Chapter 116 Not Sharing a Man
Lola’s face drained of color, her pride and self-assurance crumbling as she stood before Athena. Born into nobility, she had married into a wealthy family at a young age, accustomed to being treated with the utmost respect. Never before had anyone dared to insult her like this. Her hand trembled as she pointed at Athena, her voice shaking with fury.
“You…” Lola’s words faltered as her anger burned hot, unable to fully grasp the audacity of the situation.
Athena’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and unwavering. “Let me ask you one last time. Did anyone acknowledge it?” she demanded, her gaze unyielding as she stood her ground.
Before Lola could respond, Heather stepped in, trying to calm the rising storm. “Miss Newton, calm down,” she said, her tone laced with concern but also a touch of confusion. “I understand you’ve been wronged, and this incident didn’t cause any harm to Madam Crawford. Perhaps…”
Athena didn’t even spare Heather a glance. Her eyes remained locked on Lola, her expression cold and calculating. “It’s not you who has been wronged, and it’s not you who almost got hurt. So don’t be so concerned.”
Heather’s face flushed with frustration as her eyes welled up. She turned to Byron, her silent plea for support evident, but he remained as indifferent as ever, showing no sign of stepping in to stop Athena. His cold demeanor only deepened Heather’s confusion. She couldn’t understand why he was so aloof, especially now that the truth was being exposed.
Heather clenched her teeth, the frustration welling up inside her. Byron had always been shrewd, always calculating. It was clear to her now that he was well aware that his mother was behind today’s events. Yet he chose to remain silent. Could it be that Athena had become so important to him that he was willing to overlook his own mother’s actions? Or was there something more at play?
Lola’s gaze flickered as she watched the drama unfold. She realized that Athena would not back down easily—her strength and resolve were unexpected, and it rattled Lola. This wasn’t the same woman she had underestimated before. Athena wasn’t just some lowly figure; she was a force to be reckoned with.
Lola turned her attention to the aristocratic woman standing beside her. The woman’s face was ashen, her body trembling. Before anyone could react, the woman raised her hand, her voice barely a whisper. “It was me…”
The room fell into stunned silence. All eyes turned toward her.
Karen, sensing an opportunity, snapped, “It’s you? You troublemaker! You almost caused harm to Madam Crawford because of the misunderstanding! I wouldn’t have targeted her like this if it weren’t for you, you heartless, malicious creature!”
Lola, seeing the unexpected turn of events, couldn’t help but smile. She had never been one to handle such situations herself, preferring to let others do the dirty work. Perhaps this woman was meant to be a scapegoat, a pawn to take the fall for her actions.
“Very well,” Lola said, her smile cold and calculating. “Mr. Crawford, I’ve proven that I’ve been wronged. From now on, this is your family’s matter. You can handle it yourself.”
Athena, her gaze still unwavering, turned to Byron. “I’m leaving,” she said simply, knowing that the situation had reached its peak. She had done her part—now it was up to Byron and his family to handle the fallout.
As she made her way toward the garage, the weight of the entire confrontation seemed to lift from her shoulders. But just as she reached the car, a voice called out to her from behind.
“Athena,” Heather’s voice reached her ears, and she turned to see Heather standing a few steps away. The expression on her face was strangely composed, but there was a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Athena’s tone was cool and indifferent as she responded. “Do you need anything?”
Heather’s smile remained faint, but there was something more calculating in her eyes now. “Miss Newton, Byron told me about your relationship,” she said, her words dripping with a subtle insinuation.
Athena frowned slightly, her patience thinning. “So what?” she asked, her voice steady but with an edge of caution.
Heather’s smile widened, though there was no warmth in it. “Don’t worry. I’m not a petty person. From now on, let’s take good care of Byron together.”
A sick feeling churned in Athena’s stomach. The words that had come from Heather’s lips felt like a slow poison, and Athena could barely hold back the disgust that rose within her. Without thinking, she turned her face away and vomited.
“I’m sorry,” Athena murmured, her stomach twisting in revulsion. “Hearing those words is truly disgusting. Whether you genuinely feel that way or if you’re trying to test me, let me give you a firm answer. I don’t share a man with anyone. It’s too revolting.”
The finality in Athena’s voice sent a shiver through Heather. For a brief moment, Athena saw Heather’s mask crack—just enough to show the flicker of something far darker beneath the surface.
Without another word, Athena turned and got into the car, her heart racing. As the engine roared to life and she drove away, a strange sense of liberation washed over her. The battle for respect had been fought, and she had won. But the war was far from over, and the Crawford family’s web of lies was only beginning to unravel.