“Damn it! How dare this crippled woman defy me?!”
Leon screamed inwardly, his fists clenched tight. His face reddened as he prepared to snatch the small notebook Athena was holding, but Crystal moved first, gently stroking his thigh.
“Calm down, babe. Let that crippled woman do whatever she wants. She’ll never be able to beat us!” Crystal whispered, casting Athena a disdainful glance.
Turning his attention back to his wife, Leon suddenly smirked. Athena had no idea what was going through his mind, but one thing was clear: she was determined not to remain under the control of this cunning man.
“Ah, I’m relieved to hear that rumor wasn’t true. Honestly, I was worried it might affect your new project, Mr. Leon. As far as I know, Mrs. Athena still plays a significant role in the company you manage,” said one of Leon’s business partners, prompting Athena to nod gracefully.
“Oh, so Mrs. Athena still has a significant role in the company?”
“Yes, Mr. Mayor,” Leon interjected, trying to regain control of the conversation. “I’ve merely been helping to manage it all this time. Athena oversees everything from behind the scenes, as the company originally belonged to her family. However, ever since her accident last week….”
“What about it, Mr. Leon? The company’s ownership and management status remain unchanged, don’t they?”
Leon nodded, once again glancing at Athena.
“Everything is indeed the same, but unfortunately, my wife has been insisting that I take full ownership of the company. Of course, I’ve refused, especially since the media continues to fuel negative rumors about our marriage.”
“Ah, perhaps Mrs. Athena is still deeply shaken by the accident. It’s a difficult phase that can easily erode one’s confidence.”
“Exactly, Mr. Mayor. That’s why I’m here, despite the public’s relentless attempts to bring me down,” Crystal chimed in, finally breaking her silence and causing Athena to glance at her briefly.
“This isn’t easy for anyone. However, I’m certain Mrs. Athena will rise above it!”
“Yes, I share the same hope as you, Mr. Mayor! How about having Mrs. Athena involved in our upcoming project?”
“What?!”
Ignoring Leon and Crystal’s shock, Athena quickly grabbed the notebook in front of her, jotted something down, then handed it to Arthur.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Athena. Have you replaced your assistant?”
“Oh, no, sir,” Edward quickly interjected, causing everyone to exchange glances. “Arthur here is just a bodyguard Mr. Leon assigned to protect Mrs. Athena after the accident—”
“Athena’s emotions have been unstable. She’s been too frustrated by her inability to speak and her hand’s inability to play the piano anymore. Therefore, I don’t think my wife can contribute to this project,” Leon cut in sharply, causing Athena to momentarily hold her breath.
For a while, the only sound in the room was the ticking of a clock. Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, waiting for someone to break the silence, until Arthur cleared his throat as Edward hesitated to step back.
“Despite her condition, Mrs. Athena is very eager to be involved in this project. Sorry to interrupt. She mentioned here that she’s willing to do her best to contribute, ensuring that the project will benefit many people in the future.”
“Damn it!”
The sound of something crashing to the floor echoed through the living room, followed by a pained groan. Leon had just escorted his guests out when he lost control upon confronting Athena. He shoved his wife harshly, leaving the brunette struggling to hold back her tears and shock.
“What do you want from me, Athena? Can’t you understand my warnings?!” he shouted, prompting the household staff to feign busyness in the background, except for Edward and Arthur.
“She’s testing our patience, babe. I think she’s completely ungrateful that we’re sparing her life,” Crystal sneered, striding haughtily in front of Athena.
“Tch! Typical ungrateful crippled woman! She should be thankful I didn’t have someone kill her outright!”
Shaking her head, Athena couldn’t fathom her husband’s deceit and Crystal’s malice. She quickly grabbed her pen and notebook again, wincing as she wrote:
[I won’t let you and Crystal take everything from me, Leon! Even with my limitations, I’ll fight to protect what’s mine!]
“Hmm, really? Without Crystal and me, you wouldn’t even be alive right now, Athena!”
Athena bit her lip as a soft cry escaped her mouth. Tears streamed down her face as Leon grabbed her by the jaw, but through her blurred vision, she noticed Arthur stepping closer.
“Excuse me, Mr. Leon. I have no intention of escalating things,” Arthur said calmly, meeting Leon’s glare.
“You—”
“I’m only acting to protect you, Mr. Leon. Several reports are starting to question the circumstances of Mrs. Athena’s accident. I’m sure the Mayor and your business partners have also heard the rumors. Therefore….”
“You’re using this as an excuse to defend her? Tch! I don’t trust this thug!” Crystal cut in, making the tension in the room unbearable.
“If you don’t believe me, you can check the news for yourself, Mr. Leon. I wouldn’t dare fabricate anything.”
Leon fell silent, grabbing the smartphone in front of him with a scoff before reading the latest reports.
“By allowing Mrs. Athena to participate in the project, public opinion will surely shift, Mr. Leon. If she fails to contribute, wouldn’t it make it easier for you to take over everything?” Arthur continued, making Leon glance back at his wife.
Returning the phone to the table, Leon turned and walked away, signaling Crystal to follow him out of the living room. Once they left, Edward leaned toward Arthur and whispered a threatening warning.
“I’ll be keeping an eye on you!”
Arthur responded with a faint, enigmatic smile before approaching Athena, supporting her frail, trembling figure.
“Let me escort you to your room, Mrs. Athena.”
Silent, Athena fought to stop her tears, struggling to stay strong despite the pain. Once inside her small room, she looked deep into Arthur’s gray eyes.
“Who are you, Arthur? What do you want? You don’t seem like a bodyguard or a thug. The way you moved and spoke earlier—”
“You’ll know in time, Mrs. Athena. And as for what I want… What do you think is the most precious thing in the world?” Arthur asked softly, brushing a red stain from her delicate face.
“I believe the most precious thing in the world is true love, but Leon….”
“I want that too, Mrs. Athena. So stay strong, because what we seek isn’t easy to attain!”