Chapter 93 Baxter Bumped Into Byron
Byron’s presence sent a chill through the air as Athena’s heart pounded in her chest. She had hoped it was just another car, one of the many she had seen tonight. But the familiar sound of the door opening and the sight of the white-gloved driver made her stomach drop.
There was no mistaking it.
Byron Crawford, dressed in a sleek black windbreaker, stepped out of the car with an air of authority that instantly commanded attention. As soon as his eyes locked with hers, Athena felt a rush of emotions she had long buried. The coldness in his gaze sent a shiver down her spine.
Baxter, still standing beside her, looked back and forth between Athena and Byron, his expression one of confusion and growing anxiety. “Why is he here?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. “You… you haven’t… but he’s going to get married.”
Before Athena could respond, Evie, still in her drunken haze, turned to see Byron standing there. “Who? Who’s getting married?” she asked, her voice slurring slightly as she tried to focus on the situation.
Athena did her best to steady Evie, turning her back to face Byron as she felt the tension rise. Byron, unfazed by the chatter around him, stepped forward.
“Mr. Maxwell,” Byron addressed Baxter with a cold, almost mocking tone. “Does it have anything to do with you whether I get married or not?”
The words were like daggers, and Baxter’s face drained of color. Memories of their past encounters flooded his mind. He remembered all too well how Byron had humiliated him—expelling him from the lab, accusing him of plagiarism, and even cutting off the supply chain to his family’s company. It had all been to remind Baxter that he was beneath him, that he wasn’t worthy of Athena.
Byron didn’t even give Baxter a second glance. His attention shifted immediately to Athena, his gaze sharp and intense. If looks could kill, Athena felt like she would be reduced to nothing in that moment.
Baxter, however, gathered his courage and stood his ground. “You still haven’t learned the lesson, after all these years. It’s really disappointing,” Byron continued, his voice devoid of any warmth as he looked away from Baxter.
The words stung more than they should have, but they didn’t stop Baxter from trying to make his voice heard. “Mr. Crawford,” he said, his voice stronger now, “you’re about to get married. Why can’t you let her go? Why can’t you leave her be?”
Athena’s patience was at its limit. She didn’t care about Baxter’s desperate pleas or his futile attempt to confront Byron. What irritated her the most was how Baxter had dragged her name into this mess again, as though she were some kind of prize to be fought over.
“What does this have to do with you?” Athena snapped, unable to hide her frustration. She turned to Baxter, her tone firm. “I don’t owe you anything. After all these years, you’re a stranger to me. I don’t want you in my life anymore. Please leave.”
Baxter’s face turned an even deeper shade of pale, but he didn’t move. He stood there, frozen in place.
Byron, ever the domineering figure, stepped closer, his voice laced with disdain. “She’s afraid I’ll kill you. She’s so anxious while you’re still standing there. Should I say you’re faithful… or just plain stupid?”
Athena flinched at Byron’s harsh words, but it was his cold demeanor that unsettled her the most. There was something terrifying about the way he carried himself right now—far more chilling than his usual temper.
“Byron, what nonsense are you talking about?” Athena said, furrowing her brow as she tried to pull herself together.
Evie, now upright and suddenly more alert, glanced back at Byron with wide eyes. “Wait… it’s really you?” she asked, the recognition evident in her voice.
Athena felt her heart sink, and her focus shifted between Byron and Evie. This was not how she had hoped the night would go. She had to handle both of them, and the pressure was mounting.
Evie, her voice still a bit unsteady from the alcohol, clapped her hands together. “Oh, Athena! It’s really Mr. Crawford! You know, he’s so popular at the office. Many people admire you, Mr. Crawford!”
Evie wasn’t fazed by the tension, and it seemed like she was eager to flatter Byron. Athena could only pray that Evie’s drunken words didn’t irritate him further.
“Congratulations on your engagement! Your fiancée is so beautiful!” Evie exclaimed, her speech still slurred.
Athena’s heart raced in panic. She could feel the weight of the situation crushing her chest. “Mr. Crawford, we shouldn’t bother you anymore. My friend’s had a bit too much to drink, and I’ll take her home,” she said quickly, hoping to de-escalate the situation.
But Byron’s bodyguards, ever present in the shadows, had already approached Athena. “Miss Newton, we’ve got this,” one of them said.
Athena, seeing their advance, immediately stepped back, her frustration boiling over. “Don’t you dare touch her!” she shouted, her voice sharp. She spun around to face Byron, her expression hardening. “What do you want?” she demanded, unwilling to let things spiral further.