Chapter 287 Obsessed With Looks
Athena’s assistant looked up from the reports, clearly caught off guard by the sudden shift in the conversation. “Imbe Group? I’m not sure, but they’ve recently taken a significant interest in the same sector. Their name has appeared several times in relation to the project, but I assumed it was just a coincidence,” he replied, his tone cautious.
Athena’s brow furrowed further. She hadn’t expected Imbe Group’s involvement, especially not now. She quickly scanned through the report, her eyes locking onto the section mentioning Imbe Group’s potential investment in the project.
“I see,” Athena murmured, her mind racing. Byron Crawford’s name loomed in her thoughts, uninvited and persistent. It was only natural that his company would have some sort of stake in the venture, but Athena couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that it wasn’t just a coincidence. Byron had always been calculated, precise, and relentless in his business dealings.
“Who else is involved in this?” she asked, her voice sharper than before.
The assistant quickly shuffled through the papers and tapped a section on his tablet. “Aside from Imbe Group, there’s mention of a few other minor players, but Imbe is clearly taking the lead. They’ve even proposed a partnership to share some of the resources on a few key projects. It’s a bit unconventional, though, given their primary focus on energy.”
Athena paused, absorbing the information. She couldn’t ignore the fact that the Imbe Group’s sudden involvement was far from coincidental. The timing felt too deliberate, almost as if it were intended to get her attention.
Her thoughts turned back to Mia’s innocent comments earlier, the mention of a “handsome gentleman” who had treated her to food. Could it be that Byron’s presence was connected to this new development? Was he trying to edge into her life, her work, and even her personal space under the guise of business?
She quickly dismissed the thought. She couldn’t let personal matters cloud her judgment. She had a business to run. However, the prospect of working with Byron again, especially under the same roof, stirred a deep discomfort in her.
“Set up a meeting with the Imbe Group team. I want to know exactly what they’re planning and why they think this project is worth their involvement,” Athena said firmly, her voice resolute.
The assistant nodded quickly, sensing the urgency in her tone. “Understood. I’ll schedule it right away.”
As the assistant left to carry out the orders, Athena sat back, her mind still racing. The familiar ache in her chest returned as she thought about Byron, about the past, about the tangled emotions that still seemed to bind them despite everything. She couldn’t deny that he had a way of inserting himself into her life when she least expected it. But she was determined to keep things strictly professional this time.
When the meeting was finally set, Athena prepared herself for whatever was to come. She couldn’t allow her personal feelings to distract her from the business at hand, no matter how much Byron might have the ability to stir old memories and emotions.
Meanwhile, Evie and the kids returned from their walk, and the house felt quieter without the sounds of their bickering and laughter. Athena greeted them, though her thoughts were still preoccupied.
“How was the walk?” Athena asked, her tone casual, but her eyes betraying a hint of distraction.
Evie smiled. “It was good. Mia almost got us lost at the park, but Aiden saved the day with his impeccable sense of direction.”
Mia pouted slightly at her mother, as if pleading her case. “I tried to find the swings!” she said with an exaggerated pout, hoping to soften Athena’s stern gaze.
Aiden, ever the quieter one, gave her a small, knowing smile. “We got there, didn’t we?”
Athena smiled faintly, though her mind was far from the playful banter happening in front of her. “I’m glad you had fun,” she said, her voice warm, but her mind was still spinning from the news about Imbe Group.
Evie took note of her friend’s distracted demeanor but decided not to press. Athena was always so focused, so driven, that sometimes it was hard to get her to fully let go and enjoy the moment. But Evie could tell that something was bothering her.
“Everything okay?” Evie asked gently, her tone softer than before.
Athena’s gaze shifted towards her, then back to the window, where the city lights flickered in the distance. “Yeah, just… a few things on my mind,” she replied, her voice quieter now. “Business stuff. But I’m handling it.”
Evie didn’t press any further, knowing that when Athena said she was handling something, she meant it. Still, there was a quiet unease in the air, and Evie wondered if it had anything to do with the familiar name that had come up in their conversation earlier—Byron Crawford.
For now, Evie let the silence linger, knowing that her friend would speak when she was ready. Meanwhile, Mia and Aiden continued to discuss the park and their adventures, completely unaware of the tension in the room.
But Athena’s thoughts remained clouded by the looming presence of Byron Crawford and the inevitable meeting with Imbe Group that was about to change everything.