Chapter 101 Be Tough
Evie finally let go of her anger and sat down heavily, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Athena.
“Athena… why don’t you just forget all of this and run away?” she pleaded. “I don’t believe Byron would actually hurt innocent people. Isn’t Miss Ross keeping him in check?”
Athena gave a weary smile, her voice filled with helplessness. “He would,” she said quietly.
She knew Byron too well. He was a man who kept his word—coldly, ruthlessly. If he weren’t, would she still be trapped like this?
“I can’t afford to gamble with the lives of people I care about,” she added.
Athena had always kept her circle small. Her life didn’t involve many people, but the few who were part of it mattered deeply. She refused to let them be collateral damage in the chaos that surrounded her.
“But he’s getting married! How can you keep—” Evie’s voice trembled with frustration.
“That’s why I need to find a way out. One that keeps the people I care about safe,” Athena said, her voice calm but resolute. “And one that allows me to disappear cleanly.”
“What can I do to help?” Evie asked, instantly leaning forward.
Athena looked at her with a soft but serious gaze. “You? The best thing you can do right now is stay far away from that idiot, Baxter.”
Evie straightened immediately. “No problem!”
As for Baxter…
In the beginning, Athena had seen a glimpse of George Klein in him, which stirred a mild curiosity—perhaps even a faint crush—but nothing deeper.
That ended when Baxter humiliated her, all because of Byron. That act extinguished whatever fleeting feelings she’d once had.
Now, Baxter had even dragged Evie into this mess.
Whatever his motives were, Athena was done with him for good.
“Yesterday you said you were moving out… were you planning to go back to his place?” Evie asked cautiously.
“I’m moving back to my old apartment,” Athena replied. “He doesn’t live there.”
Just then, her phone rang. She pulled it out and checked the screen. Her expression darkened slightly.
“Mrs. Lola Crawford,” she murmured.
Evie looked stunned. “Byron’s mother?”
Without addressing Evie’s reaction, Athena answered the call. “Mrs. Lola Crawford.”
“Miss Newton, are you available?” came Lola’s cold voice.
“Yes. What can I do for you?”
“Madam Crawford is causing quite a stir. She insists on seeing you,” Lola replied bluntly. “If you’re free, you should come over.”
Athena had never cared much for the Crawford family. Given her background, none of them had ever treated her kindly—except perhaps for Alivia. Athena had cared for the old woman just once, yet somehow, Alivia remembered her fondly.
“I’ll be there soon,” Athena said simply, preparing to hang up.
But Lola spoke again. “Miss Newton, did you meet Heather last night?”
“Yes,” Athena answered.
“What did you think of her?”
“She’s very beautiful. Warm and easy to talk to,” Athena replied.
“Don’t mistake gentleness for weakness,” Lola said with a knowing smile. “She’s the youngest daughter of the Ross family. Her parents and brothers are fiercely protective. They don’t take kindly to anyone who tries to hurt her.”
Athena took a deep breath, her voice steady. “Mrs. Crawford, there’s no need to circle around the point. You’re threatening me. You want me to leave your son.”
On the other end of the line, silence fell. Even without seeing her face, Athena could feel Lola’s surprise.
Athena had always been composed, even submissive—never reacting, no matter how sharply Lola had spoken in the past.
But this time, she wasn’t backing down.
“I’m aware of the situation,” Lola snapped after a beat. “It’s you who doesn’t understand!”
“Really?” Athena let out a soft, bitter laugh. “Then you must know I resigned and left Girard City. Your son used my friends and relatives to force me to come back. Are you aware of that?”