Chapter 6 Degrading Herself
“Sorry, I’ve got something else going on. I’ll catch your story another time.”
Athena didn’t bother saying anything more. She simply turned and walked away.
“Hey, wait! I don’t even know your name!” The man snapped out of his daze and rushed after her.
Before he could catch up, a group of suited bodyguards came sprinting from behind. The moment they spotted him safe and unharmed, they let out a collective sigh of relief and hurried over.
“Mr. Chambers, the party has already started. Your parents are looking everywhere for you!”
He panicked, glancing toward the direction Athena had disappeared. He was about to chase after her when the bodyguards exchanged glances and firmly grabbed his arms.
“Hold on, I was actually looking for—” Before he could finish, they dragged him away.
When Athena stepped onto the main floor of the party, she didn’t need to do anything to stand out. Her tall, elegant figure, draped in a stunning evening gown, was enough to draw all eyes to her. She looked like an angel descended among mortals.
“Who’s she? Never seen her before.”
“Probably some new starlet trying to climb the social ladder and snag a rich guy.”
“Look at all those men gawking at her. If they could strip her with their eyes, she’d be naked by now!”
“Maybe she likes that kind of attention.”
A group of wealthy socialites whispered and giggled behind their champagne glasses, their jealousy thinly veiled beneath fake smiles.
Athena ignored the murmurs, reaching for a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She had no interest in the people around her—her focus was on finding Brad.
Tonight was the 20th birthday celebration of the young master of a prestigious luxury jewelry brand. The event was highly anticipated, with all the most influential figures in Mailand in attendance.
Gideon’s parents were overseas for a project and unable to return in time, so he was here representing the family.
Across the room, Gideon lounged on a velvet couch, legs crossed, casually sipping his drink. His gaze drifted toward Ruby, who was busy taking pictures nearby.
“Byron… you’ve never brought Athena to a high-society event like this before.” He smirked, then threw a glance at Ruby. “Ruby may resemble Miss Bates more, but when it comes to charm, she’s nowhere near Athena.”
Byron didn’t even spare Ruby a glance.
“You’ve been talking about Athena a lot lately. Have you taken a liking to her?”
“Would you mind?” Gideon raised an eyebrow, watching Byron’s expression carefully.
Byron’s cold gaze met his. “Careful.”
Gideon chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright.”
He had known Byron for years. His childhood friend had a peculiar way of handling things—if he was done with something, he wouldn’t simply discard it. He would rather destroy it than let someone else have it. That extended to women as well.
“Byron!”
A shrill voice called out, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.
Ruby rushed toward them in a panic, her face full of urgency.
Gideon caught the brief flicker of disgust in Byron’s eyes before he turned toward her.
“I saw Athena! She’s here!” Ruby exclaimed breathlessly.
Byron finally lifted his gaze, his brows knitting slightly. “What is she doing here?”
All three of them turned their heads—and there she was. Athena stood out effortlessly, a swan among ugly ducklings.
Just as Byron spotted her, he noticed a middle-aged man with a large belly stepping into her path, handing her a business card.
Athena smiled politely, engaging in an animated conversation with him.
Byron’s grip tightened around his glass, his expression darkening.
Ruby, seeing his reaction, put on a look of exaggerated concern.
“Byron, Mr. Hale,” she said dramatically, “I just heard that… Athena is only here to hook up with wealthy men.”
She stomped her foot like a spoiled child, her voice filled with manufactured outrage.
“Byron, even if you broke up with her, you gave her so much money over the years. She’s set for life! How could she shamelessly go after other men like this? Doesn’t she care about humiliating you?!”
Gideon, sipping his drink lazily, gave her an amused glance.
“Byron has already moved on and started a new relationship. So why can’t Athena look for a new boyfriend too?” he said casually, his tone indifferent.
Ruby turned to him with an incredulous look, as if she couldn’t believe he wasn’t on her side.
“I just feel bad for Byron,” she murmured, leaning slightly toward him for sympathy.
Byron, however, seemed completely uninterested. “Don’t worry about it. Just enjoy the party.”
He smoothly avoided her reaching hand.
Ruby hesitated, momentarily stunned. But she quickly forced a smile. “Alright then.”
Before leaving, she stole another glance at Athena.
She had always thought Athena looked plain compared to the glamorous women at their company. Normally, she wore little makeup and dressed casually. But tonight…
Tonight, she was breathtaking. The gown she wore accentuated her curves perfectly, her radiant confidence making her even more alluring. She looked like a completely different woman.
Ruby clenched her fists. She knew Byron wasn’t into heavily made-up women, but still—how could Athena look this stunning?!
An idea popped into her head. Suppressing an excited giggle, she turned on her heel and hurried downstairs.
Just as Ruby left, Gideon and Byron saw Athena accepting the business card and tucking it into her handbag.
The middle-aged man walked away with a satisfied grin.
From where Byron stood, he was too far to notice the subtle sigh of relief Athena let out as soon as the man left.
She scanned the room, her eyes finally landing on her target for the night.
Gideon smirked, turning to Byron.
“You’ve been hiding this beauty all to yourself all these years.”
Athena had always been beautiful, but until now, Gideon had never really noticed it. To him, she had always seemed dull, lifeless—a woman who simply followed Byron’s every order without question.
He vividly recalled a winter night on Freya’s birthday. Byron had suddenly craved a cake from a famous bakery that had closed down years ago.
Somehow, Athena managed to find the exact cake he wanted and delivered it to his house at three in the morning.
Gideon had been there that night.
Athena had arrived soaked from the melted snow, shivering violently in the cold. Her hands were raw and red.
And Byron?
He took one look at the cake and sneered, calling it ugly before tossing it in the trash.
She had just stood there, expressionless. She didn’t get angry, didn’t protest. She simply picked up the discarded cake, put it in a garbage bag, and left without a word.
That night wasn’t an isolated incident.
It had happened again and again over the years.
But tonight, that same woman stood before them, no longer dull, no longer robotic.
Athena had transformed.
Gideon couldn’t help but feel intrigued.
Byron, however, only stared coldly at his former lover.
“She’s degrading herself,” he muttered.