Chapter 122 You Don’t Care about Her!
Byron’s expression had turned progressively colder with each passing moment. His frustration was palpable as he responded to Rose’s sharp words.
“I’ll handle it well,” he said, his voice low and controlled.
Rose let out a dismissive snort, clearly unconvinced. She stood up and made a pointed remark. “Can you handle it well? What about the slap marks on her face?”
Byron’s face twitched slightly, and his gaze fell to Athena’s reddened, swollen face. He hadn’t noticed it until now, and it hit him like a cold splash of water. His protective instincts flared, but Rose had already been too quick to call attention to it.
Rose’s voice was bitter. “Hump, anyway, you don’t care if she is good or not! Jaxson, don’t eat. Let’s go.”
Jaxson, ever obedient, followed Rose out without protest. Byron stood motionless for a moment, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. He was embarrassed—embarrassed by Rose’s bluntness and the way things had spiraled out of control.
At the checkout counter, Athena paid the bill. Her movements were graceful, yet there was a noticeable stiffness to her demeanor. She turned around to return to the private room but was suddenly jolted when she bumped into someone.
“Sorry, I didn’t notice…” she muttered.
But when she looked up, her breath caught in her throat. There, standing before her, was Gideon. Both of them froze, momentarily stunned by the unexpected encounter.
Gideon, quick to recover, reached out and pinched Athena’s chin, tilting her head to the side with a concerned frown.
“How did you get the slap marks on your face?” he asked, his voice heavy with worry.
Athena recoiled from his touch, hastily pushing his hand away. “Mr. Hale, Salin City…” she began, but she cut herself off, her thoughts racing. She didn’t want to explain, not to him, not now.
Gideon seemed to catch on quickly, his brow furrowing in thought. “Byron changed me,” he muttered, as if piecing things together. He hesitated for a moment before asking, “Who slapped you? Could it be…?”
Athena, feeling her patience wearing thin, snapped, “It’s none of your business, right?”
She could hardly understand why Gideon was acting so familiar with her all of a sudden. Was it because of their previous encounters, or had something changed between them?
As the two exchanged tense words, Rose emerged from the private room, her gaze sharp as she saw Gideon blocking Athena. She immediately moved to Athena’s side, taking her hand in a protective gesture.
“Madam Stella?” Gideon’s voice held a mix of surprise and recognition.
“Do you know her?” Rose responded, her tone businesslike but with an undercurrent of something else—something Athena couldn’t quite place.
“Yes, I’ve just met her,” Rose answered, though her eyes turned cold. “I heard a lot about your romantic affairs at your grandfather’s funeral. Don’t get too close to Athena, and behave yourself!”
Athena’s eyebrows shot up in surprise at Rose’s blunt words, but she didn’t have time to process it before Rose, now firmly holding her hand, continued, “Let’s go. Don’t talk to him.”
Gideon stood there, dumbfounded, but he wasn’t one to back down so easily. He scrambled to follow them, muttering under his breath. “Madam Stella, you should be reasonable. I’ve always had normal relationships, nothing improper. Even if we broke up, it was mutual! I didn’t force anyone!”
Athena couldn’t help but chuckle at his persistence. There was something almost comical about how Gideon was rambling on, as though he were trying to justify his actions. She felt a little lighter, despite the tension in the air.
As the group made their way toward the door, Byron stepped out from the private room, his gaze falling on the scene before him. He noticed Gideon, and his mood soured instantly.
“What are you doing?” Byron’s voice was sharp, his expression dark.
Gideon, undeterred, responded quickly. “I’m asking her who slapped her.”
Byron’s lips pressed into a tight line. “What does this have to do with you?”
Athena, still feeling unsettled by the turn of events, decided to defuse the situation. “You guys take your time to quarrel,” she said, her voice light but carrying an edge of annoyance. “Madam Stella, there’s a dessert shop not far from here. The orange cake is really tasty. Shall I buy one for you?”
Rose smiled brightly, nodding in agreement. “Okay!”
Athena led the way toward the dessert shop, with the bewildered Jaxson trailing behind. Byron, however, had no intention of letting Athena and Rose stay alone, so he ignored Gideon entirely and followed them.
Unexpectedly, Gideon wasn’t ready to give up just yet. He followed after them, his voice carrying through the space between them. “Byron, don’t be angry with me. What do you mean now? Are you planning to pull Miss Newton into doom?”
Byron’s eyes narrowed as he turned toward Gideon, his voice low and threatening. “Stay out of it, Hale.”
Athena, walking a few paces ahead, could feel the tension radiating between the two men. A part of her wanted to turn around, to address everything that had been said, but another part of her just wanted to enjoy the moment of peace with Rose.