Chapter 162 Considerate Athena II
The room fell silent as the words hung in the air, and all eyes turned to Cato. His expression darkened, his jaw tightening in frustration. He looked around at the elderly relatives, who were now murmuring amongst themselves, clearly more interested in the future of the family business than in the emotions of the moment.
Athena could feel the tension build as she held onto Rose, who remained calm despite the chaos swirling around them. Athena noticed how Rose seemed to exude a quiet authority, even in the midst of this emotional turmoil. It was clear that Rose was not only grieving her loss but also grappling with the fractures in her family.
Cato glanced briefly at Athena and Rose, his eyes lingering on Athena for a fraction of a second before he turned to his relatives, his voice low but forceful. “Rose doesn’t need to choose anyone,” he said with a hint of arrogance. “She made her choice years ago, and that’s that. The family business will remain as it always has been — under the control of the eldest son.”
But the man who had spoken earlier didn’t seem convinced. “Cato, you need to wake up. The times are changing. Rose is looking for someone with strength, not just someone born into the family.”
The words struck a nerve, and Cato’s fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. “I’m the eldest son,” he repeated, but there was a sense of doubt creeping into his tone now. “That should be enough.”
The murmurs continued among the relatives, some of them seeming to agree with the outsider’s assessment, while others simply watched the drama unfold in silence.
Athena, still holding Rose’s hand, exchanged a brief glance with Jaxson, who was standing a few steps behind them, his expression stern. She could tell that Jaxson wasn’t just concerned for Rose’s well-being; he was also aware of the undercurrents of power and family politics at play.
“Let’s get out of here,” Athena said softly to Rose, trying to move the older woman away from the heated conversation. “You don’t need to deal with them anymore. They’re only here to stir trouble.”
Rose gave a small nod, still a bit shaken by the confrontation but grateful for Athena’s presence. She squeezed Athena’s hand in return, appreciating the quiet strength that the younger woman offered.
As they started to leave the room, Lien’s voice rang out again, venomous and sharp. “You don’t belong here, not with this family. You’ll never understand what it’s like to be in our shoes.”
But Rose, without missing a beat, turned to face her and spoke with a quiet authority that made everyone fall silent. “It is I who decides who belongs here and who doesn’t, Lien. Don’t forget that.”
Athena gave Rose a reassuring smile as they moved toward the door, and Jaxson followed closely behind, his gaze never leaving Cato or Lien. The tension was palpable, but it was clear that Athena’s presence, coupled with Rose’s unwavering sense of self, had shifted the power dynamic in the room.
As they stepped out into the hallway, Athena led Rose toward the cafeteria. “Let’s have something warm to eat, Madam Stella. It will help clear your mind,” Athena suggested gently.
Rose nodded again, her shoulders finally relaxing. “Thank you, Athena. You really are a considerate one.” She paused, looking out the window as they walked. “I thought I’d lost everything, but with you here, maybe there’s hope for this family after all.”
Athena gave a small, understanding smile. “There’s always hope, Madam Stella. Sometimes, it just takes time to see it.”
The two women walked on, with Jaxson trailing just behind, but Athena knew that the real battle was far from over. The family’s conflicts were far from resolved, but for now, she had helped Rose take a step toward healing. And that, at least, was a start.