Chapter 140 Be Given a Hard Time
Athena stood in front of the large machine, her mind racing as she quickly recalled the information she had memorized during her time working at Crawford Group. She could feel Erik’s eyes on her, watching her every move with the intent to catch her off guard, but she wasn’t going to let him succeed. Her response was calm and confident as she turned to face him.
“Mr. Lawson,” Athena began, her voice steady, “This is a high-efficiency catalytic reactor. It plays a critical role in energy production, particularly in renewable sources. The principle behind it is based on optimizing the conversion of raw materials through a series of chemical processes that involve high-pressure conditions to increase output efficiency.” She paused, then continued, “It’s one of the core machines that will be crucial for the success of the new energy division.”
Erik’s smile faltered for a split second, and Athena could see the shift in his demeanor. He had expected her to stumble or fumble her words, but instead, she had delivered the information effortlessly.
“Impressive,” Erik said, though the edge in his voice made it clear he wasn’t ready to back down. “Seems you’ve done your homework after all.”
Athena didn’t respond immediately. She simply gave him a small smile, one that was polite but carried no warmth. It was a subtle victory, but a victory nonetheless. She knew she had just turned the tables, showing everyone—including Erik—that she wasn’t the clueless woman he had hoped her to be.
Byron, who had been watching the exchange closely, felt a strange mix of admiration and something else he couldn’t quite place. He had expected Athena to struggle under the pressure, but she had handled the situation with poise, just as she always did when faced with a challenge. He couldn’t deny that her intelligence and strength were qualities he respected, even if he didn’t always show it.
As Athena finished speaking, she glanced over at Byron. His eyes met hers briefly, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of something—something softer in his gaze—but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. He quickly turned his attention back to the Ross family executives, but Athena wasn’t fooled. She knew he had noticed her response.
Erik, clearly not pleased with how things had turned out, cleared his throat and turned the conversation to another topic, trying to regain control of the situation. “Well, it’s good to know you’re knowledgeable about the equipment,” he said, his tone still laced with subtle malice. “I suppose Mr. Crawford trusts you more than I thought.”
“Trust is something that’s earned, not given,” Athena replied coolly, not backing down. “And Mr. Crawford’s trust in me isn’t for you to question.”
The sharpness in her voice wasn’t lost on anyone. A few of the executives exchanged glances, clearly impressed by her composure. Even Heather, who had been standing by Byron’s side, seemed to tense ever so slightly, her eyes narrowing in Athena’s direction. It was clear that the dynamic between all of them was shifting, and Athena was no longer the invisible woman in the background.
As the group continued the tour, Athena remained detached, her thoughts swirling. She had already proven herself in front of Erik, but there was still the matter of Byron’s complicated feelings and the ever-present shadow of Heather looming over everything. Athena couldn’t ignore the fact that no matter how much she had learned, how hard she worked, she was still trapped in a game where the rules were constantly changing.
The rest of the tour passed in a blur, and by the time they were heading back to the Crawford Group’s headquarters, Athena felt emotionally drained. She kept her distance from Byron, her thoughts heavy with everything that had transpired. She knew she couldn’t let herself get too caught up in whatever Byron was feeling or whatever game Heather was playing. But at the same time, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the stakes had just been raised.
Byron, for his part, didn’t speak to Athena during the drive back. His mind was preoccupied with the developments of the day—Erik’s subtle attacks on Athena, her unexpected display of competence, and the strange sense of pride he felt at seeing her hold her ground. He couldn’t quite figure out what he was feeling, but one thing was clear: things were changing. And whether he liked it or not, those changes were happening fast.