Chapter 159 Death
Byron’s voice was steady, but there was an underlying softness to it that Athena could detect. She felt a wave of mixed emotions crash over her, but she couldn’t let herself be distracted now. She had called him with a purpose, and she needed answers.
After a brief pause, she finally spoke. “Mr. Crawford… it’s late. I didn’t expect you to be up.”
Byron’s chuckle came through the phone, his voice warm. “You know me, Athena. I’m not one for resting early. Is everything alright?”
Athena hesitated, then decided to voice the question that had been gnawing at her. “I received a message from Evie tonight… she mentioned a project. She said Mr. Crawford highly recommended her. Was that you?”
Byron’s silence on the other end made Athena’s heart skip a beat. Was he going to deny it, or was there something more she needed to hear?
After a few seconds, he replied, his tone cautious but not defensive. “Yes, I recommended her. I thought it could be a good opportunity for her… and for the company.”
“I see,” Athena responded, trying to keep her voice neutral. “But why? You don’t usually do things like this unless there’s something in it for you.”
Byron let out a quiet sigh, as if he had been expecting this line of questioning. “I’m not doing this for myself, Athena. It’s not like that. I just thought she had potential, and that project could really help her grow.”
Athena didn’t know whether to believe him. Byron was a man of many layers, and while she had always trusted his intentions in the past, this felt different. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more going on beneath the surface.
“And George… why did you donate to him?” she asked, her voice laced with suspicion. “What are you really trying to do here?”
Byron’s voice softened, a note of sincerity threading through his words. “Athena, everything I’ve done has been for the right reasons. I’ve had my share of mistakes, but I’m trying to make things right. For you. For us.”
Athena felt a lump form in her throat. She couldn’t tell if he was being honest or if he was just saying what she wanted to hear. Her mind raced, but before she could say anything more, Byron spoke again, this time more firmly.
“Athena, I know things have been complicated, but I want to make sure you understand—I’m doing this because I care about you. No hidden agendas.”
She felt a mixture of warmth and coldness spread through her chest. Was he truly trying to make amends, or was there something else? She couldn’t fully trust him just yet.
“I don’t know what to believe anymore,” Athena said softly, her words barely above a whisper. “I need time to process all of this.”
Byron was quiet for a moment, as though considering his next words carefully. “Take all the time you need. Just know that I’m here when you’re ready to talk.”
Athena’s heart pounded in her chest. She wanted to believe him, but there were too many unanswered questions, too many doubts lingering in her mind. The path ahead felt uncertain, and though she wanted to trust him, she knew she had to be careful.
“Goodnight, Athena,” Byron said, his voice softer now, almost as if he was speaking to someone dear to him.
“Goodnight,” she replied, her voice barely audible.
As she ended the call, Athena leaned back against the cold fence, staring out into the night. The world seemed to grow quieter around her, but the questions swirling in her mind only intensified. What was Byron truly after? Was his care for her genuine, or was there something more sinister behind his actions? And what was the deal with that strange message from Herman before his death?
So many pieces of the puzzle were still missing, and Athena knew that she couldn’t rest until she had the answers she so desperately sought.