Chapter 118 Make Good Use
Heather’s shock was evident, and she quickly masked it with a calm facade, trying to steady herself. “What?” Jones exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief. “There are billions of dollars in assets involved here. Did he really say that? A secretary isn’t worth that much money!”
“Yes. He just said that…” Heather murmured, her eyes lowering, a quiet storm brewing beneath her calm exterior.
Jones continued, his voice a mix of admiration and surprise. “We really underestimated Miss Newton! Today, she completely suppressed Lola, and Madam Crawford seems to like her too. She also holds a 21% stake in the Crawford family.”
Heather’s eyes narrowed in frustration. “Without all that, do you think Athena would treat her well?” she sneered. “Byron can’t see it. Athena is only after money. She doesn’t love him at all! The one who truly loves him, the one who understands him the most… is me.” Her voice quivered slightly, betraying the depth of her obsession.
Heather’s resolve solidified. “Athena has to be gone,” she said, the words dripping with certainty. She paused for a moment, then added, “Regardless of what Byron said, now that he’s warned me, I can’t afford to let my guard down.”
“Got it. I’ll make arrangements,” Jones replied, his voice steady and obedient, as always.
Heather breathed a sigh of relief, the tension in her body easing slightly. Then, almost absent-mindedly, she switched gears. “Oh, by the way, I saw Rose not long ago.”
Jones raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “The one involved in the oil business?”
“Yes,” Heather nodded. “I heard from my grandmother that Rose is dissatisfied with her descendants’ abilities and is secretly looking for a successor.”
“The Stella family’s bunch of idiots who drink, gamble, and party all day long are indeed useless!” Jones scoffed. “Especially her eldest son…”
Heather’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Rose not only has oil resources but also diamond and gemstone mines. Her shipping, military industry, and real estate businesses are all thriving.”
Jones, now catching the glint of ambition in Heather’s eyes, spoke carefully, “Miss Ross, are you suggesting…?”
Heather’s eyes gleamed with purpose. “With such a useful character, we must use her well.” She paused, her voice lowering, the weight of her ambition settling in. “Byron’s connection to the Stella family will solidify his ties to me. Together, we can make sure he’s firmly bound to my side.”
Jones nodded, understanding the significance of what Heather was implying. He had always known Heather’s obsession with Byron, but now it seemed like it had escalated into something deeper. Something more dangerous.
Inside the car, Athena sat silently, pulling the collar of her coat up to shield her face. The only part of her visible were her eyes, sharp and filled with simmering frustration. Her body language screamed irritation, but there was something else beneath the surface—an exhaustion that she couldn’t shake.
Byron’s voice broke the silence. “Still angry?”
“I’m furious,” Athena replied coldly, her voice tight with restrained emotion.
Byron’s tone softened, as if trying to soothe her. “Athena, she’s still my mother…”
Athena let out a long, exasperated sigh. “Did I say anything wrong?” she shot back, her words cutting the air between them like a blade. But Byron, ever the strategist, avoided the confrontation, his voice becoming more casual.
“What do you want to eat?” he asked, his voice a little lighter.
Athena’s irritability seemed to ease at the mention of food, her focus shifting. She absentmindedly stroked her belly, the gesture softening her features. “What about hot food?” she murmured, the idea bringing some comfort. Her mind wandered for a moment, allowing her to forget the chaos of the day.
Byron’s lips curled into a faint smile, but the moment was interrupted by the ring of Athena’s phone. She glanced at it, her expression remaining unchanged. The caller ID displayed Gabe’s name.
Without hesitation, Athena reached for the phone and hung up. Byron, still watching her closely, raised an eyebrow. “Not answering?”
Athena shrugged nonchalantly, her voice smooth. “It’s not the first time he’s called. I always hang up on him,” she lied, her tone even, betraying no sign of guilt.
Byron’s eyes flickered with some doubt, but he chose not to press further. Instead, a hint of amusement crept into his expression. His tone was a little warmer, his suspicion tempered by the small shift in their dynamic.
As they continued their drive, the weight of their respective secrets lingered in the air, both of them masking their true feelings behind carefully constructed facades. Athena’s unease, though hidden, was palpable—especially as she kept thinking about what Heather might do next.
And for Byron, though he seemed content in the moment, a knot of confusion and curiosity had begun to form in his mind. What game were Heather and Athena really playing?