Chapter 105 You Shut Up!
“Liam, have you checked the surveillance footage?” Athena’s voice was calm, but her eyes held a sharp edge.
Liam looked uncomfortable. “Mr. Crawford ordered me to check right away. But the hospital said that during the time of the incident… the entire surveillance system was under maintenance. It was upgrading.”
Athena’s gaze darkened. “How convenient.”
Before Liam could respond, a voice rang out behind them.
“What surveillance are you talking about?”
A middle-aged woman strolled out of the ward, arms crossed. The massive diamond ring on her finger sparkled with a cold, blinding light. Athena had to squint.
She didn’t recognize this woman.
And Athena knew everyone in the Crawford family—even the distant relatives Byron rarely dealt with. She’d bought gifts for them during holidays on Byron’s behalf. This woman wasn’t among them.
Which could only mean one thing—Byron didn’t like her.
“That’s right. Your negligence almost killed Madam Crawford. You can’t deny that!” another voice snapped.
Athena didn’t even need to look. It was Karen Moore—Byron’s aunt. Her husband ran coal mines. Her mouth ran even more aggressively.
“First,” Athena said coolly, “Madam Crawford wasn’t injured—she was frightened. Second, until you can prove it was my negligence and not a setup, don’t rush to judge.”
“You dare talk back?” Lola seethed. “Byron, look at her! Look how arrogant she’s become! She dares disrespect elders now. Today it’s your grandma. Who’ll be next?”
“Enough. Go back. I’ll handle it,” Byron said, his tone like ice.
“No!”
Two voices rang out in unison—Lola’s and Athena’s.
The air went still.
Even Byron’s expression flickered for a moment.
Heather, who had been silent so far, suddenly spoke in a soft, composed tone. “Mom, I heard from the servants that Miss Newton has always treated Grandma well. Grandma likes her very much. Yes, she made a mistake, but she clearly didn’t mean to. Let Byron handle it.”
Athena turned her gaze toward Heather—flat, cold, unflinching.
Was that concern… or calculation?
She cloaked it well, but Athena could hear the verdict buried in Heather’s sugar-coated words.
“She made a mistake.”
So it was still Athena’s fault in the end.
Yes, maybe she should never have left Madam Crawford alone to pick up a ball. But what if that entire situation had been designed—manufactured—to make her leave?
Then it wasn’t negligence. It was attempted murder.
“Miss Ross,” Karen cut in with a sly smile, “don’t be too quick to defend her. As far as I know, Miss Newton isn’t just Byron’s secretary.”
Heather’s face paled. “Karen…”
“Enough,” Athena snapped, her voice like a whip.
Even Byron’s brow twitched in surprise.
“Whether or not you want to drop this, I won’t,” Athena said, stepping forward.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lola sneered.
Byron moved instinctively. “Thea, what are you doing?”
“Nothing irrational,” Athena said firmly. “I’m simply going to find out the truth. If someone wants to frame me, fine. Let them try. But if they dare put Madam Crawford’s life on the line to do it…” her voice sharpened, “then I will get to the bottom of it.”
The conviction in her words was unwavering.
Her fire silenced the corridor.
Byron’s jaw tightened. “You think someone did this on purpose?”
Athena met his eyes directly. “Don’t you?”
Karen scoffed. “It’s obvious she knows she’s in trouble and wants to deflect. She’s hoping to throw someone else under the bus.”
“You shut up.”
Byron’s glare landed squarely on Karen.
He was done.