Chapter 153 Justifiable Defense
Lola had been spiraling into desperation lately.
She had given birth to such a promising son—her pride and joy. Yet now, that very son had turned against her… all for a substitute!
And to make things worse, her influence in the Crawford Group was unraveling. One position after another had been stripped from her, and even the subordinates she’d once trusted were being targeted or replaced.
Bang!
A newspaper—that morning’s edition of the Financial Daily—slammed hard on Byron’s desk.
“Did you set up David?” Lola demanded, fury flashing in her eyes. “He watched you grow up! He worked under your mother for thirty years! Even if you want to get rid of someone from my side, you didn’t have to use such an extreme method!”
Byron’s gaze dropped to the headline briefly, then returned to her with his usual calm.
“He did those things himself. He got caught. It’s that simple,” he said flatly.
“Got caught?” Lola let out a bitter laugh. “When I went to get him out, they refused bail! I did some digging. Someone anonymously handed the police a pile of photos and videos. Evidence, Byron! No matter how much money I throw at it, David can’t escape this time!”
“Photos and videos?” Byron mused.
His thoughts drifted to Athena—more specifically, to her hacker friend Logan. So, she’d taken action on her own.
Still, Byron had made his own moves too. The reports filed to the authorities by two employees had been orchestrated by him from behind the scenes.
“Don’t pretend this had nothing to do with you,” Lola accused. “And don’t think I haven’t figured it out. This is all because he said something about Athena in that meeting a few days ago.”
She practically spat Athena’s name.
Lola could hardly believe it—her son, the same man who had once gone to pieces over Freya, was now ten times more unhinged over this woman!
Byron met her eyes with unshakable calm.
“Mom, I didn’t force David to harass women or blackmail subordinates,” he said evenly. “You’re a woman. Shouldn’t you feel some satisfaction that a man like him finally faced consequences?”
Outside the office door, Athena stood still.
She had been about to enter but stopped in her tracks, having overheard Byron’s words.
She pursed her lips, unable to keep the smile from spreading across her face.
Turning slightly, she met Liam’s wide-eyed gaze and made a subtle gesture for everyone in the Office of the President to stay calm and get back to work.
She couldn’t help it.
In the art of infuriating people while sounding reasonable, Byron was a master.
A few minutes passed.
Then came the sound of stilettos—sharp and fast.
Lola stormed out of Byron’s office, her face dark with rage.
Athena had no luck dodging her this time. She was heading back to her office when— “Wait!”
Lola’s sharp voice rang through the hallway.
Athena paused, sighing softly before turning back with her signature professional smile.
“Mrs. Lola Crawford, is there something I can help you with?”
Lola marched straight toward her, her eyes blazing with hatred.
Suddenly, she raised her hand—aiming to slap Athena across the face.
The nearby staff gasped audibly.
“Miss Newton!”
“Oh my God—” But before the slap could land, Athena’s hand shot up like lightning and caught Lola’s wrist mid-air.
Lola’s face froze in shock.
“You—!”
Athena didn’t even flinch. Her grip tightened slightly as she pushed Lola’s hand away with force.
“Mrs. Lola Crawford, please show some respect,” Athena said in a low, firm voice. “I work at Imbe Group. I wasn’t sold here like a servant. What gives you the right to slap me?”
Lola stumbled a step back from the push, nearly losing her balance.
Just then, Byron rushed out of his office, having heard the commotion.
“Mom!”
He strode over in fury.
“She hit me!” Lola immediately cried out, her voice trembling with emotion. She pointed at Athena like she was the villain. “Byron! I’m your mother. How can you just stand there and let her bully me like this?”
Byron’s eyes shifted to Athena, who stood silently, arms at her side, her expression blank.
It was clearly self-defense.
What was she supposed to do—stand there and get slapped?
Byron’s jaw tensed, then he stepped in front of Athena protectively and looked at Lola coldly.
“Mom,” he said slowly, “have you already forgotten what I told you that night at the care home?”
Lola froze.
Her whole body stiffened visibly.
Of course she remembered.
That night, Byron’s warning had been ruthless—so cold, so absolute, that it had sent chills down her spine. A line had been drawn, and crossing it meant consequences.
And today, she had crossed it again.