Chapter 39 Athena Represents the CEO
Carlos’ thoughts were a stark contrast to the professional environment around him. He couldn’t help but admire Athena’s beauty, but his fixation on her began to shift into something more inappropriate. He had no idea, however, that Athena’s calm demeanor was masking a sharp mind that was far more dangerous than he realized.
As the villagers continued to make noise, demanding the outrageous sum of $200 million, Athena remained unfazed, her eyes sharp as ever. She had a plan, and she wasn’t about to let these petty attempts at blackmail rattle her. It wasn’t just about the project—this was about setting a precedent.
Carlos, growing impatient at the lack of response, couldn’t contain himself any longer. He leaned toward Athena and Gideon, his voice tinged with irritation. “Mr. Hale, Miss Newton, if you’re not satisfied with their offer, we at least need to communicate with them! This silence is only making things worse.”
Athena’s gaze remained steady on him, but her lips curled into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Just wait, Mr. Butler,” she said coolly, dismissing him with a single sentence. “It’s not a matter of being satisfied. It’s about understanding what we’re truly dealing with.”
Her words hung in the air, and the tension in the room shifted slightly. It wasn’t just about the money. She had a way of making even the most aggressive people pause and think twice. The villagers, now a bit wary, exchanged uncertain glances as their earlier uproar faded into uneasy murmurs.
The leading man, who had been the most vocal, cleared his throat, trying to regain his authority. “We’re giving you a generous offer. We’re saving you from losing more than a billion dollars—this is a fair deal.”
Athena, still seated with an air of composure, leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed on the man. “Generous?” she asked, her tone cutting through the tension. “You’re asking for 200 million dollars to move graves. This isn’t about generosity, this is about extortion. You think you can scare us into paying you?”
Her words were met with a moment of silence, and Athena’s gaze swept over the room, locking eyes with the villagers. “You think 200 million dollars is reasonable for something that’s legally ours? That’s a small fortune, and you have no claim to it.”
The leading man, trying to salvage his position, opened his mouth to respond, but Athena raised her hand, stopping him before he could speak. “I’ll make this simple,” she continued, her voice steady and unwavering. “You want compensation? Fine. But it won’t be $200 million. I’ll offer you a deal: $50 million, and we can consider this matter closed. That’s my final offer.”
The villagers, caught off guard, exchanged confused glances. The amount was far lower than what they had demanded, and they hadn’t anticipated being put in this position. Their initial bravado started to falter.
Gideon, who had been quietly observing, smirked slightly. He knew Athena was good at negotiating, but even he hadn’t expected her to take such a firm stand. Carlos, however, was visibly stunned. He had expected them to cave to the demands, but Athena was turning the tables on them.
“You’re mad!” the man shouted, his face reddening with frustration. “$50 million is nothing compared to what we deserve! We’re not leaving here without a proper settlement!”
Athena’s expression remained unchanged. “You’ll take the $50 million, or we’ll walk away and leave you with nothing. We don’t negotiate with extortionists, and I’m done entertaining this ridiculous request.”
Carlos, unable to hold back his frustration, finally spoke up. “Miss Newton, this is getting out of hand. We need to find a way to make peace with them, or the project will be delayed indefinitely!”
Athena looked at him, her eyes sharp. “You’re concerned about the delay? You should be concerned about making the right decision. And right now, that decision is to not let these people walk all over us.”
For a moment, the room fell into a heavy silence. The villagers, who had expected an easy victory, found themselves caught between their greed and the reality of the situation. They had no choice but to consider Athena’s offer.
Finally, the leading man spat, his face twisted in anger. “Fine. We’ll take your $50 million, but don’t think we’ll forget this!”
Athena nodded. “Good. I’ll have the paperwork drawn up.” She stood up, signaling the end of the discussion.
As the villagers reluctantly accepted the deal, Carlos watched in disbelief. He had no idea that Athena had it in her to handle a situation like this with such poise and authority.
Gideon leaned in slightly, his voice low but full of admiration. “You handled that well, Miss Newton. They didn’t stand a chance.”
Athena gave him a small, knowing smile. “It’s all part of the job, Mr. Hale.”
But Carlos, still stewing in his frustration, couldn’t help but feel a simmering resentment toward Athena. He had never expected to be outmaneuvered by her—especially not by a woman in her position. The seeds of jealousy were planted, and they wouldn’t be easily forgotten.
As the group left the conference room, Carlos’ mind raced. He was still furious, but Athena’s sharpness had left an impression on him—one that he couldn’t easily shake. And as much as he hated to admit it, he was beginning to respect her more than he cared to. But that didn’t mean he was ready to give up on his intentions.