Chapter 144 Be Molested by Erik
Erik’s smile faltered for a split second as Athena’s words hit him with unexpected sharpness. He looked at her, his blue eyes narrowing slightly, as if trying to read the meaning behind her casual dismissal. Most women would have been flattered by his attention, but Athena’s cool detachment only seemed to stir a deeper sense of frustration in him.
“You know,” he said, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice, “You might be the first woman who’s turned me down like that. It’s a shame. I always thought you were different.”
Athena pulled her hand away from his grip, her expression unfazed. “You’re not as charming as you think, Mr. Lawson. Maybe you should get used to hearing ‘no’ from women who have more self-respect than to entertain someone like you.”
Erik stepped back slightly, his mouth curling into a smirk. “Ouch. But you’re wrong, Miss Newton. I’m offering you an opportunity most women would die for. You think you’re too good for me? Interesting.”
Athena didn’t flinch. “Opportunities aren’t worth much when they come with strings attached. Besides, I don’t need you or anyone else to tell me what I should do with my life.”
She turned to walk away, but Erik’s voice stopped her. “I wonder, Miss Newton, how long you’ll be able to stay in your little fantasy world where you call the shots. We all have to answer to someone eventually. Don’t forget that.”
She didn’t respond, but his words echoed in her mind as she made her way down the hallway, her steps steady and purposeful. Erik’s arrogance was something she had encountered too many times in the business world, but this felt different. He had crossed a line, one that Athena wasn’t willing to tolerate. His offer had been more than an invitation—it had been a test, a way of seeing how much he could manipulate her. And she had passed.
As Athena reached the elevator, she exhaled deeply, trying to shake off the uncomfortable exchange. She wasn’t about to let Erik or anyone else dictate her path. Her focus remained on her own ambitions, the quiet, steady work that would propel her forward. Whether it was with Rose’s guidance or through her own hard work, Athena knew that she would make her own decisions.
At the dinner table later, Athena sat back in her seat, her mind clearer than before. She couldn’t let herself get distracted by petty offers or superficial alliances. She had come this far by relying on her own abilities, and that was the way it was going to stay.
Byron, sitting beside her, hadn’t noticed the encounter in the hallway, nor did he seem interested in what had transpired. He was too absorbed in his own thoughts, his gaze occasionally flicking to Heather, who sat on the other side of the room, looking ever so composed but with a subtle tension in her posture.
It was clear that the dynamics between them were shifting, and Athena knew that the next steps she took—whether with Byron, Rose, or someone else—would have far-reaching consequences. For now, she would stay true to herself, focusing on her work and the quiet, powerful path she had started to carve out.
But the idea of an alliance with Rose lingered in the back of her mind, tempting her with the possibility of something greater. She wasn’t ready to make any decisions yet, but one thing was certain: Athena would no longer be anyone’s pawn.