Chapter 73 The Baby’s Father
“Athena!” George called out, standing up with an anxious expression on his face, ready to rush toward her. But before he could take a step, Byron’s bodyguards rushed in and immediately blocked his path.
Byron stood there, eyes cold and calculating. On his way to the scene, he had received several videos showing Athena laughing joyfully beside George. She had even bought him ice cream.
Byron’s face twisted with anger as he pulled Athena close, his arm circling her waist. He bent slightly, positioning himself so his lips were near her ear. It looked like a kiss, but his words were sharp and low, meant only for her. “Do you want him to die?” he whispered.
A chill ran down Athena’s spine. She froze, feeling the weight of Byron’s anger pressing down on her.
“George, I’m fine. This is my… boss. Please, go back,” Athena said, her voice unsteady.
At her words, Byron tightened his grip on her waist, pulling her closer. George looked at Byron’s hand, anger and worry flashing across his face. But what hurt him more was seeing how it seemed to humiliate Athena. What kind of boss would hold his female employee like this in public?
The tension in the air was thick. Athena stood there beside Byron, feeling a sense of humiliation she had never experienced before.
George’s voice was low and tense. “Is it him?” he asked, his heart pounding. The baby’s father.
Athena didn’t respond, but her silence said everything. She looked scared, uncomfortable, and… humiliated. George’s anger flared as memories of Athena’s bright smile from years ago flooded his mind. He had always imagined her happy, free of burdens. But now, seeing her like this, it made him angry, helpless.
His fists clenched, and before he knew it, he was moving toward Byron. His bodyguards stepped forward, blocking him, and George was easily overpowered. No matter how skilled George was in a fight, he was no match for four trained mercenaries.
“Athena, I’ve been with you for so long, and I’ve never done anything to disappoint you. George is my brother—don’t hurt him! Or I will hate you!” Athena shouted, her voice raw with emotion.
She knew the bodyguards wouldn’t listen to her, but she still tried. She turned to Byron, her eyes pleading. She couldn’t bear to see George hurt, not for her sake.
Byron glanced at her, his gaze hardening, but for a moment, he seemed to consider her words.
“Stop,” Byron commanded coldly.
The bodyguards immediately stopped moving. But George, still furious, tried to push through, only to be restrained by two of the guards.
Athena, desperate to protect him, rushed toward George. She could feel Byron’s gaze on her back, burning with anger, but she didn’t care. She wasn’t going to let George suffer for her mistakes.
She reached the bodyguards, her voice sharp with authority. “Let him go!”
Despite the awkwardness, the bodyguards, who had always treated Athena with respect, reluctantly stepped aside. George was freed.
“Athena…” George whispered, his hand gripping hers tightly.
“Don’t worry. He won’t hurt me,” Athena said softly, though she didn’t dare to meet his eyes. Her heart ached at the sight of his pain.
George’s eyes were red, filled with frustration and helplessness. “Go back. I can handle this,” Athena said, her voice breaking as she tried to calm him.
George didn’t want to let go, but he could see the determination in her eyes. He reluctantly released her hand, watching in agony as she walked silently toward Byron.
The sky, once clear and sunny, seemed to turn overcast as Athena made her way toward Byron’s car. She didn’t look at him, her face cold and unreadable as she moved away from the man who had once been everything to her.
Byron watched her, his anger still seething, but he couldn’t ignore the painful thought that flashed through his mind. He glanced at George again. Had he and Athena really become so distant? He thought about Baxter—how, back then, Baxter had been ready to fight for Athena, just as George was now. But what had happened to that? Hadn’t Byron won in the end?