Chapter 58 Passed Away
As they sat in the car, the radio crackled with the announcement of the Ross family’s latest engagement news.
“It is confirmed that Byron Crawford, president of Imbe Group, and Miss Ross of the Ross family will hold their engagement conference at the Imbe Group’s seven-star hotel at three o’clock this afternoon…”
Athena’s eyes glazed over as Juliana let out a playful laugh.
“These rich people really treat marriage like a business, huh? A whole conference just to announce their engagement. What’s next—an event for pregnancy, baby births, and then a grand divorce party?” Juliana joked, her tone light and carefree.
Athena managed a small smile. “Nah, they’ll probably stay together. They’re getting married, after all. Let’s not jinx them.”
Juliana nodded in agreement but quickly lost interest in the news. With a flick of her wrist, she changed the radio to a music channel.
Athena shifted in her seat, looking out the window. Today, the sun was shining brightly, and the landscape was far more lively than the barren scene she’d passed through the day before. The grass was lush and green, the sky a canvas of soft blue dotted with fluffy clouds. In the distance, she could see sheep grazing lazily under the sun.
As she stared out at the idyllic scene, Athena couldn’t shake the feeling that, from this moment on, she and Byron would be nothing more than strangers. His engagement was an inevitable step, and she knew that once the conference took place, the final thread between them would be severed.
Meanwhile, at the Office of the President, it was all hands on deck. Byron’s engagement was a high-profile event, and everyone at the office was scrambling to ensure everything went smoothly. Liam was working tirelessly, barely pausing for a break. Ruby, on the other hand, was left to simmer in her frustration.
Since that day on the boat, when she had practically thrown herself at Byron, it seemed like he’d forgotten all about her. No calls, no messages. Now, she heard that Byron was coming back to the office, and she was determined to make her presence known. She had carefully dressed for the occasion, hoping to catch his attention, but as luck would have it, Byron called Liam into his office as soon as he arrived.
Frustrated, Ruby slumped back in her chair. She ran a hand over her surgically enhanced nose, which had once been the pride of her beauty—but today, it seemed as crooked as her mood.
Back in Byron’s office, the weight of his thoughts pressed down on him.
“Have you contacted Miss Newton?” he asked, his voice low and serious.
Liam paused before replying, “She sent me a message this morning, saying she had mailed back the authorization key you gave her.”
Byron’s frown deepened, his mood darkening with the news.
“Mr. Crawford, the press conference…” Liam started, but Byron cut him off.
“You don’t need to worry about that,” Byron said dismissively, his eyes already focused on something else. “I need you to go to Greeli City.”
“Greeli City?” Liam echoed, the realization dawning on him. He knew Athena was from Greeli City, but this request seemed odd.
“Yes,” Byron confirmed, his hand sliding a piece of paper across the desk to Liam. “Go to this address. It’s a nursing home. Find an old lady named Romy Lewis and bring her to Girard City.”
Liam was confused. “Who is this lady?”
“Athena’s grandmother,” Byron replied, without looking up from his screen.
Liam stood frozen for a moment, processing the information. The silence between them stretched as he processed what Byron had said.
Byron’s eyes flicked up from his screen, noticing that Liam hadn’t moved. His brow furrowed in impatience. “Didn’t you hear what I said?”
Liam’s voice was barely a whisper when he finally spoke, his hands trembling slightly. “Mr. Crawford… don’t you know?”
Byron’s confusion deepened. “Know what?”
Liam swallowed hard, then looked up at Byron, his gaze wide with disbelief. “Miss Newton’s grandmother… she passed away at the end of April.”
The news hit Byron like a physical blow. For a moment, he felt the ground shift beneath him. Athena’s grandmother—gone. And yet, there was no indication, no sign from Athena. His mind raced as he tried to understand why Athena hadn’t mentioned it, why she hadn’t reached out.
Liam stood, waiting for a response, but Byron’s thoughts were consumed by the sudden, heavy realization. It had been too much to assume that Athena would simply go on with her life, her silence now taking on a new meaning.
The engagement, the press conference, the choices they had all made—everything seemed so insignificant now in the face of this news.