Chapter 257 Spreading Bad Rumors
Athena continued walking without breaking her stride, her thoughts a blur. She knew it was futile to argue with people who had already made up their minds. The moment her name was associated with Byron in the media, the narrative had shifted, and no matter how much truth was buried beneath the surface, it wouldn’t be enough to stop the gossip.
She could hear the men’s hushed voices behind her, but she refused to turn around. They were just like the rest—quick to judge, eager to stir the pot. Athena had become a pawn in a game she never wanted to play. The weight of the situation was settling into her chest, but she didn’t allow herself to show any sign of weakness. She had been through far worse than whispers and rumors.
As she stepped out into the cool evening air, Athena pulled her coat tighter around herself, wishing she could escape from everything for just a moment. The world seemed to spin faster than she could catch up. What had once been a quiet and straightforward life was now a constant barrage of attacks—attacks on her character, on her reputation, and on her choices.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her from her thoughts. She took it out and saw a message from Liam.
[Miss Newton, you should really talk to Mr. Crawford. He’s worried about you.]
Athena snorted softly. Byron, worried about her? The same man who had thrust her into the public eye, knowing full well what would happen? She couldn’t bring herself to respond, not when everything she had been dreading was unfolding before her eyes. The lines between them had blurred, and she was starting to feel more like a stranger in her own life.
She replied to Liam: [Tell Mr. Crawford I’m fine. I just need some space.]
She quickly locked her phone and shoved it back into her pocket, not wanting to deal with anything or anyone at the moment. Her steps quickened, her mind racing with a mixture of frustration and resignation. She knew this wasn’t over. Byron had made sure of that.
As she approached her car, a thought nagged at the back of her mind. Had Byron ever considered what she wanted in all of this? He had dragged her into this mess, but did he ever stop to ask her how she felt? She had been pulled into his world, forced to navigate a storm of media, business, and lies, with no regard for her own boundaries. She had given up so much already.
But it wasn’t just about Byron. The world had already made its judgment about her. She was the villain in a story that wasn’t hers. She had tried to keep her distance, to carve out a life for herself. But in the end, the chaos always found its way back to her.
Sighing, Athena climbed into her car and started the engine. There was no escape from the whirlwind Byron had created. Not yet, anyway. But she would find a way to regain control. She had to.
As she drove off, the headlights of the car cutting through the darkness, she tried not to think about what came next. One thing was certain: she couldn’t keep running from this. It was time to face it head-on.