Athena held her breath as she entered the conference room. With confident steps, she walked to her seat at the end of the long table, ignoring the gazes fixated on her."It’s time, Athena!""Damn it! She dared to show up?" Leon muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing. "I’m sure she’s taken that document. How can she be so calm?"Noticing her husband’s piercing stare, Athena responded with a faint smile. The room fell silent as she finally settled into her seat. Moments later, the focus shifted back to the meeting’s leader, although the tension in the air had noticeably thickened."Alright, now that everyone’s here, I’d like to discuss some supporting facilities. The plan is for our company to collaborate with several private entities," Leon began, masking his irritation."Hmm, what you mean is, you’re looking for ways to gain more profit?" Athena thought silently. "I won’t let that happen, Leon. This is a charity project, which is why I insisted you take it in the first place.""Well,
Panting, Leon stared at Athena in disbelief once more. The aura of the woman before him was utterly different. The Athena he used to know—weak and easy to bully—now seemed powerful and fearless.Her gaze was strong, her eyes sharp and unwavering. Even her smirk bore an uncanny resemblance to his own when he used to dominate her."Damn it!" Leon growled, realizing he had walked straight into his wife’s trap."What’s wrong? Regretting it and thinking of apologizing to me?" Athena briefly ran her hand along her husband’s sharp jawline, a gesture that made Crystal’s eyes widen in shock outside the room. "Too bad, my dear husband. It’s already too late!""Leon! Athena! What the hell is going on? Let me in!"Ignoring the jealous outburst of her former friend, Athena adjusted the collar of her husband's shirt, which she had yanked earlier. "Remember my words, my dear husband. I won’t sit quietly, especially if you dare disturb my mother!""Athena, wait!"Disregarding Leon’s call, Athena walk
"Based on the statements from several reporters, they learned about Mrs. Athena’s presence in this office from someone, Sir. They received the information via a text message from an unknown number."Hearing Edward's explanation, Leon’s head throbbed even more. He hadn’t finished dealing with the issue of Athena, who now had one of the pieces of evidence of her deceit, and he still didn’t know who had exposed Athena’s presence here, causing the chaos earlier this morning."Could it be the Mayor? Isn’t he one of the most enthusiastic supporters of Athena joining this project?" Crystal finally chimed in, her curiosity piqued."I don’t know yet, Miss Crystal. I’ve already checked the phone number that sent the information about Mrs. Athena’s location here. It was a disposable number, so I can’t track or contact it."Letting out a long sigh, Leon leaned back in his large chair. This all still felt like a mystery to him, especially since there was a possibility that the person behind this wa
"Mr. Arthur?"The echoes of voices calling out shattered the suffocating silence. Arthur’s grip on Athena tightened for a moment before he carefully leaned her unconscious form against the elevator wall."Can’t we just exit through the elevator doors?" Arthur asked his voice calm but edged with impatience. He spared a fleeting glance at Athena’s pale, exhausted face."Apologies, sir. The elevator is stuck mid-floor. It’s impossible to align it with any of the nearby doors."Arthur’s jaw clenched. He glanced at the dark confines of the elevator before nodding curtly. Steeling himself, he crouched beside Athena, gently shaking her awake."Athena, we need to move.""Arthur... my hands," she whispered, her voice trembling. Her eyelids fluttered open, and panic flashed across her face. "I’m afraid I can’t hold myself up. What if I fall?""You won’t," Arthur assured her firmly. "My team will guide you, and I’ll be right here to catch you if anything happens."For a moment, Athena hesitated,
Athena frowned, her gaze wandering across the lavishly decorated room. The high ceilings were adorned with intricate chandeliers that cast a warm glow on the polished wooden floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a breathtaking view of the city skyline, and the furniture was nothing short of opulent. Soft, cream-colored sofas paired with golden accents exuded an air of understated elegance."You were in bad shape last night, Athena." Arthur hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. "After the elevator incident, I thought it would be safer to bring you here to recover. This place is... private and secure.""This is private?" Athena whispered, her tone filled with disbelief as she took it all in. "Arthur, this is not just private. This is... extravagant! Whose place is this?""It’s just a temporary arrangement. A safe house I had rented for emergencies.""Rented?" Narrowed her eyes, Athena's skepticism evident. "Arthur, this looks more like a billionaire’s penthouse than s
Leon’s eyes darted across the hastily scribbled words. His jaw clenched so tightly it felt as if his teeth might crack. The letter trembled in his hands, his rage threatening to boil over. "What does it say?" Crystal hovered nearby, her face pale as she attempted to read his expression.Without answering, Leon crumpled the note and shoved it into his pocket. His eyes scanned the room, filled with evacuation officers and reporters lingering near the building entrance. He felt the stares—some curious, others suspicious."I don’t have time for this circus!""What?!"Ignoring Crystal’s protests, he turned on his heel and stormed away. His fists were clenched at his sides as he headed to his private office within the building. Once inside, he slammed the door shut and immediately summoned the head of security."You called for me, sir?" Moments later, a burly man in a tailored uniform entered, his expression stoic."Who accessed the elevator shaft last night? Who helped Athena escape?""So
"What is this?"Athena’s fingers trembled as she picked up a photo. Her heart pounded as she stared at a candid shot of her walking out of her stage with Leon’s shadow not far behind. Another depicted Crystal in a heated discussion with someone unfamiliar, her face a mask of frustration. But it was the last that made her blood run cold: it was of herself, sitting alone on a park bench, taken from a distance.She remembered that day vividly. She had thought she was alone. How did this photo end up in Arthur's possession?"You shouldn’t be here!"The sound of the door clicking shut behind her made Athena whirl around. She clutched the photo tightly, stepping back instinctively. Arthur stood there, his dark eyes unreadable. His voice was low but firm."What is all this, Arthur? Why do you have these pictures? How long have you been spying on us?"Arthur’s expression hardened, and he took a deliberate step closer. "Put the photo down and go back to your room, Athena.""Not until you expla
"Okay, make the most of your time!"At midnight, Athena slipped into the hospital, dressed in a nurse's uniform Arthur had provided. Her heart pounded as she moved through the quiet corridors. Her breath caught, when she finally reached her mother’s room."Mom?" she whispered, her voice trembling.Her mother lay peacefully in bed under the soft glow of the bedside lamp. The steady beeping of the monitors was the only sound in the room. She stepped closer, sitting down beside the bed and gently taking her mother’s warm but frail hand."I’ve missed you so much," she choked out, her cries heart-wrenching."I don’t even know where to start, Mom. Everything’s such a mess. Leon... he’s not who I thought he was. He’s destroyed everything!"Athena leaned closer, letting her tears fall freely. This was the only peace she could find. Her mother didn’t stir, but just being near her brought a small measure of comfort. "There’s a man guiding me through all of this, Mom. I don’t know if I can trus
"Arthur…"As soon as Arthur stepped into the car, Athena couldn't hold back her emotions any longer. She threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest as tears spilled down her cheeks."I’ve got you. You’re safe now," he whispered against her hair. Arthur caught her immediately, wrapping her in a tight embrace. She clung to him, burying her face into his chest."I was so scared!" she admitted between sobs. "I thought I’d never see you again. I thought—""I told you I’d come back for you," he murmured and pulled back just enough to cup her face in his hands. His thumb brushed away her tears. "I’d fight through hell to reach you!"A fresh wave of emotion washed over Athena. She pressed her forehead against his with sobs that had not subsided. Her lips occasionally opened as if she was about to say something, but unfortunat
"No! It's—""Let us examine all this evidence first, Mr. Leon. You can testify later!"Leon tried to evade but the odds were stacked against him. With a sharp glance at Arthur and Athena, he clenched his fists tightly again. His brain was trying to think of a quick escape in this situation, otherwise he would end up in prison for a long time."All of this evidence is very sufficient, sir. I hope from today he can be arrested immediately. Moreover, he had previously committed a lot of crimes that harmed many people," Arthur added, occasionally returning Leon's sharp glance with his stern gaze.Athena, who witnessed all this again, could only remain silent with a transfixed gaze. She still couldn't believe it, even though in her heart she felt very happy with Arthur's presence.Didn’t Leon say that the man was unconscious for days after being brutally beaten by hi
As soon as the press conference ended, Leon wasted no time in dragging Athena into his car. The moment the doors shut, the charming mask he had worn in front of the cameras shattered."What the hell was that Athena?!" he snapped, his voice filled with barely contained fury. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "You were hesitating! Do you think I didn’t notice? Do you want to ruin everything for me?!"Athena remained silent, her nails digging into her palms. She knew that arguing with Leon would only make things worse. He was furious, and when Leon was angry, he became unpredictable."Answer me!""I did everything you asked," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I said what you wanted me to say.""Not well enough!" he barked and scoffed. Leon turned to her, his dark eyes filled with menace. "You’re lucky I was there to clean
"Mrs. Athena, is your purpose in holding this press conference to explain that your marriage to Mr. Leon has been fine amidst all the bad news?"Cameras flashed relentlessly as journalists fought to be heard over one another. Athena looked a little nervous. She was clearly unprepared for all this even though she was the one who planned this activity in the first place.Yes, this is indeed her plan. But it's not entirely like this. Initially, she just wanted to stand in front of the many camera flashes alone or at least be accompanied by Arthur. She wanted to explain her collaboration with the man's company. She certainly didn't expect to be accompanied by Leon, who had clearly caused her so much suffering."Is it true that you filed a police report against him, Mrs. Athena? If so, why are you standing here with him today?""Yeah, did he force you to be here? Are you being threatened, Mrs. Athena?"
Arthur’s head throbbed as he slowly opened his eyes, the harsh fluorescent lights above him making him squint. His body ached all over, and every movement felt like a battle against his muscles.He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his ribs, forcing him to clench his jaw. How long had he been out? Where was Athena? The last thing he remembered was chasing after her, determined to find her, and then—darkness."Sir?"A familiar voice broke through his disoriented thoughts. One of his most trusted men rushed to his side, relief evident in his eyes."You’re awake, sir. We were starting to worry and—""Where is she?" Arthur’s voice came out hoarse, barely more than a whisper. He ignored the burning in his throat and tried to swing his legs over the edge of the hospital bed."Sir, please. You’re still too weak.
"How is he doing, Doc?"A woman in a white coat with a stethoscope draped around her neck let out a small sigh. She glanced briefly at her patient, who had just been transferred from a small hospital on the outskirts of the city, before turning her gaze back to someone she had never met before, her expression somewhat difficult to interpret."It looks like further examination is needed. So far, there are no signs that the patient will regain consciousness. The head injury seems quite serious."Silent, one of Arthur's subordinates could only sigh softly. He turned his eyes back toward the small window in front of him, his heart aching as he watched his superior lying there, helpless, with several injuries on his body."So you can't determine exactly when he'll wake up?"The doctor, who had also examined Athena before, slowly shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I can't make any further
Athena clenched her teeth as she forced herself to sit up, ignoring the sharp pain radiating through her body. Leon stood a few feet away, watching her with that maddening smirk—the same one that made her want to claw his face off."You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she spat, her voice laced with venom."Oh, darling, don’t be so dramatic." Leon chuckled, slow and deliberate. "I’m simply ensuring you remember where you belong!""I don’t belong to you!" Athena hissed, her glare burning into him. "No matter how many times you drag me to these disgusting places, no matter how many times you try to break me, I will never be yours!"Leon tilted his head as if considering her words, then let out an exaggerated sigh. "And yet, here you are. Locked away, under my control, with nowhere to run. You’re in no position to be making demands, darling!""You think t
Arthur barely had time to react before the air filled with chaos. Heavy wooden beams and metal rods clattered against metal crates as Leon’s mercenaries stormed the warehouse. Arthur and his men fought back, hurling whatever they could find—iron pipes, wooden planks—turning the space into a brutal melee."Hold your positions!" he barked at his men, gripping a thick wooden baton.A mercenary charged at him from the side. Arthur pivoted, slamming the baton into the man’s jaw, sending him sprawling. He didn’t hesitate before bringing it down hard on the man’s chest."Mr. James! Or should I call you Arthur the thug?" A mocking voice rang out above the chaos.Arthur turned just in time to see one of Leon’s top men smirking at him. The bastard held a crowbar, swinging it lazily in his grip."You should’ve just walked away," the man sneere
Athena’s heart pounded as she crouched behind the crates, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Every muscle in her body screamed in pain, but she refused to let it stop her. The warehouse door was only a few feet away. If she could just reach it.Slowly, she inched forward, her bound hands fumbling to grip a metal pipe lying on the ground. She barely had time to steel herself before a chilling voice cut through the silence."Going somewhere, darling?"A sharp gasp escaped her lips as the shadows shifted, revealing Leon standing just a few steps away. His dark eyes gleamed with amusement, but there was something far more sinister lurking beneath his smirk.Athena forced herself to stand tall, even as fear clawed at her throat. "Stay away from me, Leon!"He let out a low chuckle, stepping closer. "You still think you have control here? That’s adorable, really!" His gaze