Chapter 49 She Blocked Byron’s
Juliana was in the middle of her drink when Athena’s call came through. Athena didn’t say much—just transferred some money to Juliana and asked her to treat those who had helped them.
After ending the call, Athena began packing her things, moving slowly, methodically. As she sorted through her clothes from yesterday, a diamond cufflink fell out. Athena froze for a moment, staring at it in her palm.
She remembered the moment clearly—a business trip to Switzerland with Byron last year. They had been in a designer store when she first saw the cufflink. She’d fallen in love with it instantly, even though it was expensive. Without thinking twice, she spent two months’ worth of salary on it.
Looking at the cufflink now, she couldn’t help but laugh at herself. It seemed ridiculous, a gift she couldn’t even bring herself to give. She knew her place too well to ever dare offer it to him. When they returned from Switzerland, Byron had spent the night with her. The next morning, she’d quietly pinned the cufflink to his suit without a word.
“I’ll take you, too.”
Athena gripped the cufflink tightly, her palm tingling as the sharp edges pressed into her skin.
She finished packing, checked out of the hotel, and ordered a light but nutritious meal at the restaurant. She had barely begun eating when the group chat named Miserable Office of the President buzzed with activity.
Gordon: “It’s said Mr. Crawford will officially announce his engagement tomorrow!” Lucky: “Mr. Crawford hasn’t come to the company in days. Rumor has it, he’s been with his fiancée, picking out wedding dresses!” Zander: “Did you see the wedding ring? Overseas bloggers are posting about it! Mr. Crawford ordered a massive diamond ring for his fiancée!”
Zander followed up with two pictures of the ring.
Gordon: “What a huge diamond!” Lucky: “You’re so shallow!”
Athena looked at the photos of the massive diamond ring, then glanced down at the diamond cufflink in her hand. Her gift, the one she never dared to give, now seemed so small in comparison.
Just as she was about to put her phone away, a message from Byron popped up: Byron: “Get me off the blacklist.”
Athena stared at the message for a long moment, her mind spinning. She typed a reply: Athena: “Mr. Crawford, I’ve completed all the work related to the Salin City infrastructure project.” She hit send, then quickly followed up with another message: Athena: “I’ve forwarded all my work notes to Miss Holland. All my tasks have been handed over, and I won’t be returning to the company. As for the position of executive president, after careful consideration, I feel I am not suited for it. You should give the role to someone more capable.”
Before Byron could respond, Athena hung up the phone and immediately blocked his number. She turned off her phone and shoved it into her bag, then continued eating her meal, now growing cold.
Minutes later, her phone rang again. She picked it up without hesitation.
Driver: “Miss Newton, I’m the driver who will take you to the airport.”
Athena: “So early?” She glanced at the time—twenty minutes earlier than expected.
Driver: “I just dropped off another guest at the airport. If you’re not in a hurry, I can wait for you.” The man’s voice was honest, almost apologetic.
Athena thought about it for a moment. It didn’t really matter where she waited.
Athena: “No, I’m coming down now.”
Before leaving the hotel, Athena checked the car’s license plate number carefully to ensure it was the one she’d booked. When she was satisfied, she went down and got into the car. The driver loaded her suitcase into the trunk, and she took a seat in the back.
It was a long drive to the airport, over an hour on the highway. Athena was starting to relax when her phone rang again. It was Evie.
Evie confirmed the time her flight would land and asked if she could pick her up. She also vented about how annoying her new company was. Athena listened and comforted her with a soft smile.
While Evie continued to complain, Athena absentmindedly gazed out of the window. Her eyes caught the flashing sign of a loading dock in the distance, but her mind lingered elsewhere.