Chapter 33 Lock Her Up
Gideon’s experiences with death threats were not new. Having been the subject of many during his time abroad due to his flirtatious nature and good looks, he’d become somewhat accustomed to them. But his first threat was unforgettable—a message from an underground organization in Yetaly that left him shaken for days. It was his family who took care of the matter, making sure everything was resolved before it escalated further.
As he sat with Athena, he couldn’t help but ask, “Have you ever been threatened with death before?”
Athena glanced at him as though he were asking the most obvious question. “Why are you asking this?”
“You’re too calm. Aren’t you afraid?” Gideon pressed.
Athena wasn’t fazed. “Will being afraid solve anything?” She packed her laptop into her bag and added, “Thanks for arranging the car, Mr. Hale. I’ll see you at the hotel at seven tomorrow morning.” And with that, she walked off.
Moments later, Byron called Gideon.
“Mr. Crawford, where are you? I’m waiting for you to pay the bill,” Gideon teased.
“I arranged some people for you,” Byron said coldly. “They’ll handle the bullies.”
“Wow,” Gideon replied, settling back into his chair, “You’re really active this time. But this isn’t really for me, is it?”
Byron’s voice was sharp. “Just spit it out if you have something to say.”
Gideon grinned. “Byron, what are you going to do? Are you seriously not letting Athena go?”
Byron’s response was firm, and to Gideon’s surprise, he answered, “Yeah.”
Gideon sat up straighter, his amusement fading. “What did you say?”
“I said you’re right. I won’t let Athena go.”
Gideon was taken aback. “Then what did Athena say?”
Byron’s response was cold and final. “It doesn’t matter what she says. I can lock her up if she disagrees.”
A chill ran down Gideon’s spine. “Are you insane because of missing Freya?”
Byron’s focus was elsewhere. Whether it was because of Freya or Athena, all he knew was that he wouldn’t let Athena go.
“Byron, that’s not cool. You can’t force Athena…”
“Mind your business,” Byron cut him off, and then hung up the phone.
Gideon couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Byron seemed to think that by keeping Athena, she would have a better life. But Gideon knew that forcing someone was never the answer.
Byron, on the other hand, convinced himself that Athena’s life would be better with him—safer and more secure. He could give her everything except marriage, but he believed he could ensure her happiness. He thought about it repeatedly and then decided to take action.
He made a phone call to those he had sent to Salin City. “Don’t make things too easy for Athena,” he instructed. “Let her encounter some setbacks. But remember, don’t let her get hurt.”
The people Byron had sent were confused. They had been sent to help Athena and Gideon, not to cause her trouble. They didn’t fully understand Byron’s reasoning, but they knew to follow his orders.
After hanging up, Byron felt a sense of satisfaction. He believed that once Athena faced some difficulties, she would realize how good it was to have him around. He also thought that he could take care of her, even involving her grandmother, whom Athena clearly missed. Once everything was over, he planned to bring her grandmother to Girard City and make Athena happy again.
That night, Byron arrived back in Girard City. The Ross family’s private hospital was quiet, the air heavy with the tension of the situation.
Inside the intensive care unit, Byron pushed open the door. Lola, seeing him, stood up quickly.
“Byron, you’re here!” Lola said, her voice laced with relief.
Heather was lying in the hospital bed, a blood-soaked gauze pad pressed to her forehead. Despite the injury, she was awake, looking no worse for wear apart from the blood that had seeped through the dressing.
Byron walked into the room, his expression unreadable as he observed Heather’s condition.