now open, watching him smiling softly, while wondering what could be going through his mind.


    "What are you thinking about?" she asked. She held back a snicker when he jerked as if being caught while stealing. She watched him shrug, and narrowed her eyes.


    Whatever he was thinking was winding up her curiosity levels. But she knew, from the flitting emotion in his eyes, that he wouldn¡¯t be talking about it.


    "If you tell me what you were thinking about, I will tell you about my deal with Herbert..." she promised, sitting up.


    But no way was Ewan going to reveal what he had been thinking. It was downright embarrassing for him. So, he shrugged his shoulders again.


    "Not interested."


    That only served to drive Athena¡¯s curiosity to the wall.


    What could he be thinking? She wondered for the umpteenth time. Something that could rival the secrets she had with Herbert. Maybe another woman?


    The thought dropped a stone in her heart, and she turned away from Ewan to the window.


    Even though, to the best of her knowledge, there was no woman in the picture, it didn¡¯t help her body from reacting to the thought of there being a woman.


    Her heart sizzled with an ache she couldn¡¯t understand.


    What to do then, when there arose a woman in the picture? She hoped not.


    Tightening her fists, she berated herself the next second.


    For months, she hadn¡¯t cared much when he paraded with Fiona from one end of the city to the other, so why was she bothered now?


    Was it because of the truth of their past? Was it because of the discovery that he had never loved Fiona, not even for one day?


    Her heart skipped when she felt his presence closer. What now?


    "What are you doing?!" she shrieked, unable to help the nervousness seeping into her voice, when she risked a turn and met his face closer to hers.


    "Just checking if you were asleep..."


    Asleep indeed! When he had just turned her promise down!


    The effrontery! The audacity! The...


    Her mind went nk when she realized she had been biting her lips, that Ewan was staring at her lips.


    "You..."


    A touch of his lips on hers, soft, undemanding, drove the words of premature anger away from her mind, together with any consciousness of her surroundings.


    But he didn¡¯t go further, as she imagined alongside the drifting. He rather withdrew, just a little, to meet her eyes clouded with a mix of want and confusion, frustration too.


    "Don¡¯t stay angry with me..."


    "I am not..."


    Another touch of his lips on hers, cutting off her words, making her more hot and bothered.


    "For every lie, you get a kiss."


    Athena¡¯s eyes widened at such audacity. How did they arrive here?


    "Ewan, you are encroaching into my space," she whispered through the haze of want threatening to consume her, oozing both within her and from Ewan.


    "And is that not okay?" he trailed his index finger lightly across her cheek, stopping by her jaw.


    Athena swallowed, knowing that her next answer would determine if Ewan would infiltrate past the confines of her lips with those wicked lips of his.


    Was that what she wanted?


    She was appalled to realize that she indeed wanted it, that she needed to know how he tasted, after these so many years.


    She exhaled.


    She wasn¡¯t a cheater; she hated people who did it, and she would rather stifle her emotions than be caught doing it.


    It¡¯s enough that it was ying out in her mind. That was enough of the disrespect to Antonio.


    "I am with Antonio, Ewan. I would appreciate it if you respect that."


    She watched with a sad concealed longing, with a nk countenance, as Ewan¡¯s face underwent a cold transformation, even as he nodded stiffly and pushed away from her.


    "I am sorry. It must be the drugs Kent had given me. I apologize for making you feel like that. And I wish you and Antonio well." He reported like a news anchor, without looking at her, right before he turned off the soundproof and winded down the partition.


    Ewan held back a sigh of relief when he saw they were almost at the Thorne¡¯s mansion. Relief that gave way to furious anger when he saw the car waiting by the gate.


    Antonio.


    He inhaled deeply for control, again and again, senses attuned to Athena watching him, when the car came to a stop.


    Without so much as a word, he got out of the car and started toward the gate.


    "Ewan!" Antonio called out to him, stopping his hurried movement.


    "Have you seen..."


    A pause in the conversation; Ewan realized that Antonio had seen Athena, and must be thinking about a lot of things¡ª theories, and whatnots.


    Before, he would have leveraged it to make matters worse, but now...


    "We are justing from the hospital... a slight ident happened while we tried to apprehend Morgan and his cohorts." He exined, not wanting Athena to bear any brunt at all.


    She, after all, needed rest; not suspicions or questioning.


    He watched, resignedly, as Antonio hurried over to Athena, touching her tenderly, asking after her health and injuries.


    epting his fate with both hands, he turned and entered through the gate.


    "Father!" Kathleen¡¯s shout as Ewan got to the porch was enough to bring a wide smile to his lips.


    He squatted and opened his arms wide to wee her into his embrace.


    "Kathy..." He whispered, kissing her hair, eyes shut to soak in this miracle of having his own children; it never got old, this feeling.


    "Where¡¯s mommy?" she asked, still in his arms.


    "She is outside with your godfather." He answered, letting go of a tiny amount of his resentment for Antonio.


    In his absence, thetter had done well by his children and his wife.


    "Uncle Zane?"


    Ewan smiled, remembering that the twins had a lot of godfathers and mothers. "No. Uncle Antonio."


    A pause.


    "Where¡¯s Nathaniel?" he asked, pulling away from the hug gently, his eyes scanning the entire porch.


    "He is in the study with great grandfather." Kathy replied, holding his hand when he stood to his full height. "Come, I will show you."


    Without hesitation, Ewan allowed her to lead him into the house, past the hallways, up the stairs, and down the singr upstairs hallway, to the study of old Mr. Thorne.


    And true to his daughter¡¯s words, the boy was with the old man. They were ying a chess game, with the old man smiling tenderly over the head of his great-grandson, who was zealous to win.


    "Old Man, I am sure Nathaniel will give you a run for your money," Ewan started, stepping into the room with a smile.


    Old Mr. Thorneughed. "You don¡¯t need to tell me. He will be a legend in the next few years. Come see his moves... I don¡¯t know who is more daring, him or his sister..."


    Ewan epted the invitation without much ado, settling on the floor near his son, who was yet to acknowledge his presence.


    But Ewan wasn¡¯t fazed. Nathaniel was just like him. Primly focused when time called for it.


    So, he sat, a willing spectator, with Kathleen sitting on his thighs, both cheering silently for the little boy to win.


    And this was the spectacle Athena walked in to see, after agreeing to a date night with Antonio the next day.

 Chapter 354: Double-Minded

    <h4>Chapter 354: Double-Minded</h4>


    Athena sighed, unsure why she was feeling this way, this restless, this uncertain, when her date partner was Antonio.


    She turned to the side, then to the other side, watching herself in the mirror, watching her body d in a red fitted gown that stopped on her knee, with a sling-back ck heel.


    Not hot. She thought. Just modest enough not to put across an information that she wanted sex alongside the date.


    A deep inhale. Maybe she had been too fast agreeing to this date?


    Maybe she should have taken more days of rest? Use that as an excuse perhaps when he had asked her out?


    A deep exhale. But she had only wanted to just stop him from hunting for more information, hence the ready agreement to the date.


    Now, Athena was thinking that she had made a wrong call. A knock sounded on the door.


    Please be Gianna. She chanted as she walked toward the exit, to let in her visitor.


    Unfortunately, it was just Aiden.


    Much worse, the fellow had no sense of fashion, not even when his daughter is in the fashion biz, an uing model.


    "Aiden, good evening..." She turned away, toward the mirror again, trusting he would shut the door after him.


    "On a date? Thed really didn¡¯t waste any time, did he?" A chuckle. Shutting of the door. "I will have to sing his praises when next I see him... he really has guts."


    Athena frowned, having a feeling that her date for tonight and Aiden¡¯s subject of praise wasn¡¯t the same person.


    "Who again are you talking about?"


    Aiden paused, eyes narrowed. "Ewan, of course. Who else would have you looking at the mirror a hundred times per minute?"


    "Maybe Antonio. He is my boyfriend, remember?"


    Athena watched Aiden mouth an Oh, with a slow nod, and no words to apany the revtion. He rather found his buttocks a seat, and crossed his legs.


    "You are not going to say anything? Like you are happy that I¡¯m going out with Antonio, and not Ewan, considering the past we¡¯ve shared?" Athena couldn¡¯t help but seek Aiden¡¯s input.


    She couldn¡¯t trust her mind these days. It seemed to have a mind of its own, especially when Ewan was concerned.


    She took a seat beside Aiden, her eyes finding the clock. Ten minutes until Antonio arrived. Ten minutes until she¡¯s whisked to some unknown restaurant; Antonio had made it a secret.


    She hoped to God that he did not n some borate affair, that would y out in the news. She wasn¡¯t ready for that. She just wanted to have a simple dinner; that¡¯s the most her uncertain nerves could take.


    "You are thinking a lot about this dinner, aren¡¯t you?" Aiden¡¯s soft words dragged her from her thoughts. "Do you feel uncertain about it? Not ready?"


    Athena nodded meekly.


    "Then why did you ept it? You should have stayed out, maybe revisited the proposal a few dayster when you have rested enough. You seem addicted to drama, Athena. The highs and the lows."


    Athena shook her head immediately. "I¡¯m not. I just wanted to keep him from hunting for information."


    "And you don¡¯t think he will ask that in the date tonight?"


    "And so what? It¡¯s Antonio we are talking about. He¡¯s been in on a lot of our doings. Maybe, it¡¯s not a bad idea to let him know. Maybe he can pool his resources..."


    "Athena..." Aiden ced his hands on her shoulders gently.


    "Calm down. You are the one that concluded earlier that telling him might put him in trouble, of which I think it¡¯s a good idea. I think we should let him make his mark in Herbert¡¯spany. Maybe some day, he and Zane can bond over stocks and what nots, instead of curvaceous women."


    This emphasis on curvaceous women elicited augh from Athena. Sandro was really going to have Ewan¡¯s hide, especially if Aiden went around making remarks like that.


    "You are right. I will just have to entertain him with something else." Hopefully not sex, or making out. If the fates would be faithful, she would rather just eat ande home to her kids.


    "So, are you happy that I am going out with him? What do you think?"


    "I think you should do what makes you happy. If being with Antonio makes you happy, go for it. But if not, I will suggest not wasting either of your time."


    A pause. "Just go for who makes you happy. No matter the past binding you. Ewan..."


    A pause, where Aiden contemted his words.


    "He has hurt you, I won¡¯t negate that. But connecting the dots made by the truth... he is a good man. Won¡¯t be a bad choice, if that¡¯s what you have been debating for a while..."


    A sigh. "He is decent. Even as a mafia head, he was decent. I checked him out, more thoroughly... I think he suspected that I will do it, so he let me ess some more information."


    A chuckle. "He is interesting. And you know I don¡¯t say that about all men. But Antonio is decent too. He¡¯s been there for you through the dark phases. So, at the end of it, it all lies on your happiness. Which of them make you happy?"


    Athena took her lips in. "I don¡¯t know, Aiden. That¡¯s the problem. I am confused."


    "About Ewan or about Antonio?"


    Athena had no response. She shook her head, and reclined deeper into her seat.


    "I think I would let it all y out. Since life has a way of bringing things into a right ce, at the right time, I will wait. I am not going anywhere after all, neither is any of them."


    Aidenughed. "Talking like you are God, like you have any control over lives."


    Athenaughed with him, her anxiety easing somewhat. "You never can tell."


    "So speaking about Ewan, where is he? Last I saw him was yesterday... did Rodney drop him at home immediately? What did I miss?"


    Athena saw the smirk on Aiden¡¯s lips and sighed, knowing that thetter was gunning for gossip. And they say women were the most gossips. They haven¡¯t met the men in her life. Even Nathaniel loved a good gossip.


    "No, Aiden. He stopped here with me, had to see the kids..."


    And she had walked into her grandfather¡¯s study, to see such a sight that, to be honest, had her on shaky legs for this date.


    What if her grandmother was right? What if all these games that the fates were ying was to right some wrong? To put together a couple that circumstances had torn apart?


    Time will tell. She consoled herself, eying Aidenically when he tapped her on the arm, his eyes asking for some gist.


    "If you are so interested in knowing how things went down yesterday, why didn¡¯t youe home with us? The kids asked about you..."


    Aiden smiled. "I had to go home, where I won¡¯t be smothered with the tension between you both. Or haven¡¯t you noticed?"


    How could she not have noticed? It was all she could think about these days, when she wasn¡¯t thinking about strategies to stop the Grey disease once and for all.


    "By the way, Ewan is not around. Left after seeing the kids. Mentioned he had some stuff to deal with Sandro and Zane... I think rted to the case we have at hand."


    She spoke, changing the topic¡ªtalking about the previous only served to unsettle her the more.


    "Oh, I see. He hasn¡¯t shown his face today?"


    Athena shook her head, aware of the direction this was heading to.


    "That¡¯s strange. Did both you have a fallout? I was of the thought that he would move in here with you guys, considering his cave-man attitude these past few days..."


    Athena tsked. "I told him to stop encroaching in my space, that I have a boyfriend, and he just stopped seeing me."


    Aiden held in augh, knowing Athena might stone him a shoe if he did let it out.


    But what exactly did women want? Why did they say one thing and mean another?


    "I guess he¡¯s just respecting your decision. It¡¯s part of his appeal; that he respects you."


    Athena knew that, loved how he could bnce that with his devotion to her and the kids, but...


    Her phone rang then.


    Antonio.


    "I guess your date is here. Well, then, we will continue our discussion when you return..." a loaded pause. "if you return."


    Aiden immediately turned to the door in a haste when Athena scowled at him.


    "Come back here! You spoilt old man!"


    But Aiden was already out of the door.


    Athena exhaled audibly, tapped her forehead, looked at the mirror, and sighed.


    Gianna would have known what best to wear. Her friend has been busy with the uing jewelry auction and convention, and so had only wished her luck in the morning before hurrying away; didn¡¯t even have the time for breakfast.


    A knock on the door.


    "Mommy, godfather is here..."

 Chapter 355: Wrong Date?

    <h4>Chapter 355: Wrong Date?</h4>


    <i>It¡¯s as I feared.</i> Athena inhaled deeply, clutching her purse tightly as Antonio led her through the expensive restaurant, toward the most valued table, which he had reserved some minutes ago.


    A table that could only be avable to a person if he or she luckily reserved it months before. But this was Antonio, and to some degree she had always known he was a bit of a show-off.


    Whose reservation had the hoteliers cancelled for them to have this dinner?


    Meanwhile, she was surprised by the paparazzi crew hanging around, dressed like normal people, thinking she wasn¡¯t aware of their presence¨Cshe wouldn¡¯t have been if she was not who she was.


    Did he invite them? She wondered, attempting a perfect smile when Antonio gentlemanly ushered her to her seat, before taking his.


    She could hear, distinctly, though faint, camera snaps, and she could see the servers darting nervous nces¡ªwhich were supposed to be subtle¡ªbetween her table and the tables of the paparazzi.


    She stylishly counted those in her view. Four.


    From the samepany? She exhaled and let go of her pause, meeting Antonio¡¯s gaze.


    He had been watching her for a while, enough for her to notice his strong attraction toward her.


    Maybe she should have worn a more official-looking dress to douse any expectations?


    <i>Quit overthinking!</i> Shemanded herself when Antonio raised his left brow.


    "Are you okay? You seem unsettled..."


    He ced his hand on hers, which was on the table, rubbing circles on it. It should be calming, but she felt anything but that.


    Not with the clicks of the camera going on, not with her overthinking and questioning herself why she was ufortable.


    There was paparazzi, but so what?


    Antonio was her boyfriend!


    Yet, she couldn¡¯t rx.


    "I¡¯m okay. Just tired." She finally replied, inhaling again, centering herself.


    Immediately, a server approached them and dropped a menu before them.


    "You are wee, Mr. Antonio, Doctor Athena..."


    A genuine smile. A too-wide smile.


    A fan. Athena concluded, watching thedy watch her longer than necessary.


    "Thank you." She said, with a smile of her own; amused, centered, when thedy blushed and hurried away.


    Probably to inform her fellow waiters that Doctor Athena had spoken directly to her, even smiled.


    "You have a lot of fans."


    Athena shrugged. "You are not an unknown person either."


    A camera click.


    Athena bit her lips and fixed a questioning gaze on Antonio. "Did you invite them?"


    Antonio looked confused, turned aside in fact. "I don¡¯t know what you are talking about, Athena. Who are the ¡¯them¡¯?"


    "The media. I can hear them, their camera clicks... surely you must have noticed them."


    Even though Antonio wasn¡¯t trained like she and Aiden, he wasn¡¯t dumb to matters of surveince and whatnot. After all, he was the heir of a billion-dor corporation back in his home country, always with security, till he had abandoned his inheritance.


    Antonio looked around, slowly this time, a furrow lining his forehead.


    "I can see that now. Watching you numbed my senses..." He teased, a flirting smile on his lips.


    Athena raised a brow instead. "So, you didn¡¯t invite them?"


    She got her answer before the lie went forth from his mouth the next second.


    The minuscule emotion that had floated past his eyes before his mouth opened told her that he had invited them.


    "Why?"


    Antonio frowned. "Why what? I told you I didn¡¯t do it."


    Athena exhaled unelegantly, picking up the menu. "I have never pegged you as a liar, Antonio. Please don¡¯t start now."


    "Athena, I¡¯m telling you..."


    "Antonio, you are trying my patience." She insisted, not meeting his gaze, looking through the menu.


    The server was approaching.


    "Have you made your choice, ma¡¯am?"


    Athena nodded and pointed at a listed meal. "This."


    Antonio made the same selection, without thinking, without touching his menu, his emotions not in a good ce.


    <i>"The same for me!"</i> He had almost shouted when the server turned to him.


    "Athena..." he started now, but Athena removed her hand from underneath his.


    "Tell me the truth."


    Antonio inhaled, shutting his eyes.


    When he opened them, they were gued with defiance, to the surprise of Athena.


    "Yes, I did. Is there a problem? Or are you rethinking our rtionship?"


    <i>Yes. </i>"No." Athena muttered.


    "But that¡¯s not the case here. You are introducing our rtionship to the public, without informing me? Should I be rmed that it would be the order of the day in this rtionship of ours? Doing things without seeking my input?"


    Antonio shook his head, apology swimming in his eyes now. "I am sorry. I was just... I panicked."


    Athena¡¯s brows became knitted. "What do you mean? Did I do anything to make you panic?"


    "Not really. Just that you don¡¯t seem angry with Ewan anymore, and seeing as you..."


    "Antonio." Athena drawled, refusing to let Ewan infuse himself into this date. This was already going all too wrong. "You don¡¯t have cause to worry. Ewan and I are over."


    She pointed at him, at herself. "We are the present now."


    "The future too." Antonio added, a relieved smile on his lips, reaching out for Athena¡¯s hand again.


    This time, she let him.


    "However, I am not pleased with the paparazzi watching us. I wasn¡¯t ready for our rtionship to be publicly scrutinized."


    A sigh.


    "The publicity will be too much, coupled with the fact that my grandfather will be introducing me to the public in the uing Thorne party."


    "I am sorry." Antonio muttered, trying and seeding at keeping his victory smile at bay.


    He had been feeling this way since the news he had gotten yesterday.


    Athena, a Thorne? He was happy for her, and what it meant for them.


    "I should have thought about things more keenly. Forgive me. I can send them away."


    Athena shook her head. "No need."


    She was sure they had taken pictures already. No need to cause a ruckus.


    Right on time, their meal arrived, and they dug in without much talk, only conversing midway about the children, their education, future investments, and what-not.


    Just when they were done with their food, wiping their lips with a napkin, he asked her about Morgan, and how the operation had been.


    "If I didn¡¯t know better, I would think that you are avoiding discussing it with me..."


    Athena managed a disbelievingugh.


    "That¡¯s not so. But now that you mention it, I think it¡¯s better that you don¡¯t know¡ªthat you focus on your business in Herbert¡¯spany, and perhaps on a rtionship with his son."


    "E..." Antonio¡¯s face contorted with disgust.


    Athenaughed heartily, shaking her head. "I didn¡¯t mean it that way. I meant a rtionship as friends."


    However, the disgusted look didn¡¯t depart from Antonio¡¯s face, somewhat.


    "Wait, don¡¯t tell me you are avoiding him because he is Ewan¡¯s friend?" Athena rattled on, surprise filtering into her voice.


    "Well, that¡¯s only a little part of it." Antonio didn¡¯t bother denying it. "He is just worlds apart from me, when ites to my value system."


    "And what does that mean? Zane is a good person." Athena asked, truly curious.


    The little time she had known Zane, he might not be perfect, especially considering his strange rtionship with her best friend, but he was a good man.


    A good friend too. And a good godfather to her children.


    She raised a brow, so high it almost touched her hairline, when Antonio shrugged his shoulders.


    "He is a jealous fellow. Too erratic, no self-control, loves women a lot..."


    Athena had tough now. "You are just describing yourself, especially the woman¡¯s angle."


    Antonio shook his head, eyes darting to the dessert the server just kept on their table. "You are the only woman I see now."


    "I¡¯m sure Zane will see only one woman when he finds her too."


    Antonio pouted. "Why are you defending him?"


    "Because he is my friend, and I understand why he would be defensive with you finding favor in his father¡¯s sight, coupled with the fact that you were given a big position when you came, more so promoted to a higher one, just a few weekster. Surely, if you were in his shoes, you would feel the same, even threatened..."


    Antonio hesitated, then nodded. "That¡¯s true. Maybe we can find a neutral ground. Though he snubs me all the time."


    Athenaughed. "Just make an attempt. You men find it easy making friends. I am sure it won¡¯t be different for you now."


    Then she focused on eating her ice cream.


    Doing this, however, reminded her of the date¡ªwas it one?¡ªshe had with Ewan, the one where he had bought her ice cream and she had shamelessly licked her lips to disturb his senses.


    Her insides warmed, and she dropped the spoon.


    "You don¡¯t like the ice cream?"


    "No, it¡¯s okay. I just feel a little queasy."


    She looked aside, needing to go to the restroom, maybe talk some sense into herself, but instead her eyes collided with Ewan approaching a table, with his two friends.


    But they were not alone.


    There were three girls right on their heels¡ªthree girls who had no business talking business with these three, except the business that involved the <i>other room</i>.


    Athena felt queasy for real this time.

 Chapter 356: Wrong Date? II

    <h4>Chapter 356: Wrong Date? II</h4>


    <i>Did I just conjure up the devil?</i> Athena wondered, jaw ckened as she watched the crew¡ªsix, as far as she was concerned, was a plenteous amount¡ªsettle in one of the VIP tables without noticing her, amidst all the fuss going about.


    Especially Ewan... didn¡¯t notice her.


    Was the alignment she had imagined between her and Ewan a scam? A figment of her imagination? Something she had been hoping to be true at all costs?


    She watched still, as waiters scurried over to serve them. But why not? Those three fools were the top eligible bachelors in the city at the moment, alongside Antonio.


    "You haven¡¯t watched to your fill yet? Do you want to join them?" Words spoken in a voice tainted with resentment and jealousy.


    She didn¡¯t me her date. "Sorry about that, I was just surprised."


    "About the women they are carrying about or about their presence here?"


    Athena met Antonio¡¯s nk gaze. "About their presence here. I thought they would be busy with one business management or the other."


    Antonio shrugged, taking a spoon of ice cream to his mouth. "This is the weekend. You shouldn¡¯t be surprised at all. A man isn¡¯t expected to work all the days of his life."


    "That¡¯s right," Athena muttered, but she couldn¡¯t bring herself to eat the ice cream before her.


    This date was turning for the worse.


    To her chagrin, she felt the need to escape into her room in the Thorne¡¯s mansion, maybe even her house back in the skyscraper.


    But seeing as her grandparents recently found her, she didn¡¯t think she would be going back to that apartment anytime soon.


    Maybe she should rent it out? Or let Gianna have it? Thetter had always loved the heights.


    "Athena..." Exasperated talk from Antonio.


    Athena sighed. She was the one spoiling this date. "I am sorry. I just feel a little unwell. Can I use the restroom for a second?"


    "Do you want me to join you, maybe wait around?" A twinkle in his eyes.


    Athena felt a tad bit guilty for having to dampen it the next second. "No. I¡¯ll be back before you know it."


    And without waiting for his next statement, she left the table with a deep exhale, allowing the server to direct her to the restroom.


    "Athena, what are you doing?" She asked herself aloud as she stood before the mirror, washing her hands.


    "Why are you acting like Antonio isn¡¯t your boyfriend?" She continued, drying her hands, flexing her fingers before cing them on her thighs.


    "He has loved you for a while, and you can love him if you set your mind to it. Stop thinking about Ewan."


    She turned to her side, checking herself in the mirror, straightening invisible creases from her gown.


    Maybe she should have worn a longer gown. She thought, making another turn to the side.


    She stopped her internal fashion parade when the door to the female restroom opened and shut.


    She quickly reverted to the mirror, pretending to check her makeup, pretending to dry her hands, in case whoever had entered was a nosy woman¡ªmaybe one of the women that had arrived with the three fools.


    But the scent that ticked her nostrils then, alerted her to the fact that whoever had entered was wearing Ewan¡¯s perfume; and when she looked to the mirror to see fully thedy who must have stered herself to Ewan to be smelling like him, she was shocked to see that it was the devil himself.


    "How is your date going?" He delivered smoothly, reclining on the wall like he had the whole time in the world. "That bad?"


    Athena scoffed, quickly regaining her senses. "It¡¯s a great date."


    She held in her urge to check him out. Still...


    He was wearing a three-piece suit, and she was annoyed that he had dressed up for a date night with some unknown woman.


    Fiona¡¯s recement?


    And why did she even care!


    "Are you okay?" Ewan asked, noticing the turmoil in her eyes. "That period of the month? Do you need some women¡¯s tools?"


    <i>Women¡¯s tools indeed!!</i> Athena exhaled and turned to him. "I am okay, Ewan. I would rather you return to your dates."


    "You saw me then..." He muttered, straightening from the wall, walking toward her. "Good, I¡¯m not the only one looking out for you."


    Which meant he had seen her with Antonio first.


    "Did youe knowing that I would be here with Antonio?"


    Ewan shrugged in response.


    Athena was amazed¡ªand not in a good way. How did he even know Antonio¡¯s n?


    "Zane mentioned that the fellow won¡¯t shut up about it; confirmed it when he hollered at his assistant to make his reservation. I decided to check it out."


    Athena swallowed, cursing out Antonio in her mind. It seemed his show-off days were far from over.


    His past girlfriends and flings might have thrived on it, but she was different! She didn¡¯t need the publicity.


    "You seem out of it a little. He¡¯s not a good date partner."


    Athena pushed her grudge about Antonio aside, not wanting to put him in a bad light before Ewan. "He is a good one. I just wanted to use the restroom."


    A smirk appeared on Ewan¡¯s lips, transforming his previous expressionless face. "You never used the restroom whenever we were together."


    Athena was gobsmacked, to say the least.


    She stepped back, the memory of thest time she had run into Ewan in the restroom crossing her mind.


    She had been with Zane at that time, on her first return to the city. Back then, she hated Ewan.


    But now... her eyes traced his face outline, his firm lips, his strong jaw¡ªhis... a fine specimen in a three-piece suit¡ªand she knew that the reverse was the case now.


    She liked him.


    Better to stop fighting this truth. She thought, feeling some peace settle over her.


    She liked Ewan. And that was okay. She concluded.


    It was also okay that they remained friends.


    Thatst thought, however, didn¡¯t sit well.


    But there was only so much self-awareness a girl could take, especially with her object of interest staring at her like that.


    "Do you still want space, Athena?"


    A knock on the door. A smooth call. "Athena??"


    That was fate making the decision for her. Athena thoughtmely, walking around Ewan.


    "Yes, I need it." She managed to say before walking out of the room to meet her date.

 Chapter 357: Wrong Date? III

    <h4>Chapter 357: Wrong Date? III</h4>


    "I think we should head home. Or do you want something else? Maybe a different vor of ice cream?" Antonio¡¯s heart, as he attempted patience, shook with giddiness while contemting their next move for the night.


    Home had never sounded better.


    Unfortunately, Athena didn¡¯t share the same ideas with him. "Yes, I think we should head home. The twins will be expecting me."


    For a second, Antonio was confused.


    What twins was she talking about? He wondered, before he understood that Athena was making a clear pointer that she wouldn¡¯t be following him home.


    That didn¡¯t sit well with him.


    "You are not checking out my house tonight?" A sad voice.


    A sad tune that rang in Athena¡¯s ears but went unappreciated.


    She was an adult, had seen and heard her fair share of lines, and she knew that following a man to his new ce to check it out mostly connoted sharing the new bed with him.


    She wasn¡¯t even rxed enough to kiss him fully, not to mention spend a couple of hours with him¡ªmaybe under candlelight?(who knows what else he has nned?--talking around topics.


    Too bad, she wouldn¡¯t be there to see it.


    "No, not tonight. Maybe I will call on you tomorrow afternoon with the kids. Is that okay?" She finally spoke, maintaining an innocent smile.


    It wasn¡¯t okay with Antonio, who had been banking on some alone time, but he nodded all the same. "That¡¯s alright. I¡¯m sure they are curious to see my ce too. But do we get to have alone time still...?"


    A pause. "Athena, you seem to be avoiding me."


    Athena licked her lower lip. "Give me time, Antonio. That¡¯s all I request. Not your money, or the publicity... just time. Is that much?"


    <i>Yes.</i> "No. I can wait. I¡¯ve been waiting for a long time, after all." He said, grabbing her hands smoothly, rubbing them gently, meeting her smiling gaze tenderly.


    What did a couple of months matter? He wondered, winking at her, enjoying hearing herugh.


    She was his now, and forever.


    "So, home?" She tried again with flirtatious looks and smiles, appeasing him.


    "Of course." Antonio agreed, swearing to steal a kiss at least for the troubles of tonight.


    He gentlemanly ushered her from her seat into his arms, smiling at her like the valuable woman she was.


    "I love you, Athena. Thanks for being my date tonight."


    Athena smiled in response. "It was a pleasure, boyfriend."


    This term caused Antonio to blush to his roots. He felt like beating his chest like a gori, then grabbing a mic and announcing to the world that he had finally won the game.


    And when he passed by Ewan¡¯s table as they left the restaurant, noticing that Athena showed no regard for the table or even threw a greeting to her friends, he fixed them a victory look¡ªknowing they were watching.


    And surely, they were watching.


    Ewan, already in a sour mood, wouldn¡¯t talk with his fake date for the night¡ªthe one Zane had brought from wherever; his friend was responsible for the three women hanging on their arms.


    "He¡¯s so full of himself," Sandro started, a frown in ce, watching the couple stroll leisurely toward the restaurant¡¯s exit. "To think he hired the paparazzi to record the moment. Damn insensitive!"


    Ewan had no words to say, rather fixing his eyes on the departing couple, and on the exit door when he could no longer see them.


    He sighed weakly when Zane tapped him on the arm.


    "Leave Athena for now, and concentrate on the beauty beside you. Can¡¯t you see she¡¯s curvaceous?"


    A drawl, a chuckle.


    Sandro pped him on the back of the head. "I told you to quit that. Besides, do you think Ewan would choose these bimbos..."


    "Hey!!" The bimbo on his arm called out, aggrieved at being called a lesser fellow than Doctor Athena¡ªnot that she couldn¡¯t see the difference between them.


    But she would rather it not be mentioned in her face. It was a full-blown insult.


    "Ewan..." Zane drawled. He was mildly drunk, so Ewan paid no attention. He rather got to his feet, ready to leave.


    His main reason foring there had been checked off. There was no need to spend more time here.


    Sandro tried to get up after him, while Zane mored for him, with drawls, to remain and party with the girls.


    But Ewan wasn¡¯t having it. "Stay with him, please. The paparazzi are still around. Let¡¯s not give them some news to put on the tabloids¡ªnews that wouldn¡¯t please Herbert, nor Zane if he bes sober, especially when Antonio receives another promotion because of it."


    Sandro nodded and settled back into his seat, albeit grudgingly. He eyed Zane badly, but thetter was already drinking from a flute of champagne.


    Sandro sighed wearily and reclined into his seat, allowing thedy beside him to drape herself on his arms. She was his usual type, after all.


    With curious eyes, he watched as Ewan exited the restaurant and wondered where his friend was heading¡ªto home? Or Athena¡¯s home?


    He sighed and epted the flute of champagne from his date. Ewan would be fine.


    Meanwhile, momentster, Antonio stopped in front of the Thorne¡¯s mansion.


    "Thanks for tonight, Antonio..." Athena started, turning aside to convey her gratitude, even though most of the night had been ufortable.


    "You¡¯re wee, beautiful," he muttered, just before dropping a kiss on her lips.


    However, he didn¡¯t pull back or wish her goodnight. Instead, he hovered around her lips, waiting for any signal at all to devour her mouth.


    Athena held back a sigh. It seemed her boyfriend forgot things easily. What did he think "giving her space" meant?


    Well... she dropped a kiss on his lips, mouth slightly open to receive him; and she did receive his fervent kisses, which distracted her from her thoughts for a while.


    But when his hands started roaming around her body, she broke it off with a charming smile.


    "I will see you tomorrow, Antonio."


    He nodded, eyes still lidded with want, with lust.


    He watched as she walked out of the car and into thepound, then started the car and drove away.


    Five minutester, however, he contemted returning and spending the night in the Thorne¡¯s mansion¡ªhe had just seen Ewan¡¯s car driving past him, toward the mansion.


    Could the leech just disappear?!

 Chapter 358: At Odds

    <h4>Chapter 358: At Odds</h4>


    Athena blushed seeing Ewan enter the sitting room right after her. Did he follow her?


    Her heartbeat soared rapidly over an invisible ceiling when his gaze met hers¡ªcrashing just as suddenly when it flitted past her like it hadn¡¯t met her mere nanoseconds ago.


    She swallowed, an involuntary action, and tucked her hands to her sides, wishing she had worn a gown with pockets.


    "Ewan!" she heard Old Mr. Thorne call out, happiness shining through his voice.


    Even the twins, whom she had hoped would be in bed, hurried toward their father, neglecting her in the process. It didn¡¯t matter that they had rushed toward him straight from their nestled position around her thighs; they had just finished weing her.


    It was unavoidable, she supposed, that they would greet Ewan, thinking he hade in with her. But it didn¡¯t make the bitter taste on her tongue go away.


    "You didn¡¯t tell me you wereing..." the old man continued, gesturing for Ewan to take a seat.


    Ewan did so, carrying the twins on either side of his arms, without looking at her still.


    <i>The strength of the man,</i> Athena mused, forgetting she was still standing.


    "Athena, are you okay?" Florence, who had juste out from the kitchen, watched her granddaughter watch Ewan and the children; understanding, to an extent, the mixed emotions swarming in thetter¡¯s eyes.


    Athena cleared her throat unhurriedly, found her bnce, and walked out of the sitting room. "I am fine," she tossed over her shoulder as she walked past her grandmother, who looked at her with worry.


    "Ma, I am fine," she insisted when the older woman followed her into her room.


    "You look fine, yes, but I know you are swamped with confusion."


    Athena exhaled and dropped herself onto the bed, flinging her heels away unceremoniously. "Tell me about it," she muttered, her hand iling across her back to unsp the hook that held the two sides of the dress together.


    "Let me." Florence did the honors and stepped away, watching as her granddaughter got rid of the dress without an iota of shame¡ªunlike others in her shoes might have, seeing as they had only made the necessary familial acquaintance a few days ago.


    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Aiden had somehow enrolled her little girl in the army, where she might have learned to be so shameless about her nakedness in front of people.


    "What are you thinking about, Ma?" Athena asked, eyebrow raised, noting the thinning lines on her grandmother¡¯s forehead¡ªa sign thetter was deep in thought.


    Her bra joined the heap on the floor, and her handy limply on her panties.


    Florence shrugged. "Just surprised that you are not shy about your nakedness in front of an audience."


    Athenaughed, the huge tension leaving her shoulders. "You are unbelievable." Sheughed again, shaking her head¡ªamusing Florence, who now found her earlier thoughts foolish.


    "You are my grandmother, hardly an audience. After all, you must have seen your share of naked bodies. What will an extra one do?"


    As Athena spoke, she waggled her eyebrows suggestively.


    Florence blushed andughed in the same breath, turning away, suddenly abashed. "You have no filters, youngdy. Get into the bathroom quickly. Dinner will be waiting for you when you¡¯re out."


    Athenaughed and headed to the bathroom. "Thanks, Grandma. What about Gianna?" She paused at the threshold.


    "Not yet back." Florence¡¯s face took on a somber quality. "That friend of yours is really working very hard. I¡¯m worried it¡¯s too much. She needs to rest. At this rate, she will be a broomstick soon. I don¡¯t think men like that."


    Athena snorted. "Trying to matchmake her with one of your friend¡¯s grandsons?"


    Florence didn¡¯t bother to deny it. "It would be beautiful if you two got married on the same day."


    Athena was astounded. "Married? MAAA!!"


    Florence onlyughed and walked out of the room, herughter echoing even after she had shut the door.


    Athena, still bathed in incredulity, walked into the bathroom. <i>Married? Again? No, she would rather go to Antarctica for a swim!</i>


    "At one point, I was thinking of getting in there and dragging you out." Chelsea¡¯s words greeted Athena as she walked out of the bathroom, toweling her hair slowly, luxuriantly.


    "If this is the rate at which you bathe, then I wouldn¡¯t be surprised." Chelsea continued, pointing at the toweling motion.


    Athena chuckled and met her friend in a hug, never mind her almost-naked state.


    "Dress up quickly. Your man is waiting in the sitting room for you."


    Athena balked for the second time in an hour. <i>Her</i> man? "Ewan isn¡¯t my man."


    "And who is talking about Ewan?" Chelsea asked, smiling, mischief dancing in her eyes. "It seems the fellow might be part of the reason you spent so much time bathing."


    Athena didn¡¯t grace the statement with a response, already knowing the trail Chelsea was pursuing. Fortunately, she would rather focus on the matter at hand.


    Antonio was here?


    "What is he doing here?"


    Chelsea shrugged. "I don¡¯t think I¡¯m the best recipient of that question. I actually intercepted him on his way here. Ewan had pointed him toward your room."


    <i>Antonio. Ewan.</i> Athena rubbed her forehead weakly, taking in short puffs of air.


    <i>Ewan.</i> What was he doing sending Antonio this way? Was he that indifferent, or was he trying to pass a certain message to Antonio?


    "I guess that¡¯s expected. Antonio is your boyfriend..."


    A pause. "Athena, say something. He¡¯s waiting a few feet away from your door. I told him to wait so I could confirm... He wasn¡¯t pleased at being kept out though... like it was his right to be in your room and all. Has he been here before?"


    Athena shook her head, lost for words. What was Antonio really doing here? And why in the world would Ewan adopt the role of a guardian?


    Athena battled with frustration¡ªand lost¡ªas she hurriedly wore her clothes and started toward her door, Chelsea following right behind.


    "You seem out of it, so I¡¯ll guess you both aren¡¯t as smooth as he thinks," Chelsea muttered, biting her lips.


    "That reminds me..." she continued just as Athena opened the door, undeterred by her friend¡¯s speechlessness. "You have a doctor¡¯s appointment on Monday."


    That was enough to break Athena¡¯s stride out of the room; however, she didn¡¯t stop¡ªonly clenched her lips tight, trying to organize her thoughts.


    It seemed to her she was handling a million things at the same time. <i>Overwhelmed, yet again,</i> she thought, sliding the appointment into a mental folder of urgent things so she wouldn¡¯t forget.


    Therapy was a need¡ªit would help both her and Susan move past their dark past. It had taken a lot to convince the youngerdy to join her.


    All the same, she paused when she saw Antonio standing right opposite the door to the sitting room. He really was waiting for Chelsea to return with feedback.


    "Hey, babe..." She needed to y it cool if she was going to have a peaceful night. Two men, at odds with each other over her, were in the same location.


    Well, that¡¯s what she chose to believe¡ªnot wanting to ept that Ewan had automatically turned off his devotion and love for her.


    Antonio¡¯s smile could light up the void; he hadn¡¯t expected Athena to call him the popr word of endearment.


    "Hey, darling..." he called out, to the benefit of those in the sitting room pretending to be unaware of their presence.


    He engulfed her in a hug next, while Chelsea walked past them, eyes front, her lips twitching with a smile.


    She winked at Athena when their gazes met behind Antonio, right before she went into the sitting room, her voice joining the flurry of others arguing over football.


    "What are you doing here? Did something happen?" Athena¡¯s voice was one of worry, of care and concern. Antonio loved it.


    Not letting her go, he ced his forehead on hers.


    "I want to spend the night with you. Weather forecasters predict rain with thunder tonight."


    Athena smiled, unable to help it. "Weather forecast, or <i>you</i> forecast?"


    Antonioughed and dropped a kiss on her lips. "Does it matter?"


    Athena licked her lower lip, meeting his gaze under the low hallway light. "But... I asked for a little time..."


    "I know, babe," Antonio agreed, touching her cheek softly. "I won¡¯t misbehave..."¡ªa smile, a knowing gaze of mischief¡ª"I just want to stay with you."


    Athena hesitated in giving a response, which didn¡¯t sit well with Antonio.


    "I¡¯m sure your grandparents wouldn¡¯t mind. You are a grown woman. Or is it because of Ewan? Is he sleeping here tonight too?"


    "I don¡¯t know, Antonio. I am not Ewan¡¯s girlfriend or mother, or even sister," Athena replied sharply¡ªseeing now why Antonio had returned. He had probably seen Ewan¡¯s car brush past and rushed back to the house because of his insecurity.


    She didn¡¯t me him, really, but she wished he trusted her more.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 359: At Odds II

    <h4>Chapter 359: At Odds II</h4>


    Athena was aware of the unresolved, slight tension between her and Antonio, as a result of her sharp response to his previous question, when she strolled into the living room with him in tow¡ªbut she didn¡¯t let it worry her.


    Ewan¡¯s presence, however, was a case to be worried for¡ªespecially with hisughter booming across the room; with Kathleen sitting on his thigh,ughing.


    Nathaniel was on his other thigh, gazing between his great-grandfather and his father while the duo made more arguments on football, with Chelsea fanning the mes. Florence sat beside her husband, showing silent support.


    This picture¡ªyes¡ªwas enough to spike Athena¡¯s anxiety levels.


    Without so much as a word (not that the jolly people in the room stopped their conversation to let them in), she hurried to the dining table and sat down. Antonio took the next seat.


    "I am sorry," he started, as soon as he sat down. "But you can see why I am worried. He¡¯s like a leech that won¡¯t go away."


    Athena frowned. She understood Antonio¡¯s jealousy, yet it didn¡¯t make her mild surprise go away; she had always known Antonio as an amodating person, not one with a bitterness to his voice that wouldn¡¯t go away.


    "He¡¯s my children¡¯s father, Antonio. Like a son to the Thornes too¡ªwould have been but for the intervention of Alfonso. You will have to get used to his presence."


    Antonio nodded. "Maybe. But I think I can only rx properly when we are married."


    That word again. Athena unconsciously let the fork down¡ªthetter making a nging noise on the ceramic te and quenching the noise in the living room.


    It confirmed Athena¡¯s suspicions that her family was very much aware of her presence, for how else would they have heard that ng amidst their arguments and boisterousughter?


    "Athena, is the food not to your liking?" Florence broke the silence, darting a curious nce at Antonio, whose only attention was on Athena.


    Beneath the table, his hand reached for her thighs, to soothe her, to cate her, but Athena shuddered, unable to help it¡ªto his chagrin.


    "It¡¯s tasty, Grandma. I¡¯m just tired. I mustn¡¯t have been holding the fork well."


    A lie apparent to the adults in the room, but no one said anything.


    "Please, you can continue the discussions. I won¡¯t drop the fork again," she continued, eager to make the silence disappear, a teasing lilt in her voice.


    This time, the twins chuckled before drawing their father into another round of conversation.


    Athena sighed, hearing Ewan¡¯sugh again... what was happening to her? She met Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s gaze, right before she returned to her food.


    <i>Are you okay</i>? his gaze spoke, needing no words. She gave a barely-there nod, picking the fork and continuing her dinner.


    "Why are you ignoring me?" Antonio asked a few minutester, unable to take the tense silence between them, his hand dropping away from her thigh.


    "You im that I have no cause to worry, but anytime Ewan is around, it¡¯s like you lose touch of yourself¡ªof our rtionship."


    "That¡¯s not true, babe," Athena countered as smoothly as she could, as confidently¡ªwhereas deep within her, she knew her boyfriend was speaking the truth.


    "Why then were you so fraught with the topic of marriage?"


    "Antonio, would you let me finish eating? You are not making this easier for me. I asked for space, and you are asking for marriage¡ªon the same night!"


    A whispered shout, thest phrase was¡ªbut the missing decibel was enunciated in the fire ring in her eyes as she met his gaze.


    "Why won¡¯t you let this move at a normal pace? Why inject roadblocks, which you think are speed boosters on the way? First, it was the paparazzi, and now... marriage?" Athena shook her head. "I think you should leave, Antonio. You are really confusing me."


    "How so?" Antonio¡¯s voice had lost its earlier conviction and confidence. "Why do I confuse you? I¡¯ve always been open about my feelings for you."


    "It¡¯s not about your feelings. I¡¯m confused about your character. It¡¯s like you got into this state and became something else¡ªor I don¡¯t know..." Athena rubbed her face. "You weren¡¯t this..."


    She couldn¡¯t find the right word, so she gestured to his face, hand weaving nothing in the air. "...when we were back in your country. You were a darling, both to me and the kids¡ªattentive. You listened to me."


    "Ewan wasn¡¯t in the picture then. You hated him then. I gave you the whole space in the world then¡ªdo you remember?"


    Antonio¡¯s voice had gone softer, but that was when he was to be feared, Athena thought, forcefully taking a forkful of food, wishing he had actually let her eat.


    Her grandmother wouldn¡¯t be happy if she didn¡¯t eat a reasonable amount of this ptable dish before her.


    But he was right, in his own way. He had respected her boundaries then. Ewan in the picture must have upset him so greatly.


    She ced her hand over his, meeting his gaze tenderly. "Ewan and I are in the past. We are the present, Antonio. The future too."


    A pause, where her eyes swept across his tensed face lovingly. "You can trust me, as always. For marriage..."


    She heard the sharp, almost silent intake of breath from him.


    "...we will do that when the time is right. However, you must remember my misgivings about it, my experience with it. So pardon me if I take more time than necessary."


    Another significant pause, where she dropped her fork softly on the te and touched his cheek¡ªneeding to reassure him, to reassure herself.


    "Ewan is in the past. You are the present. I hate cheats¡ªdo you think I will demote myself to that level? Besides, you have known the twins far longer than Ewan has. I am sure they understand that too¡ªtheir ce in their lives."


    She held his face with both her hands now.


    "Ewan is the past. You are the present." She repeated it, just at the same time that she noticed her voice decibel had increased, that the chatter in the room had stopped.


    <i>Oh God. They were the center of attention.</i>


    Gracefully, she dropped a kiss on Antonio¡¯s jaw¡ªwhile convincing herself she had done nothing wrong¡ªand returned to her food, consciously taking forkfuls, aware that she was being watched.


    And when she heard Chelsea¡¯s "Wow," she knew that surely, they had heard her¡ªor at least part of her deration to Antonio.


    Aware of Antonio now eating with gusto, she sighed, relieved that the storm between them had passed.


    She tried to breathe easy then, but she was surprised to find itboured.


    Ewan. Of course. The elephant in the room.


    He is the past. She chanted it to herself, indulging in forceful forkfuls of food, stamping down the urge to turn toward the sitting room to see what he was doing.


    She refused to be at odds with her decisions again¡ªher feelings. She chose Antonio.


    "I will be going now, old man." Ewan¡¯s voice broke into the now quiet night a few minutester¡ªjust as those in the living room had settled on some cartoon to watch on the television, and Athena was almost done with her meal.


    "I thought you were spending the night?" Worry could be heard in Florence¡¯s voice.


    Worry for what? Athena couldn¡¯t help but wonder.


    "Not at all. I just came to see these super kids of mine," he said.


    And Athena couldn¡¯t stop the pull now. She turned to the living room, watching as he dealt tender kisses on the foreheads of the children.


    "See you when I see you." The three chanted, thenughed¡ªan almost hollowugh.


    They must be feeling the tension too. Athena bit her lips. Were the children at odds too¡ªof whom they would prefer her to be with?


    She watched as Ewan kissed her grandparents too, even Chelsea¡ªright before he left the house.


    He didn¡¯t throw her a nce still¡ªnot even a flitting one. He was letting her go.


    The realization sank like the heaviest granite in her stomach.


    "Good for him," she heard Antonio mutter, but she couldn¡¯t be bothered to say a word.


    Losing the will to eat totally, she dropped the fork softly on her te and cleaned her mouth with the serviette.


    "Are you done eating?" she asked Antonio calmly¡ªneeding some action, some movement, something to distract her.


    "A minute more, please..." Antonio replied, puzzled, wondering if Ewan¡¯s departure was going to create another tension between him and his girlfriend.


    Was she about to send him away?


    He reduced the rate at which he ate¡ªeven scooping a little out of the bigger bowl¡ªwanting to spend more time with her.


    However, when the minute was up¡ªa minute where she spent looking at some invisible matter on the wall¡ªhe was done.


    "I¡¯m done," he said hesitantly, not sure what to think when Athena stood, picked their tes, and went into the kitchen; when she came out a few secondster, and told Chelsea to tuck her children into bed; when she bid her grandparents good night; when she beckoned on him to follow her; when she led him into her room.


    "Do you care to spend the night, babe?" she asked, sidling to him after he shut the door¡ªright before she imed his lips voraciously.

 Chapter 360: At Odds III

    <h4>Chapter 360: At Odds III</h4>


    <i>What did I just do?</i>


    Athena asked herself for the third time as she stood naked before the bathroom mirror, hands limp by her sides, her eyes shrouded in untamed misery.


    Bathed in the glow of the fluorescent lights, she believed she had made a hasty, wrong decision an hour ago¡ªblinded by her desire to be distracted.


    Why did love make a mess of things? She wondered, picking up her toothbrush.


    How could she be a strong woman in her career, in her non-romantic affairs¡ªa model of excellence and woman power¡ªand yet not stick to her decision of <i>needing space from sex and the matters that went with it</i>?


    Why had she turned to it when swamped with frustrations? Why had she used Antonio?


    She brushed her teeth forlornly, remembering the moment with Antonio. She wasn¡¯t sure what to think of it.


    He had finished early¡ªso excited had he been at the reality presented to him on a tform of gold that he had finished early. Barely five minutes in.


    He had apologised profusely for it aftering down from the high, promising it would be better the second time. But in the time it took him to prop himself up and get ready again, she had lost the zeal for it¡ªhad started questioning her stupid choice.


    She didn¡¯t stop him, though, when he eased into her the second time. No¡ªshe epted it, needing to throw away the distractions that had threatened to swamp her in multiplied folds.


    She recalled the sex.


    It was... not bad.


    Antonio was a good lover. She was the one at fault, with herparing his thrusts, his agility, to a certain someone.


    Maybe that was why it had taken longer than necessary for her to reach the high Antonio seemed to have settled into permanently during the exercise.


    Touching her had seemed to be enough for him¡ªenough to throw him over.


    She rinsed her mouth a second time, dropped her brush, and walked into the shower room.


    Standing under the spray, she exhaled greatly after a long inhale, shaking her head, hands still limp at her sides.


    <i>What did I just do? </i>And why in the world am I getting teary?


    She touched her eyes, wiping at them furiously. <i>No tears!</i> she screamed mentally, but that only served to loosen the dam.


    If she hadn¡¯t been celibate since her separation from Ewan years ago, she would have thought herself pregnant, with the abrupt surge of emotion.


    But she was not.


    Maybe her period was on its way, she decided¡ªinhale, puff of air¡ªand started washing herself.


    She didn¡¯t think Antonio would be d to find her here, after all she had told him she had no strength to use the bathroom when they were done. He would know it was a lie if he saw her now¡ªslipping away only once he was asleep.


    Yet could he me her?


    Luckily, when she left the bathroom, Antonio was still asleep.


    In the dimly lit room, he looked peaceful, like a baby. Handsome. Her boyfriend.


    It didn¡¯t sound bad. She was just too stupid to appreciate the good in front of her.


    Gently, she picked nightwear from her wardrobe and slipped into it smoothly, making a mental note to drop by the pharmacy and get a morning-after pill.


    The matter had happened unnned¡ªseconded by Antonio¡¯s inability to pull out quickly, out of sheer excitement.


    Athena shook her head, breaking out of her mental narration. Love and sex really did make a mess of things. How else would you exin a doctor being in this situation?


    Taking ast nce at the sleeping Antonio, she stalked out of the room and headed to her children¡¯s room.


    At the door, she stopped when she heard voices inside.


    A sigh. A shake of the head. She tried to open the door. Locked.


    What the¡ª?


    "Nathaniel..." she whispered, cutting short the cussing. Were her children safe?


    "Mom..." she heard, right before the lock clicked and she was pulled inside the room¡ªor rather, she went willingly with the soft drag.


    "Why are you both still awake?" she started, seeing Kathleen hanging by the wardrobe, a dress in her hand. What was going on?


    She looked at the teddy bear clock on the wall opposite their beds. Midnight. She ced her hands on her waist and gave them a withering re.


    "Nathaniel and Kathleen Caddels. Why are you two awake?"


    The two guilty-as-charged children came before her, hands crossed at their backs, heads lowered. "We are sorry, Mom," they echoed at the same time.


    "That¡¯s not the answer to my question." Athena wouldn¡¯t let herself be bought by their puppy faces. She hated them staying upte¡ªit didn¡¯t matter that it was the weekend.


    "We were just excited. Couldn¡¯t sleep. Aunt Chelsea read us some books, we pretended to be asleep because she was tired..."


    "Already dozing off too. We had to release her," Nathaniel added,pleting his sister¡¯s statement.


    "We tried reading ourselves, but sleep wasn¡¯ting, so we decided to do other things."


    "Like?"


    Athena battled with guilt. She could have tucked her children in. They would have slept under her watch.


    No¡ªinstead, she had yielded to her stupid impulses, had had sex with Antonio, when she had been the one campaigning for space for more than three years.


    Shame unto her.


    "Well, we yed some games... we were just picking out clothes for our outing on Sunday with Father."


    <i>Father</i> meant Ewan, Athena thought, hands falling limply to her sides. "An outing? Why am I not aware of this?"


    "You were with Godfather at every turn..." Kathleen pointed out with a pout.


    "We promised Daddy we would let you know when Godfather lets you go."


    <i>Daddy?</i> Ewan had finally gotten Kathee besotted with him, Athena thoughtmely, holding in a scoff.


    Why would he arrange a meeting without informing her? Was he taking her mercy for granted?


    "Mom..."


    Meeting Nathaniel¡¯s knowing gaze, she knew she had been overthinking again.


    "Yeah, of course, you can hang out with him."


    "You areing with us too. He said you coulde."


    Athena jerked at Kathleen¡¯s words. "He said that?"


    The little girl nodded, a happy smile on her face. "You areing, right, Mom?"


    Athena was speechless. Ewan had asked her toe for the outing? Why?


    What was the gamey? Just bonding with the kids? He didn¡¯t need her for that. The kids were already bonded to him as far as bonds went.


    "Mom?" Nathaniel again.


    "Yes, I wille. I¡¯m curious about the park."


    There was nothing curious about the park, but she had to say something¡ªdammit.


    She sighed and beckoned them over. They instantly hurried into her, wrapping their arms around her waist.


    "We can pick the clothes tomorrow. For now, you both should sleep." She steered them to the bed as she spoke. "Or don¡¯t you want to be beauties like me?"


    "And Dad," Kathleen added, stopping Athena for a moment.


    Not knowing what to say to that, she eased them into bed and covered them with nkets. "Should I tell a story? Or maybe sing a rhyme?"


    Ten minutester, the children were asleep.


    <i>Thank God,</i> Athena mused, getting out of the bed and dropping a kiss on each of their foreheads.


    Beauties like Ewan? No¡ªthe statement never left her mind. Not even when she read them a story. Not when she sang a rhyme.


    Her lips trained in a pout, she left the room, shutting the door gently behind her so as not to wake the twins again.


    Next, she would bepared to the cold man on grounds of beauty. Her children might betray her!


    Athena chuckled at her foolish thoughts. What did she say about love again? It could mess with one¡¯s thoughts.


    Her next stop was Gianna¡¯s room. She smiled when she saw that she and Chelsea were sharing the same bed¡ªboth lying at odd angles on therge mattress. They must have been gossiping about something.


    She sighed, feeling wistful, missing her girls. She arranged a nket over them and left the room, returning to her own.


    Antonio was still asleep, his hand retaining the same position as before¡ªlike she was still cuddled against him.


    Sucking on her lower lip, she turned away and picked up her phone.


    There was a message. One from Ewan, and the other from Ethan.


    Her heartbeat rose steadily as she pondered which to read first. She settled on Ethan¡¯s.


    <i>The matter has been taken care of. It will fill the socials and news media in a couple of days. You don¡¯t have to worry about Shen and his siblings, boss. The academy is also doing great. Do you want details?</i>


    Athena shook her head, answering the question to herself. She trusted Ethan to do his due diligence.


    Inhaling deeply, she clicked on Ewan¡¯s message.


    <i>You deserve the best, Athena. And if Antonio is that, I wish you well in your rtionship. And I apologise for being erratic earlier. It won¡¯t happen again. Have a good night.</i>


    And for some reason she couldn¡¯t understand... Athena wasn¡¯t happy about it. As a matter of fact, rage kickstarted within her.

 Chapter 361: Day Out

    <h4>Chapter 361: Day Out</h4>


    "You are out with Ewan and the kids? After you announced to the whole world that you chose Antonio over your past?"


    Aiden¡¯s incredulous tone over the phone had Athena sighing weakly as she watched the kids mber onto a merry?go?round with Ewan. <i>The whole world</i> was just her little family in the sitting room, but Aiden was making it sound like she¡¯d staged a press conference.


    He even sounded like Gianna, who had been sulking ever since then; hating to have been absent from home during that supposedly <i>defining</i> moment. Her best friend had evene home earlier than usual yesterday, popping in at intervals during the same, thirsting for drama.


    Unfortunately for Gianna, Ewan hadn¡¯t shown up ¡ª not until this afternoon... to take the children to the park.


    He still hadn¡¯t looked at her ¡ª not really. Except to send her a polite greeting and ask for Kathleen¡¯s toy.


    "Athena Caddels?"


    Athena opened her mouth to give Aiden the same dry answer she¡¯d given her friends when asked about this outing, but Ewan beckoned at that moment.


    "Are youing?"


    And just like that, the words ¡ª saliva included ¡ª dried up in her mouth.


    This was the first time he¡¯d smiled at her since <i>the incident</i>. And that smile... boy, did it cause her heart to race.


    "Yes,ing!" Her voice sounded far chirpier than she would have liked, and when Aiden chuckled in her ear, she knew she¡¯d been right on the money.


    She only hoped Ewan was too preupied with the children to notice she was suddenly flustered around him. But he turned away the moment she ended the call and started toward him, climbing onto a horse without waiting for her.


    <i>Not so gentlemanly now, are we?</i>


    She held back a scoff and climbed onto an adjacent horse as gracefully as she could ¡ª right before the recreational machine roared to life. Theughter of her children as the equipment spun them around was enough to keep a permanent smile on her face... and to keep the nerves at bay.


    However, it couldn¡¯t keep Ewan out of her mind. Not with him teasing andughing alongside the kids. Every so often, when she caught herself staring, she would <i>forcefully</i> remember the sex with Antonio, and the constant flurry of texts they¡¯d been exchanging ever since ¡ª love texts, photo texts, morning, noon, and night.


    So much for the <i>space</i> she¡¯d once mored for.


    "Do you want ice cream?"


    She bit her lip now, watching her children follow Ewan to the ice cream stand, her hands slipping into the pockets of her caramel?colored Zara shorts. Had they forgotten her already? Had the merry go round caused their loyalties to go round?


    "Mom, aren¡¯t youing?" Nate called, dragging her from her foolish thoughts. She smiled like she¡¯d just won the lottery and hurried after them.


    While they ate their ice cream, they wandered around the park, admiring statues, gardens, and other refreshing sights.


    "I love this ce, Daddy!" Kate announced with such over?the?top enthusiasm that Athena was briefly stunned.


    What happened to <i>we¡¯ll do whatever you like, Mommy</i>? Did they think she was happy about this?


    Nathaniel tugged her hand, snapping her out of her petty thoughts, and shame prickled her skin. <i>What is wrong with me?</i>


    She stopped walking.


    "Is everything okay, Mommy?" Nathaniel stopped beside her, alerting Kate to some anomaly.


    The little one immediately slowed down when she noticed her brother had fallen back. A frown creased her little face when she saw her mother looking... confused.


    "Daddy, wait..."


    Ewan¡ªwho had been battling with a variety of emotions, enough to make him pity his own heart¡ªturned to see the object of Kate¡¯s attention. He stalled for a moment at the sight of Athena standing so still. Was she okay?


    He¡¯d been so lost in his own head that he hadn¡¯t noticed her fall behind. Or rather, he <i>had</i> noticed, but had pretended not to... so it wouldn¡¯t seem like he was aware of every breath she took, every sigh, every movement of those beautiful lips.


    "Athena, are you okay?"


    Meanwhile, Athena watched Ewan approach her, taking the opportunity to admire every detail of him, including those muscles only sparsely hidden beneath his clothes. <i>Which gym does he go to?</i>


    "Yeah, I¡¯m fine. Just tired. Can you take them on? I think I¡¯ll just take a breather on one of the benches here."


    Ewan frowned. "Are you sure? We can sit with you. Do you need something?"


    <i>Do I need something? Maybe some rity on why I¡¯m jealous of my own children!</i>


    "I¡¯m fine, Ewan. Thank you. Please, go on. I¡¯ll catch up with youter."


    He hesitated¡ªand for a moment, she thought he might argue¡ªbut then he gave a curt nod, his lips pressing into a thin line, and turned to the kids. "You want to check out more games? Maybe the chess area... win some toys?"


    The kids didn¡¯t respond. Instead, they sidled closer to Athena. "We want to stay with you."


    Ewan¡¯s shoulders drooped. Out of habit, he wondered if Athena was doing this to take the children away from him. But in the same vein, he dismissed it. Athena was a good woman¡ªthe love of his life, his saviour.


    Yes, he had given his blessing to her very public rtionship with Antonio¡ªcurrently trending at #1 on socials¡ªbut he was still intent on repaying her for saving his life at the expense of her own years ago.


    If he couldn¡¯t do that as her fianc¨¦, then he would do it as a good friend and as a father to her children.


    He would be the best father there was¡ªthe best co?parent.


    "Yes, we can stay with you," he said atst, seeing that Athena was having no luck convincing the children to go without her. "We can watch the sunset together."


    Athena shook her head. "I won¡¯t be here till sunset. I have a date with Antonio."


    Thest sentence was barely over a whisper, as though she were afraid of hurting Ewan. But to her surprise, he smiled.


    "That¡¯s great. Good for the socials and for business."


    "And what is <i>that</i> supposed to mean?" Her scowl came fast, along with that same confusing anger that had been simmering ever since his text to her two days ago.


    Ewan swallowed. He¡¯d crossed a line. "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean it like that, Athena. I just¡ª"


    She raised her hand, cutting him off. "Go with the kids. I¡¯ll meet Antonio at his ce."


    A second swallow¡ªthis one of rage and confusion at the thought of another man touching <i>his</i> woman¡ªand he gave her a short nod. "Of course. They¡¯ll be waiting at home when you get back."


    "Good." She dropped to eye level with her children and kissed their foreheads. "Mommy will see you soon, okay?"


    The twins nodded and wished her well, and off she went¡ªleaving Ewan standing there, still watching after her.


    "Do you still like Mommy?" Kathleen¡¯s voice broke into his thoughts.


    When the meaning of her words settled, his ears went red. He cleared his throat, trying to recover. "Of course I like her. She¡¯s a good woman. Do you want to check out the chess game?"


    "She meant do you <i>love</i> my mother... Do you want her back?" Nate asked, sidestepping his earlier question entirely.


    Ewan swallowed again, suddenly nervous. How exactly did one exin this to six?year?olds? Brainiac or not?


    "Dad?" Kathleen¡¯s eyes were wide and hopeful.


    He wondered why. Were they nning to interfere in his rtionship with Athena? He didn¡¯t want that¡ªdidn¡¯t think Athena would appreciate it. In fact, she¡¯d probably believe he¡¯d put them up to it. Never mind that their loyalty to her far outweighed any loyalty to him.


    "I want what¡¯s best for her. And that¡¯s all that matters."


    Nate raised a brow. "And how would you know what¡¯s best for her?"


    Ewan was briefly speechless. He ruffled Nate¡¯s hair, looked away, scanning the park ¡ª his eyes unconsciously searching for Athena. "Because that¡¯s what she wants. Whatever she wants is best for her."


    Kate and Nate exchanged a nce, then shook their heads and chuckled drily.


    "That¡¯s the most untrue statement I¡¯ve ever heard," Nate pointed out. "Most times, what we want is the <i>worst</i> thing for us. Surely you can see that."


    Ewan breathed in and out slowly. "Well, your mom is an adult. She¡¯s made good decisions eighty percent of the time, so I say we trust her call this time. Now, let¡¯s head to the chess arena. The topic is closed."


    "But¡ª"


    He raised a sharp brow, silencing Kathleen. "I said the topic is closed. Besides, you have school tomorrow. Don¡¯t you have educational things you¡¯d rather talk about?"


    The two children snorted and looked elsewhere, clearly displeased at not getting their way.


    "Come on now..." He smiled and ruffled their hair again. "We should allow Mommy to do what she wants. Don¡¯t you think she deserves that? And if it¡¯s a mistake, we should let her make it. Let her learn from it. She won¡¯t be pleased if we interfere."


    Still, he was deeply ttered that the kids thought he was a worthy contender for Athena¡¯s affection.

 Chapter 362: In Love?

    <h4>Chapter 362: In Love?</h4>


    The private dining room glowed with soft golden light, spilling from a chandelier shaped like a cluster of tiny blossoms. The table before Athena was set with crystal sses and fine china, each te rimmed with delicate gold. A vase of fresh orchids stood in the center, their fragrance faint but sweet, blending with the aroma of the dishesid before them.


    Gentle music floated in the background¡ªa low, steady rhythm that wrapped the room in quiet romance.


    Antonio had gone all out for this date. Maybe he was trying to wipe off the memory of thest one they¡¯d had, the one where her mind had been in the clouds rather than on her boyfriend.


    She mused on that with a soft smile, pleased that he had at least taken herints into ount and had kept the paparazzi away. It would have put a stain on the evening; it was enough receiving congrattory messages and looks from the citizens on her feed, her website¡ªeverywhere.


    Even her colleagues, past and present, had thrown in their congrattions. Shawn had asked for his daughter to be one of the little flower girls at her wedding¡ªshe had sent him a sticker of an angrydy shooting at a disturbing male in return. And her old boss was still holding a little grudge; the media had made it seem like Antonio was her fianc¨¦.


    Seven minutes ago, the president himself had joined the parade. <i>I hear congrattions are in order, Athena. Remember to send an invite. It would mean much to me and the state.</i> As if she were at a level higher than the president.


    As much as herpanies worldwide had recorded an increase in sales¡ªseeing as she had utilized the attention strategically¡ªshe wished for obscurity, just a little.


    Now, in this moment, she took it all in. The beauty of this ce she had heard of but had never taken the time to visit¡ªmostly because she hadn¡¯t had a partner. It wasn¡¯t a ce for business talks.


    Her gaze wandered over the elegance before returning to Antonio, her man looking dashing in a navy-blue tuxedo. He sat across from her, rxed but with that familiar glint in his eyes. She felt warm inside just looking at him.


    Her cheeks blossomed red when he winked at her suggestively. Of course, he was still riding the high of the few hours they had spent together before preparing for the date.


    He hadn¡¯t expected her sudden visit. She hadn¡¯t nned it either, but with Ewan bearing down on her earlier, she had taken the easy way out¡ªneeding to needle his emotions as he did to hers.


    It had been worth it, she surmised, her thoughts drifting to the memories they had shared in his beautiful, homely apartment¡ªto the heat of their make-out session on his couch. The smile on her lips widened, unknown to her.


    It had started innocently enough¡ªAntonio teasing her about losing in their little board game challenge. He¡¯d leaned in to "congratte" himself, his lips brushing hers in a yful, stolen way that made her breath hitch.


    Then it had deepened¡ªhis hand warm against her cheek, his mouth iming hers in slow, lingering kisses that left her melting into him. She remembered the soft scrape of his stubble against her skin, the weight of his arm pulling her closer until the world beyond his living room simply didn¡¯t exist.


    When she recovered herself, courtesy of his phone ringing, her bra had slipped off their designated ce.


    Then there had been the <i>spa</i> in the bathtub. She¡¯d been bathing luxuriously in scented oils, preparing for the dinner date, when he had walked in naked¡ªsave for the bottle of wine in his hand and two ss cups.


    Theughter that fell from her lips ungracefully when he slipped while trying to get into the tub was priceless.


    The gentle hum of water, the scent of eucalyptus, his hand finding hers under the scented water... They¡¯d lounged side by side, sipping wine, talking in low voices about nothing and everything. Laughing about bonds and bad business moves.


    She remembered the way he looked at her there¡ªlike he was memorizing her¡ªbefore he imed her body for the third time.


    She felt seen, chosen; something she had yearned for, begged for, during the three years of her marriage with Ewan. She believed her earlier unsettling about Antonio was only because of past trauma; she wasn¡¯t used to being treated like this, like she was a gem.


    She chuckled softly, remembering the lingering kisses they¡¯d shared by the door before walking to the car, contemting whether they should damn the reservation at the best romantic restaurant in the city¡ªthey werete after all¡ªand just spend the night on the couch.


    Was this what his other girlfriends had felt when they had been with him? She wondered. No wonder they had fought over each other for his attention instead of fighting the man responsible for their miseries.


    Athena was so lost in her own world that she didn¡¯t notice Antonio leaning closer until the cool silver of a spoon brushed her lips. It held a bite of saffron-infused risotto studded with tender lobster¡ªfragrant, creamy, and rich.


    She smiled as she epted it, savoring the taste before swallowing.


    "You¡¯ve got a little..." he murmured, his hand reaching forward. Instead of a napkin, he gently brushed the corner of her mouth with his finger.


    Athenaughed, and before she could say a word, he reced his touch with the soft press of his lips¡ªa quick, chaste kiss, but enough to send warmth rushing through her.


    Oh, this was love, she argued against her unsettled feelings.


    "Do you want me?" delivered in a deep, husky voice made Athena smile shyly and nce around.


    They were alone in this small VIP space, yet it wasn¡¯t silence that filled the air¡ªit was intimacy. Each couple present in their tent-like space was wrapped in their own world, speaking in low tones, leaning close over their tables.


    It felt private, safe. Athena loved it. She liked Antonio for being thoughtful.


    "Wait till we get home, tiger," she muttered, kissing his lips. "And I¡¯m still hungry. You haven¡¯t remedied that yet."


    To that end, Antonio brought up another spoonful of food to her mouth.


    "Hey..." sheughed. "I can feed myself. Just let me eat and stop looking at me like that."


    Antonio, the happiest man in the world, smiled and obeyed¡ªhe stopped feeding her, though he kept staring.


    "Antonio!" A weak protest.


    "I can¡¯t help it, Athena. Do you know how long I have waited for this?"


    Athena offered a na?ve smile in response before she dug into her food properly.


    "You love the food?"


    A nod, another spoonful finding home in her mouth. "Best I¡¯ve eaten in a while at a restaurant."


    Her phone buzzed softly on the table. She nced down to see a message from Nathaniel: <i>Mom, are you okay?</i>


    Athena swallowed, emotions giving way to rity. She was out at a time well past her bedtime.


    "Who is that?" Antonio managed sessfully to keep the anxiety from his voice. Even though Athena had assured him of her faithfulness, he didn¡¯t trust Ewan; didn¡¯t put it past thetter to use the children to get her attention.


    "Nate. He is worried about me."


    Antonio sighed in relief. "He doesn¡¯t know you are with me?"


    Athena opened her inbox. "They do. It¡¯s just that I¡¯ve not stayed outte on a date before. I¡¯ll just send him a quick text."


    "Are you going home tonight?" Antonio¡¯s heart hung on a thin thread, especially when Athena stopped typing and looked at him.


    A beat. Two. Three. "No. I¡¯ll stay with you."


    Firstly, because she could. Secondly, because she wasn¡¯t ready for the looks her grandfather¡ªand God forbid if Ewan was around¡ªwould give her. She wanted to have fun today, destress, and think of nothing but the present, her boyfriend¨Cpossibly her fianc¨¦.


    She knew she had made the right choice when Antonio smiled at her in worship, taking her free hand and kissing it lovingly.


    "I love you so much, Athena."


    Yet she couldn¡¯t say the words back, not as genuinely as he spoke his, at least. She rather smiled tenderly, wishing him to understand.


    Antonio did; he was a patient man. "I will wait. I¡¯m sure we will get there soon."


    An appreciative nod, and then she sent the message to Nathaniel: <i>I am okay, darling. I¡¯m still at dinner, but I won¡¯t being home tonight. Talk to you soon. Love you loads.</i>


    "Do you think the children would want me as their father?"


    A thoughtful question, Athena realized while she watched the elegant servers tending to their table minutester.


    "Of course, babe. They¡¯ve known you since forever," she assured him, stifling the memory that arose¡ªof Antonio thinkingic books were a no for her children, that her children¡¯s intelligence was another money-making venture.


    It was a mistake, she told herself. She shouldn¡¯t cancel him because of that. Ewan had done worse after all.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 363: Disrupted Dinner

    <h4>Chapter 363: Disrupted Dinner</h4>


    Athena cussed the next second when Ewan¡¯s image filtered into her mind then ¡ª uninvited, vivid, and warm. It was like she had summoned him by iming he was bad.


    She saw clearly: him pushing their little boy on a swing, theirughter tangled in the breeze and dwindling sunlight. It hit her like a blow, that moment suspended in time, the way his face had softened as he looked at Nathaniel, how he¡¯d wiped the sweat off his brow with one hand while steadying the swing with the other. Her chest clenched.


    And then another image ¡ª the sh of Ewan¡¯s arms around her, saving her from the copsing scaffolding days ago, his firm voice barking orders, his hand on her back. He had saved her life more than twice, Aiden too, and that included the mission.


    He had been present. He had shown up when it mattered. How could she im him worse? Should a man be judged by his past alone?


    Now, seated across from Antonio, surrounded by candlelight and expensive wines, with the taste of saffron and lobster still lingering on her tongue, her heart tugged in two directions ¡ª hard.


    She blinked at her te. There was no need ruminating on this matter. She thought, wincing slightly. She shouldn¡¯t be thinking of Ewan now, not while on a date with her partner.


    <i>Antonio is my choice. Antonio is my choice.</i> She repeated the mantra over and over in her mind, each time a little more desperate, like she was trying to beat back the rush of memories that didn¡¯t belong in this perfect evening. The words started as reassurance, but the more she said them, the more they began to feel forced, like a veil too thin to block out the truth.


    She straightened a little, adjusting the napkin on herp. She was still disoriented, still not entirely <i>here</i>. And that was wrong. She was supposed to be glowing, happy ¡ª this was what she wanted. Wasn¡¯t it?


    Athena bit down on her lower lip. How did she go from fawning over Antonio to feeling like this in a matter of minutes? What was wrong with her?


    Meanwhile, Antonio¡¯s eyes were trained on her, soft but intent. "Athena, what¡¯s wrong?"


    She looked up quickly, too quickly, her expression faltering into something between guilt and confusion. "I¡¯m fine," she replied, with a faint, dismissive smile. "Just a little... tired."


    Antonio didn¡¯t believe her, not for a second. She wasn¡¯t asposed as usual, wasn¡¯t the Athena who arranged her expressions like polished stones.


    No, as of three minutes ago, she was a little undone. There was a flicker of panic in her eyes. Her fingers yed with the stem of her winess too often.


    "Don¡¯t lie to me," he said quietly, reaching for her hand. "If something¡¯s wrong, tell me. I will solve it immediately."


    Before she could muster a reply ¡ª or worse, a lie ¡ª her phone dinged, vibrating gently against the table. She snatched it up, grateful for the distraction.


    "It¡¯s Nathaniel," she said automatically, though she hadn¡¯t checked. When she did nce at the screen, relief which flooded her shifted away a little.


    It wasn¡¯t her son that had just sent a text. It was Shawn.


    <i>The cells are secure. All culprits tucked away. No leaks. Rest easy.</i>


    A stagepleted. Athena hadn¡¯t realized how tightly her shoulders were drawn until she read the words. One part of the n was now neatly boxed away. A quiet sigh escaped her lips, almost unconscious.


    Antonio watched her with narrowed eyes. "Nathaniel sent you a report that has you sighing like that? Did something happen?"


    She paused, caught. "He¡ª It¡¯s just something I asked about earlier. It¡¯s fine."


    He tilted his head, suspicion shing, but he let it go. The night was too beautiful to mar with arguments. He nced toward the dessert tray being wheeled in by a bowing waiter.


    "Well," he said, clearing his throat. "If you¡¯re not going to tell me what¡¯s bothering you, at least let me tempt you with sugar. Dessert?"


    She smiled faintly. "I could use some sweetness."


    Minutester, a delicate chocte tart was ced before her, glossy with ganache and drizzled with raspberry coulis. Antonio¡¯s te held a lemon sorbet, dusted with mint and served in a crystal coupe.


    The moment lightened ¡ª slightly. Conversation resumed, albeit in quieter tones. They spoke about the restaurant, the interior decor, the music ¡ª surface things, pleasant things.


    Antonio stole a bite from her tart and she mock-scowled at him. "I thought you weren¡¯t a dessert person."


    "I¡¯m not," he said, licking a smear of chocte from his thumb. "But <i>you</i> are. And I like tasting your joy."


    It made her heart soften, even as her mind screamed that something still felt off, something that made her nerves tingle with apprehension.


    Then came the intrusion.


    "Look who¡¯s here," came a too-familiar voice, smooth and poisoned with charm. "The queen of the hour."


    Athena turned in her seat, and there they were: Cedric and Victoria. So, that was the reason for her apprehensive nerves...


    They had entered the tented VIP space without so much as an announcement ¡ª Cedric in a sharply tailored cream jacket, offset with a royal blue shirt that clung too tightly to his chest, like he was desperate to show he still belonged on magazine covers.


    Victoria stood beside him, tall, stiff, and ufortable in a sequined champagne gown that caught every flicker of candlelight but did nothing to light her eyes.


    "Cousin," Cedric greeted, offering a smile that never touched his eyes. "Congrattions again on being a Thorne. Quite the reintroduction to the world."


    Athena didn¡¯t flinch. She summoned the cold, calm businesswoman in her, cing a quiet smile on her lips. "Thank you, Cedric. And thank you foring over to say Hi. I didn¡¯t expect it."


    "Neither did we," Victoria said, her voice t. "We were dining in the east wing. Heard this was where the important people, who are in love, were."


    Antonio stood, ever the gentleman. "Good to see you both. Care to join us?"


    Athena blinked.


    The <i>betrayal</i> was subtle, but sharp.


    Cedric smiled wider. "Don¡¯t mind if we do."


    Momentster, another romantically adorned table was joined to theirs, waiters rushing to reset silverware andy down fresh menus.


    Athena sat rigid, swirling her wine slowly, watching as Victoria took the seat beside her ¡ª far too close forfort ¡ª while Cedric settled across from Antonio.


    She tried not topare. But she couldn¡¯t help it.


    Ewan wouldn¡¯t have allowed this.


    No, she corrected herself. She shouldn¡¯t beparing. That was unfair.


    Still, a faint wave of longing hit her. Ewan would¡¯ve shut Cedric down with one look. Would¡¯ve made the room turn cold and ufortable for them. Not weed them in.


    Why didn¡¯t Antonio read the room? Why didn¡¯t he seek her input?


    "So," Cedric began, eyes dancing with performative warmth. "How¡¯s it been, settling into the Thorne estate? You must be busy, especially with the uing introduction party. Huge deal."


    Athena took a sip of her wine. "Everything is moving smoothly. I have good people."


    "Of course you do," he chuckled. "And Antonio... congrattions, man. Bagging the family jewel, eh?"


    Antonio only smiled, but Athena caught the flicker of irritation in his brow. "I¡¯m lucky," he said, reaching for her hand again.


    She held in a scoff. He shouldn¡¯t dare y irritated now!


    Victoriaughed awkwardly. "So much romance in the air. We could almost forget we¡¯re all rted."


    Athena turned, offering a civil smile to Victoria. "How are wedding preparationsing along?"


    "Oh, busy," Victoria replied, her voice tight. "So many details to handle. Cedric¡¯s a perfectionist, you know."


    Athena nodded. "Must be hard juggling business and nning."


    Victoria¡¯s lips twitched. "Oh, I leave the business to him."


    Cedric puffed with pride. "And it¡¯s booming. Our shares are climbing. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve seen the reports ¡ª not everyone can handle the market vtility, but I¡¯ve made some shrewd moves. The board¡¯s pleased."


    Athena met his gaze. "That¡¯s good to hear. I hope you¡¯ll share those moves during the next strategy meeting. I¡¯m always open to coboration."


    Cedric faltered, just for a second.


    Beside her, Victoria looked like she¡¯d rather be anywhere else. Being this close to a nemesis was messing with her mind and control.


    Athena, never one to waste opportunity, turned to her. "So, Victoria, are you involved in the event nning? You seem like you¡¯d have great taste."


    Victoria blinked, caught off guard. "Oh¡ªwell¡ªI mean, I just give feedback, really. The nner handles most of it."


    Athena nodded, eyes narrowing. "Makes sense. Delegating is an art. Though I do think being hands-on reveals more about a person."


    Victoria bristled, shifting ufortably.


    <i>She doesn¡¯t want to be here either,</i> Athena realized. <i>Just another pawn in Cedric¡¯s little show.</i>


    And then, almost on cue, came the final yers.


    Cedric¡¯s parents arrived.


    Marianne, regal in a ck velvet gown embroidered with silver thread, and Jonathan, stiff in a charcoal grey suit. They entered like they owned the room ¡ª or had nned to.


    Athena instantly knew Cedric had summoned them. Probably the reason for all the typing on his phone earlier.


    She stood, polite, ready to y the game.


    They wanted to outnumber her? Fine. She had survived Ewan¡¯s betrayal. She could survive this dinner too.


    Even if her heart ¡ª and her loyalty ¡ª still felt a little lost in the tug-of-war between past and present.

 Chapter 364: Disrupted Dinner II

    <h4>Chapter 364: Disrupted Dinner II</h4>


    Pleasantries were exchanged with the exact politeness expected at formal dinners.


    Jonathan and Marianne¡ª Cedric¡¯s parents ¡ª stepped forward with stered smiles, but their eyes said something else entirely.


    Athena could feel them scan her boldly from head to toe, eyes flicking over her gown, her makeup, the way she sat. It wasn¡¯t admiration. It was an audit.


    "So," Mrs. Thorne started, her smile so tight it barely touched her eyes. "Still practicing medicine, dear?"


    Athena nodded once, not betraying an inch of emotion. "Yes. I still see patients during the week."


    Jonathan interjected, adjusting the edge of his silk cuff as a waiter ced a te before him. "And you n to keep doing that... while handling business?" His tone made it sound ridiculous, like asking if she nned to juggle knives and solve algebra equations at the same time.


    "I believe I can do both," Athena replied, raising her ss for a slow sip. "But ultimately, it¡¯s up to Grandfather. If he wills me the legacy, I¡¯ll run it."


    The table froze for a second. The moment had the weight of a prophecy.


    A practiced chorus of congrattions followed, but the tness of their voices gave them away. Cedric¡¯s father blinked slowly, drawing in a controlled breath. His mind was elsewhere ¡ª she could feel it.


    <i>If it were up to me, she¡¯d still be on the street, forgotten like a clerical error.</i>


    <i>She talks about running an empire like it¡¯s scheduling a manicure.</i>


    <i>Doesn¡¯t even know the sacrifices Cedric made. Or the way we shaped him for this...</i>


    Mrs. Thorne¡¯s thoughts were no better.


    <i>She¡¯ll ruin it all. A stranger, parading in as if she belongs...</i>


    <i>What does she know ofpany politics? Of legacy? Of hosting foreign dignitaries?</i>


    <i>She¡¯s... capable, maybe, but she¡¯s not one of us.</i>


    "We¡¯d love for you to visit," Mrs. Thorne added, voice dripping sweet poison. "During the week, before the party to be exact. Just to catch up properly. It would be nice."


    "I¡¯ll think about it," Athena said with a smile so calm it cut.


    Their silence, thick with disapproval, didn¡¯t daunt her. She continued eating with perfect poise as another waiter swept in with wine and fresh bread.


    Then came the stories ¡ª Cedric¡¯s childhood, how old Mr. Thorne had taken him to board meetings as a boy, how he gave his first speech at sixteen. Jonathan spoke with forced humility, but there was a pointed gleam in his eye every time he said "groomed for leadership" or "naturally gifted."


    Athena smiled at intervals. Calm, passive. Like a lioness sunbathing, watching monkeys chatter.


    Antonio remained polite, quiet, his hand asionally brushing hers under the table in silent encouragement. But Athena didn¡¯t need encouragement. She needed restraint. Her every smile was measured.


    Then came the dagger.


    Mrs. Thorne leaned forward, tone light as whipped cream. "And your college years? I do remember the news that circled the socials a few months ago. You were called..." She gave a soft, pitying chuckle. "An illiterate street girl, was it?"


    Antonio¡¯s fork paused mid-air.


    Athena didn¡¯t blink. "You¡¯re a bit too old, madam, to believe rumors."


    The pause after her words was icy. Mrs. Thorne¡¯s smile faltered just slightly ¡ª not enough for scandal, but enough to mark the wound.


    The conversation stumbled from then. Antonio tried to revive it, tossing in remarks about intion, global markets, the recent merge talks in Asia. Nothing worked.


    Athena returned to her dessert, ignoring the menace thick in the air. She focused on the sugar crust cracking under her spoon, the taste of it on her tongue. She did not break. She never broke.


    Eventually, Cedric¡¯s father cleared his throat. "We have to leave," he said stiffly. "Early day tomorrow."


    Everyone rose. Athena smiled ¡ª all teeth. "It was so nice seeing you."


    They left with stiff nods and careful nces over their shoulders.


    Antonio was not pleased.


    He turned to her once they were alone, voice low but firm. "You didn¡¯t have to be that blunt."


    "I wasn¡¯t blunt," Athena replied, rising and smoothing her dress. "I was polite."


    "You could¡¯ve pretended to be happy to see them," he said, watching her. "You¡¯ll be working with them. They¡¯re not strangers."


    "They¡¯re already enemies," Athena answered simply, picking up her clutch. "Pretending would¡¯ve been a waste of my energy. I¡¯m heading home."


    Antonio sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Athena¡ª"


    She stopped, waiting.


    He let his pride go, just enough. "I¡¯m sorry. You were right. They were out of line. I just... I don¡¯t want this to be harder than it has to be."


    She turned, studying him for a moment. Then, slowly, she nodded. "Fine."


    He drove them home in silence, but it wasn¡¯t hostile. Just full. Tired.


    When they got in, Antonio barely waited for the door to close before he began kissing her ¡ª soft at first, then deeper. His hands on her waist, his mouth near her ear.


    But Athena¡¯s mind was elsewhere. The kids. Her stomach twisted with longing.


    She pulled back gently, breath catching. "I need to call Nathaniel."


    Antonio exhaled, frustrated, but didn¡¯t protest. "I¡¯ll go change."


    She retreated to the second bedroom and sat on the bed, pulling out her phone. She shouldn¡¯t be calling thiste ¡ª she¡¯d told Nathaniel to always be in bed before midnight. But she couldn¡¯t help it.


    The phone rang twice.


    Nathaniel answered, bleary-eyed but smiling. "Hey, Mom. You are callingter..."


    "I¡¯m sorry sweetheart. Just had to hear your voice. Where¡¯s Kathleen? Is she asleep?"


    He switched the camera. "Sort of."


    Her breath caught. Katey curled like a kitten; her tiny arm flung over therge figure next to her. Ewan.


    He was fast asleep, shirt half-buttoned, her daughter¡¯s dark curls on his chest.


    Athena¡¯s heart twisted. <i>He stayed the night?</i> The image froze her. Ewan, asleep with her daughter on his chest, like it was the most natural thing in the world.


    "Who¡¯s that?" she whispered, even though she knew. She will know that body shape anywhere, even in her dreams.


    Nathaniel angled the phone gently. "That¡¯s Daddy, Mom. Kate wouldn¡¯t sleep till he read her a story. I didn¡¯t n it, but... I figured it was okay."


    Athena couldn¡¯t speak for a second.


    "Mom, do you want me to send him home?"


    "No," Athena said quietly. "It¡¯s fine." A pause. "Go to bed, Nate. I will see you tomorrow, bright and early."


    "Okay Mom, goodnight. Send my regards to godfather."


    "I will." And she air-kissed him.


    The call ended.


    She stared at the dark screen. Her heart ¡ª tugged in two directions again. She could feel the tension between her ribs, the ache of guilt, longing, confusion.


    She rose slowly, walked back to the main bedroom.


    Antonio stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. "Finally," he murmured, walking toward her.


    But the moment was gone.


    "I¡¯m tired," Athena said softly. "Headache."


    His face dropped, the energy draining from him. "Seriously?"


    She didn¡¯t reply. Just went to the bed, slid under the sheets, back turned to him.


    Antonio stood still for a moment, then sighed and dropped the towel.


    He didn¡¯t press her. But the air between them ¡ª tight with disappointment ¡ª lingered until the lights went out.


    And still, even in the darkness, Athena could see the image burned behind her eyes: Ewan¡¯s sleeping form, and Kate breathing on his chest.


    *****


    They came for him when he least expected.


    The door to his cell groaned open, letting in a shaft of dim, flickering light. Alfonso blinked against it, shielding his eyes with trembling fingers. It had been so long since he¡¯d seen anything but ck.


    The guard who stepped in wore a mask ¡ª nk, unreadable ¡ª and said nothing.


    "Where... where are you taking me?" Alfonso rasped. His voice sounded foreign, brittle with disuse.


    No response. Just a gesture.


    He staggered to his feet, bones aching from disuse, and followed. The corridors were a blur of concrete and dripping pipes. His bare feet pped against cold, damp floors. He had no idea how many days ¡ª or weeks ¡ª he¡¯d been here. Time had stopped existing after the third day without sunlight. After the fourth cold bath that burned more than it cleansed.


    They shoved him into a room.


    And there she was.


    Fiona.


    His daughter.


    But not the girl he remembered.


    She sat slouched in a chair under a sickly yellow bulb, wrists bandaged, one eye swollen half-shut. Her breath came in shallow wheezes. But her face... it was unmistakably hers. Still his daughter, even through the wreckage.


    "Fiona." The name tore from his throat. He rushed forward, arms outstretched ¡ª but stopped when she flinched.


    His hands hovered in the air. "What... what did they do to you?"


    Her eyes flickered toward him. "Ewan."


    The namended like a p.


    "Ewan?" he echoed. "But... he doesn¡¯t remember. He couldn¡¯t¡ª"


    "He does now."


    Alfonso sank to his knees in front of her, bewildered. "But why are you here?"


    She looked at him then, truly looked at him. There was something cold in her gaze. "Because I touched what didn¡¯t belong to me. Just like you did."


    He swallowed hard. "I was trying to save us."


    "No," she whispered. "You were trying to destroy her. And now... look where we are. You didn¡¯t stop me either."


    Her voice was brittle, sharp. It wasn¡¯t judgment ¡ª it was something worse. Pity.


    Alfonso recoiled as if burned. "She... she¡¯s poisoned himpletely," he muttered. "Turned him against us."


    "Or maybe," Fiona murmured, "he finally saw things clearly. There wasn¡¯t much of a choice, with the whole evidence presented."


    A pause. "We are scum, dad. We are reaping the fruits of ourbor. I¡¯m actually grateful to her. You wouldn¡¯t understand though."


    He looked at her again, stunned. "You can¡¯t believe that," he whispered. "Not after all she¡¯s done."


    But Fiona just closed her eyes, leaning back in the chair, her battered frame too tired to argue.


    The guard returned without a word, grabbing Alfonso by the cor and hauling him to his feet. As he was dragged away, he looked back once, but Fiona didn¡¯t move.


    Back in his cell, the darkness swallowed him again.


    He pressed his back to the wall, breathing hard, trembling.


    He didn¡¯t want freedom.


    He didn¡¯t want peace.


    He only wanted Athena to pay.


    He gnashed his teeth, then broke down in tears at his helplessness.

 Chapter 365: Morning Affairs

    <h4>Chapter 365: Morning Affairs</h4>


    Have the fools found out what they were up to? Athena wondered, reading through Aiden¡¯s message for the second time on the bright Monday morning.


    The sunlight spilled in through the windows of the moving car, sharp and almost too cheerful for the heaviness that had nested inside her chest.


    Inside the car with her were her children, whom she would drop off at school before checking in at the hospital.


    Even though Herbert had told her to take more time off, she simply couldn¡¯t; not with the restlessness that kept assaulting her every waking minute.


    She was getting things done in the medical field¡ªreal, tangible progress¡ªeven to the extent of inching closer to figuring out the mystery behind the Grey disease; but she couldn¡¯t keep a tight lid on her emotions, no matter how hard she tried.


    She wasn¡¯t sure what that said about her¡ªabout her control, about her bnce.


    It didn¡¯t help that things had been strained between herself and Antonio sincest night, worsened by the fact that she couldn¡¯t exin to him why she had just... turned off during their lovemaking.


    He had looked resigned, almost like a man adding another strange entry to a growing list, when she had insisted on going home at 4 a.m. She hoped he had filed it under "bizarre actions due to the kids" and not under <i>Ewan</i>.


    Ewan.


    She sighed quietly, her thumb grazing the phone screen with an absent tenderness.


    When she had walked into the children¡¯s room earlier, she had met a sight that rooted her to the spot: Ewan, lying in the middle of the bed, the children pressed to him on both sides, all asleep in a tangle of limbs as if waiting for a mummy toe home.


    It was a sight she could get used to¡ªand one she couldn¡¯t afford to.


    Before she could force that imagery out of her mind, Ewan had woken up, as if sensing her presence. And before she could say a word, he had whispered a profuse apology, dropped light kisses on the tops of the children¡¯s heads, and slipped away into the dim hallway without stopping for even an idle chat.


    Her emotionally fragile self had plunged into an abyss she hadn¡¯t yet recovered from, even now, hourster.


    "Mom, Rodney is calling you." Kathleen¡¯s voice snapped her from the mire of thoughts.


    "Rodney, what is the matter?" she asked, meeting her driver¡¯s gaze in the mirror, one eyebrow raised.


    Rodney, who was beginning to realise he had fewer and fewer chances of ever asking his boss out¡ªespecially with the children strangely aloof toward him, unlike before, as if they were convinced he was somehow... bad¡ªswallowed hard. He still wasn¡¯t immune to the quiet, devastating beauty that was Athena.


    "I want to know where I should head out to first. The children¡¯s school?"


    Athena frowned before realising that the instructions she had given earlier had been purely in her head. She sighed and nodded. "Yes, to my children¡¯s school first."


    Her eyes dropped again to Aiden¡¯s message.


    There was still no movement on the mole front. The only tangible thread they had were the twin doctors, but without evidence, it was nothing but air.


    Before their fallout, Ewan had assured her that he had assigned a few men to tail the doctors at all times. But he hadn¡¯t given her any updates, and she couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªwas he keeping information from her to avoid involving her, or was there truly nothing to report?


    If it was thetter, it might mean the enemies were lying low for the moment.


    Morgan¡¯s capture must have rattled them more than they¡¯d anticipated. That, at least, was good. She believed it was. Maybe she could breathe a little.


    Kathleen tapped her arm gently. "Are you angry with Daddy for sleeping over?"


    Athena¡¯s face tensed again as she noted Nathaniel¡¯s expectant gaze in the rearview mirror. Why would they think she¡¯d be angry?


    She almostughed at the thought¡ªof course they would suspect something, given how protective she had been of them. Rightly so.


    "I am not angry. He left because he had work."


    She knew they had drawn their conclusion because Ewan hadn¡¯t been around for breakfast. She had seen their nces sweeping the dining area, scanning for him. And again, that quiet, icy fear pressed at her chest. What if Ewan messed up again?


    She hoped not¡ªtruly, she did. She couldn¡¯t imagine what part of her would emerge from that betrayal a second time.


    Minutester, they arrived at the school. Athena stepped out of the car and led the children in, needing to hear their progress report and, perhaps, if they had caused any trouble since herst visit.


    "Not at all," the ss teacher said warmly. "They are excellent kids. Role models, if I dare say. I see the other children taking lessons in behaviour and academics from them. You have trained them well, Doctor Athena."


    Athena smiled politely, though inwardly she wasn¡¯t so sure of such glowing praise. She knew her children.


    As intelligent and model-like as they could be, they were also capable of mischief. She wouldn¡¯t put it past them to exert a little dominance over ssmates when provoked.


    So... there had been no trigger all these months?


    "Thank you," she replied perfunctorily, watching her children walk to their seats amid gazes thick with admiration. Not a single mean look toward them, not even from the bully Kathleen had onceined about.


    She exhaled softly, thanked the teacher for her efforts, and moved toward the principal¡¯s office.


    "They are brilliant..." The principal¡¯s praise rolled on, familiar as an old song.


    Athena listened, already aware of every word. <i>Tell me something I don¡¯t know,</i> she almost wanted to say aloud.


    She kept herposure, barely, as she realised the true root of her dissatisfaction: the mess of her rtionships¡ªwith Ewan and with Antonio.


    "But..."


    Finally. Athena almost sighed with relief.


    "The ss teacher told me they can be quite controlling¡ªnot in a bully way," the principal hurried to add, hands lifted in a defensive flutter.


    "Just... passive. I don¡¯t know if you understand. However, the teacher thinks it¡¯s fine, since it has helped stop bullying in the ss. You know how children can be... going after another¡¯s toy. Miss Prisy says it haspletely stopped. Just one look from your Nathaniel or Kathleen, and themotion ends. They are also favourites with their ssmates¡ªheroes to most. You should be proud."


    And proud she was. But...


    "Did you ever find out how they manage to keep the other kids in check?"


    The principal frowned slightly, then shook her head. "Since the teacher was pleased, I didn¡¯t see the need to investigate further. It¡¯s probably just them not sharing their goodies... I think that usually gets to children."


    Goodies? Athena kept her face neutral. She didn¡¯t give her children boxes of treats as a bribe for friendship. She made a mental note to ask them some pointed questions after school.


    "Thank you, Mrs. Goodness. You do a good job here. I¡¯ll see you around."


    "Of course, Doctor Athena. Have a good day."


    Back in the car, Athena leaned her head back against the seat, closing her eyes for a brief, weightless moment.


    "Drive to the hospital," she said after a pause, noticing the odd stillness in the vehicle.


    "Yes, ma," Rodney replied, starting the engine.


    Momentster, he stopped again. "We are at the hospital." His hand shook slightly as he turned off the ignition.


    "Thank you, Rodney." Athena reached for her tote bag and was about to step out when he spoke her name.


    "Is there anything the matter?" she asked, brows drawing together. He looked... nervous. Was this about his sry? What had he done with the advance she had given him?


    "Rodney... I¡¯mte for work," she said, when he didn¡¯t speak right away. "Do you need something?"


    He shook his head, wiping sweaty palms on his jeans.


    "What is it, then?" she asked more softly, in case it was something serious.


    "Rodney..."


    "You are beautiful, ma¡¯am."


    Athena¡¯s eyebrows shot up to her hairline. The words seemed to fill the car, seeping into every corner, every seam.


    "Thank you," she managed finally, recovering from her brief speechlessness.


    Watching him swallow hard, she answered the question she already knew he wanted to ask next¡ªand silently cursed herself for not recognising it earlier.


    She had assumed his lingering nces were just admiration for working for a public figure.


    "No, Rodney. The only reason I hired you was because you seemed like a good, trustworthy person. That¡¯s all. Nothing beyond a working rtionship can develop between us, and I would appreciate it if you respected that. Okay?"


    She watched the shift in his expression¡ªthe detion in his eyes, the slow slump of his shoulders.


    "I¡¯m sorry," he murmured, head bowed.


    "That¡¯s okay. You can take a break. I won¡¯t be out for a couple of hours."


    If Herbert let her have her way.

 Chapter 366: Lunch With Herbert

    <h4>Chapter 366: Lunch With Herbert</h4>


    "When one of the chief nurses told me that you hade into the hospital earlier today to work, I couldn¡¯t believe it at first¡ªthat you would flout a direct order."


    Athena raised a brow, dropping the writing pen on the file before her, meeting Herbert¡¯s gaze, which was tainted with both amusement and worry.


    Two beats of silence passed, and then both dissolved into fits ofughter.


    "You..."


    Moreughter followed, with Athena getting out from her seat, walking over to Herbert, and giving him a side hug.


    "You are crazy, old man," Athena said when she broke away from the hug. Even though their first linkup had been hostile¡ªa catastrophe, to be exact¡ªthey hade a long way to be friends and good working partners.


    Herbert scoffed at Athena¡¯s title for him. "I am not an old man, woman. If you call me that, what would you call your grandfather then?"


    Athena chuckled softly, indicating the seat nearby. "You have a good point. Maybe I¡¯ll call you ¡¯Elder¡¯ instead?"


    Herbert¡¯s mouth opened like a fish before he shook his head, thenughed. "You are crazy."


    He took his seat, pushed the chair forward, and rested his hand on the table, watching as Athena did the same.


    "So, you couldn¡¯t stay away from work? That restless?"


    Athena shrugged in response. "I¡¯m sure you can understand. To people like us, work is more than an avenue to make money. It¡¯s a medium to cope, to release the stress and tension coiled up in our bones."


    "Truth. Only truth," Herbert concurred, sping his hands together and looking around the office. "To be honest, I was half expecting you to show up during the weekend to see how things were going with the doctors."


    Athenaughed. "I was tempted to, but I didn¡¯t think it enough time to flout your orders."


    Emphasis was ced on <i>flout</i>, making Herbert roll his eyes¡ªa quiteical sight to Athena, who chuckled all the more.


    "So, how many files have you looked into? And what do you say about the Grey disease?"


    Athena smiled¡ªa happy smile. One that conveyed the relief and joy within her at the prospect of talking about this topic.


    "More than fifty files, if I dare to say."


    Herbert shook his head, a soft smile on his lips.


    Athena wasn¡¯t deterred.


    "And I¡¯m happy I did. The Grey disease is fading. I also got reports¡ªemails¡ªfrom our branches across the country. They are reporting the same sess. The same good news came from hospitals we supplied the vine to in other affected countries. Things are taking a huge turn. I¡¯m so relieved that this fiasco ising to an end."


    "The same here," Herbert agreed, reclining deep into his chair. "But it¡¯s as they say¡ªthere are two sides to a coin. The Grey disease, as much as it wreaked havoc, also caused our governments to be more intentional about their citizens, to revamp dpidated hospitals and cities, even give a boost to your name..."


    Athena nodded. "That¡¯s true. But I hope we don¡¯t need viruses like this to up our game. They im thousands of lives, and that¡¯s not worth it. Besides, I don¡¯t seek my fame first."


    "You¡¯re right. At least we¡¯ll be done with the disease soon. So when it¡¯s all over, will you be staying with the hospital, or will you return to your practice in Antonio¡¯s country?"


    Athena hadn¡¯t thought of that. But seeing as she was now a Thorne, she didn¡¯t think she would be going anywhere anytime soon. She could pay visits, but that might be all, she reasoned, taking her lower lip in.


    "I think I¡¯ll be staying here. You might have yourself a permanent staff member, Herbert."


    Herbert chuckled. "I¡¯m not banking on that. Seeing as you¡¯ll be taking over the Thorne empire, I doubt you¡¯ll have time for hospital service anymore."


    Athenaughed. "You never can tell, old man."


    Herbert sighed fitfully and got to his feet. "I¡¯m never going to be able to convince you to stop calling me that, am I?"


    Athena shrugged, then winked at him.


    Herbert Whitman shook his head, smiled, his eyes finding the clock. "It¡¯s already lunch time. Will I interest you in a meal at one of the restaurants across the street? I can give you the gist of your new family while we¡¯re at it."


    Athena looked at the heap of files on her table, opened her mouth to make an excuse, but Herbert clicked his tongue while shaking his head.


    "No excuses. Didn¡¯t you promise?"


    It wasn¡¯t exactly a promise, but Athena realized she might as well kill two birds with one stone.


    "You win, old man. Let¡¯s go then."


    She covered the file on her table, smoothed the creases on her clothes with her hands, let her hair fall free from the band she had used to hold it up, patted the mass of silkiness, and then walked around the table.


    "Aren¡¯t you going to dust your face like I¡¯ve seen your gender do?"


    Athena scoffed. "I¡¯m good, old man¡ªunless you¡¯re no longer interested in lunch."


    Herbert snorted and led the way out of the office.


    "I¡¯ll be out for thirty minutes, Ciara, for lunch. Inform the doctors if theye searching for me. If it¡¯s an emergency, call me."


    "Yes, ma," Ciara echoed respectfully, watching her boss leave with the head of the entirepany, Mr. Herbert. <i>How does it feel to be them?</i>


    "Make an order, Athena... or should I do the honors?" Herbert started, a few minutes after they had picked the menu in the high-end restaurant.


    "Don¡¯t rush me, old man. You told me it was a restaurant across the hospital, so I already had something in mind to order. But now you¡¯ve brought me to such a VIP space, and I¡¯m confused."


    Herbertughed in response and beckoned to the waiter who stood a few feet away. "Get her number sixteen on the menu."


    "Yes, sir!" the waiter shouted, a bit too enthusiastically, before hurrying off.


    Athena¡¯s eyes ran to number sixteen on the menu¡ªit was abo of some sorts; she knew half of the side dishes listed and resolved to eat those should the overall tter not appeal to her.


    "So, tell me about my new family," she started, sipping from the cup of juice before her¡ªsomething Herbert imed would awaken her hunger.


    "Patience, young woman. I¡¯m quite hungry."


    "Well, food is on the way. You don¡¯t have to worry about that. Just drop the gist little by little¡ªif that will stop the hunger from consuming you entirely."


    Herbert was amused. "You are something else. Impatient, for one."


    Athena only smiled in response, taking another sip, feeling her hunger start. <i>Was this just orange juice?</i> she wondered, looking at the cup.


    "Well, to start with," Herbert began, "the family that just weed you in is one of battles. As you know, in the Thorne family¡ªI¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s a curse¡ªbut the women don¡¯t usually give birth to many children. Just one."


    "I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a curse. It¡¯s just maybe gics," Athena countered, taking another sip of the juice, which seemed to quench her thirst yet make her more thirsty¡ªand eager for food.


    "If you say so," Herbert continued, drinking from a ss of water. "But it¡¯s always been that way. I even traced it to generations past. Well, that changed when your great-grandmother gave birth to twins¡ªyour grandfather, and then your grand-aunt. Oh, and you lot have a longer lifespan than the rest of us too, coupled with a healthy stature even in old age."


    Athena¡¯s expression conveyed incredulity.


    Herbert chuckled. "It was a thing of celebration, I heard. Things were peaceful until it was time to share the inheritance. I¡¯m not sure what caused the quarrel, but your grand-aunt wasn¡¯t pleased with what she got. She was also interested in business at that time, but was only given a few shares¡ªprobably because she was a woman."


    "That¡¯s bad."


    Herbert nodded in agreement. "But time tested her character. When your grandfather inherited the Thorne establishment, it was nothing more than an old warehouse of goods and a few workers. It was also in huge debt. The few shareholders remaining were already talking about selling out¡ª"


    A pause. Their food had arrived.


    But by this time, Athena was already invested in the story; her hunger slightly forgotten. She looked at Herbert expectantly, while thetter unfolded the napkin over his utensils.


    "Athena, eat. We can talk while we eat," he said when he noticed her not touching her food, struggling but failing to keep the smile tugging at his lips at bay.


    "Promise? I don¡¯t want you saying you don¡¯t talk while eating."


    Herbert smiled then¡ªall teeth¡ªin response, and Athena gave up sullenly.


    The old man was a fan of not talking while eating. <i>Liar.</i>


    She dug into her food with mild frustration, simmering curiosity not letting her enjoy therge meal that was number sixteen.

 Chapter 367: Lunch With Herbert II

    <h4>Chapter 367: Lunch With Herbert II</h4>


    The restaurant was the sort of ce where the lighting seemed to tter everyone, warm and golden, casting soft glows on polished cutlery and crystal sses that caught the candlelight like they were holding secrets.


    Plush velvet chairs lined the tables, the deep wine-red fabric contrasting with the pale, gleaming tablecloths. A soft hum of low conversation mingled with the muted clink of forks against porcin.


    Somewhere in the corner, a pianist coaxed an elegant melody from the keys, the notes floatingzily through the air,nding gently on the ears of diners who looked as though they had nothing but time.


    <i>Just a restaurant across from the hospital, my foot.</i> Athena thought absentmindedly, while waiting for Herbert to be done with his meal. With every beat of her finger against her cup, she counted time against the male who she believed was taking more time than necessary to consume mere food.


    She let her gaze sweep across the space, momentarily distracted again from her impatience by the sheer polish of the ce. Waiters moved like clockwork, each step measured, their trays bnced with effortless grace. The scent of garlic butter and herbs drifted from a passing dish, and she caught herself ncing at it before pulling her attention back to Herbert.


    He sat across from her, leaning back in his chair with the easyfort of someone entirely at home in such surroundings. The corner of his mouth quirked upward, amusement flickering in his eyes as he noticed her restless tapping against her wine ss.


    "If I¡¯d known my little story was going to ruin your appetite, I might¡¯ve kept my mouth shut," Herbert said, his voice tinged with mock regret.


    His brows lifted theatrically as he gestured toward the half-eaten te in front of her. "You barely touched meal number sixteen." A pause. I feel like I wasted my words in hyping the uniqueness of the food variety.


    Athena shrugged, as if dismissing thement, though the corner of her mouth twitched. "I don¡¯t see the hype you see, old man," she murmured, ncing down at the untouched delicacy. "Besides, I¡¯m more concerned about the gist than the food. You are right... you should have known better."


    Herbert¡¯s expression softened, but the teasing glint in his eyes didn¡¯t vanish. He raised a hand and signaled to the nearest waiter, who swept over almost instantly.


    "Clear this away," He instructed with the smooth authority of someone used to being obeyed. Then, turning back to her, he asked, "Dessert?"


    She shook her head quickly. "No."


    He gave a mock sigh, shaking his head at her refusal. "Your loss," he said, before cing an order for himself. "The chocte souffl¨¦. With extra cream."


    Athena tried not to groan. She knew what wasing¡ªHerbert would not be rushed. If he had decided to tell a story, he would take his time, savouring every detail like the dessert he had just ordered. Yet... she chose to try her luck.


    She leaned forward slightly. "What did my grand-aunt do?"


    Herbert didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he smoothed a hand down the front of his suit, his gaze dropping to the ss of red wine in front of him. He swirled it slowly, watching the liquid cling to the crystal. Only when the souffl¨¦ was on its way did he lean forward, folding his hands on the table.


    "Old Mr. Thorne," Herbert began, "wasn¡¯t exactly handed thepany in perfect shape like I mentioned earlier. By the time he took over, it was... well, it was like steering a ship with holes in the hull. Debts stacked up like firewood. Contracts falling apart. Suppliers refusing to deliver because their invoices hadn¡¯t been paid in months. And the banks¡ª" Herbert gave a short, mirthlessugh. "They wanted nothing to do with him."


    He paused, his gaze going distant as if recalling a sight. "I remember once, well from one of his interviews... he walked into three different banks in one day, his shoulders squared, his tie knotted perfectly, determined to present himself as a man worth backing. Each time, they smiled politely, offered him tea... and then turned him down. No one wanted to risk money on a sinking ship."


    Athena¡¯s chest tightened at the image. She¡¯d never seen her grandfather in that kind of desperation, but she could picture it¡ªhis quiet dignity, battered but unbroken.


    "So," Herbert continued, "he went to his twin sister. Asked her for help. Not charity, mind you¡ªhelp. But she..." Herbert¡¯s voice took on an edge. "She told him it was hispany, not theirs. She said he¡¯d made his bed, and now he had to lie in it."


    Athena¡¯s lips parted slightly. "She really said that?"


    "Oh, she said more," Herbert said with a humorless smile. "Not only did she refuse to help, but she turned around and aligned herself with the media and the buyingpany¡ªpublicly, too. It made the news then. I was just out of college then, I think, and was appalled at her behaviour. ording to her, she was supporting the acquisition for the ¡¯future stability¡¯ of the business. Behind closed doors, she was practically shoving it out of her brother¡¯s hands."


    Athena¡¯s stomach churned. The betrayal in that kind of move... blood against blood.


    Herbert¡¯s dessert arrived then, a steaming souffl¨¦ dusted with powdered sugar, a small silver jug of cream ced delicately beside it. He picked up his spoon and broke the surface, letting the steam curl upward before drizzling cream into the hollow.


    He closed his eyes for a moment as he took the first bite, humming in quiet appreciation.


    Athena nearly groaned aloud. "Herbert..." she said, her voice strained.


    "I¡¯m getting there," he replied mildly, taking another bite.


    Before he could continue, Athena¡¯s phone chimed softly. She nced down and saw a message from Antonio. <i>I¡¯m sorry, babe.</i>


    She exhaled slowly, guilt pricking at her. She should be the one apologizing. Without overthinking it, she typed back, <i>I¡¯m sorry too,</i> and¡ªafter a moment¡¯s hesitation¡ªadded a row of kisses.


    Almost instantly, her phone lit up with his call. She hesitated, ncing at Herbert, who was entirely absorbed in his dessert. Satisfied he wouldn¡¯t mind, she swiped to answer.


    "Antonio?" she said softly.


    Silence, then a sigh that seemed to travel the whole distance between them.


    "I¡¯m sorry," she repeated.


    "I love you, Athena. So much." he said, his voice low, warm, and a little tired. "Are you free tonight? I thought maybe... cinema?"


    Athena¡¯s mind ran through her schedule. She was free, but something in her pulled back. "Not tonight," she said gently. "I want to spend more time with the kids. Thursday?"


    "Thursday works," he said easily. "How¡¯s your day been?"


    They talked a while longer¡ªabout his work ("tedious, but I like it"), about the little frustrations and small victories ofst week, about nothing and everything. It was easy, familiar, the kind of conversation that left her with a faint smile even after they said goodbye.


    When she hung up, Herbert was watching her with a knowing look. "Congrattions," he said warmly. "New rtionship, I see. So, the media wasn¡¯t lying this time..."


    She rolled her eyes. "Something like that." But then, curiosity got the better of her. "You work with Antonio. What¡¯s he like?"


    Herbert¡¯s smile deepened. "He¡¯s sharp. Hardworking. Loyal. I¡¯ve never had to question where his loyalties lie. And he¡¯s... steady. That¡¯s worth a lot in this business."


    Athena felt a little rush of quiet happiness at that.


    Herbert wiped thest of the cream from his spoon and set it down. "Now... where was I? Ah, yes. The loan shark."


    The air between them seemed to shift. Herbert¡¯s voice dropped slightly, his words slower. "His name was Victor Crane. You didn¡¯t go to Victor unless you had no other choice. He¡¯d been in the business for decades¡ªlending to the desperate, breaking those who couldn¡¯t pay. People said he had a list of debtors who¡¯d... disappeared."


    Athena¡¯s fingers curled against herp.


    "Your grandfather knew the risk," Herbert continued. "But he was desperate. He took the loan¡ªhuge interest, impossible terms¡ªand then he gambled. Not at the tables¡ªhe gambled with business. Took risky contracts. Bought up a strip of real estate that everyone else thought was doomed to fail. And somehow... it paid off."


    Herbert¡¯s eyes warmed, pride seeping into his tone. "He paid Victor back, every penny, and he rebuilt thepany from the ground up. Won the shareholders back. Reced those who¡¯d betrayed him. And he never took a cent from his sister again¡ªnot even when she came crawling yearster."


    Athena sat back, the weight of it all settling over her. "How do you know all this, all this detail?" she asked quietly.


    Herbert¡¯s gaze softened. "Because I worked under him. He was my mentor at one time. He hasn¡¯t told you yet?" Then his expression grew serious. "And because I know Cedric and his family. They want the empire. Be careful. I¡¯m sure they killed your mother because of it. They wille for you."


    She nodded somberly. "I know, and I will. Thanks Herbert."


    Then they talked a little more¡ªabout the hospital, about smaller matters¡ªbefore Athena mentioned she had files to go through. Rising together, they headed for the exit.


    That was when she heard it¡ªa high, familiarugh, thin and a little whiny. She turned, her eyes narrowing, and there she was: Victoria, Cedric¡¯s fianc¨¦e.


    But she wasn¡¯t with Cedric.


    No. The whiny fellow was dining with Ewan.

 Chapter 368: Therapy

    <h4>Chapter 368: Therapy</h4>


    Since Athena came back from the hospital, she hadn¡¯t been able to give a hundred percent focus to her work; Victoria¡¯s whinyugh resounded in her ears at intervals, ruining her concentration.


    Even while going through the remaining files on her table; even while seeing the patients who were on her list, to check if they were recovering as they should, the question kept ringing in her mind: what was Ewan doing with Victoria?


    She just couldn¡¯t understand, couldn¡¯t wrap her head around that imagery. She would have discarded it, but for the fact that she had seen it with her own eyes¡ªhad seen Victoriaugh, head thrown back, hands tapping the table as if Ewan had spoken the joke of the century.


    Then she had seen Ewan¡¯s face¡ªat peace. That¡¯s what he had looked like.


    Had he and Victoria been friends at one time?


    At the moment, she sighed and closed the file she was working on, running her hands across her hair, which she had forgotten to tie up in a bun.


    She picked up her phone, for the fifth time, to reach Sandro and Zane, but put it down again, just as before. She didn¡¯t want to seem like a desperate chick, like she was still hung up on Ewan.


    Yet, did Cedric know that his fianc¨¦e was meeting her ex-husband? What could possibly be the purpose of their meeting?


    Another sigh. Another opening of the file. Another attempt at scanning the important contents. Another failed attempt. She shut the file, reclined deep into her seat, and let out a soft exhale.


    <i>What am I doing?</i>


    She tried to push the image from her mind, but it wasn¡¯t working.


    Frustration started in her guts, building up with every passing second. Why was she so hung up on this matter?


    In annoyance, she grabbed her phone, needing to be done with this once and for all, and googled "Ewan and Victoria" tagged together. But there were no results indicating any form of prior entanglement between them.


    Had they dated in college? Had they been friends?


    She asked the questions, but received no reasonable answer. Could it be that this entanglement was recent?


    Athena cursed loudly when she felt her heart clench in uncertainty, a numbing pain.


    She got to her feet, suddenly restless, and strolled to the window, looking down from her tall position to the bustling city below. The people who had moved away during the spread of the Grey disease were now returning in droves. The news was filled with it, just as the roads were.


    Why couldn¡¯t she let this go? Her mind returned to the matter at hand.


    What could possibly bring these two together? It couldn¡¯t be work, because Victoria was as dumb as the word went. It had to be something else for Ewan to dine with her¡ªsomething intimate.


    She shivered in distaste, jerking when her phone rang out.


    Who was calling? She hurried back to her table, palming her forehead when she saw it was Susan: they had an appointment with the therapist today. She had forgotten.


    "Oh God," she muttered, answering the call.


    "Yeah, I¡¯ll meet you at the V intersection..."


    She immediately fired a message to Rodney, in case he was using his break as she had advised him to.


    "And how is it, being back at work?" she asked.


    Just like her, Susan had returned to work at Nimbus Operations, at the new branch in the city, as assistant head of operations, seeing as the moles had been rooted out already.


    The new branch had been opened because the happenings of the Grey disease and all associated with it were taking ce in the city. Considering the far distance of headquarters¡ªwhich was in a totally different country¡ªit was a good idea.


    Silence greeted Athena¡¯s question at first.


    "Not bad, I guess. I¡¯m just trying to get out of my feelings."


    "Great. One step at a time. See you soon."


    Susan echoed the same, then hung up.


    <i>Work for today is over then,</i> Athena mused, looking at the files on her table. For a second, she wished she hadn¡¯t gone out with Herbert, or maybe had gone out with him to another restaurant. Now she would have leftover work to carry over to tomorrow, which would make tomorrow¡¯s work more tedious.


    A weary sigh escaped her lips as she arranged her desk, packed her bag, and left the office.


    "Are youing back, ma¡¯am?" her secretary called out as she strode past the secretarial desk.


    Athena paused, brows furrowing, momentarily spaced out before recovering.


    "No. I¡¯m done for the day. Communicate that to any of the doctors whoe up. And do take care, Ciara. Thank you for keeping the fort in my absence."


    Ciara blushed, receiving the praises humbly. "You¡¯re wee, ma¡¯am. Enjoy the rest of your day."


    "And you too," Athena echoed with a smile, turning away to start the short trek to the hospital¡¯s garage.


    "Where to, ma¡¯am?" Rodney asked, slightly nervous as Athena stepped into the car and shut the door after her.


    During his break, he had ruminated on his actions, even calling his sister for advice¡ªthetter hadughed him to scorn at first, then bashed him for being quite stupid, before giving any advice: to stay cool unless his boss mentioned his misdemeanor again.


    Seeing as she rattled the directions to him without any abnormality in her voice or tone, he knew he had escaped being sacked¡ªunscathed. He was lucky.


    He wouldn¡¯t be trying that risky mission again either. Better to stick to women on his level; he¡¯d take his sister¡¯s advice.


    "We¡¯re here, ma¡¯am," he announced¨Cafter about twenty minutes of driving¨Cright at the intersection.


    Silence greeted him, and he looked around the vicinity, wondering what was happening here. Then a knock sounded on the passenger seat¡¯s window.


    His neck snapped at an ufortable speed, and he saw the most beautiful girl he had seen in his life¡ªa redhead.


    Color rose to his cheeks and ears when she opened the door¡ªhis boss must have unlocked it¡ªand stepped into the car, bringing in warmth and sunshine. And when she gave him a soft smile, he felt himself fall into an unending hole, one he could stay in forever.


    "Hi..." he stuttered, blushing even more when Athena chuckled softly and shook her head.


    "Just drive, Rodney."


    Rodney cursed himself mentally before tearing his eyes away from the neer and starting the car. He knew what he must have looked like to his boss: telling her he liked her in the morning, thenmunicating to her friend with his eyes that he fancied her in thete afternoon.


    He looked like a yboy¡ªand he wasn¡¯t one. He just loved beautiful women.


    A double curse flitted past his lips, barely a whisper, when the partition was raised. He had long epted that his boss was enigmatic¡ªa mystery¡ªprobably why he had been drawn to her, and yet he hadn¡¯t gotten used to it.


    However, as he drove to the next location she had given him, he suddenly remembered that he had seen the redhead before¡ªor rather, just her red hair¡ªon the first day he had driven Athena, the day his new boss had smelled like blood and death.


    "You know I would have to side with Ewan... I would daresay he had gotten the kids on his side too... your driver can be quite interesting. Are you sure he¡¯s not a creep?" Susan asked, just as Rodney parked the car at the location¡ªa cabin-like apartment sitting on a beautiful plot ofnd with a garden by the side. Chelsea really had gone all out to make this doctorfortable.


    "Well, you lot should trust my decisions then. Rodney is just a sweetheart who expresses his feelings instead of letting them fester."


    Susan¡¯sughter was the only response Athena got before thetter opened the door and stepped out of the car.


    "Are you ready for this?" Athena asked, taking in the beautifully cultivated and well-tended flowers and nts. She actually praised the real estate developer who had made this train of houses possible; she didn¡¯t think such ces existed in this part of the city.


    Susan shrugged. "I have no choice, neither do I have any expectations. I¡¯m just doing this because you believe it will help us get past the pain, the trauma." A pause. "I don¡¯t sleep at night anymore, since you told me."


    Athena shut her eyes, partly in pain for what the younger woman was facing, and partly in relief that she hadn¡¯t told her the details of Scarlet¡¯s death. That would have been a new level of catastrophe.


    <i>My cross to bear alone,</i> she muttered, inhaled deeply, and stepped onto the porch.


    Two knocks on the door, and finally an answer.


    "Who is there?"


    "Athena," she answered. "Athena Caddels."


    The door opened, revealing a handsome young man, most likely in the same age group as her¡ªtall, blonde, with sharp grey eyes.


    "I¡¯m Damian. Doctor Damian. Chelsea told me about you, and your friend," the man spoke, his eyes flicking to Susan too, who stood beside Athena with a bored expression. "Pleasee in."


    "Thank you," she said with a smile, stepping into the apartment¡ªher smile instantly disappearing when she saw who was sitting on one of the sofas.


    Ewan.


    <i>Again?</i>

 Chapter 369: Therapy II

    <h4>Chapter 369: Therapy II</h4>


    Was this a joke of the universe?


    Were the Fates getting off at this y¡ªthrowing Ewan in her face at every slightest opportunity? Were they that eager to make her unravel, to make her finally drag her hair in frustration?


    And worse? He sat there, sipping from a mug¡ªtea or whatever¡ªas if she hadn¡¯t stepped in, as if he hadn¡¯t heard her voice, as if he hadn¡¯t heard her name, as if she wasn¡¯t even present.


    Was this what they hade to? She wondered, still watching him, shock yet coloring her features and stance. This wasn¡¯t what she had in mind when she had told him to stop invading her space.


    Couldn¡¯t they be friends? Couldn¡¯t he at least look at her with a smile, with a greeting, like before? Was it really all or nothing?


    "Doctor Athena, are you okay? You can have your seat, please... Don¡¯t worry about my friend, he will be leaving soon."


    A pause, where Damian kicked Ewan¡¯s foot. "Right about now."


    And Athena couldn¡¯t help but ponder if Damian had been in the gang too, if he had been the doctor of the gang. She wouldn¡¯t be surprised; nothing surprised her anymore.


    Yet standing, she watched, heart on a bnce, as Ewan got to his feet, shed a Cheshire grin at his friend, then faced her and Susan¡ªwho, she was sure, was wondering what was going on between them.


    "Athena. Susan."


    He only smiled when he looked at Susan, Athena noted, nostrils ring in annoyance.


    "How are you doing?" he asked, directed at Susan too.


    She watched¡ªsurprised to say the least¡ªwhen Susan developed a spring to her steps, covering the distance between her and Ewan, engaging in idle talk, teeth shing, while Damian looked on with mild surprise. He had already taken a seat.


    "Okay, see you then," Ewan finished, then walked past Athena, as if she was invisible.


    "Why are you two acting like that? Did you fight again?" Susan asked, taking her seat before Damian, who looked at Athena too, expectantly.


    "What about you, talking andughing with him? I didn¡¯t know you two were that close." Athena didn¡¯t recognize the irritation in her own voice.


    Susanughed. "You gotta be kidding me, Athena. That¡¯s the way we roll. And it¡¯s why I am surprised that you aren¡¯t that way with him any longer. Did something happen? You two were tight a couple of days ago¡ªwhat happened? I thought you epted being friends for the sake of the kids..."


    And yet the douchebag thought he could mess with her feelings...


    Angrily, without a word to Susan or to her new therapist, she stomped out of the apartment, momentarily stunned when she opened the door and saw Ewan kicking the tires of his car like they were fighting.


    Her own anger disced somewhat. So, she wasn¡¯t the only frustrated person. Good.


    She maintained silence, watching him cuss, watching him ruffle his hair¡ªwhich begged for her touch¡ªwatching him kick the tires and hit the trunk of his car.


    Oh yes, she loved it that he was mad, that she wasn¡¯t the only crazy person.


    "Are you okay?" she inquired, with a patronizing smile, all while realizing that she had missed the presence of his car in thepound because she had been too caught up in her own thoughts.


    As she covered the space between them, she also realized that her car wasn¡¯t in thepound. Where had Rodney gone? Another break?


    That train of thought was cut off when Ewan turned fully to her, his eyes¡ªwhich had been full of emotions earlier¡ªgoing nk. But Athena wouldn¡¯t be fooled.


    "What are you doing here?" he asked aloofly when she stopped before him, arms folded across her chest.


    "I came out to ask you questions before you left, then I saw you fighting your tires..."


    "And...?"


    Athena frowned, sucked her lower lip¡ªderiving sick pleasure when Ewan¡¯s eyes immediately stuck on her lips.


    "Why are you avoiding me?" she found herself asking, rxing a little after that.


    "You told me to leave your space. I¡¯m just doing that. Is it a crime now, to listen to someone you care about?"


    Athena shook her head. "Of course not."


    A pause, where she licked her lower lip¡ªunconsciously, to her credit.


    "I just..." Another pause. Another lip bite. "When I told you to get out of my space, I meant it in the romantic aspect. I didn¡¯t want my feelings for Antonio to be confused or something. But you have been a good ally for some days during this Morgan crisis, and you will still be in the uing days¡ªwe still have to find out who is behind it... I just..."


    A weighty pause. "I guess I just want us to maintain that same camaraderie. To be friends, for the kids¡¯ sake at least. I don¡¯t want the kids asking me if there¡¯s an issue between us again."


    "They asked?" Ewan couldn¡¯t help the twinge of curiosity.


    "Yes. This morning. They weren¡¯t happy you didn¡¯t stay for breakfast."


    Ewan sighed wearily. "I thought you wouldn¡¯t be happy with that. I figured I was already on a thin thread by sleeping over, by sleeping on the same bed with them... didn¡¯t want to cross some boundary."


    Athena chuckled then, herughter sending tendrils of warmth down Ewan¡¯s spine. "You can stay over, Ewan. You are not crossing any boundary."


    Athena¡¯s smile widened as a smile perched on his lips.


    "Thank you. And about your request..."


    A pause, where he stepped closer to her, causing her smile to fidget and her heart to beat out of rhythm.


    "I don¡¯t think we can be friends, Athena," he said in a husky voice. "I don¡¯t trust myself to respect that boundary. Just youughing alone..."


    Athena raised her hand, breath bing uneven as she stepped away. "Stop. Stop talking like that." She looked everywhere but at him.


    "That¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about. You feel it too, don¡¯t you?"


    Athena didn¡¯t bother with a response.


    "And that¡¯s why we can¡¯t be friends, Athena. I don¡¯t want to confuse your feelings with Antonio."

 Chapter 370: Therapy III

    <h4>Chapter 370: Therapy III</h4>


    She hadn¡¯t been able to ask him about Victoria; there had been no chance to do so after he had denied her request for friendship¡ªafter he had saved them both frommitting a reckless rtionship blunder.


    But she knew that the stoic expressions and the pretense of not seeing her hade to an end. He would at least greet her, as he did Susan¡ªor so she hoped.


    "Doctor Athena, you have spaced out again..." Damian called her attention for the second time since the therapy session began, and for the second time, Susan chuckled softly, shaking her head.


    Athena wondered what was going through thetter¡¯s mind, unable to help thinking that her romantic life had be a chief source of entertainment and relief to those around her.


    "You know what, I think you should talk about your rtionship with your ex-husband too... I think it will help you see things more clearly."


    The only thing Athena could see more clearly was that this doctor¡ªwhom Chelsea had so highly rmended¡ªhad been in the gang with Ewan at one time.


    She just knew it, somewhere deep down, with those almost nk eyes staring into hers, like he could see the innermost part of her soul. His patients really stood no chance against him¡ªagainst his will.


    "So, you finally admit that you know he was my ex-husband."


    Damianughed. "I didn¡¯t think it needed to be pointed out. You are a celebrity figure, Athena, and I love doing my research."


    Athena scoffed. "Which name tag did you go with in your underground days?"


    Damian frowned. "I am a bit lost here."


    But Susan was already captivated by the new topic, suddenly curious about this doctor she thought was far too handsome for his own good.


    "Ewan is Wolfsbane. Which are you? Were you a doctor in the gang?"


    Damian was speechless. He cleared his throat after a moment, picked up his notepad from the table, and got to his feet. "I think today¡¯s session is over."


    Athena and Susan burst intoughter, heads thrown back, hands resting limply on their thighs.


    "You should be open to your own message, doctor... being free with answers you know..." Athena teased.


    "I¡¯m not in therapy," Damian countered with a sigh. "I think you two will have different counseling times to yield more results. As much as you¡¯ve both gone through the same traumatic experience, there are underlying themes which are quite different and far apart..."


    A pause, where he met their gazes. "Do you understand?"


    The two women nodded, amusement fading.


    "Good. I¡¯llmunicate that to you before the end of the week. And remember, I have a limited time in this country, so I suggest you make better use of it, instead of asking unnecessary questions."


    Pride, Athena mused, watching the doctor gather his things and go upstairs. Did he expect them to see themselves out?


    "Do you think he knows who you are? Both as a whiz in your field, and in the other field hidden from the press?" Susan whispered.


    Athena shrugged. "Does it matter? I don¡¯t think his pride allows him to ord respect where it¡¯s due."


    She tried to recall any code names from the files covering the gang¡¯s case back then, but none came to mind. She bit her lip, eyes on the stairs, fingers tapping against the chair as she counted the seconds.


    They both waited until Damian returned to the sitting room, fifteen minutester.


    "You two are still here?"


    This time Susan didn¡¯t bother with a polite reply¡ªshe simply red at him. "Who do you think you are?"


    Athena was surprised at the anger in her tone.


    "You must feel so high and mighty because you came rmended, because you have one of the top doctors in the world as a client. Hence your stinking pride that won¡¯t let you offer the simplest courtesy. You didn¡¯t even inform us you were done with the session!"


    Damian wasn¡¯t startled in the least. Instead, he smiled faintly. "I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re the president, woman. You came to me because you needed my help. I suggest you respect that too."


    "I¡¯m disappointed¡ªashamed¡ªon behalf of my friends," Athena finally spoke, rising to her feet. She had had enough.


    "Chelsea is one of my best friends, and because she rmended you, I had high hopes. Then I saw Ewan here. I know his character, and I know he¡¯ll be disappointed by your conduct. And you know what..."


    She paused, smiling. "I don¡¯t need your services, Damian. And trust me, I will find out about you¡ªevery tiny detail, including your time spent in the gang, being ackey doctor¡ª"


    "I wasn¡¯t ackey doctor!" Outrage lit Damian¡¯s face, shifting into shock when Athenaughed, shaking her head at having turned the tables.


    "So you were in the gang. Thanks for confirming that piece of information. Did Ewan tell you about me? About my other side hustle?"


    Damian frowned, a telltale sign he wasn¡¯t aware of what she meant.


    "Oh, too bad. If you had known, you wouldn¡¯t have behaved so atrociously... You see..." She stepped closer, and Damian frowned at her audacity. "Ewan and I... we¡¯re not so different."


    Her head tilted to the side. "Do you understand what I¡¯m saying?"


    Damian swallowed. "I¡¯m not sure. Are you telling me you¡¯re a gangster too?"


    "A doctor who is dumb," Susan muttered loudly enough for him to hear, picking up her bag. "You should ask Ewan. Seeing as you¡¯re friends, I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll give you the full gist¡ªand pray he doesn¡¯t blow out your brains while at it, for being rude to his ex-wife."


    She clicked her tongue. "Oh, I would love to see that."


    For the first time, Damian¡¯s confident demeanor cracked. Suddenly nervous, he wiped his palms on his trousers. "They¡¯re still close?"


    Susan snorted. "Then you aren¡¯t as close to Ewan as I thought. Forget it." Then, to Athena, "Let¡¯s leave. I think we should keep him as a therapist. At least he understands our world¡ªand I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll keep quiet about it."


    Athena smiled and moved away, picking up her bag as well. "You¡¯re right, Susan."


    Then, winking at a still nervous Damian, she wished him a nice evening and walked out of the apartment, feeling high on victory.

 Chapter 371: Visiting The New Lab

    <h4>Chapter 371: Visiting The New Lab</h4>


    "The audacity of that doctor to think he could override us with his masculine rubbish."


    Susan wouldn¡¯t stop talking about the humiliated doctor as Rodney drove them in the direction of home. Her voice had that sharp, animated edge she got when she was riled up, hands moving in emphasis as though the air itself needed to be told off.


    Athenaughed in response, though inwardly she suspected her younger friend had developed a rather keen fascination for the doctor.


    Well, anything to keep her talkativenessing back, Athena thought, listening half-attentively while her mind wandered. She considered whether the time was finally safe enough for her to check out her newb.


    Ewan had texted her the address and details that fateful day when she¡¯d been forced to relocate, and she had yet to see it, to see the care that was so typical of Ewan.


    "Drop me at Wino¡¯s Junction," she spoke up to Rodney when Susan paused for a few beats¡ªa rare and valuable silence Athena seized before her friend started in on another tangent; probably this time about Damian believing his psychiatric degree was enough to put him on top of the world.


    She loved his confidence, she admitted to herself. She just didn¡¯t appreciate being on the receiving end of his boots.


    "Are you going somewhere?" Susan¡¯s light dimmed for a moment, brows furrowing.


    "Yes. I want to check out theb. You interested?"


    Susan nodded without hesitation. Just like Athena, she had been sent home by Aiden as well that day, thetter insisting on reducing the risks of the newb being found out.


    A couple of minutester, Rodney was driving through the street opposite the junction, maintaining his earlier speed so as not to arouse suspicion among the residents. Most were outside their houses with their children, ying games or catching up with neighbors.


    Athena looked around, letting herself absorb the environment Ewan had chosen for theb. She had to admit¡ªthis was perfect. A street built for families, quiet and self-contained. Morgan¡¯s sponsors wouldn¡¯t see iting.


    She watched these new faces watch her, despite Rodney¡¯s steady pace, probably wondering which family she could possibly belong to, which household had her as a rtive or friend.


    A little girl with a colorful tube around her waist waved shyly at her, and before Athena could help it, she returned the wave, a tentative smile tugging at her lips.


    "It¡¯s safe to say Ewan knows what he¡¯s doing, as always," Susan chimed, just as taken in by the scenery.


    Thendscape was well-kept, with neatly trimmed hedges and bursts of color from flowerbeds along the road. There was a calming effect in the air, a peace Athena loved instantly. It would help her work.


    When the car stopped in front of House 14¡ªthest house on the street¡ªAthena noticed a neighbor already waiting on the porch, a tray in her hands. She was a brte,te thirties perhaps, with two children under ten years old, clutching her long skirt.


    Athena hesitated, wondering if leaving Rodney in the car would send the wrong message. She decided to let him follow as they walked up the short flight of stairs to the porch, their approach drawing curious stares from other neighbors.


    "Hellooo..." The unfamiliar woman¡¯s voice was warm, breezy, and up close, Athena saw that the tray held a pie sprinkled generously with chocte chips.


    Had this been sitting in the refrigerator, ready for just such an arrival? Had they been anticipating her? Did Ewan inform them of her pending arrival?


    "Hello," Athena returned with a genuine smile, admitting to herself that the woman¡¯s infectious expression was difficult to resist.


    "My name is Geraldine," the woman began, extending her hand. "And these are my children, Noah and Lilian."


    Athena shook her hand warmly, winking at the smiling Noah and the pouty Lilian before introducing herself and those with her.


    "I am Doctor¡ª"


    "Athena," Geraldine interrupted. "We are aware. We couldn¡¯t believe it when we saw you driving through. Well, I couldn¡¯t believe it when Maxine called to tell me you were here. I had to rush up to confirm we have the celebrity doctor in our midst. When will your children be joining you?"


    Maybe never, Athena mused, licking her lower lip as she recovered from the unexpected question.


    "Soon. I¡¯m still considering the decision yet, as you can understand..."


    Geraldine nodded enthusiastically. "Of course. These two affect most of my decisions, even more than their father." She gave a yful, womanly wink that made Athena smile again.


    Her eyes, however, caught sight of more people heading toward the house. Oh, Lord¡ªshe hoped she wouldn¡¯t have to call in the agents to act as bodyguards.


    "I hope you don¡¯t mind..." Geraldine¡¯s voice pulled her back. "It¡¯s just that we don¡¯t see this every day. You¡¯ve been such a source of inspiration and help to so many of us here¡ªmyself included. You saved my mother. I¡¯m not sure you¡¯d remember her, but she was one of your first patients. So please, pardon us for just today."


    Athena¡¯s smile softened, and she rxed. She could greet a few fans¡ªespecially ones bringing trays of various sizes.


    "Who are these behind you?" Geraldine asked.


    "Oh, sorry... pardon me." Athena turned to Susan, who was wearing aical expression while watching the approaching neighbors, and to Rodney, who looked mildly lost.


    "This is my goddaughter, Susan, and a close friend too." Her voice took on a gentler tone as she touched Susan¡¯s arm lightly.


    Geraldine was more than happy to shake Susan¡¯s hand and wee her warmly.


    "And this is Rodney, a friend of mine."


    "Is he a doctor too?" Geraldine asked, taking Rodney¡¯s stiff hand in hers.


    Athena resisted the urge to shrug. "Yes. A good one, at that."


    "Wow. You wouldn¡¯t know how pleased we are to meet you, Doctor Athena..." Geraldine continued as more neighbors came up the porch, their faces bright with gratitude.


    They handed over tters of baked goods¡ªpies, cookies, bread rolls¡ªmost of which Rodney ended up holding.


    Thest to offer their wee was a couple eager to hug her, to her mild shock. But she understood when they thanked her profusely for saving their three-year-old son from the Grey Disease.


    The boy, bubbly and bright-eyed, whotched onto her gown and refused to let go, as if sensing the depth of the goodness she had given him.

 Chapter 372: Visiting The New Lab II

    <h4>Chapter 372: Visiting The New Lab II</h4>


    "Very weing people," Susan started as they finally stepped into the one-story duplex structure ¡ª four bedrooms in total, ording to Ewan¡¯s text on that day.


    "Yes. A good atmosphere and good people," Athena agreed, relieving Rodney of some tters and cing them on the dining table, her gaze drifting around to take in the surroundings.


    The space was far smaller than the Thornes¡¯ mansion, but it was warm, homely ¡ª the sort of ce that invited you to breathe, to rx.


    A good ce for raising kids too, she thought. It was just... different.


    The sitting room greeted them first, a tasteful blend of cozy and elegant. Soft cream walls met deep walnut floors, the gleam of the polished wood catching the afternoon light that streamed through sheer curtains. A low, plush sofa set in muted grey sat in the middle, the kind that seemed to invite you to sink in and never leave.


    A patterned rug in earthy tones anchored the seating area, while a ss-topped coffee table reflected the warm glow from a cornermp. There was a faint scent of lemon polish and fresh flowers; a vase of lilies stood proudly on a side table.


    To the left, the dining area was open and inviting ¡ª a polished oak table with eight high-back chairs, the fabric a gentle beige thatplemented the surrounding d¨¦cor.


    Beyond, the kitchen was neat and modern ¡ª white marble countertops, spotless chrome appliances, and an ind in the center topped with a small basket of fresh fruit.


    They explored the rooms one by one. The first downstairs room was modest but charming ¡ª a single bed with crisp white sheets, a reading desk near the window, and pale blue walls that gave the space a calm, airy feel.


    Upstairs, three bedrooms waited, each with its own personality. One was done in warm amber and deep brown, another in lightvender with delicate curtains, and the third ¡ªrger than the rest ¡ª carried a soft neutral palette, a queen-sized bed, and an en suite bathroom tiled in pristine white.


    Returning to the sitting room, Athena broke the silence. "Rodney, please put these tters inside the refrigerator and wait here. You can have some for yourself if you¡¯re hungry. Susan,e with me."


    Without further ado, Athena walked toward the first and only room downstairs, Susan trailing behind.


    "What¡¯s the problem?" Susan asked, noting the uncertain expression on Athena¡¯s face after they¡¯d re-watched the room.


    "Is something not adding up?" she continued, stepping closer to Athena, whose brows were still slightly drawn.


    "Yes. Theb. I was thinking it would be in one of the rooms..."


    Susan¡¯s eyes widened as she remembered exactly why they hade here in the first ce. "Where is theb?" she breathed. It was her turn to swim in confusion. But not for long.


    "You should call Ewan," she said, as though it were the most obvious solution in the world.


    Athena agreed, pulling out her phone and dialing his number without hesitation. Business, she reminded herself ¡ª this was just part of business.


    Still, two seconds felt too long when she was already slightly on edge, and when Ewan finally picked up, she had the odd sense that he¡¯d let it ring on purpose, as if to remind her of who was in control.


    "Athena. Is there a problem?"


    "Not really," she replied curtly. "I¡¯m at the house ¡ª the location of my newb ¡ª but I can¡¯t find myb essentials in any of the rooms."


    A pause on the other end. "You really think I would put your important essentials into one of the rooms on the surface?"


    The surface... The word clicked. Damn! Why hadn¡¯t it crossed her mind?


    "It¡¯s underground," she stated tly.


    "Of course it is," Ewan replied, a hint of amusement in his voice, before giving her the directions. When he wished her well and ended the call, Athena felt oddly bereft.


    She hated that. Maybe she should have ended the call first.


    "Where¡¯s the underground passage?" Susan asked, excitement clear in her voice and in her quickened steps as she followed Athena¡¯s gaze around the room. Athena¡¯s eyes finally stopped on a red button on the wall, disguised as an ordinary light switch.


    It <i>was</i> a light switch, as Susan noticed when she saw the small blinking light. But at Athena¡¯s fourth press, a deep rumbling rose from beneath their feet.


    Susan instinctively stepped back, watching Athena do the same as the ground before them split open to reveal a staircase leading into darkness.


    "How?" Susan¡¯s voice was tinged with awe and disbelief.


    "It¡¯s so seamless with the floor panels," Athena murmured, equally impressed. She hadn¡¯t even noticed the hollow in the boards. It looked... normal.


    An excellent hideout, she decided, a small smile tugging at her lips. Petty grievances against Ewan were, for now, forgiven.


    With a deep breath, she turned on her phone¡¯s shlight and began the descent, Susan close behind. At the base of the stairs, to the right, another red switch awaited. Athena hesitated for a heartbeat, weighing possible oues, then pressed it.


    Light flooded the underground passageway in an instant ¡ª bright but soft, illuminating a vast hall that stretched farther than she expected. The air was cool and fresh, proof of a good venttion system.


    Sleek metal shelves lined one side, stocked neatly with herb essentials. She spotted several new pieces of apparatus she hadn¡¯t owned before¡ªEwan¡¯s doing, no doubt:workbenches gleaming under the bright white lights, state-of-the-art centrifuges, a digital microscope with magnification she¡¯d only dreamed of, and a biosafety cab so pristine she could see her reflection in its ss.


    A quiet, reluctant gratitude bloomed in her chest.


    Along one wall stood a tall cupboard, the doors slightly ajar to reveal her research papers, organized and safe. Afortable resting chair and sturdy worktable sat near a corner, and beside them, an intable bed neatly folded, as if waiting for long nights of work.


    She moved to the far corner, where apact kitchte was tucked in¡ªa small refrigerator, a coffee maker, a single-burner stove, and shelves stocked with basics. The venttion was subtle yet effective; she could feel a soft current of air, fresh without being cold.


    Her hand flew to her phone. Without overthinking, she typed a short message to Ewan¡ª a single image of the space, and <i>¡¯thanks much, Ewan.</i>¡¯


    They lingered for a while, Susan moving from one piece of equipment to another, muttering an asional "Wow" under her breath.


    As they made their way back toward the staircase, Susan nced over. "Are you sure you both can¡¯t work out your differences?" Her voice was stillced with awe.


    Athena snorted. "Because he bought me things?" The question felt hollow even to her own ears.


    "Not exactly," Susan replied. "I think it¡¯s his thoughtfulness that gets to you every time. You don¡¯t see that every day."

 Chapter 373: Sugar High

    <h4>Chapter 373: Sugar High</h4>


    "You both look famished," Florence remarked as Susan and Athena stepped into the living room.


    The duo exchanged amused nces.


    <i>Famished of natural food, you mean,</i> Athena mused, dropping into an armchair and sprawling ungracefully in it.


    After checking out theb Ewan had conditioned to please her, they had decided to sample the sugared foods the neighbors had brought. One bite had led to two, and two to three¡ªthe rest was history.


    Athena was sure she smelled of chocte and butter.


    "We are good, ma. Trust us," Susan spoke up for both of them, falling into the next armchair with her hands on her stomach.


    The remaining tter had been given to Rodney, who imed he couldn¡¯t get more sugar into his system at that moment. Since he lived alone, it made sense for him to carry the rest home.


    <i>Maybe we shouldn¡¯t have eaten so much,</i> Athena thought, aware of Florence staring at them quizzically, and of old Mr. Thorne stepping into the living room with the kids.


    "What¡¯s wrong with them?" he asked his wife, just as troubled as the children, who were now staring at their mother worriedly after offering greetings which went unanswered.


    "I am not sure. They look drunk, but I smell no drink on them."


    Athena chuckled, sitting upright. "We are drunk, quite alright¡ªbut on sugar. Those women could bake a mean cake, my God." She rubbed at her face, got to her feet, and moved tepidly toward the hallway.


    Susan roused herself as well. "I think I¡¯ll take a bath and have a long sleep."


    Athena couldn¡¯t agree more. She felt momentarily high even as she ruffled her children¡¯s hair and greeted her grandfather, a slur in her voice.


    <i>Those women must have put a fair amount of alcohol or cannabis into their baked goods,</i> she concluded as she entered her room and shut the door behind her.


    She strolled into the bathroom next, turned on the shower, and stood under it with her clothes still on. Five minutester, her mind was as clear and sharp as her eyes... well the best it could manage.


    <i>Never again,</i> she mused after she was done bathing¡ªthis time without the clothes. She needed a long sleep. She thought, looking at her bed longingly.


    Yet, though feeling tired, she pushed herself out of the room and into the sitting room, needing to see her kids and wish them goodnight before sumbing to the pull of her bed, which she could feel even while standing in the second living room, watching the children y chess.


    "Are you okay, Athena? You look paler than usual..." Chelsea spoke from behind her, flinging an arm across her shoulder.


    "Yeah, just tired. Ate a lot of sugar, which I think was tainted with alcohol or something."


    Chelsea frowned. "And where did that take ce?"


    "At my newb," Athena replied groggily, aware of the sudden silence in the room. Without much care, she staggered to her children¡ªsurely there had been cannabis in the cookies, no other exnation would make sense¡ªand crouched to their height.


    "Just wanted to say goodnight to my loves, and then I¡¯m off for the night. Have a long day tomorrow." She dropped kisses on their foreheads, pulled their cheeks, and rose to her full height.


    On second thought, she fell to their height again. "What do you two do at school?"


    Kathleen and Nathaniel were shocked, to say the least. The details their mother had given as the reason for her state were sparse. Where had she gotten drugged cookies from? Who would dare drug their mother?


    "What do you mean, Mom?" Nate finally asked, the chess game forgotten.


    "At the school, your principal mentioned something about you two being passively in control of your ss. What does that mean?" Athena went on, gaining some rity from her sudden curiosity.


    "Oh..." Nate mused, looking at his sister before shrugging. "You. We just tell the offenders, especially the bully, that they¡¯ll get the virus that¡¯s spreading around town and won¡¯t be treated because the doctor in charge is my¡ªyou¡ªour mother. It did the trick, especially since you¡¯re famous."


    Athena nodded sagely, as though she were raising wise counsel, and then got to her feet. She staggered, unsteady, and cursed out loud at the cookies.


    Old Mr. Thorne, unable to get to the kids in time, hissed in frustration and told Athena to get to bed. "Sleep it off. You¡¯ll be fine tomorrow morning. Maybe then you can tell us where you got the cookies from."


    Athena frowned, as though he were a dimwit for not knowing the answer. "From the neighborrrssss, old man. To weeeee the new person in theeee neighborhood... you know, it¡¯s... a... family... neighborhood."


    "Ah..." Chelsea sighed, just as the others in the room did,pletely seeing the root of the mishap.


    She held Athena by the arm gently and began to lead her out of the living room before thetter could start speaking gibberish.


    "Wait!" Athena screamed at the doorway, to Chelsea¡¯s amusement¡ªhow she wished she could pause and capture this moment. Athena was rarely this free, this uninhibited, this drunk.


    To the surprise of her family members, who stopped their game to see what she would say next, Athena blurted, "I saw him at the restaurant with Cedric¡¯s fianc¨¦e... what¡¯s her name again..."


    "Victoria," old Mr. Thorne supplied, already knowing where this was headed. After all, hadn¡¯t he been the one to send the vixen to Ewan?


    Athena frowned at him, as if he were the author of her confusion. "Do you know why they were meeting?"


    Old Mr. Thorne sighed, wondering what to say to his drunk granddaughter. Would she understand? "Yes."


    Her eyes widened, then thinned in usation. "Anddd..." she dragged, holding onto Chelsea.


    "She wanted to start working, but not at my establishment. She wanted a space different from her fianc¨¦¡¯s, so I suggested Ewan¡¯s."


    "But she¡¯s dumb," Athena muttered softly.


    "We¡¯ll see about that. I told Ewan to put her through the normal screening process."


    "So why were they having lunch?" Athena pressed.


    Old Mr. Thorne frowned. That was the part he didn¡¯t understand¡ªthe dining. "I don¡¯t know. Do you want me to ask Ewan?"


    "No!" The scream echoed.


    Chelsea had no choice but to drag her friend away, saving her from further embarrassment in front of her children¡ªwho, judging by their expressions, looked more amused now than concerned.

 Chapter 374: Sugar High II

    <h4>Chapter 374: Sugar High II</h4>


    Athena woke with a splitting headache.


    A groan slipped past her lips as she rolled beneath the weight of it, dragging herself up from under the sheets. Her palm pressed t to her forehead, as though she could somehow halt the steady, merciless pounding there.


    She leaned back against the headboard with a weary sigh, grateful for the heavy curtains that kept the sunlight from spilling across the room and worsening her mood.


    Her gaze drifted to the wall clock. The numbers swam for a moment before settling, and she gasped softly when she made them out¡ªeleven a.m.


    She shook her head in disbelief, making a mental note never to eat sugared cookies from strangers again.


    Who had done this to her still?


    Her thoughts shuffled through the faces from yesterday¡¯s porch greetings. Was it Geraldine? Or the old woman with the glittering clothes? The overly grateful young couple? Or that girl who was already married at neen?


    She gave a small, humorless huff. What was the point in specting?


    With a fitful sigh, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. That was when she noticed the small arrangement on her bedside table: a cup of water, two tablets neatly ced on a book, and a bottle with abel she had to squint to read¡ªhangover medicine.


    Beside it sat a stainless steel bowl, its lid trapping the faint, spicy aroma already curling at the edges. She didn¡¯t need to open it to know it was Florence¡¯s soup, the kind that could chase away half an illness with its heat.


    Athena¡¯s chest tightened at the gesture, the quiet care of it. It reminded her¡ªpainfully¡ªof her first mother, long gone. She brushed the thought away before it could root itself and pushed to her feet.


    Her bnce faltered at first, her legs unsure beneath her, but steadied after a few breaths.


    The nausea, however, chose then to arrivete but determined.


    "What took you so long?" she muttered inwardly, quickening her pace toward the bathroom.


    Each step jarred her skull, the pounding in her head like carpenters hammering from all directions. She bit down on her gasps, refusing to give them the satisfaction.


    When it was over, she rinsed her mouth, stood under a brief stream of cool water, then pulled on a flimsy robe. She epted¡ªreluctantly¡ªthat she wasn¡¯t going to work today. The carpenters and cobwebs in her head were far from gone.


    Back at the bed, she downed the tablets first, then reached for her phone lying beside the ss. Two messages from Ewan blinked up at her. A small twist of nerves pressed at her ribs.


    The first, sent at midnight, was simply an acknowledgment of her text from yesterday.


    She frowned faintly. What had kept him so long? Dinner with Victoria? The thought amused her, though only briefly.


    The second message was different¡ªan instruction to take the tablets and hangover medicine. Her frown deepened. Ewan had been in her room?


    Her breath came slower, sharper. She tried to picture herselfst night, but all she could recall were fragments¡ªslurred speech, a scream, and...


    Athena kicked one foot in the air in frustration.


    The children must have brought him. Of course. Ewan had really won them over. And if he ever...


    Her eyes closed as panic pooled in her chest.


    If Ewan so much as chipped away at their trust or hurt them in any way¡ª She clenched her teeth, letting the silent threat burn through her until the panic receded.


    She opened the bottle and swallowed the required measure, her face contorting as the bitter taste spread across her tongue, down her throat, even up into her nose. Hoping Florence¡¯s soup could wash it away, she uncovered the bowl, the steam rising in a fragrant curl. One spoonful, and she nearly sighed in relief.


    Several more followed, each a small victory against the lingering taste of the medicine. Ewan deserved half her gratitude and half her irritation for that.


    By the time the bowl was nearly empty, she realized she already felt sharper, stronger¡ªthe headache duller. She nced at thebel again,mitting the brand to memory. Bitter was good if it at least did a nice job.


    First task of the day¡ªrity¡ªaplished. She gathered the bowl and cup, padding out toward the kitchen. Florence was there, standing over a pot, speaking to one of the servants.


    "Good morning, Grandma," Athena greeted, kissing the older woman¡¯s cheek.


    Florence smiled, blushed¡ªyet unused to this affection, to the loving presence of a grandchild¡ªher eyes softening.


    "You¡¯re wee, my dear," she said in answer to the thanks for the soup. "Did you take the medicine too? Ewan rushed out to get it when he heard what happened¡ªafterughing his eyes out first."


    A chuckle rippled through her words before she returned her attention to the pot.


    Athena set the dishes in the sink with a wan smile with a yful snort. "Yes, I did. Is Susan awake?"


    Florence shook her head. "Last I checked, she wasn¡¯t. Whatever was in those cookies you two ate¡ªit must be the drug of the century. They should have considered you¡¯re new there though. I don¡¯t understand these new neighbours of yours. Ewan gave us more details about each of them."


    Of course he had. The man never left a stone unturned.


    "Where is he?" Athena asked, picking an apple from the fruit basket.


    Florence frowned slightly, as though measuring her answer. "At work, I believe. After getting you and Susan the medicine, he dropped the kids at school. Yes... he should be at work."


    The repetition was pure habit, the kind born of worry.


    If Alfonso hadn¡¯t interfered, the Thornes would have adopted Ewan without hesitation, quite alright.


    In the darker, more twisted corner of her mind, Athena was d it hadn¡¯t happened¡ªhow could she ever exin to her children that their father was her stepbrother?


    "Athena..."


    She looked up to find her grandmother watching her. Somewhere in her fog, she had missed part of the conversation.


    "Sorry," she murmured. "Head¡¯s still a bit clogged."


    Florence nodded. "So long as you¡¯re not thinking that Ewan has something going on with Victoria, apart from work."


    <i>Nice move, Grandma,</i> Athena thought dryly.


    But the seed had been nted, and whether she wanted it to or not, it began to take shape in her mind.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 375: More Worries

    <h4>Chapter 375: More Worries</h4>


    Ewan thought the current situation regarding the Grey Disease and its instigators had grown stale. Even though he felt well-rested after days of inactivity on that front, there was still an unsettling undercurrent he couldn¡¯t quite exin.


    Something is brewing. He was sure of it. Something he wasn¡¯t aware of¨Can unawareness that was making him restless.


    He knew their enemies weren¡¯t resting¡ªno, not after the strategic usurping of their ns by moving Athena¡¯sb somewhere else. That move would have been thest straw to break the camel¡¯s back¡ªnot even Morgan¡¯s capture couldpare. Thetter had been nothing more than a pawn.


    Rhythmically, his pen tapped on the desk as he watched Spider through a video call. On-screen, his friend flipped through a few papers on a table with his left hand while holding chopsticks poised over a hexagonal carton of Chinese takeout noodles.


    Didn¡¯t his friend ever get tired of eating this sort of food? Ewan wondered for the umpteenth time.


    The faint steam rose from the carton¨Cwhich he was sure would carry the sharp tang of soy sauce¨Cmingling with the faint background hum of Spider¡¯s apartment fan. Coupled with his friend¡¯s eating quality, was his strange appetite for rundown buildings and second-hand gadgets.


    Ewan was aware of the rich status of his friend, and yet...


    "So, what do you think?" He asked, breaking the silence after Spider had taken a short pause to check out his concerns. "Do you think my worry is justified?"


    Spider shrugged in response. "Possibly. Seeing as we¡¯ve been in the game for a while¡ªwell before you quit¡ªI¡¯d say you might be right on the money, even though we aren¡¯t getting any reasonable feedback from our spies. It¡¯s like..."


    Spider frowned, carefully setting the chopsticks down on the table beside his food carton. "They¡¯ve given up on the case. But we know these sorts of people¡ªand we know they don¡¯t give up until they¡¯re six feet below ground."


    Ewan¡¯s tired sigh was an unspoken agreement. He knew exactly what Spider meant¡ªthe kind of people with no qualms about feeding millions of innocent civilians to the grave. And for what?


    Another sigh escaped him. That was another thing gnawing at him¡ªthey still didn¡¯t know the motive behind this disease. Was it to make money? An act of terrorism? Or just pure psychopathy?


    "So, we still have no tabs from those ced on the doctors yet?"


    Spider shook his head. "Their report is still the same. After work, the doctors just go home. At home, they banter like the twins they are, do the usual activities... The cameras in every corner of their house show nothing unusual. They seem normal, like our earlier theory about them is unfounded."


    Ewan bit his lower lip and ruffled his hair. They were missing something¡ªa piece of the puzzle, maybe a giant one, or even just a small fragment that would make the whole picturee together.


    The doctors... There had to be some ce where they slipped away to check on things.


    And then, like a blink of an eye, the possible answer chimed in Ewan¡¯s mind. His gaze sharpened, the realization hitting him so visibly that Spider raised a brow.


    "Did you just think of something necessary to this search?"


    Ewan nodded slowly, the wheels in his mind spinning furiously. "The hospital," he said, meeting Spider¡¯s gaze with sudden intensity. Excitement began to filter into his voice. "If they¡¯re not doing anything, it means they¡¯re doing it in the hospital."


    Spider nodded, a smile perching on his lips. "You still have the hang of the business."


    "Shut up," Ewan bit out, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. If this was true...


    "Do you want me to put some men in the hospital?"


    Ewan tilted his head to the side, then shook it. "I¡¯ll have to inform Athena, get permission from her first. She might want to handle the surveince herself¡ªand I think she¡¯s in a better position for that, considering her role in the hospital."


    "What about Herbert? He¡¯d want to recruit more agents, disguised as doctors, to help your woman."


    Ewan ignored thest sentiment¡ªand the tug in his chest it brought¡ªfocusing instead on Spider¡¯s suggestion. "You¡¯re right, but the old man will probably want evidence first, not wanting to jeopardize hispany. So, when we get something substantial, we can present it to him."


    He paused. "Oh, he¡¯s going to be so mad if this checks out. I¡¯m sure it will be enough to finally get them out of the hospital."


    Even though Herbert had helped them by moving the twins to another department, so they didn¡¯t sh with Athena, it had barely done the trick. If anything, it might have given them the chance to secure a hidden room somewhere in the hospital for their twisted experiments.


    "You¡¯re right."


    Ewan gave Spider a thumbs up, then quicklyposed a message to Athena:


    <i>Hey, about the doctors...</i>


    He deleted the line.


    <i>Hey, how are you feeling now? I¡¯m sorry¡ªI should have warned you that the couple down the street loves to stay high... Have you taken the drugs? </i>


    <i>Well, I¡¯ve been talking with Spider, and we think the evil twins ?? have a spot¡ªa room¡ªin the hospital where they conduct their experiments. It¡¯s the only thing that makes sense, the only thing that exins why we haven¡¯t spotted them doing something illegal. They must have known we¡¯d have eyes on them and changed their address¡ªjust like you. What do you think? </i>


    <i>Can you check it out? If it¡¯ll jeopardize your work, you can leave it to me. Spider and I can handle it behind the scenes. You¡¯d just need to approve some new recruits into the hospital. That okay?</i>


    He read the message twice before sending it off. Civil enough.


    A sigh slipped past his lips before he could stop it.


    "Trouble in paradise?"


    Ewan didn¡¯t bother answering. He wouldn¡¯t call the tension between him and Athena "trouble in paradise." There had never been a paradise to begin with¡ªonly fleeting whiffs of it, quickly extinguished by her profession of love for Antonio.


    The pain seized his chest again, and he grimaced. Was there no way to have his wife back in this life?


    He had promised to make sure she wasfortable in this life¡ªand, if possible, in the next. But was there no way to have her back, not as a friend, or whatever uselessbel the world might invent next, but as his wife?


    "So, have you gotten anything on the deal between her and Herbert?" he asked, pushing away the emotions beginning to shake his heart.


    Spider shook his head. "That¡¯s nk too. I don¡¯t think it was documented, and the people around them aren¡¯t talking. I guess it¡¯s something between the two of them. I can¡¯t even find a trail¡ªno connection between them in the past except the case where she cured him of the Grey Disease the first time. The miracle that set the stage for her return to your city. Nothing before that."


    Ewan had long epted that Athena was the most mysterious woman he would ever meet. "And what about Rodney?"


    Spider chuckled. "He¡¯s just a normal person, Ewan. Not much about him, not many connections. Not that there was much possibility of that, considering he¡¯s from that small, hopeless town."


    Ewan scoffed but was relieved Rodney had been a good pick for a driver. He no longer worried about the young man¡¯s obvious interest in Athena too¡ªespecially since the children had assured him they¡¯d made sure Rodney got the message.


    Besides, the young man had seemed more concerned about Susan than Athena that morning while driving them. All in all, things were good on that front, he thought, taking a sip of water from the cup beside hisptop. Yes, he was pleased.


    "And what about Damian?" he continued, taking another sip before setting the cup down.


    After Susan had texted him yesterday following their therapy session¡ªcalling Damian rude and full of himself¡ªEwan knew the man had let his insecurities cloud his reasoning again. Still, to be sure, he¡¯d told Spider to check him out.


    "He checks out," Spider reported. "Still in our good books. He¡¯s managed to stay out of Kael¡¯s attention."


    Kael.


    Ewan pressed his lower lip between his teeth, recalling the man who had taken over the gang from him¡ªa man with the darkest green eyes Ewan had ever seen. Almost unnatural. Freakish, even. The kind of feature that made enemies uneasy.


    "Any message from him? Any sign?"


    Spider shook his head. "Everything¡¯s cool. I haven¡¯t heard anything from our mole either. ording to her, he¡¯s more interested in territorial wars right now."


    Ewan wasn¡¯t sure what to think of that. Instead, he fired off a sharp message to Damian: <i>apologize to Athena and Susan or face my wrath.</i>


    Oh yes¡ªhe¡¯d even put aside the fact that Damian had once saved his life, removing bullets from him when no other doctor in the gang could. Damian had been so good at the job that they kept him for years¡ªuntil he left, with others following him out, unwilling to trust Kael.


    Kael.


    Ewan inhaled sharply, then exhaled slowly. Would they end up turning guns on each other soon?

 Chapter 376: More Worries II

    <h4>Chapter 376: More Worries II</h4>


    Ewan stopped listening to Spider, who was going on and on about histest breakthrough in the software business, when Sandro stepped into the office, carrying a load of files.


    "You have lots of work to do, old friend. I don¡¯t know how you would forget that, choosing to spend hours on a video call with Spider. It¡¯s not like he¡¯s Athena or something."


    Spider¡¯sugh rang out from the screen. "Sandro, bring your big head to the screen so I can see you..."


    Sandro scoffed. "Look at thisd... you seem to forget you¡¯re the youngest of us by years."


    Anotherugh from Spider. "And how does that matter to my request? I haven¡¯t seen you in the longest time."


    "Well, that¡¯s because you¡¯ve chosen to live in the shadows. You won¡¯t evene out to hang with either of us. We don¡¯t even know where you are. For all we know, you might be in some country in Africa, having your fill of theirdies."


    "Well, they do have beautifuldies."


    "So, you are in Africa?" Sandro pressed, circling Ewan¡¯s table so that he could see Spider¡¯s face¡ªone he hadn¡¯t seen in more than two years. The twenty-six-year-old was the most elusive figure he had ever met.


    Even though he and Ewan had practically raised the boy, who had joined the gang at barely sixteen, they still knew very little about him. Only the identity of his younger sister, who at the moment was off-grid, remained a constant.


    Spider carried an aura that suited him perfectly¡ªslipping in and out of sight, impossible to pin down. Perhaps "Shadows" should be added to his name.


    Spider Shadows. It had a nice ring to it, Sandro thought, as he took in the smiling face winking at him from the screen.


    Unable to stop himself, he smiled too, leaning closer. "You look grown."


    Spider snortedically. "I¡¯ll do well to remind you that I¡¯m no longer sixteen. Haven¡¯t been that for nine years now."


    "You must feel so proud of yourself."


    And then the banter began in earnest. Their voices bounced off each other,ughter loud, quick jabs flung across the screen.


    Ewan shook his head at intervals, already used to their antics, while he picked a file from the stack Sandro had dropped on his desk.


    <i>Boys will always be boys</i>, he thought. If he was more like a young father to Spider, then Sandro was the yful uncle who ignored every convention of what uncles should be.


    It was easier to ignore them once Sandro picked up theptop and went to the armchair, lounging as he continued their idle chatter. <i>See pot calling kettle ck,</i> Ewan mused, remembering how Sandro had chided him earlier. He shook his head and bent over his work.


    Barely five minutes in¡ªfive minutes of Sandro¡¯sugh ringing out from across the room¡ªthere came a knock at the door. Before Ewan could say a word, a head popped in, apanied by a bright smile.


    Victoria.


    Ewan suppressed a sigh and a curse, forcing a perfunctory smile onto his lips. "Victoria... how can I help you?"


    Immediately, the banter in the room stopped. Sandro shut theptop, and Ewan knew Spider had logged off. Typical.


    "Well, Madam Ruby has been waiting outside for a long while. Sandro was supposed to inform you when he came in with the files, but he must have forgotten." Her eyes darted to Sandro as she offered him ame, apologetic look. "I just wanted to remind you she¡¯s still waiting. I got her tea and biscuits to keep herpany."


    "That¡¯s very thoughtful of you. Could you keep herpany for the next five minutes while I finish up with the forgetful Sandro here?"


    "Of course, Ewan. Thank you."


    The smile she gave waspletely unnecessary. Then she was gone.


    "You¡¯re ying with fire, Ewan," Sandro said immediately, pushing to his feet and cing theptop back on the desk. "Why does she address us by our first names? This is an office setting."


    "I¡¯m only trying to make herfortable," Ewan replied evenly. "Athena is now a Thorne, soon to have her as a sister-inw. I don¡¯t want any unnecessary tension. I want her to remember the levity and respect I show her, and to ord the same to Athena."


    Sandro raised a brow, incredulous. "And you think this will work? That Victoria isn¡¯t as vindictive as Cedric, her fianc¨¦? They¡¯re birds of the same feather, Ewan. Don¡¯t make the same mistake twice."


    Ewan¡¯s face hardened. "I¡¯m never going to choose another woman over Athena and the kids¡ªleast of all Victoria. I barely tolerate her presence. This is just my small way of contributing to the peace of the Thorne household, and a personal favor to old Mr. Thorne."


    Sandro shook his head. "Don¡¯t drag the old man into your foolishness. He told you not to bother with her if she failed the interview. But not only did you create a non-existent job for her when she failed the whole process, you also had lunch with her yesterday. What would you have done if Athena had seen you both?"


    A shudder ran through Ewan, chills prickling his skin. "She can¡¯t possibly have. She would¡¯ve called¡ª"


    "And why would she?" Sandro cut in, frowning. "Does she seem like someone who has no time on her hands?"


    Ewan sighed in resignation. "I didn¡¯t n on having lunch with Victoria. I was eating alone, she breezed in, saw me, and joined me. Even though I felt like sending her away, she¡¯s part of Athena¡¯s family. I had to y my part to smoothen the ridges."


    "I understand," Sandro said, leaning forward, palms t on the desk. "But there can never be smoothening done in that family. They killed his only child, for God¡¯s sake. That¡¯s inhumane. I won¡¯t be surprised if Victoria¡¯s presence here is also strategic."


    Ewan had thought of that too. Why hadn¡¯t she gone elsewhere? She was just too foolish for the open jobs in hispany. But then why not simply continue her life as before? Why want a job now?


    "You may be right," he admitted, "but I¡¯m doing this so no one calls me heartlesster. When they test me, when they mistake my kindness for stupidity, I want it clear that I gave every chance."


    "You¡¯re giving her more chances than you usually would..."


    "That¡¯s because she¡¯ll soon be rted to Athena. But one wrong step, and she¡¯s out. And I mean <i>out</i>."


    Sandro nodded, understanding shing in his eyes.


    Ewan leaned back, shoulders sagging. "I just want to make things easier for her and the kids, you know. I just..." He exhaled deeply.


    Sandro walked around the desk and ced a firm hand on his shoulder. "It¡¯s alright. Who knows? Fate might have something better nned for you two. Your history with her is too much..." he drawled, making Ewan crack a faint smile.


    "Right? Well, I¡¯ll keep the hope alive¡ªuntil she gets married."


    "And then what happens?"


    Ewan shrugged. "Die as a stupid bachelor."


    Sandroughed, heading toward the exit. "Make that two of us," he tossed over his shoulder.


    Almost immediately after he left, Madam Ruby stepped in.


    "Mr. Ewan..."


    "Madam Ruby..."


    Tentative pleasantries were exchanged as the older woman took a seat, nerves betraying her. She had not stopped cursing herself for thinking she could outsmart Ewan, for trying to exploit a vulnerable moment out of greed.


    She hated that side of herself, hated more the fact that she had <i>be</i> that character.


    "Why are you here, Ruby?" His use of her first name startled her. Should she take that as a sign?


    "To apologize," she said humbly. "I am very sorry, Mr.¡ª"


    "Just call me Ewan."


    Another sign?


    A tired sigh escaped her lips. "I don¡¯t know what came over me¡ª"


    "Greed," Ewan supplied calmly. "Basic human thing. Although I thought you had outgrown it, considering our history. Considering you tutored me at some point in this business. Considering you were my father¡¯s good friend."


    Madam Ruby broke down, sobbing. "I am sorry," she repeated over and over. "Please forgive me truly. I can give up the shares, but please... forgive me."


    She hadn¡¯t been able to sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she dreamt of his father, and always, he wasn¡¯t happy with her.


    "Forgive me, Ewan..."


    "It¡¯s okay. You can go. I¡¯ve forgiven you. I¡¯m sure my father would have wanted that."


    Gratitude made her voice heavy. "Thank you so much," she whispered hoarsely, finally crying out the words. "Thank you."


    She rose but lingered, clearly reluctant to leave.


    Ewan, who had already bent back over his document, looked up. "Is there another matter?" His face was nk, unreadable.


    "Just... be careful. My rtive says there¡¯s unrest in the underground regarding your alliance with Doctor Athena. It¡¯s said the toughest gang is after your head. They might be working for Morgan¡¯s sponsors now."


    "I see. Thanks for the heads up. I¡¯ll put it into consideration."


    She wrung her hands nervously, then finally let them fall as he turned back to his work.


    "Okay then. Good luck."


    And she was gone.


    The moment the door clicked shut, Ewan leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. His suspicions had been valid <i>after all.</i>


    Kael wasing for him.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 377: More Worries III

    <h4>Chapter 377: More Worries III</h4>


    "How do you feel now?" Athena asked as she leaned forward, the sunlight pooling across her shoulders, and handed Susan a tall ss of orange juice.


    They were outside in the north wing of the Thorne mansion, where thewns stretched wide, green and immacte, and two swimming poolsy side by side in the shape of the letter L.


    Therger one was deep, tiled in dark blue stone so that the water shimmered like ssy sapphire under the fading afternoon sun. The smaller was shallower, built for leisure, its surface broken by the asionalzy ripple of the breeze. Together, they seemed like mirrorkes carved into the estate, bordered by white stone decks, cushioned lounge chairs, and umbres that tilted to follow the day¡¯s arc.


    The air smelled faintly of salt and citrus¡ªFlorence had been squeezing oranges nearby¡ªand the perfume of sunscreen clung to their warm skin. The water from their swim still glistened in rivulets, catching thest strands of daylight, dripping down from their shoulders to the towels wrapped loosely around them.


    For more than ten minutes, they had been swimming¡ªyful races, slow glides, brief dives that sent sunlight scattering across the pool floor. Now, in the afterglow of motion, both womeny stretched out, letting themselves breathe.


    Newspapersy folded by their chairs, damp at the edges from careless wet hands. Florence¡¯s insistent hand in the kitchen had resulted in a tray of peppered desserts¡ªsweet, hot, the kind that lingered on the tongue¡ªand low-sugar snacks arranged with precision. Theirughter still hovered faintly in the air, blending with the buzzing of cicadas along the trimmed hedges.


    "I¡¯m better," Susan answered after taking her first sip. The juice clung to her lips like a thin ze.


    Athena leaned back, tilting her chin so the sun brushed across her cheekbones. Still, her eyes were on Susan. She saw the way her posture rxed into the lounge, but she also saw it¡ªthe shadow, the heaviness behind the eyes that orange juice couldn¡¯t wash away.


    "You¡¯ve been running on empty," Athena murmured. Her voice was low, almost indulgent, but edged with care. "But you¡¯ll get your strength back."


    Susan exhaled slowly, the sound almost augh.


    "Tell me," Athena said, folding her arms lightly across her chest. "How¡¯s Nimbus¡¯s new branch? I keep forgetting to ask."


    The younger woman shifted, tucking damp hair behind her ears. "It¡¯s steady. Careful. I had to restructure the order of events... no one is allowed to move unchecked. I keep my eyes open, my ears sharper, and my nose ready to catch the scent of any new mole that might sprout up. I¡¯m not letting the past happen again. I¡¯m not letting this branch run like the doggy CIA either."


    Athena smiled faintly at the choice of words. It sounded yful, but Susan¡¯s expression betrayed no frivolity. She had learned vignce the hard way.


    "You¡¯re handling it though," Athena said softly.


    "I¡¯m trying." Susan swirled the juice, staring at the way the light bent inside the ss. Her voice was quiet. "But therapy is the part I wonder about. What if the sessions end, and I¡¯m not really... okay?"


    Athena tipped her head back, watching the cloudszily rearrange themselves above the roofline. Her hair gleamed under the light, strands like spun bronze. "There¡¯s no harm in trying. No one heals in a straight line, Susan. Not you, not me. We stumble, and then we keep walking."


    Silence settled between them for a moment. Susan¡¯s jaw worked, as if she was chewing on words she wasn¡¯t sure she should say. Then:


    "I told Ewan about Dr. Damian."


    The sentence hit like a pebble into still water. Athena turned her head sharply. "You did what?"


    "I told him about Damian. The way he spoke to us. His rudeness." A pause. A sigh of weariness. "It just happened in the heat of the moment. Now, I am not sure if it had been a good move."


    Athena¡¯s body stilled, her lips parting, but no answer came at first. Heat rose beneath her skin, her chest tightening.


    Why? Why would she go to Ewan with that? And when did they even form that kind of camaraderie? She wasn¡¯t aware that Susan and Ewan were ext buddies.


    Biting down on her lips. And what would Ewan do now? Would he confront Damian? Strip him from the gig altogether? Perhaps exile him without warning, back to wherever he hade from?


    Images flitted across her mind. Ewan¡¯s decisive anger. Damian¡¯s too-smooth smile. And her own hours she had spent researching on the doctor, clicking through databases, piecing threads of identity. But Damian had been smoke. Elusive. No records. No trail.


    She hade up empty, frustrated, yet epting that she had been right.


    And now Susan had handed Ewan the powder keg directly. She actually pitied Damian.


    Athena forced her shoulders into a shrug. "I... see." The words were t, deliberately careless. Inside, her nerves buzzed like hos.


    Pretending not to mind, noticing Susan¡¯s nervousness, she asked lightly, "Do you like him?"


    Susan almost choked, shaking her head. "No. Of course not."


    But Athena¡¯s eyes caught the tell: the faint flush, the pink around the rims of Susan¡¯s eyes, the avoidance in her gaze. Her young friend had the hots for the doctor, and was probably regretting telling Ewan about the matter.


    She said nothing, however, stored the detail away.


    The sound of footsteps interrupted them. A servant approached, head bowed, a tray bnced with two sleek phones. "Madam, your devices."


    Athena epted hers with a nod. Susan took hers, nced at the screen, and frowned.


    "Oh. I have a ton of calls from my boss. I should go, call him back." Rising, she brushed crumbs from herp. "Thank you, Athena... for today. For thepany. I think I needed it."


    A soft smile. "I think we should thank your new neighbours."


    Athenaughed. "Anytime. YOu will join me on that trip of appreciation though."


    When a smiling Susan had gone, Athena thumbed on her own phone. Four messages blinked against the screen.


    She opened Herbert¡¯s first.


    It was another dinner invitation.


    Her lips pressed together. Herbert¡ªan older man, refined, father of her friend. What exactly was he doing inviting her to a restaurant known for its romanticism?


    Was this simply polite courtesy, the manners of his age? Or was it something else creeping beneath his words? The thought unsettled her.


    Doesn¡¯t he have other associates to hang out with?


    The second message was easier. It was from Antonio¨CA love message, warm, dotted with kisses. <i>Images of you never leave my mind. I miss your lips, darling Athena.</i> There was a missed call too.


    Her lips softened into a smile, sighing quietly as she typed replies to the two messages.


    To Herbert: <i>No, thank you. There¡¯s the party on Friday. We can see each other then.</i>


    To Antonio: <i>Missed your call. Love you too, darling. Always.</i>


    Her fingers lingered on the keys longer than necessary thereafter... Her heart was drumming faster, not from Antonio, not from Herbert, but from the unopened third message.


    Ewan.


    Why was he texting her?


    She tapped it open.


    She smiled, unaware of it, when she began¡ªhe was apologizing for Damian¡¯s behavior, taking responsibility even though he hadn¡¯t hired the man.


    Thoughtful. Steady. That was Ewan.


    But then her eyes snagged on the next lines.


    He suspected Mary and Matthew had a secretb in the hospital.


    The words hit like ice water. She froze, breath catching.


    <i>In the hospital?</i>


    Her chest surged hot with fury.


    Foolish. She attacked herself first. Foolish not to have thought of this sooner. She cursed herself silently.


    Her fists clenched. Her mind spat curses at the twins, at their arrogance and wickedness, at her ownpse.


    Then she read the next part of his message: Ewan was asking permission toe in, to investigate the possibility by himself.


    "No," Athena muttered aloud. She typed back swiftly, fingers stabbing the screen. <i>I¡¯ll take care of it myself.</i>


    She trembled with anger now. How dare they? In the hospital she managed. Did they think her blind?


    <i>They will pay for this. They will all pay surely.</i>


    Immediately, she messaged Aiden: <i>Update. Doctors may have a secretb inside the hospital. I¡¯m checking it out now.</i>


    His reply came in seconds. <i>Don¡¯t act rash, Athena. Wait for confirmation.</i>


    The phone buzzed again¡ªAiden calling. She sighed, but answered immediately, his calm voice filling her ear.


    "Athena, promise me. Don¡¯t make a move until we¡¯re sure."


    Her chest heaved. "Fine. I promise."


    But her body burned with rage all the same.


    The call ended. And she checked thest text which came from Damian.


    It was an apology.


    But Athena¡¯s mood was already ruined. She hissed, deleting it instantly, lips curling with contempt.


    The phone buzzed again, making her cuss. What¡¯s with the notifications?!


    This time, it came from an unknown number.


    She frowned, suspicion darkening her brow. But she picked up.


    "Hello?"


    "Athena." A hoarse voice filled her ears this time. One that had been contorted by tears.


    Her breath stilled. That voice. "Margaret?"


    "Yes. Fiona¡¯s mother."


    Athena sat up sharply, body rigid. "Why are you calling? You¡¯re supposed to be off-grid, ording to Lucas."


    There was a breath, heavy. "Something has happened."


    Athena¡¯s heart lurched. "What is it?"


    "It¡¯s Kendra. She¡¯s missing. And so is Lucas."

 Chapter 378: More Worries IV

    <h4>Chapter 378: More Worries IV</h4>


    Athena sat frozen, her chest tightening as Margaret¡¯s words echoed through the phone like the tolling of a bell. <i>Missing.</i>


    It did not make sense. She thought sharply. She had been careful, more careful than she had ever been with anything else in her life when she picked the ce with Lucas¨Cnot wanting any bacsh that might affect them after the court case at the elders¡¯ council.


    The family of three had been sent to a location buried beneathyers of secrecy, hidden even from allies, tucked away in anonymity. No paper trail. No whispers. No chance of a breach. Only her old CIA contacts had the coordinates. Not even Aiden knew the full address¨CBut only because he wasn¡¯t interested in it.


    And yet¡ª


    Her throat closed. Her mind stumbled over the thought. <i>How had they been found? Who could have possibly pierced the veil?</i>


    Her fingers clenched the phone so tightly that her knuckles burned white. Behind the sharp edge of panic, anger simmered. She felt it in her ribs, pulsing with every shallow breath.


    For a moment she could not speak... only think in rabid circles. What was the end result of this? Why would they touch Kendra?


    Margaret¡¯s muffled sobs filled the silence. Athena pressed her palm to her temple, forcing herself to steady. She swallowed, then pushed her voice out through the storm in her chest.


    "Margaret," she finally said, low, taut. "Tell me. Start from the beginning. What happened?"


    On the other end, Margaret sniffled, trying topose herself. But she was a talker before the sickness¡ªalways had been¡ªand once the dam cracked, the words spilled out.


    "I... I went to the market, Athena. Just for a little while. I didn¡¯t think¡ªGod forgive me, I didn¡¯t think! I only wanted to get foodstuffs. Rice, some meat, and a few things for dinner. You know I don¡¯t like feeding them junk. Lucas was with Kendra, He hadn¡¯t gone to work today. They were fine. They waved me off. I told them I¡¯d be quick."


    Her voice broke, but she pushed on, rushing now, as though afraid Athena might cut her off.


    "The market was busy. Too busy. People shouting prices, haggling. I kept thinking of what Lucas wanted for stew, Kendra¡¯s favorite fruits¡ªoh God, her little hands, always tugging at me to buy more oranges. I¡ªI didn¡¯t notice anyone following me, or anything suspicious. I swear, Athena, I didn¡¯t."


    Athena closed her eyes, ignoring Mageret¡¯s rambling, understanding the woman¡¯s panic. She pictured Margaret there, moving from stall to stall, chatter spilling from her lips as she joked with the vendors. Margaret¡¯s nature had always been warm, overly open.


    Never toward her of course, in those past years. But to people around her, to her family, she had been that. She was the kind who never left silence alone. It was both her charm and her w.


    "Go on," Athena murmured, her tone clipped but not unkind.


    "When I came back..." Margaret¡¯s voice trembled. "The door. It was open. Just hanging there. I stopped. I thought¡ªmaybe Lucas stepped out. But no. I knew. I knew something was wrong. A mother always know, you know... My legs turned cold. I wanted to run, Athena, but I couldn¡¯t. I pushed the door, and the smell¡ªoh, the smell of dust and metal. The ce was turned upside down. Chairs broken. The table¡ªsplintered. Curtains torn. I thought maybe they were hiding, maybe they ran. I shouted their names. Nothing. No Lucas. No Kendra. Only silence."


    Athena gripped the phone tighter. Her stomach knotted.


    Margaret sobbed, the sound jagged and raw. "I searched every room. Every corner. The kitchen¡ªempty. The bedrooms¡ªmess everywhere. Not a note, Athena. Not even a warning. Nothing. Just gone. As if they had been swallowed."


    For a few seconds, Athena could not breathe. Her heart twisted with Margaret¡¯s grief. She forced herself to listen past the sobs, every word etching itself into her memory. Her mind raced, pulling pieces, trying to find the hole in her n.


    When she spoke again, her voice was steady, though her insides felt like they were splitting apart. Kendra. "Did you see anything strange before you left? Anyone hanging around? A car that didn¡¯t belong? A neighbor watching too closely?"


    Silence. Margaret inhaled sharply, as if she were truly searching her memory. Seconds stretched.


    "No," she whispered finally. "No, Athena. Nothing. Just the usual faces at the market. Nothing else."


    Athena pressed her fingers into her eyes, forcing back the pressure swelling behind them. "Alright," she said softly, though her jaw was hard. "Listen to me carefully. I¡¯ll take care of this. But you must do exactly as I say. Do not go back to that house. Don¡¯t linger on the streets. Go to the Silver Elm Hotel¡ªthird floor, room 309. My friend Eric wille for you. He¡¯s tall, dark hair, scar under his chin. He¡¯ll call with the code: <i>¡¯Do you still keep roses?¡¯</i> That¡¯s how you¡¯ll know it¡¯s him. Don¡¯t speak to anyone else. Don¡¯t open the door for anyone else. Do you understand?"


    Margaret sniffled, but her reply came firm, desperate. "Yes, Athena. Yes. I¡¯ll go now."


    "Good. Stay put until Eric arrives." Athena exhaled. "Hold yourself together, Margaret. For them."


    The line ended.


    Athena didn¡¯t hesitate. She dialed Eric immediately. The man answered on the second ring, his voice alert.


    "Athena."


    "Where are you?" she demanded.


    "With Shawn. Why? Did something happen?"


    "Good. Listen carefully. Margaret¡¯spromised. Lucas and Kendra are gone. She¡¯s heading to Silver Elm Hotel currently. Room 309. The code is <i>Do you still keep roses?</i> Don¡¯t forget it. Take the jet. Tell the boss it¡¯s an emergency. I want that tracker I nted on their phones activated. Now."


    Eric cursed under his breath. She heard Shawn in the background, his tone sharp, already pulling up equipment.


    "We¡¯re on it," Eric said. "We¡¯ll move. Adding this to the list though, of what you owe us..."


    The line cut, humor in thest use not catching on Athena.


    She strode toward the mansion¡¯s interiors, away from the weakening sunlight. At the poolside door, a servant bowed. "Madam?"


    "Please clear the pool area." she spoke, not slowing down one bit.


    She entered the sitting room to see Old Mr. Thorneughing, sitting leisurely on the sofa with Susan, ying a game of football on therge television.


    Once they saw her though, once they noted her expression, they abandoned the fun and the game; Susan got to her feet.


    "Athena, what¡¯s the problem?"


    "They¡¯re gone," Athena said, voice t. "Lucas. Kendra. Missing."


    Susan gasped, hand flying to her mouth. Mr. Thorne¡¯s jaw clenched, the game pad creaking under his grip.


    Before either could respond to this news, the door swung open. Aiden strode in, hair disheveled, tie askew, eyes sharp with urgency. He must have flown down the moment their earlier call ended. Or rather had been on flight during it.


    "Athena," he said. Then a pause, when he noted their expressions. "What happened?"


    She recounted swiftly, her tone clipped but clear. As she spoke, the air thickened. No one interrupted. They all knew what it meant.


    When she finished, silence pressed down. Then Aiden swore, low. "It¡¯s them. The ones behind Grey Virus. No one else could have managed this breach."


    Susan finally found her voice, though it trembled. "But how and why? Why take Lucas and Kendra? What use are they?" Her gaze darted between Athena and Aiden, desperate for an answer neither had.


    Athena shook her head. "I don¡¯t know."


    Mr. Thorne tapped his pad, slow, steady. His lips pressed thin, but his eyes¡ªdark, piercing¡ªheld both fury and sorrow.


    Susan started pacing, biting at her lip. Unable to win over the restlessness, she pulled her phone and started making calls.


    Aiden stood rigid, fists flexing as he tried to calcte possibilities. And when he found none, other trying to disarm Athena, he started making calls, while wondering when all this would end. The adrenaline would surely kill him before his time!


    Athena sat down meanwhile, burning inside, her mind a relentless wheel of scenarios, searching for the one that fit. Would they ask for a ransom? Or for the research?


    Finally, she stood, tired of waiting for Eric. She called Ewan, her voice hard as stone, exining in brisk detail.


    "Please pick up the kids too. It¡¯s their closing time already."


    "Okay, I will be there as soon as possible." A pause. "And don¡¯t worry, we will get this sorted out." Ewan assured over the phone, calm and collected.


    When Athena dropped into the sofa again, calmer than before, her arms folded tightly across her chest, her gaze followed Susan who still paced like a caged animal, phone pressed to her ear, issuing orders to agents.


    Five minutes passed. Then Eric¡¯s call came.


    She let out a shaky breath of relief as she answered the call, hoping for a positive response.


    "We found the tracker," he reported. "It¡¯s not moving. Location locked. We¡¯re sending men."


    Athena¡¯s heart kicked. She rose halfway from the sofa. "Where?"


    "Abandoned building, outskirts of Montana. Off-grid town, small poption. Perfect ce to keep someone hidden. Hopefully we¡¯ll find them alive."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 379: More Worries V

    <h4>Chapter 379: More Worries V</h4>


    "How long before they get to Montana?" Susan inquired about twenty minutester, now seated on the armchair beside the sofa where Old Mr. Thorne sat with his wife.


    In the next chair was Aiden, typing furiously on his phone. Athena hoped he wasmunicating with either Shawn or Eric; she hadn¡¯t heard from them since thest call. Neither had she heard from Ewan and her kids.


    Her heart sank into her stomach as a dark thought shed through her mind¡ªwhat if her enemies¡¯ ns included them? What if they had been hijacked on the road?


    She shook her head hard. No. The Thornes¡¯ security was tight, professional. She didn¡¯t think her enemies would be that reckless, that dense.


    Still, they had obviously reached out to Lucas and his family. Lucas had no real protection though, not the way the Thornes did. Not really...


    But how could she have known the criminals had marked them? That the sponsors of the Grey Virus¡ªthe ones behind the evil¡ªwould choose to use Lucas and Kendra as bait?


    A hissed curse broke from her lips as her hand stamped against her thigh. She was still in a swimsuit, her skin sticky with chlorine from earlier.


    "Athena..." Florence¡¯s voice cut into her spiraling thoughts.


    She met her grandmother¡¯s gaze, calm when it should not have been calm, steady when worry should have darkened it.


    "We will get through this," Florence said, voice carrying quiet conviction. "We always have."


    "What if they¡¯re dead before Eric gets to them?"


    Florence inhaled softly, slow and measured. "They won¡¯t be. Let¡¯s all stay positive. Besides, what would the idiots gain if they kill them? They would want them alive, so they can make a trade."


    Athena released a short, hollowugh. "They are crazy, these people. They might kill Kendra just for the fun of it. Do you know how many have died because of this virus already?"


    "Athena." Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s voice cut in, calm but firm, the kind of tone that carriedmand. A voice calling her to order, to quiet.


    "Go upstairs and change. Ewan will be here soon with the children."


    Her lips parted to argue, to say clothes were the least of her concerns, but the sternness in her grandfather¡¯s eyes silenced her. She sighed, pushed herself to her feet, and moved toward the hallway.


    Susan followed close behind.


    "You were so wrapped in worry you didn¡¯t answer my question. Should I call them?" she whispered, as if afraid her words would trigger Athena.


    She followed Athena into the bedroom and shut the door. From the doorway she watched as her mother¡¯s good friend walked to the wardrobe and pulled out the first thing her eyesnded on.


    "Might take a while," Athena finally replied, tossing the swimsuit aside, cleaning her body with a flimsy cloth, and pulling on a pair of khaki-colored shorts. "Depends on if our old boss lets them use one of the agency¡¯s private jets."


    A ck polo came next, sliding over her head. It hung long, nearly overshadowing the shorts.


    "You¡¯re right," Susan said slowly. "But what do you think they¡¯re really after?"


    Athena shrugged, fingers ruffling distractedly through her damp hair. "The same thing they¡¯ve always been after. My research. But I can¡¯t give it up."


    Susan frowned, lips pressing tight. Didn¡¯t human lives matter more than research?


    "If I let them have it, more people will die..." Athena bit her lip, a beat of silence hanging between them. "We¡¯ll just have to steal Lucas and Kendra back without them knowing. There¡¯s no alternative."


    Her gaze snapped toward Susan. "Have you briefed your boss and the agents, in case we need their help?"


    Susan nodded. "They¡¯re on standby as we speak. But knowing the thoroughness of your ex-CIA buddies, I doubt we¡¯ll even need my team. Still, our private ne is ready, just in case we have to move fast."


    Athena exhaled loudly, smoothing nonexistent creases from her shirt before heading back toward the sitting room.


    "Did they know?" Susan asked as they walked into the hallway.


    There was no specification, but Athena knew what she meant. The sad, curious tone was about her ex-CIA colleagues.


    "No. Not at first, at least. They found outter." Athena didn¡¯t borate further¡ªthat they had hidden it from her too. She saw no reason to stir tension among her people now.


    Back in the sitting room, she found Aiden deep in conversation with Old Mr. Thorne, discussing the possibility of going to Montana. When they noticed her, both men turned at once. Their frownsnded on her outfit at the same time.


    "You might need to change again, sweetheart." Florence spoke for them, her tone soft.


    "Why?" Athena frowned in confusion.


    "Because we might be going to Montana. Eric just sent a text. The warehouse is empty."


    Athena¡¯s breath seized. She shut her eyes, face contorting in pain, then exhaled harshly as she dropped into an armchair.


    Her hand fumbled for her phone. She dialed Eric¡¯s number, needing to hear details, not just texts.


    "Eric, what¡¯s happening? Aiden just told me the warehouse is empty."


    "Yes," Eric confirmed, his voice hurried. She pictured him moving, maybe running. Then she heard it¡ªsharp cracks of gunfire in the background.


    "What¡¯s going on, Eric?!" Her voice rose into a shriek, nting fear into everyone in the room.


    "Some men were left behind at the warehouse," he said, breathing hard. "To... I don¡¯t know... guard it?"


    "Don¡¯t kill them all. Keep one for questioning. We need to know where they¡¯ve taken Lucas and Kendra."


    "Of course, Athena. But¡ª" His voice dropped, carrying weight. "We found blood. A lot of it. In the room where the tracker led us. The watch and ne with the trackers were removed, littered on the ground like mockery. They suspected us. These men are just scapegoats. I doubt they¡¯ll know where Lucas and Kendra were taken, but we¡¯ll still question them."


    A heavy pause. Athena¡¯s stomach twisted with dread.


    "But I suggest you don¡¯t hold out much hope for the survival of the duo," Eric said finally. "As I said... the blood we saw in the holding room was too much."

 Chapter 380: A Win

    <h4>Chapter 380: A Win</h4>


    Athena sighed shakily, one hand pressed against her ribs as though she could hold herself together by sheer force. Her pulse roared in her ears, each thud echoing painfully in her chest. She almost marveled at the sensation¡ªhow her own body betrayed her grief and frustration.


    It was true she had no blood ties to them. Yet her heart knew what this meant. These people, especially Kendra¡ªhad been entrusted to her. She had promised their safety, sworn it silently if not aloud. And now it seemed she had gone back on her word. The weight of it suffocated her.


    She hated it. She hated this feeling of helplessness. This sharp, choking sense of failure. She should have done better. She should have anticipated danger.


    Security. If she had ced proper security around them, they would have seen the suspicious movements. They would have alerted her. They would have fought back during the abduction. But she had not, and now her people were missing.


    Her throat tightened as her thoughts fixed on Kendra¡ªsweet Kendra, always seen running with her children,ughter echoing in the school¡¯s garden.


    Athena¡¯s chest constricted, the memory so vivid it seemed the air itself carried Kendra¡¯s voice. She couldn¡¯t allow harm toe to the little girl. She couldn¡¯t imagine the pain her own children would suffer if their beloved friend died.


    Kathleen especially. Kathleen and Kendra had been inseparable¡ªvideo calls, sharedughter, whispers that ran long into the evening.


    Just a few days ago, Athena had walked in on one of their calls, Kathleen¡¯s face glowing with delight. The thought of that bond being severed was unbearable.


    Failure pressed harder against her chest, but this time Athena forced it down, mping it tight. There was no time for unraveling.


    "Find them," she whispered into the phone, voice raw, to Eric, who had been patient through her silent motions. "Don¡¯t stop until you do."


    "Okay, boss. I will do my best."


    The call ended, leaving her with the echo of her own desperation.


    But as minutes stretched into hours, and reports continued to bring nothing, frustration wed at her. Calls went out¡ªAiden making one, her grandfather another¡ªbut each rang hollow. Leads fizzled before they even gained shape.


    The one fellow Eric had kept alive for questioning offered nothing. It was just like her friend had said: the warehouse men had been scapegoats, set deliberately to waste their time while the real perpetrators moved the victims to another, better-hidden ce.


    Somewhere along the line, they had discovered the tracker. And that must have triggered the sudden transfer.


    Now Eric scoured abandoned buildings across the county, searching blindly. Aiden¡¯s peoplebed the ck web, scanning for even a whisper directed to mercenaries about the movements.


    Yet nothing.


    Athena herself was out of leads. Every possibility had been exhausted¡ªor was in the middle of being exhausted.


    She just had onest hope.


    Spider.


    Only Spider, still in the shadows of Ewan¡¯s former gang, might be able to pull through. He was the best hacker she knew, a phantom in the system. But she could only reach him through Ewan.


    Without hesitation, she called again. "Where are you? Have you picked the kids?"


    "Yes," Ewan answered, voice calm¡ªtoo calm, almost grating against Athena¡¯s frayed nerves; because how could he be calm when Kendra might already be dead?


    "We are just three minutes away."


    Relief escaped her lips before she could stop it, a sigh uncoiling her chest. She cut the call abruptly, hating how dependent she had be on him.


    Why hadn¡¯t she reached out to Antonio? The thought struck her sharply. He knew Lucas, knew Kendra. He had been at the court case. He had been present when their fates tangled. Surely he would have advice, direction, andfort.


    She picked up her phone, thumb hovering over his contact. She even began to type a message. But she stopped.


    She couldn¡¯t. She wouldn¡¯t.


    He had enough on his te. He hadined only yesterday of hectic days at thepany. Burdening him with this would be cruel.


    Sighing heavily, Athena dropped the phone onto the couch and folded her arms, waiting. Her people watched her, curiosity in their eyes, but she ignored them.


    Ewan would be here soon. And with him, hopefully, answers.


    When Ewan finally arrived, Nate and Kate clinging to his hands, Zane and Sandro nked him with grim expressions.


    He must have already told them. She thought, weing her children into her embrace, nting kisses on her cheeks.


    "Mom, what¡¯s going on?" they chorused softly, wide eyes searching her face.


    Of course they knew. They always knew.


    Their father had told them all was well, that it was only a slight mishap at thepany. But even they recognized it as a lie. The first lie he had ever told them. And they did not count it as wickedness. They understood¡ªhe was trying to protect them.


    But what was this thing they were being shielded from?


    They turned their hope to their mother, but the stale smile on her lips was all the answer they received. They won¡¯t be getting the truth.


    "Nothing, honey," Athena said gently, patting their cheeks.


    She turned to a servant. "Please make sure they are settled in their rooms."


    The twins frowned, hearing the unspokenmand: they would not be allowed out until the meeting was over.


    When the servant approached, smiling, the twins exchanged a nce and forced smiles of their own. They greeted their great-grandparents, Aiden and Susan, before following the servant.


    Once inside their room, and after the maid shut the door behind them with a promise of food, Nathaniel quietly locked it, while Kathleen immediately pulled out theirptop.


    If their parents wouldn¡¯t tell them what was happening, their friends surely would.


    Meanwhile, back in the sitting room, the adults sat in tense lines. Every face was drawn hard, every voice clipped when it spoke. They traded ideas, mapped possibilities, but all of it was shadow¡ªno clear answers, no clear path.


    Finally, Ewan leaned forward, phone in hand. He has been on the phone for less than a minute.


    "Spider says he knows. He knows where they are."


    The words dropped like a stone, silencing any speech that had been forming in the mouth of others.


    "Luckily, they are alive. Lucas is barely breathing, but Spider believes he will be fine."


    Athena exhaled loudly, relief washing through her. She pressed a hand to her forehead, sliding it down through her hair, a shaky smile tugging at her lips.


    One victory noted¡ªsmall, fragile, but hers nheless. She could cling to it, use it to steady herself, to n the extraction.


    "I think he was beaten when they discovered his watch had a tracker in it," Aiden guessed, arms crossed, his hard features softening slightly.


    "Was he aware of it though... the tracker I mean?" Sandro asked, turning his sharp gaze to Athena.


    She shook her head. "He would have hidden it if he had known."

 Chapter 381: A Confession

    <h4>Chapter 381: A Confession</h4>


    "But how does Spider know of the specific situation of Lucas?" Athena asked after exining what kind of tracker she had used on the watch, and on Kendra¡¯s ne, her voice low, carrying a strain she could not quite hide.


    While talking on the specifics of the tracker to her audience, she had been thinking of how Spider had been precise about the state of Lucas. Had he been on the mission with the criminals? Was that part of his undercover duty?


    <i>If so, why hadn¡¯t he informed us?</i>


    Her eyes narrowed slightly, searching Ewan¡¯s face for the smallest flicker of uncertainty. <i>Or was he aware?</i>


    She leaned forward in her chair, palms pressed tightly together, as though squeezing them might anchor her waveringposure. The others watched her¡ªthe way her jaw tensed, the way her lips trembled just slightly before she stilled them.


    Ewan met her gaze steadily. His shoulders remained rxed, while his hands rested casually on his knees. "Because the victims are at one of the gang locations. Luckily for us, Spider is there."


    The wordsnded heavy, pulling the air taut between them, between the people in the room.


    For a beat, silence swept the room, an invisible storm forming in its wake. Every nce darted to the other, suspicion shing in their eyes. Even Athena¡¯s pulse spiked, and her breath caught. She had asked out of desperation, yes, but his answer¡ªso smooth, so certain¡ªmade unease stir.


    Her eyes narrowed further. "So Spider... is with the gang?"


    Ewan shook his head immediately, his expression calm, deliberate. "No. He wasn¡¯t part of the mission. He only found out afterward. He was caught unawares, as we were... I think they didn¡¯t deem it necessary to avoid him, because they hadn¡¯t the need for his services."


    Still, the tension didn¡¯t ease. It hung there, sticky and stubborn. It seemed to being from different directions, diverse thoughts and suspicions.


    Old Mr. Thorne leaned back slightly in his chair, one hand tightening on the armrest. His keen eyes studied Ewan¡¯s face with an intensity that came only from age and the sharpened instincts of a man who had navigated too many storms. His brow furrowed, and in his voice came the slow, steady weight of suspicion.


    "Do you," he asked carefully, "know this gang... personally?"


    The question cracked the silence open.


    It fell thick across the room, heavier than the words themselves. The air shifted¡ªtenser, denser¡ªas though the walls themselves pressed in to hear the answer.


    Ewan¡¯s jaw tightened. The casual calm drained from his features, leaving behind something grimmer, sharper. He didn¡¯t move at first, didn¡¯t blink. Just silence¡ªunyielding and loud.


    Then he met Athena¡¯s gaze. She cocked a stiff brow in response, her nose twitching.


    Florence, sitting near the edge of the long sofa, swallowed hard. Her eyes darted between faces¡ªthose her instincts believed knew the answer to the question. Her fingers trembled faintly where they rested on herp. The quiet stretched until she could bear it no longer.


    "Ewan..." she whispered, voice shaky, though her eyes tried to hold him. "Do you? Won¡¯t you answer my husband?"


    Still silence.


    Then slowly, almost reluctantly, Ewan exhaled. "Yes."


    Florence¡¯s breath hitched. How was her Ewan affiliated to the most deadly gang in the country, maybe the continent?


    "I was part of them once," he admitted, voice t but not defensive. No excuses. Just the truth.


    The ripple that went through the room was immediate. Florence¡¯s mouth hung open to start with, a mirroring of the expression on her husband¡¯s face. More stunned, the couple were, that they were thest to know of this information, considering the looks on the faces of the others.


    But Ewan didn¡¯t stop at his admission.


    He told the story, just as he had told Athena, and the couple were left speechless.


    Florence¡¯s eyes, for one, remained widened, shimmering now as she pressed her lips together hard. Her throat bobbed as she tried to swallow it down, but tears slipped anyway, silently trailing her cheeks. She brought her hand to her mouth, stifling the sound, but her shoulders trembled with the effort.


    Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s lips parted, then closed. Shock carved lines deeper across his face. His hand, still gripping the armrest, whitened at the knuckles. He had lived long enough to suspect it, perhaps, but hearing it aloud¡ªthe raw confirmation¡ªshattered something in him. He shouldn¡¯t have let Alfonso take the child away.


    Ewan only sighed under their stares. He leaned back, his eyes briefly closing before opening again with grim resolve. "It¡¯s all in the past... And Zane, Sandro¡ª"


    "We were with him," Zane said suddenly, his voice cutting the silence. His jaw was set, his eyes hard. "And we decided it stays buried. A secret we¡¯d take to the grave. I hope it doesn¡¯t leave this room either."


    Florence gasped faintly, another sob breaking loose. Her hand trembled against her lips. She just couldn¡¯t imagine the pain her little boy had gone through, her little godson. Why hadn¡¯t she bothered with him those years?


    Athena leaned back slightly, her mind whirling. She bit her lips, watching the tension unfurl, hoping that her grandparents wouldn¡¯t have her hide for keeping this matter from them. For to be honest, she had thought they knew...


    Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s voice came again, raw, carrying disbelief. "So there was nothing... nothing that broke you free? No revtion? No one thing that pulled you from that pit?" Yet to understand how Ewan had led a gang at such young age, what damage it had wrought to his already damaged head.


    Ewan shook his head slowly. His expression weary, his eyes holding something too heavy to be spoken. "No. Nothing but time. And the chance to crawl out."


    His hand moved toward his phone, a deliberate gesture to end this line of questions. "I¡¯m sorry old man, but right now, we don¡¯t have the luxury of dwelling. We still have Lucas and Kendra to save. I believe Spider has more for us."


    Old Mr. Thorne nodded slowly, absent-mindedly, his hand moving to his wife¡¯s back to pat gently, tofort her.


    Meanwhile, Ewan dialed Spider¡¯s contact.


    The room held its breath, listening as Spider¡¯s distorted voice came through¨Cwherever the location was had a terriblework. "Coordinates confirmed. Exact location. They¡¯re close¡ªtwo states over. But listen¡ª" his tone grew taut¡ª "sending this blows my cover. My men and I might not survive if this leaks back."


    Ewan¡¯s jaw clenched. "You¡¯re sure?"


    "Positive. But I¡¯ll risk it. I¡¯ll send the coordinates. I¡¯ll leave the gate open. That¡¯s the best I can do."


    "Then do it," Ewan said, firm. "Thank you. I owe you one."


    The line went dead.


    Athena exhaled, one hand pressing to her forehead as relief swept through her like a tide. Her shoulders slumped, the first true easing of her body in hours. Hope, fragile but alive, pulsed inside her chest.


    "We¡¯ll be there soon," Ewan muttered to himself, lowering the phone.


    Then louder, steadying his voice, he turned to the room. "Listen. We move now. Susan, you stay. You keep the mansion secure with the guards. No one gets in, no one leaves. Keep the children safe. Also dispense more security around Chelsea and Gianna."


    Susan, though reluctant, wishing to follow them, nodded firmly.


    The rest rose to their feet. Boots scuffed against marble, chairs pushed back, coats pulled close. The room that had once been stifled with silence now brimmed with movement, urgency.


    Athena quickly reached for her phone, fingers steady as she typed. "Eric," she talked into the receiver, her eyes watching Ewan take charge of the mission. "Is Margaret safe?"


    "Yes," Eric¡¯s voice came, steady too. "She¡¯s safe. We are on our way to the Thorne mansion."


    Relief broke through Athena¡¯s chest again. "Good. Good. God willing, we might be done with this mission today."


    By the time she ended the call, Ewan was already giving, over the phone, coordinates on where to get extraction <i>suits</i> and weapons to an agent, and Old Mr. Thorne was already leading Zane and Sandro toward the hallway, toward his private room where certain tools for extraction were kept.


    ¨C


    They spilled into the night minutester, the heavy front doors of the Thorne mansion groaning shut behind them. The estate¡¯s courtyard, washed silver by moonlight, seemed to hold its breath. Engines rumbled faintly as sleek ck vehicles waited at the ready, headlights cutting through the darkness.


    Old Mr. Thorne followed, expression harder now, the shock of Ewan¡¯s revtion etched deeply into his lined face. He stopped after the porch, with Florence clinging to his side, her eyes still red, watching them enter the cars.


    Athena, now d in ckbat suit, wrapped her shawl tighter, casting onest nce at her grandparents and imitated a wave, a small smile on her lips.


    "Come back safe." Old Mr. Thorne called out, already epting of his grand daughter¡¯s love for the field. He hadn¡¯t even tried to convince her to stay back.


    "I will." Athena promised, her ears picking up Ewan¡¯sst instructions to the agents following them.


    <i> "We move straight to the private hangar. No stops, no dys."</i>


    His tone was clipped, every wordmanding, even as he told Zane and Sandro to take the lead car.<i> "Check the route on the way. If we¡¯re tailed, cut them off."</i>


    Winking at her grand parents, she slipped into the middle SUV with Ewan, her hands sping in herp as she sat on the cold leather seat.

 Chapter 382: Another Extraction

    <h4>Chapter 382: Another Extraction</h4>


    The drive to the Thorne private hangar blurred past in tense silence. Only the low hum of engines and the asional crackle of Zane¡¯s voice over the radio broke the stillness.


    Athena kept her gaze fixed outside, watching trees dissolve into stretches of highway, her thoughts spinning restlessly.


    <i>Would the criminals hold onto Kendra just for a while? Could they not kill Lucas yet? Could they hold on until she got there? </i>This mantra repeated over and over in her head, like she was trying to push her mental positivity into the minds of the kidnappers.


    Secondly, she wondered how the men had located the almost invisible ce she had hidden the family in. Was there a mole in their midst, as Morgan had spoken about, or were the criminals thatpetent?


    She bit her lips, yet watching her environment from the tinted ss, her feet dropping slow beats on the floor of the car, impatient to get to level ground, to begin the mission.


    Spider had promised his innocence in all this, so thepetency of the criminals dwindled before her eyes. Or was there someone like him, someone he had groomed while working with the gang? Someone who had no loyalty to Ewan...


    "Athena, you shouldn¡¯t worry. Spider gives me updates every five minutes. Nothing will happen to Kendra or Lucas."


    Although Ewan had no real energy to save Lucas, who had been one of the tools used to destroy his rtionship with Athena more than five years ago, looking at Athena¡¯s worried face was enough motivation. And there was the part that he had to forgive the male for lying against his wife, as he had been forgiven.


    "And what has he said in thest five minutes?" Athena¡¯s question drew Ewan from his thoughts.


    "That they are safe. Lucas is losing blood, but he will survive if we arrive there as nned, if the extraction goes as nned."


    Athena nodded, yet looking through the window, thinking of the nature of beating they must have given her former best friend, for him to have bled that much. Beating with iron?


    She sighed, and looked away from the window, turning to meet Ewan¡¯s gaze. "What do you think about this mission? I don¡¯t want to be too positive."


    "Maybe you should be," Ewan said softly, meeting her eyes, wishing he could hug her, that he could nestle her in his arms andfort her.


    With this thought came the strong feeling to do as he felt, and so to curtail this thing, especially with her looking at him that way, he asked about her boyfriend; the name tasted bitter in his mouth.


    "How is Antonio? Did you inform him of this matter?"


    Athena shook her head. "He already talks about his work being strenuous. I didn¡¯t want to add an extra burden."


    And then she returned to watching the sights from her window; and Ewan knew that the conversation, as of that moment, was over.


    Should he have kept quiet? Should he not have brought up Antonio, maybe talk about his confession to the Thornes a few moments ago? Exhaling from his mouth slowly, he reverted his gaze to the window. <i>Everything will work out fine.</i>


    When atst the convoy slowed, the ck silhouette of the private hangar rose ahead. Floodlights cast the tarmac in pale gold, where the Thorne¡¯s jet waited like a bird of prey, sleek and polished, its nose pointed toward the stars.


    Athena thought it beautiful, aware of the security men posted at every corner of the hangar. From therge warehouse meters away from the jet, she knew there was more than one flight machine in the hanger. <i>Soon, this all will belong to her.</i>


    She noted the pilots and attendants standing by the open private jet, who must have been awoken from their sleep to be here, and felt sorry. Her old man shouldn¡¯t have. They could take care of themselves.


    She was sure he wouldn¡¯t want to hear that though. To him, paying his employees higher than their counterparts in the same industry was enough incentive to get them running when he called.


    "We are here," she heard Ewan say, and gave a nk nod.


    The cars braked sharply as they passed the long metal gates and parked a few feet away from the jet. Doors opened and men flooded out. Just five men in addition to the usual flock¨CEwan hadn¡¯t thought it wise to bring in a multitude; it might alert the criminals of theiring.


    Cold night air rushed in as Athena opened her own door, carrying the sharp tang of fuel.


    Athena¡¯s breath caught up close as she looked up at the ne. She had seen it before, in the news media of course¡ªthe Thorne¡¯s wealth had never been subtle or hidden¡ªbut tonight it looked different. It looked mysterious, screaming both luxury and salvation.


    Before her, Ewan moved quickly, his strides purposeful as he coordinated with the waiting crew. She watched as the men saluted him¨Cthis man she thought wore authority like a cloak, with terse nods¨Ctheir eyes sharp, already briefed on the urgency.


    "Fuel¡¯s ready, Mr. Gietti. Cabin prepared," one of them said briskly.


    "Good. Wheels up in five," Ewan replied.


    She watched as he reverted his steps to her, to Aiden and his friends. "Everything has been prepared." He paused, to tell the few agents with them to load up the bags in their hands into the ne, bags which contained surveince equipment and weapons.


    "We just have to get in and out, and then go to our beds." A short smile touched his lips. "Not that any of us are alien to this kind of movement."


    Aiden smiled with him. "I¡¯m getting older, but I feel rather refreshed when on missions like this. Was sitting on a spring, when you told Susan to stay back..."


    Ewan cocked a brow in questioning.


    Aiden shrugged. "I thought that if you told me to stay back too, citing something like age as you told Old Mr. Thorne, you would be kissing my boots next."


    Ewanughed, together with his friends¡ªAthena managed a smile¡ªdiffusing the tension in their midst.


    They would do this, and everyone woulde out alive was the statement that rang through in their minds as they started toward the jet.


    The steps nged under their boots as they filed aboard. Inside, the jet¡¯s cabin gleamed¡ªcream leather seats, polished wood panels, soft recessed lighting that tried but failed to soften the remainder of the faint tension riding with them.


    Athena slid into a seat, her palms not mmy, her chest not as tightened as before. Everything will be fine. She had gone on worse missions than this, and had emerged victorious; this wouldn¡¯t be different.


    She was aware of Ewan moving down the aislest, stopping to rest a hand on the back of a chair before speaking, the door shutting behind him.


    His eyes swept the group, steady, hard.


    "Are we allfortable enough to eat," he started. "A light snack."


    Beside him was one of the attendants watching them behind anxious eyes. Echoes of nos, and shakes of head greeted him.


    "You don¡¯t have to worry, Rita. You can have the moments off, you and others. We will be fine with some privacy."


    The attendant muttered something Athena couldn¡¯t hear and then she stalked off to a closed door, a resting ce probably for the staff. Once the door shut firmly behind her, Ewan turned to them.


    "Just more detailed nning, so that we hit the ground running. No hesitation."


    The engines rumbled beneath them, a rising growl that set the sses trembling in their holders. Outside, the runway stretched long and ck beneath the night sky. The jet lurched, began to taxi.


    Athena closed her eyes briefly, feeling the thrum of motion beneath her feet, then opened them to fix on Ewan. His jaw was set, his shoulders square.


    When the ne lifted, pressing them back into their seats, Athena¡¯s stomach dropped somewhat, but her resolve steadied. They were in the air.


    The seatbelt lights dimmed. Ewan remained standing, bracing himself against the slight sway of the jet.


    "Listen carefully everyone," he began, his tone clipped, deliberate. "Thepound Spider gave us¡ªit won¡¯t be easy. It¡¯s one of the gang¡¯s main locations... Outer guards, inner watch. He¡¯ll leave the main gate open, but once we¡¯re inside, it¡¯s ours to fight through. The agents will take care of surveince and dealing with the men outside..."


    Zane leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "What about the extraction? We need a way out that isn¡¯t suicide."


    There was a ghost of apprehension in his eyes, which was well-founded considering the gang they were trying to steal from. And that was apart from the consequences that would fall out.


    This was a deration of war as they knew it¨Cif the gang found out the identity of their stealers¨Chence the mask each held in their hand, as the ne got closer to their location.


    "North side," Ewan replied finally, yet remembering this location from his year as leader of the gang.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 383: Another Extraction II

    <h4>Chapter 383: Another Extraction II</h4>


    Not much has changed, Ewan thought, aware of his past rising to meet him. He couldn¡¯t believe that he was returning into one of the dungeons he had sworn never to return to.


    Life can be so messy, he mused, tapping the table where a rough map flickered on his tablet.


    "Spider marked an old drainage path. If things go bad, that¡¯s our exit. Tight fit, but manageable."


    Hopefully that still was the same. And hopefully nothing would deter him from his mission tonight. Not the cries of helpless victims, and surely not the sight of Kael. Was thetter even at the location?


    The five gathered closer, huddling around the makeshift table, to note the map, while the agents with them stayed ahead in seats, cocking and uncocking guns.


    Athena leaned in, studying the map, ignoring Ewan¡¯s contemtive eyes on her. Her brows furrowed. "And Lucas? You know he is injured... how do we get him out without him contracting infections... is the drainage system... where exactly..."


    She paused, looked at Ewan, waiting for an answer, knowing they all understood her concerns.


    "We¡¯ll find a way, I will make sure of it. But it¡¯s better we finish well, and follow through with the first n... so everyone be alert and sensitive. Kendara and Lucas are at the Central block," Ewan pointed at a squareplex on the map. "That¡¯s where they¡¯ll be held. Spider says he¡¯s seen it, has gone in even to maintain a surveince system, although he promises to destabilize that when we get there. But there are steel doors, and guards which are rotated every hour. We¡¯ll need speed more than stealth. We need to be in and out in less than forty-five minutes. Thirty at most. So, we won¡¯t sh with a stream of guards."


    Sandro shifted uneasily, his voice soft. "And if it¡¯s a trap? What if they know we areing tonight? What if this is all a premeditated n to get us all captive, a sure way to get the research, or rather stop the production of vines?"


    Silence. Then Ewan¡¯s gaze darkened. He looked at his friend, then at all of them.


    "Then we fight. But we don¡¯t leave anyone behind. None of us is dying here tonight, neither are we leaving without Lucas and Kendra, so let¡¯s all strap in, let¡¯s buckle down and do this quickly."


    The wordsnded heavy, sinking into them like steel. Nods validated his words, even as everyone went around, sinking buds into their ears, connecting to each other, connected to Spider.


    "Hello everyone..." He greeted listlessly. "Can you hear me?"


    Echoes of yes, more bags being opened, guns being cocked, masks getting suited on faces.


    "I¡¯m not sure what Ewan has told you, but we have to be done with this extraction in fifteen minutes, give or take."


    Silence. Static except for the jet humming around them, steady and constant. The air inside the jet was cool, almost too clean, but in it also lingered the weight of anticipation and fear and questions.


    A mission to be done in fifteen minutes?


    Everyone reflected the consequence of Spider¡¯s statement in different ways¡ªAthena¡¯s sharp focus, Zane¡¯s clenched fists, Sandro¡¯s resolve, Aiden¡¯s grim lips. And Ewan¡¯s stiff demeanor.


    The agents with them, seeing their leader¡¯s firm resolve, pushed their fear away, clung to their guns, and exhaled fear through soft breaths.


    This night won¡¯t be their time to die, they each thought, borrowing a leaf from Athena. Walking in fear wasn¡¯t going to be needed if they needed to be in their A-game.


    "So, strap in for a long but short haul." And then Spider was gone, like he hadn¡¯t detonated a bomb within their midst.


    "You heard our inside man." Ewan¡¯s voice grew loud,manding. "Let¡¯s get to work. Brian, get started with the tattoos..."


    Together with thebat gear, the ck and red¡ªreding from a scarf they tied to their arms, a color known to the gang¡ªthere were also tattoos needed to be drawn on certain areas of their body, including Ewan and his friends. They¡¯d be wearing masks for the mission, but should things go south, they were counting on being new faces in the gang, believable enough to get away unscathed.


    Brian, one of the agents with them, got to work with a charcoal pencil and handkerchief for precision, starting with his fellow agents, while they all heard the pilot¡¯s deration on the inte.


    "We have reached our exit point."


    To keep themselves out of detection, Ewan had decided that they stop some meters away from the warehouse, and drop down with parachutes. On their exit, the ne could find a better ce tond, and wait for their return.


    This they did, after the tattoos had been drawn, Athena bearing hers on her wrist. Picking parachutes off the tail of the jet, and jumping down, without hesitation, to the thick ck vegetation underneath.


    "Remember the ns. Everyone get into position. Fifteen minutes is what we have. Let¡¯s go!" Ewanmanded, already moving after getting rid of the parachute.


    The others followed suit, dragging and dropping the parachutes on his own¡ªthey were not leaving any traceable object behind. The parachutes had the Thorne¡¯s logo.


    Fan out! His hand gestures spoke when they got close to the fence surrounding the warehouse. The agents immediately went into position.


    Two stayed back in the vegetation to guard their tools, and control surveince with Spider. So the remaining three entered position, the one with a silent sniper immediately taking out the four guards pacing around the gate region.


    They waited for a second for an rm bell, and hearing nothing, they knew that Spider had done his part of the bargain, that he had disarmed the rms at the gates sensitive to any little sound, and that he had, somehow, gotten rid of the watchman at the tower.


    "Ten minutes left." Ewan muttered to the four with him, inhaling softly. "Godspeed everyone. Stay alive."


    And they stealthily headed toward the gates.

 Chapter 384: Another Extraction III

    <h4>Chapter 384: Another Extraction III</h4>


    "Where is everyone?" Sandro whispered, looking around the space they were currently in. Having passed two corridors with no one to fire a silencer gun at, things were beginning to look suspicious.


    For one, Athena was beginning to think that Spider had perhaps gotten tired of being loyal to Ewan¡ªthat perhaps he had sold them to the gang. Worse, he hadn¡¯t dropped any message in their buds since detonating that bomb in the ne.


    She looked at Ewan, seeing the apprehension in his face¡ªsomething she thought was an alien quality, because her ex-husband was rarely flustered, always calm.


    "Do you think we have fallen into a trap?" she asked him, nudging him with her shoulder gently.


    He licked his lower lip, darted his eyes to the center block, which was right opposite them¡ªno guards guarding it, as Spider had warned.


    "I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t think Spider would have led us to a trap. So, it¡¯s either this is luck, or he is being kept out of the loop, being suspected by Kael."


    Zane and Sandro exchanged nces tainted with fear.


    "Who is Kael?" Athena and Aiden asked at the same time, worry burning on their faces, worry born from the expressions on Sandro and Zane¡¯s faces, and from Ewan¡¯s flusteredness.


    "Kael is the new leader of the gang," Ewan replied, inhaling deeply. "Let¡¯s move forward. If it¡¯s a trap, we buckle down and fight to the end, knowing we are fighting for a good cause, for the future of our children atrge... and if it¡¯s not, then fate is more than on our side. We don¡¯t have much time to contemte or wonder."


    But as Ewan moved toward the center block, eyes darting here and there, he really did wonder. Had Spider¡¯s loyalties run their course? Or was his friend ying another game? Or was Kael ying them like pawns in a chess game?


    His sessor was known for his sly and cunning tactics in business. Ewan¡¯s brain calcted, amidst the slight headache now throbbing in his head, the possibilities, the realities, the escape routes, as he remembered from his time here.


    When they reached the door of the room where the victims were, their woes werepounded by the fact that the door was open.


    "Ewan..."


    "Let¡¯s just look and see if they are there..." Ewan cut in, interrupting whatever fear-themed suggestion Zane wanted to make.


    He moved in first, a furrow marring his forehead, gun hanging loosely by his side when he realized that Lucas and Kendra weren¡¯t absent.


    He watched as Lucas stirred painfully from his position. He was leaning on the wall with his back, while Kendra slept with her head on his thigh.


    Ewan immediately ced a finger on his lips, indicating that thetter kept quiet.


    Lucas nodded, eyes shimmering with tears of gratitude, as he tapped Kendra awake.


    Kendra, waking up, met her father¡¯s gaze. Then, noting the presence of people in the room, she turned. Her mouth opened when she saw Athena, shutting when she saw the finger ced on the lips of her friend¡¯s mother.


    <i>Keep quiet.</i>


    She understood and did.


    Immediately, Aiden rushed forward and carried her on his back, a smile on his lips, momentarily forgetting his worries when she wound her hand around his neck, her legs around his waist, and muttered a thank you.


    Though her tiny legs couldn¡¯t do much, he was pleased she understood what they were here for.


    Meanwhile, Sandro and Zane had lifted Lucas, bearing much of his weight. Then Ewan¡¯s rm rang, shattering the quiet. A beep, really.


    "We are almost out. Just four minutes more. Let¡¯s move out," he dered, noting the cameras which weren¡¯t blinking. Spider had done what he said he would do¡ªbut where were the others?


    Why wasn¡¯t he saying anything in theirmunication systems?


    He nked his people behind, turning at intervals with the gun strategically, in case a criminal wasing around, while Athena nked the front. Aiden helped along, since Kendra¡¯s understanding had helped with easier body movements.


    But they met no one, saw no one¡ªeven at the gates when they came out. Because they wore masks, they had no fear that any camera had captured their faces, if paraventure they were being watched.


    "This was too easy," Sandro muttered, when they got to the agents waiting at the vegetation. The other three agents had joined them when they came out of the gates, having the same reports¡ªno one seen, except the dead guards at the gate.


    "Yes," Ewan agreed, restless. Where was Spider?


    Without any words, they moved to the private jet, which was waiting a few miles away, as if knowing the condition of Lucas.


    With little effort, they lifted Lucas into the ne and into a rxed seat.


    Kendra took the position beside him, watching as Athena started treatments on thetter, who kept thanking them for the extraction.


    "Lucas, if you don¡¯t keep quiet, I will let you be," Athena spoke hurriedly, aware of Ewan pacing restlessly feet away from her.


    The pilot¡¯s voice came through the inte:


    "Departure in three minutes."


    Pausing her treatment, she watched as Ewan reached for his phone, which he had left on the makeshift table when they had gone for their mission.


    She watched as his eyes widened at whatever he saw on it. She watched, worried, as he darted toward the door of the craft while the engines hummed, opened the door, and jumped out.


    "Zane, apply pressure on the wounds... and tell my grandfather to keep a medic waiting!" she shouted to a Zane who was stunned at Ewan¡¯s actions.


    He had been focused on getting rid of the suit, and so had been caught unaware by Ewan¡¯s action. Immobile even as Athena hurried out of the space, even as she jumped after Ewan.


    "Where is Ewan and Athena?" Aiden and Sandro asked,ing out of the cockpit area, frowns masking their faces when silence greeted them.


    "Zane?"


    "They jumped out of the ne."


    Aiden¡¯s mouth opened in shock, then shut, aware of Kendra¡¯s tears. She must have thought Athena wounded or something from the jump.


    "Don¡¯t worry, she will be fine," he muttered, patting her head softly. Then he looked at Zane. "Did they say where they were going to?"


    Zane shook his head, disbelief yet coating his features. "Should we go back for them?"


    Aiden looked at a bleeding Lucas and shook his head. "Athena would have our hide if anything happens to him. Did she take her phone?"


    Brian nodded. "I think she did."


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 Chapter 385: Another Extraction IV

    <h4>Chapter 385: Another Extraction IV</h4>


    <i>Spider can¡¯t be this stupid! This foolish! This dense! This...</i>


    A thud from behind disrupted Ewan¡¯s cursing of his friend as he marched toward the location of the gang they had just escaped from. He had also been tapping furiously on the torchlight he had taken from the table before his jump from the ne.


    He paused, frowning, wondering if he had misheard.


    Surely not. He surmised. The sound had been unmistakable.


    Turning aside, his eyes widened when he saw a figure trying to get up in the dark.


    That shape, that gait, could only belong to one person. And when her scent drifted into his nostrils as she approached, he thought he was dreaming, that his need forpanionship had conjured the ghost of his ex-wife.


    "Athena?" he whispered, as though trying to confirm her presence, even though she now stood a few feet away, staring up at him.


    "Are you stupid?" was the response he got in return¡ªa consequence of the worry mixed with annoyance brewing in Athena.


    How could he jump off the ne without letting her know? Did he think he was the master of the operations, allowed to do whatever he pleased without informing his partners?


    "I should be asking you that," Ewan retorted, recovering his voice, discovering that he was suddenly angry. What if she had broken a leg during the jump?


    His question left Athena gobsmacked for a second, before she let out a sarcasticugh. "You must be kidding me."


    But Ewan wasn¡¯t done. His jaw tightened as he took a step forward. "Joking? Woman, I am not! What if you had sustained an injury during the fall? What if you had broken¡ª"


    "I didn¡¯t break any, did I?" Athena interrupted sharply, hands folding across her chest, her chin tilting up in defiance.


    "You are reckless, and this action of yours is grant!" Ewan flung his arms wide in frustration, not believing that this woman had jumped from a ne quite high in the sky, without a parachute!


    Did she think she was Superwoman, or Ironwoman?


    "Why did you even jump off? You should be taking care of Lucas."


    "Because I was worried!!" Athena screamed, her face hot with emotion.


    She took a few steps back when she realized what she had just admitted¡ªbut she didn¡¯t take it back. Instead...


    "I saw you read something on your phone, saw the worry and fear that cloaked your face, and then you jumped... I..." She paused, wetted her lips, looked away as though trying to steady herself.


    "I didn¡¯t think... I didn¡¯t stop to think... didn¡¯t even think to think... I just wanted to make sure that you were safe, that you wouldn¡¯t do anything reckless while being worried about Spider. I wanted to make sure that we didn¡¯t lose you in the mission."


    The fight left Ewan. His fingers brushed the power button of the slim torchlight, wishing to turn it on so he could see her face properly. She had jumped because she was scared for him, because she didn¡¯t want to lose him.


    An overwhelming need to go back on his words¡ªon his promise of not kissing her again¡ªenveloped him, so much so that he clutched his fist tight until the torchlight quivered underneath his grasp, the casing creaking under the pressure.


    "Are... you not going to say anything?" Athena¡¯s voice trembled faintly.


    What to say? he wondered, watching her shift her torchlight from one hand to the other. She was nervous.


    Of course she was. Tension was beginning to grow thick between them.


    Finally, he said, his voice low, "Don¡¯t go around making statements like that, Athena. I might not be able to stop myself from kissing you the next time."


    And with that, he walked off. He stopped only when he realized she wasn¡¯t following him.


    "Aren¡¯t youing?"


    "I am, you ungrateful bullock," she cussed, her voice steadier after a brief silence.


    Ewan managed augh. "Ungrateful? I don¡¯t want you here, Athena. You might get hurt, and that¡¯s another guilt I would have to carry. I already have much weighing me down."


    "Then don¡¯t worry about me."


    His hands itched to cup her chin as she stopped before him, a defiant tilt in her head.


    "That, my dear Athena, is impossible. I will worry about you until the day I leave this world. You better get used to it."


    Athena swallowed hard. This man was bent on upsetting her at every turn. Maybe she should have stayed back on the ne. Maybe she should have just told Sandro¡ªor Zane, since thetter had been in the same space with her¡ªto jump after her ex-husband.


    Now she was paying the price, with these unsettling feelings stirring up within her.


    "So, you won¡¯t thank me for being a good partner?" she pressed, pushing away the insane thoughts.


    They were here for Spider¡¯s safety. She was, for one, apologetic to him for doubting his loyalty to Ewan.


    "Thank you," Ewan said simply. "Is that okay?"


    "That can suffice." Athena muttered, moving forward.


    "So, who will take care of Lucas in your absence?"


    Athena shrugged. "Aiden has basic knowledge of first-aid treatment. He can handle it until they get to the hangar. I already told Zane to tell my grandfather to keep a medic at hand."


    A pause. "I¡¯m sure that would be handled perfectly."


    "So, how does it feel like being a Thorne?" Ewan decided to make do with her presence, to enjoy it while itsted, instead of worrying every second. The woman with him wasn¡¯t an ordinary fellow. She could hold her ground inbat.


    "Different, I will say. It¡¯s been a ride. But I am getting used to it. The kids had no problem adjusting either. They have always liked the old man, even before our real identity came to light."


    "I¡¯m pleased to hear that. You all deserve the happy ending."


    Happy ending? Athena mused. What was this¡ªa romantic y?


    "What about you? Since the truth came out..." She left it hanging, knowing he would understand her point.


    They were nearing the gates again. From here, they could see it was still open, with no guards wandering around, no rms ring, nothing to indicate their enemies¡¯ knowledge of the extraction that had taken ce right beneath their noses.


    "I feel better, knowing the truth, to some extent... but to be honest, there is more pressure... worsened by the fact that I had yed a major role in Fiona¡¯s bad character and the destruction of our marriage, our rtionship..."


    Athena shook her head. "You should stop that, otherwise you won¡¯t healpletely. You should let it go. Maybe go for therapy?"


    Ewan looked incredulous in the dark. "Therapy?"


    "Yes, that. Surely, you must be aware that Susan and I are undergoing the same... Surely you know that not only women go for therapy, or people with no money..."


    Ewan shook his head. "Of course not. I just didn¡¯t think it was something for me. I don¡¯t have time for that either."


    Athena stopped walking, and turned to him. "Are you implying that I am azy person, with a lot of time on my hands?"


    Ewan was shocked, to say the least. When had he made such an implication? He had just said that...


    "You know what, don¡¯t worry. You can do whatever you want with your life." And then she continued moving toward the gates.


    Ewan ruffled his hair, sighing wearily, before walking after her. "Athena, I am sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to."


    Athena said nothing.


    Ewan sighed again. What to do to bring back the train of conversation?


    "I¡¯ll go to therapy..."


    Athena looked at him then. Considering the well-lighted area of the gang¡¯s location, he could see that she was trying¡ªand failing¡ªto hold back a smile from stretching across her lips.


    "But that would be after this whole thing with the Grey Disease. I promise." He added thest part for emphasis, pleased when she smiled at him. His heart literally lighted up.


    "Good for you," she enthused. "Will you be making use of the services of your friend?"


    Ewan frowned. "I don¡¯t think so. We have too much history between us. Maybe someone else will be better."


    Athena shrugged, then crouched. They were a few feet from the gate.


    Ewan followed her stance.


    "What are we doing here exactly?" Athena¡¯s eyes perched and searched all over the outer edges of the location, brow furrowing when she saw nothing still. "Why is here still empty?"


    "That¡¯s what I am here to figure out."


    Athena¡¯s frown deepened. "You couldn¡¯t wait to ask Spider thatter?"


    Ewan handed Athena his phone. "This is the message I saw while in the ne... Turns out my friend had done more than turning off the surveince cameras for our smooth operation..."


    Athena epted the phone, her eyes reading the message slowly.


    <i>Ewan, I think I have seen a chance to utilize so that you lot would have a smoother operation. In case I don¡¯t make it, or I fall into the ck hands of Kael, know that I¡¯ll leave the world happy¡ª knowing that I have managed to keep you safe, you and your loved one. My regards to the twins. I would have loved to meet them. Athena too.</i>

 Chapter 386: Another Extraction V

    <h4>Chapter 386: Another Extraction V</h4>


    Athena folded her lips as she read the message for the second time, then the third. What was this that Spider had nned? Something that was capable of ending his life, something that would look like suicide.


    She chastised herself again for thinking that the fellow had betrayed them, when the opposite was the case. Spider was too loyal!


    She felt the need to see him, to know him, to understand his way of thinking. She couldn¡¯t let him die. Her thoughts on this matter surprised her. What was wrong with her?


    "Can you see my fears now?" Ewan¡¯s voice dragged her from her thoughts.


    "He is trying tomit suicide. The twat! How dare he do this without my permission!" He whisper-yelled, his hand stretching when Athena extended the phone to him.


    "We can still save him, I think. He just sent the message a few minutes ago, so it means he¡¯s still alive."


    Ewan shook his head immediately. "Didn¡¯t you see the message at the end, the one after many tabs?"


    Athena frowned. She hadn¡¯t.


    "It was a scheduled message. It had been sent a while ago, maybe while we were on the ne, before the extraction."


    Athena sighed, palming her forehead. "We need to get in there now. Do you have guns?"


    Ewan looked foolish under the bright fluorescent light. "I was in a hurry," he chimed when Athena cocked a brow.


    "You are not alone. I¡¯m sure the guards are still dead. We can take their guns."


    Ewan chuckled at the attempt at humor, standing and following Athena as she covered the distance between thest of the vegetation and the gates.


    ¡ª


    "Still empty. What exactly did he do to empty this ce of people? Did he drug them or something?"


    Ewan quickly paused, looking at Athena with slightly widened eyes, the AK-47 gun poised properly in his hands. "That might be it. He must have drugged them, and he might have done it in a way that would trigger Kael¡¯s suspicions on him. We have to find a hall that would be big enough to contain the entire members..."


    "Is there something like a cafeteria here, some ce to eat?" Athena asked, connecting the dots. An eating space would be best for drugging.


    "I don¡¯t know. Thest time I was here, there was none. But maybe there have been a few changes. But I do know a couple ofrge spaces. Let¡¯s go."


    In the firstrge space, they found a group of almost naked women, whimpering, stacked against each other like bread and ham.


    Athena scowled, anger boiling within her at the view, at the implication.


    "A new shipment," Ewan muttered bitterly, his earlier prayer going to the abyss. There would be a lot of detours. He knew that with Athena¡¯s next statement.


    "We can¡¯t leave them there. They don¡¯t want to be here. What will be their fate?"


    "Prostitution mostly. Escorts for the wealthy." A pause. "But how do we get them out of here? We have limited hands, and there is no backup."


    Athena bit her lips, then brought out her phone from her side pocket. "I will text the President the coordinates to this ce. I think I still have it in my head from Spider¡¯s narration. I will inform him it¡¯s the location of the new gang that the Grey Virus sponsor had hired for his deeds. I will also tell him that a potential mole told me there might be drugs and other things here, that there should be many military men, and that this was an emergency. They should also save the women here..." A pause. "What do you think?"


    She lifted her head from her typing spree, meeting Ewan¡¯s unsure gaze.


    "It might work, if the President is really on our side."


    Athena exhaled fitfully. "But that¡¯s the best we can do in this position."


    And then she sent the message off and turned to the women, who watched them as if they were movie characters in a y. "Don¡¯t worry. A rescue team will soon be here. But don¡¯t move from this room. Do you hear me?"


    The women nodded as if remote-controlled.


    Athena nced at them onest time, and then walked out of the room. She removed the key from the keyhole and threw it to one of the women, who now had hope in her eyes. "Lock the room from inside. Only open for the agents that will being here soon."


    The woman nodded and rose to her feet.


    Athena looked at Ewan. "Let¡¯s go to the next space."


    As they moved, she typed more and sent it to the President and Aiden, in case the President was not to be trusted.


    In the secondrge room, after corridors that reminded Athena of a maze, they found children stacked on each other.


    <i>What was this?</i>


    From the unpleasant smell that wafted through her nostrils when Ewan pushed open the door, she knew that some had urinated or defecated on themselves. She turned aside and wept.


    Meanwhile, Ewan assured the children of their safety, most being females, who would be reared to please men old enough to be their grandfathers. Keeping his emotions at bay, he touched their hair, and to some he whispered safety.


    "My men will soon be here to save you. Just stay put, okay?"


    A girl, who reminded him of his daughter, tugged at his sleeves. "Promise?"


    Ewan¡¯s heart broke, as he nodded, hoping that the President would be a good person, that his men would arrive here on time to disrupt this operation. "They will be okay. The men will get here on time."


    Athena spoke to him as they hurried to the next space. "We have to end your previous gang. There are no two ways about it..."


    Ewan nodded. "I will help out in any way that I can."


    At the third space, there was nothing but the smell of chemicals.


    "What was kept here?"


    Ewan, with a spective frown on his face, shook his head slowly. "I don¡¯t know. This room has always been empty, or a ce where we pass time and joke and eat and make ns. Not some...boratory."


    Their gazes hit at the same time.


    "They are still producing the Grey Virus!" Athena whisper-yelled, ruffling her hair. "What the hell!"


    <i>And here I was celebrating,</i> she thought, punching the inner of her palm with the other hand. Then an rm red, shattering their respective thoughts.


    "What was that?" a hushed question from Athena, who had clutched her gun tighter and was already heading toward the door.


    Ewan hurried to her front. He wouldn¡¯t let her take any brunt first.


    Athena hissed softly at this disy. "Get moving quick then!" she whispered, needing to needle him.


    Ewan smirked, leading the way out of the room, eyes darting left and right, in case of any iing gang person, but there was nothing.


    At thest space, with the rm still ring, they looked at each other and opened the door, their guns falling to their sides when they saw the gang members sprawled on the floor, some lying on top of the other, with snacks, drinks, and whatnots.


    Their eyes found Spider sitting alone on an armchair, a can of Sprite in his hand, head to the ceiling. They looked dead.


    Ewan¡¯s heart immediately plunged. Without thinking, he rushed into the room toward his young friend, whose face he had just seen yesterday, and pulled and pushed. "Spider!"


    Athena walked into the room next. From the way the meny on the floor, from their non-rising and falling chests, she knew they were dead.


    Maybe gas, she thought sadly, hurrying to Spider, to Ewan, whose eyes already shimmered with tears. "Spider..." he called, grabbing his friend to his chest.


    Athena touched his pulse. There was nothing, nor was his heart beating. Her heart crashed to her feet, her eyes taking in the person that was Spider.


    He looked younger than Ewan, so she guessed he was really younger too, maybe in his mid-twenties. Handsome.


    Too handsome. She could see, noting the perfectness of his face, his lips, his nose, which for some reason looked familiar, his broad shoulders, his lean, muscled hand, his...


    She frowned, seeing a piece of paper in his hand. Her frown deepened as she took out the folded paper from his hand and opened it.


    <i>"Take me out of here, old man. I knew you wille for me."</i>


    He was alive? Athena looked at Spider again, noticing something that she hadn¡¯t noticed before. His color wasn¡¯t pale, not as the others surrounding them. His body wasn¡¯t entirely cold.


    What was this? Had he taken a drug that would seize his life for some minutes? She checked her wristwatch. That was impossible. The time was too long.


    She tapped Ewan and showed him the paper. "I think he is alive."


    Keeping her reservations to herself, she collected Ewan¡¯s gun as he handed it to her, watching as he lifted Spider to his shoulder, thetter¡¯s hands and legs dangling like those of the dead.


    "What drug do you think he took? Any side effects?"


    "I am not sure," Athena answered, leading the way. "We will find out when he wakes up," she added, relieved, yet curious about this familiarity she felt toward the interesting male.


    Had they met before?

 Chapter 387: Fear?

    <h4>Chapter 387: Fear?</h4>


    Athena¡¯s phone buzzed against the carved mahogany side table beside her, the metallic vibration ricocheting through the still room as if it had no right to be there.


    Above, the chandelier spilled pale light, its glow gleaming against the polished surface of the drip stand. That light shifted and threw a trembling shadow that moved across Spider¡¯s face like a second heartbeat, uneven and restless.


    The ringing again struck Athena¡¯s nerves, making her shoulders knot. It didn¡¯t belong here, not in this fragile cocoon of recovery, whispered prayers, and breaths stolen from the brink.


    Spider¡¯s case still disturbed her, shocked her. The poison had been deadlier than she had imagined. And how he had survived, was yet a mystery. It was like his body was different.


    There were no adequate machinations at the Thorne¡¯s mansion, or else she would have done some test.


    "Who is calling?" Aiden¡¯s voice cutzily across the sound, though his eyes never were. He was bnced on the arm of a velvet chair, posture casual, but his attention sharp as ss.


    His lips curved into something between smirk and genuine question. "The president?"


    Athena didn¡¯t answer right away. Her fingers closed around the phone, but her thumb hovered over the glowing screen as if the ss might scorch her.


    For a moment, her body betrayed her¡ªher pulse thudded too visibly at her throat, and she despised that Aiden could see it. Why was she nervous? She had spoken to the president on countless bases.


    Her eyes flicked to the caller ID again, and then she gave the answer, low, almost reluctant. "Yes."


    Still, she didn¡¯t press ept.


    Aiden tilted his head. "You¡¯re hesitating." His tone carried amusement, but the way his gaze dissected her was probing. "Let me guess¡ªyou¡¯re wondering if he thinks the tip came from a mole, or if he¡¯s decided you walked into that building yourself. You are worried about the fallout on Ewan, should he decide to investigate the matter, tying it to us?"


    Her jaw tensed. Her tongue darted to wet her lower lip before she caught it between her teeth, chewing indecision down into silence.


    If Ewan had been there, she thought, he would have cut through the hesitation in a single sentence. His certainty was always blunt, always unshakable, a de through fog.


    But Ewan wasn¡¯t here. He had gone to meet Old Mr. Thorne, to speak of the mission, and probable fall out of it.


    Athena drew air deep into her lungs, forcing steadiness into her frame. Her eyes drifted back to Spider. He stirred faintly, lids twitching against whatever dream held him captive. His chest rose and fell like a fragile tide.


    Soon he would wake. And maybe then she would finally know why his face tugged so mercilessly at her memory. Why every time she looked at him, she felt the echo of a name she could not reach.


    They had been lucky.


    Too lucky. The word pulsed in her skull, too loud to ignore. Lucky to have pulled Spider out without resistance. Luckier still that the ne had been waiting, carrying them away moments before the president¡¯s men stormed thepound.


    The phone buzzed again, insistently.


    Athena pressed ept. "Mr. President," she said, her voice smooth, clipped, revealing nothing.


    "Athena." His baritone rolled through the line, roughened by fatigue but braced with authority. It was a voice that bore the fragile weight of a nation.


    "Everything you sent me has been confirmed. The children, the women¡ªthey were exactly where you said. My men found them alive."


    Relief spread through her chest, loosening something tight around her lungs, though her shoulders held rigid, steel refusing to bend. "Good," she breathed.


    "And the chemicals," he continued, his tone heavy. "Our analysts believe they tie into the Grey Disease. Notpletely so considering the smell and particles they were able to excavate from the site, but close. Dangerous. Do you think it¡¯s a new virus? Can you guess what these people are nning?"


    Athena closed her eyes, the words cutting like knives. They needed to cleave the wings of the wicked as soon as possible!


    "I am not sure, Mr. President. Let¡¯s just hope it¡¯s something else."


    "But I don¡¯t think it is."


    Athena sighed. "We will have to wait it out then. I¡¯ll bemunicating with my mole inside the gang."


    The president did not soften. "Tell me, Athena... who is your mole inside the gang?"


    Hershes lifted, and her voice came out with quiet steel, firm and controlled. "That is a secret."


    On the other end, silence stretched. Not anger, but a silence that acknowledged.


    Finally, his exhale rasped through the line. "Very well."


    "You must burn the building," Athena said quickly, her tone sharper,manding. "Every scrap, every trace. Check for tunnels, crawl spaces, hidden doors. Men like Kael never build cages without exits."


    "It¡¯s done," he answered. "The building was scoured. No secret routes. It¡¯s been burned to the ground."


    Her nails bit into the wood edge of the table, pressing crescent moons into the surface. "Good."


    "You¡¯ve done well," he said after a pause. "Your tip saved lives. But stay sharp, Athena. The virus isn¡¯t gone. Watch for it."


    Her chest clenched. "I always do."


    The line clicked off.


    She stood tired, the phone still pressed to her ear. The silence afterward was louder than the call itself. Slowly, carefully, she set it down, as though the device were ss.


    "Did the call cut off your neck this time?" Aiden teased, his smirk was easy.


    Her lips twitched. A briefugh slipped free. "Not this time."


    Her gaze drifted back to Spider. That sense of recognition burned sharper now, more insistent. Where had they met?


    The door opened with a creak.


    Ewan stepped inside. His presence filled the space before his words did, carrying the weight ofmand, of exhaustion. His eyes swept the room¡ªSpider, Athena, Aiden¡ªeach in turn.


    "Go bathe," he said simply. "Food¡¯s ready."


    Minutester they were gathered at the oak dining table. The room carried the smell of roasted meat and fresh bread, the kind offort meant to fill emptiness. tters of stew sent steam curling upward, sending nostalgia into Athena. She missed the mother she first knew.


    They ate in quiet first, each bite heavy with thought. But inevitably talk turned back¡ªto the gang, to Kael, to the shadows that had not yet lifted.


    Athena stirred her stew without eating, her spoon circling endlessly. Her mind raced. Kael must never know it had been them inside his den. Yet the fear shimmered in the air, visible in darted nces, in silences that said too much.


    "Lucas?" Athena asked suddenly, her voice slicing through the quiet.


    "In one of the rooms," Ewan said. "Receiving treatment. He¡¯ll live."


    "And Margret? Kendra?"


    "They¡¯re together. I think they are resting in one of the rooms."


    Old Mr. Thorne set down his fork with deliberate weight, clearing his throat. "Margret must join her daughter in the ck cells. Her evil deeds cannot go unpunished."


    Athena¡¯s fork froze. She lowered it slowly, her gaze locking on his. "No," she said, voice soft. "She has paid enough. I¡¯ve decided to let it go."


    The old man¡¯s jaw hardened, but he did not press further. "If you wish, my dear..."


    The meal ended with slight tension hanging fragile in the air. Athena rose, bowing her head faintly. "Thank you, Grandfather. Grandmother."


    Then she turned and left, her steps steady despite the storm gathering in her chest.


    The east wing smelled faintly ofvender, its old stone walls breathing drafts of chill.


    Kendra was waiting just beyond the threshold. She ran forward as soon as Athena appeared, throwing her arms around her, clinging. "You¡¯re safe," she whispered, voice raw with relief.


    Margret stood nearby, her posture stiff with hesitation. Her eyes shone with unshed tears, hope wrestling shame. Atst she stepped forward, her voice trembling. "Thank you," she whispered, tears glimmering. "Thank you for sparing me. But... will I be taken away?"


    <fn9559> Find the newest release on F¦ÉndNovel</fn9559>


    Athena shook her head, steady hand settling on Margret¡¯s shoulder. "You¡¯re free. But you will stay here, in the Thorne mansion, until this matter with the Grey Disease ends. We can¡¯t afford another casualty."


    Margret sagged with relief, her gratitude spilling out in choked murmurs, over and over.


    Athena lingered only a moment more before excusing herself, her body craving stillness.


    Her room was dim, scented faintly of cedar and soap. She moved through the motions of bathing,bing her hair, slipping into silken sheets. For a heartbeat, the mansion¡¯s silence made peace seem possible. Sleep came quickly, merciful and deep.


    Outside her door, Ewan lingered. His hand hovered near the wood, fingers flexing as if ready to knock, but then he let it fall. She needed rest. He needed distance.


    He turned away, retreating down the hall, his thoughts loud. Theboratory hidden beneath hospital floors, Spider¡¯s health, the gang¡¯s persistence like a stain that refused to fade. And Athena¡ªalways Athena.


    Hey in his own bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep refused him, circling like a predator at the edge of his thoughts.


    The phone buzzed then.


    One message. One name.


    Kael.


    The words bled venom from the screen:


    <i>I know it was you. You¡¯ll pay for what you did.</i>

 Chapter 388: Fear? II

    <h4>Chapter 388: Fear? II</h4>


    The first knock came like a ripple against the fragile cocoon of Athena¡¯s sleep. She stirred but did not wake fully, her body sinking deeper into the silken embrace of the sheets.


    Morning light crept in thin ts through the half-drawn curtains, pale and hesitant, as though the sun itself feared disturbing her. It painted her pillow in faint gold, touched the loose strands of her hair with fire, and pressed a promise of peace she wasn¡¯t sure she trusted.


    A second knock followed, firmer this time, more insistent.


    Athena groaned softly, pulling the sheet over her head for a heartbeat, tempted to surrender back into the darkness. The room was cool, filled with the hushed quiet that followed long nights of worry, and her body longed for one more stolen hour of rest.


    But the knock returned, polite yet unyielding, the rhythm of small hands against heavy wood.


    With a quiet sigh, she forced herself upright. Her hair tumbled loose around her face, catching the beams of sunlight like strands of bronze. She pushed them back, eyes half-lidded, and let her feet slide from the bed onto the polished floor.


    The boards were cold beneath her skin, grounding her. Every step she took across the room carried the reluctant heaviness of someone caught between the safety of dreams and the demands of reality.


    When she pulled open the door, two small figures stood waiting, bright as sparks against the solemn morning.


    "Mommy!"


    The voices chimed together, high and unrestrained. Before she could kneel, Kate and Nate threw themselves forward, tumbling into her arms with the unstoppable force of their affection.


    Their warmth pressed against herforting her. Athena folded around them instinctively, pressing her cheek against the crown of Kate¡¯s head, breathing in the faint, clean scent of soap.


    "You¡¯re up early," She murmured, her voice softened by the weight of love and fatigue. She pulled back just enough to look at them, her hands framing their small faces. "Did you sleep well?"


    Both nodded eagerly, faces lit with that uplicated brightness only children carried.


    "Yes!" Kate replied, her hair bouncing as she moved. "Susan said she¡¯ll take us to school today."


    "We just wanted to say goodbye before we leave," Nate added proudly, tugging at her sleeve as though afraid she might miss the point.


    Athena¡¯s gaze lingered on their uniforms. They looked too ready, too grown for her liking, the years slipping away faster than she could hold. A pang tightened in her chest as she smoothed Kate¡¯s cor.


    "And your aunties? Gianna? Chelsea?" she asked gently, though she already suspected the answer.


    "They already went to work," Kate said, her tone casual, her little shoulders lifting in a matter-of-fact shrug.


    Athena gave a faint smile, squeezing their hands in both of hers. "Thene," she said warmly, though the firmness in her tone revealed the habit ofmand she could never shed. "Let¡¯s greet your grandparents before you go."


    The twins fell into step beside her, their chatter spilling like music into the corridor as she led them down. For a fleeting moment, Athena let herself drown in the rhythm of their voices, the way Kate and Nate¡¯sughter softened the edges of her own thoughts. In their presence, the heaviness that haunted her mornings loosened, if only slightly.


    But as they entered the sitting room, the air shifted.


    Florence, her grandmother, sat by the wide-paned window, her frame still regal despite the years. She cradled a porcin cup with both hands, steam curling faintly upward, carrying the sharp fragrance of dark roast coffee.


    Her expression was calm, but Athena, attuned to the smallest changes in her family, caught the way Florence¡¯s fingers tightened on the delicate handle.


    The second sitting room stood nearby, its carved oak doors drawn closed. From beyond them came low voices, muffled and heavy, the cadence of strategy and foreboding. The weight of it seeped even here, clinging like smoke.


    Athena hesitated. The children didn¡¯t belong in that atmosphere.


    She crouched to their level, brushing a stray braid back from Kate¡¯s face. "Go on," she whispered, her voice tender yet edged with urgency. "Say goodbye properly, then wait outside for me."


    Kate and Nate nodded, obedient in the way children were when they sensed their mother¡¯s seriousness. They darted to embrace Florence, murmuring their sweet farewells, before allowing Athena to guide them toward the door.


    On the front steps, Susan waited by the car. Her posture was steady. Athena bent low, nting kisses on each twin¡¯s forehead, lingering a moment longer than necessary.


    "Listen to your teachers," she reminded them, her voice caught between maternal affection and the shadow of dread. "And behave."


    "We will!" Nate promised, puffing out his chest like a little soldier.


    Athena¡¯s throat tightened with both pride and ache. She straightened, reaching for Susan¡¯s hand. "Take care of them."


    Susan squeezed firmly. "Always," she replied with quiet assurance.


    Athena stood in the driveway, arms folded loosely, and watched as the children mbered into the car. Doors shut with hollow thuds, engines rumbled to life. The vehicle rolled forward, its shine fading as it moved toward the gates, nked closely by the convoy of escorts.


    Athena didn¡¯t turn away until thest red flicker of taillights vanished down the road. Only then did she inhale deeply, forcing steel back into her bones.


    Inside, Florence was waiting. She set a fresh cup of coffee on the low table.


    "Good morning, grandma..."


    "You¡¯ll need this,my love..." she said softly. Her voice carried the weight of experience, and her lined face betrayed both wisdom and worry.


    "Thank you." Athena wrapped her hands around the porcin, letting the heat soak into her palms. She took a sip, the bitterness grounding her senses, then rose. She pushed the door of the second sitting room open.


    The air inside was dense, saturated with tension.


    What went wrong in her absence?


    Ewan stood by the hearth, arms folded across his chest, eyes dark as storm clouds. Old Mr. Thorne sat stiff in his chair, his cane resting nearby, every line of his face carved deeper by age and strain. Others lingered in the shadowed edges of the room, their gazes sharp and weary.


    Even cheerful Zane wasn¡¯t cheerful on that cheerful morning.


    Athena let her eyes travel over them before fixing on Ewan. "What happened?"


    Ewan didn¡¯t flinch. "Kael knows."


    The wordsnded like stones in her chest. Her breath stalled. "Knows... of our involvement?"


    "Yes." His tone was grave, clipped. "He sent a messagest night. How he learned, we don¡¯t know. Perhaps the mission wasn¡¯t a victory at all, but a snare. Perhaps he was stringing us along from the beginning."


    Athena¡¯s hand curled around the back of a chair, knuckles whitening. "Then what do we do?"


    "For now," Old Mr. Thorne rasped, his voice heavy with age but unbent, "we do what we have always done¡ªremain alert. Our agents are already searching, keeping their eyes on the gang¡¯s movements. We will not be caught blind."


    Ewan shifted his stance, gaze trained on Athena. "And theb. Should we go today?"


    Athena paused. Her mind ran through the possibilities like pieces on a chessboard. If Kael knew of their involvement, then his sponsor surely did as well. Any movement, any misstep, could draw suspicion.


    "No," she said atst, calm but unyielding. "Not we. Just me."


    Ewan frowned, his jaw tight. "Alone? That¡¯s reckless."


    "It¡¯s necessary." Athena¡¯s eyes held his, steady as iron. "If I arrive with someone else, suspicion follows. Alone, I am only another doctor. I can take care of myself."


    Before Ewan could argue further, Athena¡¯s phone buzzed against the table. She picked it up, scanning the message. The president.


    Her eyes flicked to the room as she read aloud: "The matter has been contained. Two more gang locations have been identified. They¡¯ll be hit today."


    A murmur rippled across the chamber, surprise threaded with unease.


    Aiden frowned, the words unsettling. "Two more? How did thise out?"


    "Spider," Ewan answered grimly. "It must have been him. He must have shared it to the dark web, before logging off. Whatever the case, the attacks will provoke Kael further. Everyone stays alert."


    Later, when the tension settled like dust, Athena turned to her grandfather. "Are youfortable with the number of people here, Grandfather? With Margaret and her family, the mansion feels fuller."


    Old Mr. Thorne gave a slow nod, his voice firm. "This house is vast. Their presence is no burden."


    But Athena caught the crease in Ewan¡¯s brow. She narrowed her gaze. "What is it?"


    He slid his phone across the table.


    Athena picked it up, her pulse tightening as she read.


    Kael¡¯s words red back: <i>Return Spider. If you do not, someone important to you will pay. Don¡¯t think I can¡¯t find what is missing.</i>


    The silence after was heavy, suffocating.


    Sandro¡¯s voice broke it, low and grim. "Does he know Spider betrayed him?"


    Athena¡¯s expression hardened though her heart beat faster. "We won¡¯t assume anything. Not until Spider wakes. Then we¡¯ll have our answers."


    Ewan sighed and straightened, his voice clipped. "No one speaks of this outside this room. Not a word. We won¡¯t risk leaks."


    Muted chuckles stirred, a release of tension, as all rose to get to their business for the day. None of them were foolish enough to share such news.


    Athena lingered though, her hand brushing the forgotten cup of coffee, now gone warm. Her gaze fell to the dark liquid, her reflection fractured in its surface.<i></i><fn56da> For original chapters go to find¡¤novel</fn56da>


    <i>How far can Kael go?</i>


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 Chapter 389: Secret Lab

    <h4>Chapter 389: Secret Lab</h4>


    "Ciara, where is everybody?" Athena couldn¡¯t help her curiosity as she stepped into herrge office space, eyes still turning behind to see if she would see anyone lurking behind. But there was none.


    Was there a meeting she knew nothing of? She wondered, frowning when she noticed that she had just asked the thin air questions; Ciara wasn¡¯t around.


    Her secretary¡¯s table was empty, except for a few files and stationeries. There was no handbag or coat. There was no phone on the table, or hair clip as was peculiar to the jovialdy.


    Where did everyone go?


    Athena stopped in her tracks, not sure if she should continue toward her office, or return to the reception and ask the few nurses she had seen around what was going on.


    There were patients waiting downstairs, in the reception, needing to be attended to. And the doctors were nowhere to be found!


    She rubbed the centre of her forehead slowly, releasing a tough breath. She really wasn¡¯t in the mood for this. The only reason she hade in here today was to check out the secretb before it was moved, check in on a few patients, and then she would be back home checking on Spider.


    It was almost noon and the fellow wasn¡¯t yet awake.


    But he should have been dead. Athena mused, biting her lips, her thoughts sidetracking from the query of doctors¡¯ locations.


    She had checked Spider¡¯s vitals, lip color, amongst other things, and the fellow should have been dead, considering the other signs she had noted as she treated him. But somehow, he was alive.


    Forward or backward?


    The question slithered into her mind when a sound of a door closing broke into her thoughts. Exhaling wearily, she threw a flitting nce at Ciara¡¯s table, and then moved to her office.


    When she opened the door, her heart almost went away from her chest, when cheerful screams erupted in her private space, and filled her ears.


    "Happy Birthday Doctor Athena!!!!!"


    Athena, clutching her chest, scowled at her secretary who wasughing in thepany of other doctors, nurses... it seemed everyone was here. She could see a VIP patient. And there was Herbert too.


    A surprise?


    Athena was still shell-shocked and a tad bit confused as she shook hands with a stic smile on her lips. Today was her birthday? She had forgotten, and so did the people at home.


    Not that she would expect her grandparents to know her day. But her children, Gianna...


    "Congrattions Athena." Herbert spoke, a familiar voice which stopped her current train of thoughts.


    "Herbert, you were behind this?"


    The older man shrugged, then winked at her. "You are my most esteemed staff... Do you think I would forget?"


    <fnc987> Newest update provided by find?novel</fnc987>


    You are not supposed to remember. Athena thought,ughing, shaking the hands of her patient. "You should be having bed rest..."


    The patient, a female in herte fifties, hissed softly. "Bed rest? I couldn¡¯t when I eavesdropped on the nurses. I was determined to be among you, to thank you for your services to us, the people."


    She engulfed a surprised Athena in a hug.


    As more of the staff came to wish her well, as Herbert gestured to the two-tier cake lying on the table with wine beside it, Athena couldn¡¯t help but dwell on the thought she usually had since her first birthday following her exile from the town, after Ewan had used her of adultery.


    <i>When was her real birthday?</i>


    Surely her mother couldn¡¯t have known, because she had been dropped as a baby at thetter¡¯s barn. Or had the woman made a guess by her stature? An estimate?


    "Won¡¯t you cut your cake?" Herbert called to her.


    She nodded, held the knife, smiled as was expected as they sang to her, and cut the cake when they were done spelling her name.


    The cake was sweet, she thought as she took a bite, before letting Ciara distribute with a tray some cut portion. She would be taking the rest to celebrate at home.


    "So, how does it feel to be twenty-nine? Almost thirty."


    Athena shrugged, watching the people leave her office to continue the day¡¯s work. "Did you make them wait since morning?" She wondered out aloud, sidestepping Herbert¡¯s question.


    "Of course not. I asked your old man where you would be, when I didn¡¯t see you at the normal time..."


    Athena nodded slowly. That would exin it. "Thanks for this Herbert, I really appreciate it."


    Herbert gave her a nod, a wink, and then turned toward the door. "See youter, Athena. And enjoy the drinks."


    A few doctors were still around, those closest to her, and she let them riddle her with questions and jokes, while counting down the time until she began her search for the secretb.


    "Why didn¡¯t the twinse around? They aren¡¯t present today?"


    Ciara shook her head. "They mentioned they are not interested when I told them about it."


    "I see." But of course, they were rivals. "That¡¯s alright. Where are they?"


    "I¡¯m not sure." Ciara answered with a thinking frown. "But they should be making their rounds. Last I spoke with them, they said that¡¯s what they would be doing."


    Athena patted the secretary¡¯s shoulder lightly, when the office was emptied of people, thanked her for partaking in the surprise, amidst the blushing effect taking ce on thetter¡¯s face, and then left the office.


    "I¡¯ll be right back." She threw over her shoulder, before the door shut behind her.


    ¨C


    If there was a secretb, where would it be? If I was to create a secretb, a secret stash, where do I put it? Athena wondered as she started the search for the hub of wickedness.


    She checked rooms that should be empty, the pharmacy, eyes searching for buttons which might press open some secret hallway, but two hours and two bottles of waterter, she had made no sess.


    Frustrated, she sat on one of the benches in the hallway, throwing her head back, eyes faced toward the ceilings but closed.


    <i>Think. </i>She tasked herself, letting her mind wander and roam about possible solutions.


    A tap on her knee broke the reverie. She opened her eyes, leveled her head to see a young girl of about ten years standing before her.


    "Hi..." she murmured, sitting erect, eyes scanning the little one for any issue. "Are you here alone?"


    Her eyes ran to and fro; there was no one in the hallways.


    "No, my mother is with a doctor. And my father is not around. He is in heaven."


    Athena licked her lower lip and drew the girl closer to her. "That¡¯s okay. Where is your mommy? So I can take you to her. It¡¯s not safe for you to wander about alone..."


    She got to her feet as she spoke, sping the girl¡¯s hand.


    "Point me the way." She added, just in case the girl didn¡¯t know the name of the section her mother was in.


    To Athena¡¯s amazement, they were moving downstairs, past the sections for treatment. She almost thought they were going to the reception space, but the girl pointed to the other end, the storage space, which didn¡¯t see much frequenters except the cleaners.


    "Are you sure this is where your mother is?" Athena questioned, as she stepped into therge space where cleaning equipment were kept to one end, and spoiled gadgets were kept to another end. "This is no ce for a doctor."


    "But this is thest ce I saw her. I know I was supposed to wait for her in her office space, but I got curious. She has been quite busy since morning."


    Athena frowned. Office space? Wasn¡¯t her mother a patient?


    "Is your mother a worker in this hospital?"


    The girl nodded. "She is a big doctor."


    This is getting interesting, Athena mused, looking around the storage space. "And she came in here with another doctor?"


    The girl nodded again. "They are siblings, and they went through that wall. I¡¯ve tried to ess it but..."


    A silence, one that Athena could understand, could fill up. From the words of the fellow, she knew the young girl was intelligent.


    "You were looking for me, right?" She had to confirm.


    The girl nodded. "One of the doctors directed me to you... you are the chief doctor of the hospital. But I lost my way."


    Athena stalked closer to the wall in question, hand sping the girl¡¯s tighter. Why would a doctor send a little girl to her, with no thought to the possibility of the little one missing her way? Or were they used to her intelligence?


    "Here. This spot." The girl spoke, tapping the wall. "Do you think you can open it?"


    "I¡¯m not sure." A pause. "What¡¯s your mother¡¯s name?"


    "Mary rkson."


    Athena managed to keep her face as before, not wanting to alert the child of anything amiss.


    Mary has a child? With a dead husband? How had she not known of this? For all she knew, the twins were too besotted with themselves to even give someone else attention.

 Chapter 390: Secret Lab II

    <h4>Chapter 390: Secret Lab II</h4>


    "Doctor Athena...maybe we should go back?" The little girl¡¯s voice trembled slightly, small fingers clutching at Athena¡¯s sleeve as she watched the doctor move from one side of the smooth whitewashed wall to the other, eyes scanning every inch for a clue, a button¨Canything that would grant ess to the hidden room hoped to exist behind it.


    Athena froze, her hands pressed against the wall as though it might whisper its secret if she waited long enough. She turned to the girl, exhaling slowly, letting the tension roll off her shoulders in a faint sigh.


    "What¡¯s your name?" She asked, her voice calm but carrying that familiar undertone ofmand that never failed to make even adultsply.


    "Cairo," the girl answered.


    Athena blinked. Cairo. Like the capital of Egypt. Only someone as entric as those twins, as Mary, would name her child Cairo.


    Did that mean the father was from Egypt? Or was it a whimsical choice? Athena¡¯s mind churned briefly with the possibilities. She ruffled her hair, a habit she didn¡¯t even notice, and tried to shake off the distraction.


    "Okay, Cairo. Can you wait in the reception room? I¡¯ll meet you outside soon enough," she instructed, her tone softer now, almost maternal. The girl¡¯s nod was swift and obedient, padding away toward the reception.


    Athena released the breath she hadn¡¯t realized she¡¯d been holding. Mary had a family. Does Matthew have one too? Does he have a family?


    Ruffling her hair again, Athena¡¯s gaze returned to the wall. Smooth, white, nondescript, it seemed to mock her. Was this a wild goose chase?


    Her eyes scanned each corner, each shadow where a panel might be pressed or a lever hidden. She would have called Ewan, of course, but she¡¯d already warned herself that involving him here could trigger rms among a traitorous staff who would be suspicious of his presence. So it was just her.


    She muttered under her breath, almost to herself, "Think...think..." and leaned her forehead against the wall, closing her eyes briefly to focus.


    Her gaze flicked downward almost by ident. Something caught the edge of her peripheral vision near a damaged printer, half-covered in dust and grime. A thin metal rody next to it, embedded slightly in the floor, unnoticed by any casual observer.


    Athena crouched instinctively, her fingers brushing along its surface. It was stuck fast, but with a grunt and careful leverage, she managed to pull it backward.


    A low rumble followed. The wall trembled beneath her palms, shifting in a way that made her heart leap. Slowly, a segment of the wall retracted, revealing a descending shaft¡ªa vertical elevator, dimly lit but unmistakably real.


    Athena¡¯s pulse quickened. She adjusted her coat, fingers brushing the handle of her gun beneath it, and inhaled deeply.


    One step forward, then another, and she entered the elevator. Her eyes scanned the space; it was a single, utilitarian shaft, no nonsense in its construction, but clearly designed for frequent use.


    Even though it was staggered in floors, she could see only one floor designation lit at the bottom: the hiddenb.


    Was Herbert aware of this space in his hospital? Was it a construction error?


    The descent was quiet but tense, the metal groaning softly as the elevator moved downward. Athena¡¯s hand stayed close to her gun, eyes flicking constantly, cataloguing her surroundings, every nerve alert. When the doors parted, she stepped into ab that seemed frozen in chaos.


    The lights above flickered weakly, the fluorescent tubes buzzing faintly, throwing harsh shadows across overturned tables, broken ss, and scattered papers. Whoever had been here had left in a hurry.


    On the polished tilesy tipped-over stools, spilled chemicals, a faint mist curling from a knocked-over container. Athena¡¯s eyes tracked a human-sized hand, encased in a ss jar, a grim artifact that made her stomach churn. Nearby, small animals floated lifeless in fluid, preserved perhaps for experimentation or worse.


    And then she smelled it. The scent she had encountered at the gang¡¯s hideout she had raided just yesterday¡ªthe grey mixture. A subtle, metallic, sickly-sweet smell that clung to the air and teased her senses.


    Athena¡¯s stomach tightened. Ewan had been right after all.


    Her sharp gaze caught a thin tube lying near a puddle of viscous fluid. The liquid inside glimmered faintly, almost phosphorescent, and she instinctively knew¡ªit could be a virus. A chemical weapon.


    She moved quickly, picking up a nearby cellophane bag and securing the tube inside. Careful, deliberate movements, knowing even a small misstep could be dangerous.


    Her eyes swept theb again: analytical instruments toppled, microscopes cracked, centrifuges overturned. A chairy on its side, a notebook scorched along the edges, notes in hurried handwriting barely legible. Clearly, the owners had fled, leaving chaos behind in their escape.


    Athena¡¯s mind raced. Mary and Matthew had obviously been nning something sinister. She cursed under her breath, annoyed at missing the chance to confront them, to stop whatever had been in motion.


    She drew her phone and quickly texted Ewan: <i>You were right. I¡¯ve found theb. It¡¯s active. The twins have fled.</i>


    She followed quickly with a call to Aiden.


    <fn64e3> Find the newest release on Find~Novel</fn64e3>


    "Athena... what¡¯s going on?" Aiden started, after they exchanged pleasantries.


    She gave him a rundown of the situation.


    "...Activate the regional radar. The system that can detect radiation or chemical dispersions. I want full coverage. I need to know what¡¯s out there, what¡¯s been released."


    Her voice was clipped, professional, but the edge of fear threaded through it. This wasn¡¯t just ab¡ªit was a ticking threat. What had they been mixing with the Grey virus?


    So much for a peaceful birthday.


    Next, she called Herbert. The line connected immediately. "Herbert, it¡¯s Athena. Secretb confirmed."


    Then remembering that she hadn¡¯t informed him of her search, of Ewan¡¯s suspicions. She told him the full story. "...I think the twins are gone. I need police intervention now. Containment and immediate extraction of all materials."


    Thirty minutester, police units descended on theb. Athena observed from a distance, every detail seared into her mind¡ªthe shing lights reflecting on broken ss, the officers cautiously moving through the wreckage, the sealed containers being bagged and transported.


    But the twins were nowhere, nor was the little girl, Cairo. She had returned to the surface to start the search, to actually find the girl and ask her some questions, but the nurses had imed they saw no one.


    Athena had been too frustrated to say a word.


    Now, her stomach sank slightly as she ruminated on Cairo¡¯s disappearance. Of course the twins had taken care of it; maybe sending one of their pawns to take the girl away.


    She sighed. She would have brought the girl down here with her. She hadn¡¯t anticipated the possibility of missing a crucial hostage, a bargaining chip that would be useful in getting information from Mary.


    Her phone buzzed. Herbert¡¯s voice was on the line again.


    She paused her lips. Where had he even gone? He was supposed to be here.


    "Athena, their contract has been terminated. But their lines are unreachable. Aiden tells me that they are off-grid too..." A weighted pause. "I¡¯m sorry that I didn¡¯t act any sooner. We might have averted this."


    "It¡¯s okay, Herbert. There¡¯s no way you would have known. I should have discovered evidence fast enough andmunicated it to you."


    "No, Athena. Don¡¯t me yourself. But I promise... we will find them, and stop whatever malevolent ns they have."


    "Okay Herbert, thank you." And the call ended.


    Athena exhaled, though relief was quite far away. She needed this situation to be over! She needed people¡¯s lives to be safe, and not at risk at every turn.


    And Spider wasn¡¯t awake. She sighed wearily. She would have needed his tracking skills, his unparalleled ability to trace digital and physical footprints.


    The children were in school too; involving them would be reckless. The hacker contacts, theworks¡ªthey would have had to wait.


    She leaned against the cold metal railing outside theb, eyes unfocused. The chaos inside had been a stark reminder: she was always one step behind. Always chasing, never ahead.


    The police finished clearing theb, and with her guidance, moved through the hospital in meticulous sweeps, cataloging every detail, every hazardous item.


    Her gaze followed them, ignoring the whispers of the medical staff, nk eyes reflecting the sterile lighting of the hospital. She knew the twins had vanished into the city, into thework of hidden routes, safe houses, and underground passageways known only to them. Mary and her sibling were intelligent, ruthless when they chose to be.


    And again she wondered who was sponsoring the madness.


    Her hand brushed against the cellophane bag holding the vial. A shiver ran through her. She imagined the grey disease spreading again through corridors, hospitals, homes. The thought alone made her pulse quicken, and she had to close her eyes briefly to steady her breathing.


    Not again.


    If again, she knew it would be different, worse.


    She shook her head. She had to wake Spider today. She needed his help.


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 Chapter 391: Secret Lab III

    <h4>Chapter 391: Secret Lab III</h4>


    Athena dropped her phone on the table harsher than was necessary, her frustration beating against her head, pulsing through her fingers.


    She clenched them into fists, then struck the table forcefully and cursed under her breath. "Damn!"


    She had just gotten off the phone with a cluster of government officials regting the medical aspect of the state. They were convinced the hospital had been careless¡ªreckless even¡ªendangering the lives of patients.


    Where was Herbert? Athena wondered with irritation, snatching her phone back up. He should have been the one fending the bulls away, not her. Why had he left her to shoulder all of it?


    She dialed his number. No answer. She tried again¡ªthis time, his phone was switched off. Her brows drew together. Was he in a meeting?


    She tried Zane¡¯s line instead. He picked up after two rings.


    "Athena, how are you doing?" His jovial tone carried an ease that told her Ewan hadn¡¯t yet updated him on the current situation.


    "I¡¯m fine, Zane. Or rather... I think I will be. How are you doing?"


    There was a pause. A worried one. "What¡¯s going on? Did something happen with Spider?"


    Athena shook her head instinctively, then remembered she was on the phone. "No, not Spider...It¡¯s the secretb. I found it."


    The silence that followed was heavy, curious, and charged.


    "It was in the storage unit, Zane," she continued with a tired exhale, ruffling her hair in frustration. "How could I have missed it?"


    "No, no, no." Zane¡¯s voice sharpened. "Don¡¯t do that, Athena. There was no way you would have known. Did you find anything else? Have you told my father?"


    "Yes. He called the police and revoked the contracts with the twins¡ªnot that they¡¯re anywhere to be found..."


    "What do you mean?" she heard the faint sound of a door closing on his end. He had probably stepped into his office or another private space.


    "Mary and Matthew have disappeared. From the data Susan sent me a few minutes ago, they¡¯repletely off the radar. Cairo too... I¡¯ve never even seen that girl before in my life."


    Thest words slipped out more like a mutter to herself.


    "Who is Cairo again?"


    Athena sighed heavily. "Mary¡¯s daughter."


    "That¡¯s¡ª" Zane¡¯s voice faltered, clearly as stunned as she was.


    Mary and Matthew never gave the impression of being people with family ties, unless those ties involved evil and experiments.


    "Theb was almost empty," Athena went on. "They must have left in a hurry¡ªprobably tipped off when we raided the gang¡¯s location. But I was lucky enough to find a vial. I¡¯ll check out itsponents in myb before I return home."


    "Maybe we can work with that. I¡¯ll try to find aputer genius who can help with the tracking while we wait for Spider."


    "I¡¯ll appreciate that, Zane. Thank you."


    He snorted softly. "Not necessary, Athena. Not necessary at all. Have you spoken to Ewan?"


    She shrugged even though he couldn¡¯t see it. "I sent him a text."


    A pause followed. "He must already be working on it. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll give you feedback soon."


    Athena nodded slowly. She was about to say her goodbyes when she remembered the reason she had called Zane in the first ce.


    "Do you have a second number for your father? I¡¯ve been trying to reach him, but to no avail. Is he in a meeting?"


    "No. He actually told me he¡¯d be spending the day at the hospital. Maybe something else took his attention?"


    Something more important than the chaos tearing the hospital apart? Athena inhaled deeply, forcing calm, saying her goodbyes finally to Zane.


    It had taken her more than a few minutes to settle the doctors, nurses, and even the frightened patients, reassuring them that everything was under control. She had done that too for the officials calling her here and there. But this was Herbert¡¯s hospital, not hers really.


    If only she had found that second secret exit¡ªthe one Matthew and Mary had used to escape...


    Since the CCTV hadn¡¯t captured them leaving, only entering the storage unit at different times, the police had been left with no choice but to follow the elevator, which had put everything in public re.


    If she¡¯d tracked the exit earlier, they might have found better transportation for the remaining equipment. Maybe even found a clue.


    Another sigh escaped her. What else could she do?


    She had already set Aiden and their team of geniuses to work, even sending requests through the dark web. Nothing useful hade back. That could only mean one thing: whoever was backing this madness was powerful. Government-level powerful.


    With each passing second, she was beginning to see Ewan¡¯s point¡ªhis deep distrust of the president. The possibility that the man himself was behind it all was ufortably high. But hadn¡¯t the president helped them the night before with the captives?


    Would he do that if he wasn¡¯t on their side?


    Athena dragged in another heavy breath, trying to gather herself. Her eyes fell on the files stacked on her desk, but she had no energy to deal with them. She decided she would head straight to herb.


    She pushed back her chair, and was reaching for her bag when a sharp knock sounded on the door.


    "Come in," she called, sinking back into her seat.


    The door creaked open and Ciara stepped in with her usual briskness. "Mr. Ewan Gietti is here."


    "He is? Please, let him in."


    Ciara gave a curt nod and exited, but not before sneaking a quick, thoughtful nce at her boss. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder about this new dynamic between Athena and the handsome billionaire. Had they resolved their differences?


    Barely a minuteter, Ewan walked in with his signatureposure, one hand casually tucked into his pocket.


    "Athena..." he began even before reaching the guest chairs. "I got your message, and I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t get here sooner. I wasn¡¯t in town¡ªI had a business engagement in the next city."


    "It¡¯s okay, Ewan. I¡¯m not angry with you. Please, have a seat."


    He obliged, lowering himself into the chair and crossing his legs. "So, what¡¯s happening? Have they been apprehended?"


    Athena shook her head, her frustration sharp. "They¡¯re nowhere to be found. Off the radar. Our team is on it, but nothing hase up yet."


    The same thought crossed both their minds, and it showed when they exhaled at the same time.


    Spider.


    "This was the wrong time for him to be unwell..." Athena muttered, picking up a pen from her desk only to drop it again.


    Ewan nodded grimly. "But we have to work with what we have. Have you contacted your old man?"


    "Not yet. I¡¯ll do that now."


    Ewan watched her, anger flickering across his eyes as she sent a message to her grandfather. The stress and pressure etched across her face made his chest tighten. If there was a way to take it all from her shoulders, he would.


    "He said he¡¯ll put men on it," Athena reported.


    "That¡¯s great," Ewan murmured. "We need all hands on deck." A pause. "But how long do you think before Spider wakes up? We need his expertise."


    "To be honest, I don¡¯t know." Athena folded her arms loosely across her chest. "I don¡¯t even know what poison he injected himself with. I¡¯ve never seen anything like it. His tongue has this strange silver-blue coloration. But I swabbed his mouth this morning beforeing here. I¡¯ll test it alongside this..."


    She stopped and lifted the small cellophane bag holding the vial.


    "What¡¯s that?"


    "That¡¯s the only reasonable thing I found in their secretb. The other papers and scraps were useless¡ªjust the basic mechanics of making a drug."


    "Making a drug?" Ewan¡¯s brow arched high, his curiosity piqued.


    "Yes. I think they¡¯re making an advanced virus, like a variant of the Grey. But at the same time, they¡¯re developing a cure. Their goal seems clear enough: make money off people¡¯s sickness."


    She shook her head wearily and returned the vial to the desk. "I¡¯m hoping I¡¯m wrong."


    Ewan¡¯s jaw tightened. His hands pressed against his thighs, knuckles white, anger coursing through him in waves. If he ever got to the people behind this, he would make them pay with their miserable lives.


    "But if you are right," he said, leaning forward, his tone low, "you¡¯ll be able to make the drugs, won¡¯t you?"


    When Athena¡¯s gaze flicked up to him, almost t, he pressed on. "Whatever you need, we¡¯ll provide it. I¡¯m sure Herbert will also want this virus wiped from the streets for good. You have help¡ªplenty of it."


    Athena sighed, her shoulders slumping. "But what if I don¡¯t get it in time? What if thousands die before I¡¯m done? You know it takes time..." She bit her lower lip, voice trailing off.


    Ewan looked away, jaw clenching. "You¡¯re not at fault, Athena. Matthew, or whatever he calls himself, is. You¡¯re doing your best, and that¡¯s enough. I believe in you. We all do. You conquered the Grey Disease once, and I¡¯m sure you can do it again. I¡¯ll give you all the support you need."


    Athena exhaled again, lifting her phone almost absently.


    "You want to call your boyfriend?"


    <fn303c> This update is avable on F¦Énd£Îovel</fn303c>


    Her frown snapped up to him instantly, eyes mildly confused. "What?"


    Antonio hadn¡¯t even crossed her mind.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


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 Chapter 392: Tests

    <h4>Chapter 392: Tests</h4>


    Ewan felt the insistent urge to p his own mouth. He cursed himself mentally, furiously, as though he could beat the foolishness out of his head.


    What was this new habit of his¡ªbringing Antonio into every conversation with Athena, whether necessary or not¡ªwhenever he ran out of words?


    It was shameful. Foolish. And with the way Athena was gazing at him now, her brows lifted in mild confusion, he felt twice as stupid.


    "Sorry..." he sputtered atst, cheeks warming, "I¡¯m still getting used to the dynamic."


    Athena wasn¡¯t sure what he was talking about. But since she wasn¡¯t in the mood for theatrics or digging into unknowns and <i>unsures</i>, she let it slide.


    As for informing Antonio, she would tell himter¡ªat the end of the day. Yet a pause tugged at her lips as she bit them lightly. Informing him would mean confessing the other things she had been keeping from him.


    Did it matter though? She gave the blogs a couple of hours at most, and this current situation would flood the socials for everyone to see.


    "Is everything okay?" Ewan¡¯s voice came softer now, almost a whisper, like he was afraid she might snap at him.


    Athena shook her head faintly, then sighed. "Yes, everything is. Are you free now?"


    Ewan nodded without hesitation. For Athena, he would clear his entire schedule without question.


    "Okay then, I¡¯m heading to theb to drop this off. Do you want to join me? Maybe help fend off the overzealous neighbors."


    A smile slithered across Ewan¡¯s lips, slow and genuine. "Of course, Athena. Of course."


    He rose to his feet, and before she could react, he picked up her bag and carried it himself. The small gesture drew an amused quirk from her mouth.


    Gesturing toward the door, he bowed slightly. "After you, mydy."


    Athena chuckled then, and the sound brought him relief. Relief and happiness in one breath.


    ¡ª


    Outside the hospital, Athena entered Ewan¡¯s car after telling Rodney to take a short break before picking up the kids from school.


    In the backseat, she sat beside Ewan while the driver remained silent at the wheel. The silence between them stretched long enough to grow ufortable. Unsure of what to make of it, she finally pulled out her phone.


    "Athena!" Antonio¡¯s voice boomed warmly through the receiver. "How are you doing, my love?"


    Athena smiled thinly. "I¡¯m fine. Just tired, I guess."


    "Aww, sorry about that. Do you want to sneak out for lunch? I promise to make it worthwhile..."


    "Not today, sorry. I¡¯m already heading to myb."


    A pause lingered on the other end. "Yourb? Did something happen?"


    Athena exhaled weakly, leaning her head against the seat. "Yes. I found out that two of my doctors had a personal secretb in the storage unit of the hospital¡ªthe same ones I suspected of being behind the Grey Disease."


    Another pause.


    "Antonio, I think they¡¯re making a worse version of the virus. And I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m alreadyte."


    Silence again. Then, softly¡ª"Athena..."


    "I¡¯m here, love. I¡¯m here," Antonio assured her quickly. "And you don¡¯t need to worry. Everything will be fine. I¡¯m sure you can handle it¡ªyou always do. Just breathe, okay? Have the wicked ones been apprehended yet?"


    Athena shook her head, then remembering she was on call: "No. They¡¯re off the radar."


    An audible sigh crackled through the phone. "Have you told Aiden?"


    "Yes. He¡¯s working on it, but we don¡¯t have answers yet."


    "Okay. I¡¯m sure he¡¯lle up with something. I¡¯ll reach out to an old friend who works withputer software. Maybe he can help in one way or another."


    "I¡¯ll appreciate that, Antonio. Thank you very much."


    "Anything for you, my love. Should I meet you at theb? You can send me the coordinatester..."


    And risk him meeting with Ewan? That would be like signing a promise-of-destruction form. She couldn¡¯t afford for that to happen, not when she was dealing with this.


    "Don¡¯t worry, Antonio. I¡¯ll handle it. You already have stressful days¡ªI don¡¯t want to add to it with chemicals and whatnot."


    Antonio chuckled. "Okay then, if you say so. Is our date for Thursday still on? Should I cancel our reservation considering the situation?"


    "No. It¡¯s still on." She would need something normal after all this chaos, and a cinema date with popcorn and drinks sounded like the right kind of normal.


    "All right then. See you tomorrow. Love you..."


    The call ended¡ªcut short, like he already knew she wasn¡¯t ready to say the words back.


    When she returned the phone to herp, Athena noticed Ewan staring out the window. She wasn¡¯t sure what had caught his attention, but his fists kept clenching and unclenching against his thighs.


    Uncertain whether she wanted to break the silence, that breaking the silence was even a good idea, she turned to her own window, watching the blur of the world pass until they reached theb.


    ¡ª


    It was just as before. Athena thought as she and Ewan stepped onto the porch of her new apartment-turnedb.


    Geraldine, that homely, ever-smiling neighbor, was already waiting by the door, a small tray of chocte pie in her hands and a wide smile stered on her face.


    Athena¡¯s stomach rumbled at the smell. The woman should open a bakery or something. The entire people in the neighborhood should.


    "Hey, Doctor Athena..." Geraldine greeted, her cheeks flushing crimson the moment her eyesnded on Ewan.


    Athena held back a sigh. Why did women always blush at him? What was it about Ewan?


    No one had ever looked at Rodney, her handsome driver, like that. But Ewan? His presence alone seemed to ripple through people.


    "I¡¯m fine," Athena answered curtly, nudged softly by Ewan as if to remind her of her manners. She forced a small smile. "And how are you doing? How are the children?"


    "All good!" Geraldine¡¯s voice rose an octave higher, her gaze shamelessly fixed on Ewan.


    Athena almost rolled her eyes. If the woman weren¡¯t already married, she might have thrown herself at him.


    The sound of voices behind them gave Athena her escape. This was the very reason she had asked Ewan to apany her here.


    "He will take care of all this," Athena muttered quickly. "I need to go inside."


    <fnadf2> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? f?ndnovel</fnadf2>


    She moved past Geraldine, without waiting for a reason, opened the door, and slipped inside, exhaling roughly with her back pressed against the door.


    "Didn¡¯t take him long..." she muttered with irritation two secondster, as Ewan¡¯s smooth voice drifted in through the door¡ªcharming Geraldine effortlessly.


    <i>Did you bake this? Well, of course you did. A woman with such beautiful hands...</i>


    Shaking her head and brushing thoughts of Ewan¡¯s sweet tongue from her mind, she hurried deeper inside toward theb.


    There was too much work waiting. Her ex-husband could charm the neighborhood if he wanted; he could join herter.


    ¡ª


    "You should taste this cookie, Athena..."


    Ewan¡¯s voice filled theb as he walked in, a tray bnced in his hands.


    Athena was already at workb coat and goggles on, bent over a beaker, a pipette in her steady hand. Still working. Always working.


    Noting this, he moved toward the small kitchen space at the far end of therge room and ced the cookies on the marble counter. He almost jumped when he turned and found Athena standing right behind him.


    "What the hell, Athena..." he hissed softly, his heart thumping.


    But she wasughing, her eyes alight. "You should have seen your face," she teased, pulling off her gloves. She shed the goggles andb coat too, cing them neatly on a chair near the entrance.


    "Didn¡¯t know you scared that easily." She smirked, heading to the sink to wash her hands thoroughly with soap.


    Ewan snorted softly, crossing his arms. "I wasn¡¯t scared. You were just supposed to be working. I thought you were¡ª"


    "Well, I was. But I¡¯m done now."


    Ewan frowned unconsciously, and Athena caught it as she turned from the sink, drying her hands with a clean cloth. Herughter bubbled again.


    "Oh,e on. It¡¯s not that hard, is it?"


    He shrugged. "I¡¯m not a science geek like you."


    Athena arched a brow. "Did you just call me a geek?"


    "Aren¡¯t you one? You should¡ª"


    "Don¡¯tplete that statement," Athena warned, trying to hold herughter. But she lost the battle the moment she noticed the effort Ewan was putting into keeping his ownughter at bay.


    "You¡¯re crazy, Ewan," she said, chuckling as she picked a cookie from the tray and perched on one of the tall stools.


    "You can¡¯t me me," he defended. "One minute you¡¯re standing over a cup, and the next you¡¯re behind me in the kitchen."


    "It¡¯s not a cup!" Athena burst outughing again. "It¡¯s called a beaker. Didn¡¯t you at least do science in high school?"


    Ewan only shrugged, secretly pleased that he had managed to make herugh and shake off some of the tension weighing her down. Of course he knew what a beaker was.


    "But are you really done?" he asked.


    Athena nodded, nibbling the cookie. "We just wait now, for the solution to settle, so I can analyze it."


    She tilted her head slightly, eyes softening on him. "And thanks again for this..." she gestured with the half-eaten cookie toward theb. "It makes my work so much easier."


    "It¡¯s nothing," Ewan said quickly, though the tips of his ears burned red.


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 Chapter 393: Tests II

    <h4>Chapter 393: Tests II</h4>


    "So, did you discover anything else in theirb, or maybe noticed anything out of the ordinary?" Ewan chewed on another cookie, ignoring the rm going off in his head that he had consumed way more than enough sugar for the day.


    He would work it offter. He promised himself. Not that sugar was that bad, he justified, taking another bite.


    What had these people used to bake this? He had never tasted anything sweeter. He licked a crumb from his thumb, eyes narrowing in thought.


    "Yes. I met her daughter for the first time." Athena¡¯s soft reply cut short Ewan¡¯s obsession with the cookie, and his hand stilled in midair.


    "Mary has a daughter? How do we not know of that?" His brows rose, genuine surprise tightening his voice.


    Athena shrugged, drinking from a can of juice she had seen in the refrigerator, one amongst many. "Maybe we didn¡¯t search enough. Her name is Cairo. About ten years."


    She shook her head. "To think she had the baby even before we met..." A pause. "There have been no sign at all. I hadn¡¯t been able to see past her cutting remarks, envy, and wicked jealousy. Maybe it¡¯s part of the facade to keep her true self hidden?"


    She rubbed at a line forming between her brows, the can cool against her palm.


    Ewan scoffed. "There¡¯s no true self being hidden, just the child. That woman, and her twin, are evil for just creating the Grey virus, knowing the amount of lives that would be given in exchange for some stupid and bloodied wealth."


    Another scoff. "No. There is no hidden self. They are all criminals, and I will make sure that they pay for it." His jaw clenched as he spoke, anger shing through his eyes.


    Athena widened her eyesically, nodding the same, toasting without words to Ewan¡¯s just concluded speech. The rim of the can tapped lightly against her lower lip in a mock salute.


    Ewanughed, anger diffusing entirely. "You are something else. So did you also talk with her, Cairo I mean." He leaned an elbow on the counter, trying to read Athena¡¯s face.


    "Yes. She was the one that had told me about the secretb, you see..." Her voice dipped, thoughtful.


    Ewan frowned. He didn¡¯t see. A crease appeared between his brows.


    Athena dropped the can on the counter, the metal making a soft clink, and started the exnation. "I left the office to search for theb, but after two hours, I found nothing. Too tired, I rested on one of the benches in the hallway. That¡¯s where she found me... turns out she had been looking for me."


    Ewan¡¯s frown deepened.


    "She was looking for someone with keys to the storage unit, or rather some space in the storage unit where her mother had disappeared... someone like the chief doctor in the hospital. Unfortunately... or is it fortunately?" She looked at Ewan quizzically, eyes searching his.


    The male nodded. "Fortunately."


    "Yeah, that... well she lost her way whening to my office, and in some twist of fate she found me, recognized me... maybe from TV?, and then she mentioned that she needed my help with finding her mother."


    A pause.


    "I thought her mother was a patient, especially when she said that her father had gone to heaven... but when we got to the storage unit, I wasn¡¯t that sure anymore. So, I asked, and she confirmed my thoughts. Her mother was a doctor, one of the big doctors, ording to her..."


    A half-hearted chuckle. "A doctor that goes by the name, Mary. And I knew it was Mary rkson, it was then I had noted the resemnce, that button nose, the slightly full lips..."


    A sharp exhale. "I think that¡¯s all I got going. I told her to wait outside, while I searched for an opening. But when I came out, she was nowhere to be found. The nurses at the reception also im that they hadn¡¯t seen anyone that had matched that description. And because I¡¯m not crazy, I¡¯m sure that someone had taken her away... maybe a mole in the hospital."


    She shook her head. "There are a lot of unknowns, Ewan. I just..." A sigh. "We need trackers. I don¡¯t know if Rodney is back with the children... I need the contacts of their friends in the dark web..." Her gaze drifted to the door, worry nibbling at herposure.


    "I don¡¯t think I will ever get used to hearing that." Ewan spoke finally, rubbing the back of his neck.


    "What?"


    "My children having some ties to the dark web at their age. They im you aren¡¯t bad with tracking either..." He managed a wry smile.


    Athena nodded. "Yeah, but we know that whoever is backing these people utilizes, most likely, the tracker that had something to do with the attacks on you in your younger years..."


    "That¡¯s true. We need stronger hands than the usual." Ewan concurred, expelling a short breath. "But we are trying the best we can... at least we have that vial... imagine if we had none, if we hadn¡¯t discovered theb..."


    Athena nodded slowly, the cloud of dejection easing off somewhat. "It would have been worse. We might not have seen their next nsing until when it¡¯s toote. But with this, we can make ns..."


    "I can send in trusted fellows, with ideas in the science field, to help..." Ewan suggested then.


    But Athena shook her head. "It¡¯s too risky. I don¡¯t trust anyone except family. It¡¯s like these people are everywhere."


    A pause. " It lessens my faith in humanity, you know, that someone could be bought with a price to do something heinous, to put the lives of many at risk."


    Ewan couldn¡¯t agree more. "Yes... but let¡¯s look on the brighter side of things still." He said, noting Athena¡¯s spirits dampening again.


    He stood up from the stool and walked over to her, cing a hand on her shoulder. "We will conquer this. I promise."


    Athena smiled sadly. "You shouldn¡¯t be making promises you can¡¯t keep."


    Ewan lifted a brow in response. "And who said I won¡¯t be keeping it?" He winked at her, to her amusement, a yful glint breaking through the tension.


    "You are crazy." Sheughed, shrugging his hand off her shoulder. "But thank you."


    She stood up, and headed toward the mainb area. And Ewan followed.


    Since she didn¡¯t want to hire help, he would be her help, would let the chemicals swarm him even though the smell of it wasn¡¯t pleasant to his stomach.


    "What can you see?" Ewan questioned momentster, peering into the vial ced on a stand, not sure what he was supposed to notice, though aware that there should be a <i>notice</i> going on; that Athena was noticing something.


    He squinted, as if focus alone could trante science into sense.


    <fn7ed0> Readplete version only at Find?Novel</fn7ed0>


    So much for wanting to be a scientist while growing up. He mused, suddenly remembering his five-year-old self wanting that.


    He paused, blinked, and touched the memory again.


    He had been with his father in his study, his father who was hunched over papers, yet having time to answer his numerous questions.


    <i>So, what do you want to be, my boy? You said a musician two days ago, is it still that today?</i>


    Little Ewan had shaken his head. <i>Scientist. I want to be a scientist.</i>


    A smile was on Ewan¡¯s lips before he knew it, a smile that disappeared when he tried to remember more, when he tried to see his father clearer, when pain snatched that from him. His breath hitched, just once.


    "Are you okay, Ewan?" Athena, who had been noticing the variety of emotions shing across the face of her ex-husband, spoke, worry cloaking her eyes.


    Was the chemicals too thick for him? Maybe he should wait in the kitchen?


    "Yes, I am. Just a memory that snapped into ce. It came with a little pain..." He rubbed his temple briefly, letting the ache ebb.


    Athena nodded slowly, contemtively. "That¡¯s good news. Your memories areing back. But don¡¯t force it. Has your stash finished?"


    Ewan shook his head. "I think I still have some." A loaded pause. "Thank you, Athena, for giving me this." His voice softened on thest word.


    Athena shrugged, her mind only reaching in diverse directions. How much could he remember? What will happen if he remembered her? Will he still be civil?


    Because there was surely a difference between knowing something as a fact, and actually experiencing it. Remembering her might make things more unstable.


    How long did she have of thisfortable bnce with him? She exhaled slowly, steadying herself.


    "Do you want to know what I remembered?"


    For a second, Athena considered saying no.


    "Yes." She folded her arms lightly, bracing.


    Ewan smiled, and she thought she had answered well. He wanted to share. "I was five. And I was telling my father I wanted to be a scientist..."


    Silence, where she searched his eyes for evidence of his statement being a joke, a ruse to make herugh, but seeing the truth lurking there, made herughter even more boisterous.


    Sheughed, holding her belly, bent over her table, hitting itmely at intervals, tears pricking her eyes from the release.


    "Laugh all you want, but my dreams are valid..." Ewan tried for deadpan look and failed, smiling with her.


    It only made herugh harder. "Ewan... you..." A sputter ofughter. "You don¡¯t even know what a beaker is. You called it a cup."


    Ewan chuckled. "But it is a cup really. Just a different kind. However, still a cup." He lifted his hands, palms up, as if presenting irrefutable evidence.


    Athena gestured with her hand, that he get out,ughter not letting her speak. She waved him away and sank onto the stool, catching her breath.


    Ewan smiled, watching this, loving to watch her, to hear herugh¡ªthe way her nose lifted, the way her eyes shone. He wanted her like this every time, unburdened by the cares of the virus, by the chaos it came with, by the lives it imed.


    And it was his responsibility to do that. He thought, swearing inwardly to follow through, to strive to make her happy, no matter the odds stacked against her.

 Chapter 394: Tests III

    <h4>Chapter 394: Tests III</h4>


    "So, is it bad?" Ewan joined Athena in peering at the vial, after it had been stirred and allowed to settle for a few minutes.


    When she sighed wearily, dejectedly, he knew it was indeed bad. His chest tightened as he wished, almost desperately, that he could erase the consequence of whaty before them ¡ª the fallout, the chaos that would ensue, the weight that would press unyieldingly on her back.


    "Athena..." he murmured, needing words, needing to know what they were up against. "Is it as you feared?"


    Athena nodded slowly, straightening her shoulders with effort. "It¡¯s a variant. Much worse than the Grey virus. I don¡¯t think the cure I manufactured would be able to do anything against it..."


    "But you haven¡¯t tested it out? Maybe¡ª"


    Athena shook her head sharply, cutting off Ewan¡¯s hurried response. "I know what I am saying, Ewan. This is so much worse. I will need to spend a lot of time in theb from henceforth... and I will need you to be there for the children. Gianna is not always around, as you must have noticed, and I think Chelsea is too busy with her day-to-day activities..."


    A pause. Her brows furrowed as she realized she didn¡¯t exactly know why her friend was always out of the house first thing in the morning. If she didn¡¯t know better, she would say Chelsea was looking for a job.


    Wait. Athena sighed inwardly. Was her friend really looking for a job? What happened to her previous one?


    "Athena, what¡¯s the problem?"


    "I think Chelsea is up to something. But that¡¯s by the way..." She waved the thought aside, returning to the present. "As I was saying, you have to be there for the children. Working on the drugs, the experiments... it consumes a lot of time. I hope you can understand..."


    "I understand, Athena. I understand perfectly well," Ewan cut in softly, his gaze meeting hers with quiet tenderness. "You don¡¯t have to exin yourself. Take as much time as you need to deal with this. I¡¯ll be here if you need anything."


    Athena searched his face, lingering in his eyes for truth, then exhaled gently. "Thanks for this, Ewan. And I am sorry if¡ª"


    "Don¡¯t apologize for doing what you should," he interrupted gently. "You¡¯re also doing this for them. And no, it¡¯s not a burden."


    Her lips parted slightly, then closed firmly. "I see. Thank you."


    Ewan wanted to tell her that she shouldn¡¯t be thanking him, that this was his responsibility as much as hers, but he sensed he had already cut in enough for the day. Instead, he said, "Good. Are you starting today?"


    "No, I won¡¯t. Maybe tomorrow. I¡¯m too mentally fraught to do anything now. But I will speak to Herbert and collect some kind of permission, should in case working here tampers with my hours in the hospital. Fortunately, there are a lot ofpetent doctors in the Whitman hospitals."


    "That¡¯s right," Ewan muttered, his mind stewing over a particr thought, one he knew would upset Athena.


    "What is it?" Athena¡¯s voice was sharp. Just as Ewan was adept at reading her, so was she at reading him. She pushed aside what the truth of that meant and focused on the possible weight pressing against his mind.


    "The gang..." Ewan paused, licking his lower lip. "If Kael still operates the same, he won¡¯t be content being just a pawn in the game. The gang is rarely a pawn. We always wanted to top whatever was happening. And if I should take a guess, I would say that Kael would be upying a position as an advisor. That he would advise they release the virus today,test tomorrow, since the hideout has been discovered."


    "I know." Athena muttered, looking crestfallen. Her shoulders slumped, and her fingers tightened around the edge of the counter. "But I can¡¯t work in this state of mind. I need to get home, eat, refresh myself, and talk with my children... and then Herbert. Because if I enter thatb mode, a lot of things will need to be running without my presence. And as much as it pains me that I won¡¯t be able to do anything for those who will be infected by the new virus, my hands are tied."


    A weary sigh escaped her lips as she turned away, feeling her eyes sting with tears. "Why can¡¯t these people just give up, Ewan? For a second there, I even thought this had turned into a challenge against my stubbornness, more than the earlier arrangement to make money or whatever it was."


    "And you¡¯re not wrong to feel that way. The gang can be petty... and so can their sponsor. We just have to keep pushing, keep holding the fort. Because if we don¡¯t, then our children might not have a future."


    Athena nodded faintly. She knew he was right. Things left untreated usually found a way ofing back to haunt the future.


    Silence reigned between them for a while.


    "So, the virus," Ewan asked finally, his tone heavy. "How long does it take before acting once it gets into a human system?"


    Athena knew why he asked ¡ª and the truth only made the air heavier. Whereas the Grey virus took at least a week or two before showing signs, this one could manifest in mere days. And creating a drug, test-running it, that would take much longer. She needed a miracle.


    "Just a couple of days." She exhaled deeply. "Let¡¯s leave here. I want to go home."


    ¨C


    "Are you okay with staying at the mansion?" Athena asked as they approached the Thorne gates. "Doesn¡¯t it get tiring, shuffling between here and your mansion?"


    Ewan shrugged. "To be honest, I haven¡¯t been at the mansion since the court case."


    Athena¡¯s brows furrowed. "Still traumatized?"


    <fn5b7b> Latest content published on Find¡ïNovel</fn5b7b>


    Ewanughed at her attempt at humor. "I¡¯m not sure. But I don¡¯t want to stay there... it brings bad memories. The servants keep it clean and all, but... I¡¯ve been staying at Sandro¡¯s ce. I only return to the mansion when I need clothes."


    "But Sandro is staying at a bachelor¡¯s pad, isn¡¯t he? Why not stay with Zane at the Whitman mansion? There are more than enough rooms there, and it¡¯s closer to the house."


    Ewan shook his head firmly. "I don¡¯t want to live in the same space with Herbert. We¡¯re two business moguls, and we¡¯re bound to sh at some point. And he¡¯s family. I don¡¯t want to mix business with pleasure. I¡¯m sure he feels the same way, even if he says otherwise."


    Athena nodded, biting back the urge to point out that Old Mr. Thorne was also a business mogul. It wasn¡¯t her question to ask. What mattered was that he chose the space he was mostfortable with.


    "You don¡¯t have to worry about me, Athena. I¡¯ll be okay staying at the Thorne mansion. It¡¯s not weird. And if it does get weird, I¡¯ll stay with Sandro. There¡¯s not much to it."


    Athena nodded again and turned her gaze to the window. This billionaire was bing homeless. It would have beenical, if only the situation around them wasn¡¯t so grave.


    When they stepped out of the car, the twins were already waiting by the porch. The moment their gazes met, the children ran into the embrace of their parents ¡ª Kathleen straight into Ewan¡¯s arms.


    A daddy¡¯s girl, Athena mused, watching her daughterugh and chatter with her ex-husband before moving over to greet her.


    "How was school today?" Athena asked softly, kissing the child¡¯s head.


    "Fine!" Kathleen chimed brightly.


    They walked into the sitting room like a family, a sight that brought a smile to Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s lips ¡ª a good change from the foul mood that had gued him since he saw the news.


    "What¡¯s happening?" the old man asked once the twins had been ushered to their rooms by a servant.


    "A Grey virus variant," Athena said, shrugging tiredly. "Much worse than its predecessor. Ewan thinks it will be released tonight or tomorrow."


    Old Mr. Thorne fisted his hands in anger, the weight of it pressing against his chest. He hadn¡¯t found his granddaughter after all these years just to watch her stew in stress and misery. No. He would lighten her load, however necessary.


    "So, what do you need?"


    "Food. Now." Athena¡¯s lips curved into a sad smile when the joke didn¡¯t register at first.


    When it did, the old man hissed softly.


    "It¡¯s good you can still tell a joke," he said. "You¡¯ll need your wits about you this period. But don¡¯t worry. Ewan and I are already working on discovering the hub of this madness. And find it, we will. Trust us."


    Amazingly, Athena discovered that she did. For the first time in her life, she felt she could hand the reins to family and focus on her own field.


    "Thank you, Grandpa. But I really am hungry."


    Old Mr. Thorne chuckled, joined by Ewan. "Of course, my dear. Of course. Food will be ready in twenty, ording to your grandma."


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 Chapter 395: Seizures

    <h4>Chapter 395: Seizures</h4>


    "I haven¡¯t seen Herbert on the news today... and I don¡¯t think he has made a statement yet. Where is he?" Florence questioned, her eyes narrowing as they found Athena, who was rxed on the couch, gaze fixed on the news channel.


    At her grandmother¡¯s question, Athena only shrugged, her shoulders lifting and falling with a hint of weariness. "I don¡¯t know really. When I called Zane, he mentioned that his father was supposed to be at the hospital. I just hope he is okay."


    "Of course he is okay. The man moves with security like he is the government itself."


    Ewan, who held a sleeping Kathleen carefully in his arms, let out a softugh. "But we all do, old man, especially with the situation of things. One cannot afford to be loose with security during this period."


    Old Mr. Thorne huffed, making Athena hide her smile behind her hand. "Do you have some kind of beef with Herbert? If so, why would you tell him my schedule for the day?"


    Old Mr. Thorne frowned, lines marring his forehead as his confusion deepened. "What are you talking about?" He exchanged a baffled nce with his wife, who was equally at a loss.


    "When I asked him how..." Athena paused now, ruffling her hair nervously. The topic she was about to bring up was bound to go two ways.


    "Athena, what¡¯s the problem?" Old Mr. Thorne leaned forward, concern etched across his features.


    "Well, turns out that today is my birthday, or rather the day my foster mother had chosen as my birth date."


    Silence reigned in the room.


    Nathaniel, God bless his soul, had the good grace to look guilty.


    "Mom!" he blurted out, guilt and shock warring in his little face as he hurried to her from his position beside Ewan. "I am sorry." His voice broke, his small frame trembling with the me he cast on himself. Somehow he had forgotten his mother¡¯s day, somehow...


    "Nathaniel, stop." Athena pulled him into her arms quickly, stroking his hair. "There are a lot of things happening all at once, and it¡¯s okay that you didn¡¯t remember. I didn¡¯t even remember until the surprise at the hospital."


    "Surprise?" Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s voice, heavy with shock, cut through the room. He couldn¡¯t believe he had missed out on this. Why hadn¡¯t he thought of it? Why hadn¡¯t he factored it in when they discovered her?


    "Yes. Herbert. He organized a surprise party in my office. I walked in only to be waid. The cake was delicious, by the way. There was supposed to be some for you, but I had to give it out... especially to the patients who came to wish me well when they heard, before things went downhill."


    A pause stretched, during which Athena noted the variety of emotions shing across the faces in the room. One thing was clear¡ªthey weren¡¯t pleased.


    Even Ewan, with his mouth hanging open. She almost rolled her eyes. He should close it before a fly went in.


    "How..." Florence began, then sputtered to a halt, unsure how to proceed. How to celebrate, in this climate? She didn¡¯t think her granddaughter had the strength to handle that tonight, not with such a hectic day weighing her down.


    Fortunately, Athena rescued her from the dilemma. "The party on Friday is still holding, right? It can be a double celebration then... if that¡¯s okay."


    As much as she wanted to cancel everything entirely, she knew the amount of effort her grandmother had put into organizing the party. And it wouldn¡¯t do well showing to the gang that they were afraid. It wouldn¡¯t change anything either.


    Florence¡¯s eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "Of course, my dear. Of course." She got to her feet with renewed energy. "I need to make more arrangements, make some calls..." And just like that, she swept out of the room.


    "You didn¡¯t tell me that she liked asions and parties," Athena murmured.


    "Only if it¡¯s family," Old Mr. Thorne replied. "Thest time I¡¯ve seen her this excited was at Emily¡¯s wedding ceremony." A pause, then his eyes sharpened. "So you said Herbert told you what again?"


    "I asked him how he had known I wasing in the afternoon... if the doctors had waited in my office since morning. And he replied that he had confirmed my schedule from you."


    Old Mr. Thorne¡¯s face darkened into a frown. "I have not spoken to Herbert in a very long while."


    It was Athena¡¯s turn to frown. "Why then would he lie?"


    "Maybe he doesn¡¯t want you feeling guilty for keeping the doctors up and about..." Ewan suggested, finally recovering from his earlier shock, though not from guilt.


    He should have remembered her birthday, no matter what else was happening. He had known it during and after their marriage. It should have been something¡ªan avenue to at least make her smile, to ease her mind for a moment.


    Athena reclined into her seat, nodding slowly. That exnation made sense. Herbert must have felt ufortable when she asked and said the first thing that came to mind.


    Just then, a servant burst into the room, panting. "The patient is up... I think he is not okay."


    Which one? Athena wanted to ask, remembering that both Lucas and Spider were under their roof. But seeing the panic in the servant¡¯s eyes, she gently set Nathaniel aside. "Go to bed. Tell Mama Florence to tuck you two in. I aming."


    Her son nodded, trusting her without hesitation, and hurried off. Athena rose quickly.


    As she passed Margaret and Kendra¡¯s room, she heard them singing, carefree. Relief flickered in her chest¡ªit wasn¡¯t Lucas. The duo had been with him only a few minutes ago after dinner. That left Spider.


    Her steps quickened, Ewan following right behind her.


    Spider was convulsing. She realized it the moment she heard the sounds¡ªharsh grunts, the thud of his body against the bedding. When she opened the door, the sight that met her made her stomach twist.


    He was thrashing, shaking his head violently like a man chained to a rock, fighting to escape some unseen torment.


    It was painful to watch.


    Quickly, she sprang into action, her mind focused on saving him, while at the forefront she stored questions she would demand of Ewan once this episode was over.


    Fifteen minutester, Spider had calmed down, his chest rising evenly, his body ck. It was almost as though nothing had happened, peace settling over him like a fragile veil.


    "What do you think happened?" Ewan asked, arms folded tightly across his chest, sorrow embedded deep in his eyes. Watching his young friend struggle like that, those terrible shakes, had reminded him of just how little he truly knew about the fellow.


    "I don¡¯t know, Ewan. I don¡¯t even know," Athena admitted, voice low but steady. "It¡¯s like I told you, the drug he ingested is strange... it must be a new one in the ck market. Very harmful too. But I think he is stabilizing now. He will be awake soon."<fne435> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on Find?Novel</fne435>

 Chapter 396: Cognac

    <h4>Chapter 396: Cognac</h4>


    "What about Lucas?" Ewan asked, sipping from the cup of cognac in his hand, his entire focus on Athena who was also clutching a cup of hers.


    She had requested that he join her for a drink before they retired for the night. The children were already asleep, and Mr. and Mrs. Thorne had retired too, into their bedroom. The household was quiet.


    "He is fine. Just bruises and a couple of external injuries. Nothing that a few days of rest won¡¯t fix. I also spoke with my grandfather concerning the living situation. He said he will give them the quarters in the east wing, so that this particr house won¡¯t be crowded somewhat. There will be, of course, security stationed around the houses and all..." Athena exined, rotating the cup in her hand.


    Ewan nodded slowly, taking another sip. "It¡¯s good what you are doing. You should be proud of yourself."


    Athena snorted softly, shaking her cup slowly in her hand, her eyes fixed on the wall clock opposite her. Ten thirty p.m. And her friends were not back yet.


    She licked her lips and returned her attention to Ewan, who was having a field day staring at her. She looked away, clearing her throat.


    "Tell me about Spider. He looks familiar."


    Ewan raised a brow. "Familiar? Spider isn¡¯t one to look familiar to people. He is rarely seen outside."


    "I know," Athena concurred, her tone firm. "I understand. But it doesn¡¯t stop the fact, it doesn¡¯t erase the fact that he looks familiar to me." A pause. "I have tried cing his face to a memory or something, but it¡¯s just not working. How much do you know of him?"


    Ewan shrugged, leaning back into the couch. "Not much like I have told you. He joined the gang at barely sixteen."


    "Why would you lot take someone that young, someone not even up to the age limit for an adult?" Athena questioned, brows furrowing.


    "He was desperate. I epted him because he reminded me of me¡ªhis desperation did, rather. I knew what it meant to be in that situation where you believe only some gang or cult will save you."


    A sip of cognac. "And that¡¯s why I took him in. He didn¡¯t do any hard work though... luckily for both him and us, he was aputer genius. But it didn¡¯t exempt him from training. Spider can shoot a gun like any of us."


    "And has he even gone on a mission before?"


    Ewan shook his head. "Not that I am aware of."


    "You think you met him in one, during your time at the CIA?"


    Athena inhaled, her gaze flicking away. "I don¡¯t know. He is just familiar."


    Just then footsteps were heard outside, interrupting their conversation. They both kept quiet, eyes trained on the entrance; their brows raised when Chelsea and Gianna stepped into the sitting room, whispering about something.


    Whispering¡ªbecause Athena could see, could gauge from their standing positions as they moved in, that they had been talking about something; an action that paused when they took notice of her presence, of her presence and Ewan¡¯s.


    "Athena... you are still awake..." Gianna started, eyes darting between Ewan and Athena, and the bottle of cognac, as she approached the duo.


    Athena got to her feet, hugged her friend, and then Chelsea, who looked ufortable, nervous.


    "We saw the news..." Gianna was still speaking, after exchanging pleasantries with Ewan. "What does that mean for you, for us?"


    Athena shrugged. "More work I guess, more carefulness on your parts, on the part of the citizens. I am yet to know if its mode of action is like the Grey, if it spreads by contact... but to be on the safe side, I¡¯ve told the president to issue some kind of statement, instructing everyone to be alert around their homes, to report any suspicious movements, and to put on face masks."


    Gianna massaged her friend¡¯s shoulder with a palm. "You will handle it. You always do. I¡¯m d Ewan is around to help."


    Ewan smiled, inclining his head to Gianna, who chuckled softly.


    "Do you need anything else? Anything at all?"


    Athena pouted. "I miss my girls." She looked at Chelsea then. "And you... what have you been up to?"


    <fn04df> Read full story at Find¡ïNovel</fn04df>


    Gianna looked at Chelsea then in a way that alerted Athena that something was wrong. Biting on her lower lip, she turned to Ewan and asked for space.


    "Thanks for having the drink with me. Have a good night."


    Ewan wished her the same, sent his regards to her friends, and then left for his designated space.


    "So are you two like..."


    "We are not present at this moment to talk about me, but you," Athena cut in mildly, interrupting Chelsea¡¯s quest for hot gist. "What¡¯s going on with you?"


    A pause where she turned to Gianna. "You can microwave your meals, while I talk with Chelsea. I know you already know what¡¯s up. I¡¯m just not sure why you two had kept it from me."


    "Athena, you already have a lot on your te," Gianna exined, turning toward the kitchen. "We didn¡¯t want to add any more."


    Athena scoffed. "I will always have time for family, and you two are that to me. Give it to me. What¡¯s happening?"


    Gianna left then to get to dinner. She was voraciously hungry.


    "Well, a lot, I think. My parents are trying to set me up with someone I have not met."


    "An arranged marriage? In these times? For a modern woman like you?"


    Chelsea pouted, not knowing what to think of Athena¡¯s tone. But when her friendughed, when she followed too, she knew that this matter had her uptight in such a way that she had almost forgotten her friend¡¯s sense of humor.


    "Can you imagine? They im that he is this and that... but I¡¯m not interested in arranged marriages. What if he is a cripple?"


    Athenaughed. "That¡¯s a far fetch. I don¡¯t think your parents would want that for you."


    Chelsea hissed. "They want any male, so long as his pockets are full, like they don¡¯t have enough money. I don¡¯t get this obsession with money and all."


    Athena chuckled. "Is that why you ran from home, daddy¡¯s girl? What are you doing here then?"


    "I¡¯m thinking of starting my practice here. Gianna has been helping with statistics and all, but with the possible threat of a new virus, I don¡¯t know." Chelsea¡¯s voice became unsure. "I just want to..." a pause like words were finished.


    "Don¡¯t worry," Athena said, flinging her arm around her friend¡¯s shoulder. "Everything will be fine, arranged marriage or not."


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 Chapter 397: A Heads-Up

    <h4>Chapter 397: A Heads-Up</h4>


    "Mom, we are sorry that we forgot your birthday." Kathleen broke into Athena¡¯s thoughts while she stared at the missed call from Herbert.


    It was Thursday morning, a cold Thursday morning, as rain which had started sometime in the early hours of the morning was still pelting down on the roof, though in a lesser torrent.


    "Kathleen, I forgot too. You don¡¯t have to be hard on yourself." She spoke, dropping the phone on the bed with a faint sigh.


    She hade into her children¡¯s room to speak with them concerning her uing busy and lonely schedule, wanting to prepare them so that they wouldn¡¯t be taken unawares by her absence, and Ewan¡¯s presence which would be more than before.


    They all sat on the bed, legs crossed, the twins facing Athena in such a way that they would form a triangle if dots were connected.


    "Nathaniel, you too. This period has been a trying one for us all, and I will appreciate it if you let the guilt go. I am not in any way angry, neither do I fault you two in anything."


    The twins exchanged nces and nodded slowly.


    "Okay Mom. So, why are you in our room this morning...it seems you have something on your mind." Nathaniel observed, his eyes flicking to the wall clock before her. Just half past six.


    Athena inhaled softly, clutching her hands together in herp. "Something came up at work..." she started, meeting their gazes tenderly.


    She knew they wouldn¡¯t be pleased with what she was about to say, but there wasn¡¯t a choice really. "A new virus will be released soon, and I have to work to avert it, or find a cure for it, like I did for the Grey Virus."


    She watched them watch her, watched their eyes beden with understanding¡ªunderstanding and anger.


    "Is it the same person?"


    Athena knew what her son was asking about, so she nodded her head. "They are working overtime."


    "They are stressing you, Mom." Kathleen opined, folding her arms across her chest, lips pressing into a thin line. "I don¡¯t like that."


    Athena sighed, shoulders drooping. She didn¡¯t like it either. She wanted peace and normal, but it was like she had done something chaotic in her past life for her to be visited with it at every turn in this life.


    "It¡¯s okay, my darlings. I just have to do as before... work in myb. And you know it takes a lot of my time. Aunt Gianna won¡¯t be around, well not as before, considering the state of her work now, and I can¡¯t burden her more than is necessary... Aunt Chelsea is also busy... so..." she paused, licking her lower lip nervously.


    She had noticed that the children were okay with Ewan, but asking them to get used to an Ewan who would now be living with them, on most days...


    "We¡¯ll be okay with Father¡¯s presence." Nathaniel spoke then, reading his mother¡¯s hesitation. He had thought about it in the seconds seeding her statement.


    His father was a busy man, yes, but he somehow always found time for them. Surely, he will be the best candidate, alongside their great grandparents.


    Athena exhaled in relief meanwhile, touching Nathaniel¡¯s cheeks gently, her eyes softening. Even though she was saddled with chaos in this life, having these children of hers triumphed over everything else, and for them, she would triumph over whatever had decided to chaotize her life.


    "He will be staying here, most times though. Will you both be okay with that?"


    Kathleen nodded quickly. "Yes. I like him. He is a good man, and he always has time for us."


    If only she knew what that statement did to her mother¡¯s heart then...


    "That¡¯s... good." Athena stuttered, looking away from her children lest they discovered the emotions sshing across her eyes and face.


    "I¡¯m sorry that I¡¯ll be absent most times..."


    "It¡¯s okay Mom, we understand that you are saving the world." The twins gave her a thumbs up, which caused tears to prick her eyes.


    "We are proud of you, Mom."


    She hugged them to herself, feeling a lone tear make an escape finally. "I am proud of you two too. And I love you so much. So very much." She dropped kisses on their heads, her face frowning when her phone started ringing.


    "It¡¯s Uncle Herbert..." Kathleen muttered, having seen the name shing on Athena¡¯s phone screen.


    Athena disengaged from the hug then and answered the phone. "Herbert, good morning." A pause where pleasantries were exchanged. "Yes, I am okay. I just need to figure out a way to deal with the new variant. Did you get my message?"


    "Okay then, thank you very much."


    "He is a good boss, I think." Kathleen noted, when Athena ended the call.


    "Yes, he is." A pause. "You both have noticed that there are more people staying with us, right?"


    They nodded.


    "Yes, Kendra will be staying for a while. I have told Gianna to re-register her back at your school... We don¡¯t know how long this matter willst. So, she will be joining you two at school, and they will be staying at the east wing of the mansion, the quarters painted with a light cream color... should you want to visit."


    The twins nodded, a smile on their lips, pleased to y with their friend again.


    "There are also two patients in the house, in the two rooms upstairs, so they are off limits for now. One is Kendra¡¯s father, and the other is your father¡¯s friend. They were both in an ident, courtesy of the gang behind this madness. So, maybe, say a prayer for them?"


    "Sure, we will. Are they getting any better?"


    "Yes, they are." Athena smiled at her son, ruffling his hair. "Andstly... I will need the contacts of your friends in the dark web."


    The twins exchanged cursory nces.


    "I will need their help to get the locations of people."


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    "Sure Mom." Nathaniel agreed, unfolding his legs and getting out of the bed.


    He hurried to the table where theptop was, was about to boot it, when he hesitated, thinking better of it. His friends¡¯ contacts were on his phone.


    So, he picked his phone instead, and returned to his mother.


    "The contacts are here. You can send a message. They already know you are a friend of ours."


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