1. Chapter 1

Late at night in a dimly lit bar, a wealthy young man clad in designer threads slid a document across the table to Athena Donovan.

"I'm engaged to the Kennedy's daughter. You're not their flesh and blood, so I need you to sign off on ending our engagement," he stated matter-of-factly.

"But hey, we could still mess around, right?" he added, his voice dripping with nonchalance.

Athena, dressed in a light blue linen dress, sat opposite him. Her long black hair fell over her shoulders, her skin porcelain-smooth, and her eyes gleamed with a quiet fire.

As she watched him flaunt his riches, she couldn't help but think, 'Is this guy for real?'

He pushed another document her way along with a key card and car keys. "This is for a property transfer. Live in the apartment for five years, and it's yours. Oh, and that brand-new Maserati downstairs? It's yours too if you sign these."

Athena chuckled softly and then did the math. 'Five years as his side piece for a 600-grand apartment and a sports car worth 400 grand? That's barely 200 grand a year—less than 20 thousand dollars a month. And he expects gratitude for his 'generosity'?'

Her gaze unnerved him. He grabbed a wine glass, sipping a 2,000-dollar mouthful of wine, before continuing. "Look, I get it, you're a proud woman. Signing this might sting a bit."

"But let's be real—your folks are broke. Five brothers, all cramped in some tiny house in the old quarter," he pressed. "Trust me, you wouldn't last a day in their shoes. Take the flat and the car. You're gonna need them."

Athena shot him a brief, scornful smirk, then leaned in to swiftly sign the documents.

Lucas Harper's grandiose promises, made during their courtship, now seemed laughable and vile, especially after his rush to call off their engagement upon learning she wasn't a true Kennedy.

Sickened by his charade, Athena was ready to bolt after just a short while.

Caught by her smile, Lucas leaned in, his face alight with desperation. "Athena, I really give a damn about you. I can set you up for life if you just stick with me," he said, his voice thick with passion as he licked his dry lips.

"If you wanna have kids, I can look after them too. But they won't carry the Harper name," he added, clearly lost in his delusions.

Athena finished signing, tucked a copy into her bag, and stood. "Mr. Harper, thanks for calling off the engagement. Goodbye," she said, turning to leave.

Lucas froze, then snapped back to reality as she started to walk away. "Athena, you better learn your damn place!" he yelled, rushing over and grabbing her arm.

"I'm the heir to the richest family in Kitmore City, not to mention handsome, generous, and a top grad from an elite foreign school. I've had women throwing themselves at me since I was a kid," Lucas boasted arrogantly. "You should be grateful I'm even considering keeping you, you gold-digging impostor! If you walk out now, you'll regret it!"

Athena struggled briefly, then swiftly broke free. She flipped him off and spat at him before striding away.

Lucas clenched his fists, trembling with rage. "Stop her!" he bellowed.

Lucas had been pursuing Athena for three years but had never even held her hand.

'I can't just let her slip away,' he thought desperately. 'I need to spend one night with her, get it on tape, and show I'm still the most eligible bachelor in Kitmore City.'

His entourage, keen to impress, quickly blocked Athena's way, smirking. "Athena, Mr. Harper has bent over backward for you. How can you be so cold and just leave?" one sneered.

"If you're ditching him, at least throw the guy a bone. Show some damn appreciation for all he's done," another piped up.

Athena kept her cool, then glanced over their shoulders with a smirk. "Matthew, you made it!"

2. Chapter 2

Hearing the name, Lucas and his cronies turned in shock.

Rumors had been flying that Matthew Graham, heir to the Graham family, had sneaked into Kitmore City. Every big shot in town, including their families, was scrambling for an intro.

But when they spun around, there was no sign of Matthew—just the usual crowd. The elusive Matthew seemed nowhere in sight.

Lucas whipped back around to Athena. "Where's Matthew Graham? Are you lying..." he started, but trailed off as he realized Athena had used their distraction to slip away.

"Go! Downstairs, now! We've got to catch her!" he ordered his group.

They muscled through the crowd and sprinted to the elevator, hitting the building's lobby in seconds, only to see Athena's modest black car pulling away.

"Athena, you can't run from me!" Lucas screamed, chasing after her. He was left coughing in a cloud of dust as her car tore down the street. Furious, he wiped his face and glared at the fading taillights.

"After her!" he roared between coughs before jumping into his Maserati to give chase.

Half an hour later, Lucas was still desperately combing the streets for Athena.

Meanwhile, Athena had already arrived back at the Kennedy family villa. After parking her car, she made a call. "Blacklist the Harper family immediately," she instructed coldly.

"No invitations to any Vission Group events, no sales of Vission Group products, and bar them from entering any Vission Group properties." With that, she ended the call and calmly walked through the villa's front door.

When Athena finally arrived, it was twelve minutes past midnight. Despite the Kennedys' reputation for living a healthy, disciplined lifestyle, the grand crystal chandelier was still casting a bright light across the living room.

As she stepped inside, she spotted Isaac Kennedy lounging on the large leather sofa, dressed in silk pajamas. His eyes were closed, seemingly at rest, and a stack of documents lay on the coffee table in front of him.

It was clear he'd been waiting for her. The moment he heard the door, he opened his eyes and asked with a concerned look, "Athena Donovan, why are you back so late? Did something happen?"

Athena, wearing a polite smile, pretended not to notice his formal tone. "Nothing too serious. I just signed the breakup agreement with Lucas. It's official—we're done."

Isaac rarely called her by her full name, which made Athena wonder if he was subtly reminding her of her place in the family.

At her words, Isaac visibly relaxed, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth before he quickly composed himself again. "Are you upset with us for not stepping in to save your engagement?"

"No," Athena replied sincerely, shaking her head slightly. "I never had feelings for Lucas. If you hadn't forced me into this engagement a month ago, I wouldn't have even considered him."

Back then, her grandmother had been critically ill, requiring a nearly impossible surgery. Since Athena was still a minor, she couldn't legally sign the consent forms. The Kennedys had taken advantage of the situation, using their signature as leverage to force her into the engagement.

Athena could've arranged the surgery secretly, but she hadn't seen the point in going through all the trouble. She knew she could end things with Lucas anytime, so she went along with the engagement without a fuss.

Isaac looked uncomfortable as he addressed the matter. After clearing his throat awkwardly, he said, "I'm glad you don't hold it against us."

"Please, have a seat. There's something we need to discuss," he added, motioning to the chair next to him.

3. Chapter 3

Athena sat gracefully on the edge of the sofa, her posture upright and poised, hands neatly folded in her lap.

Isaac said slowly, "You'll be meeting your biological parents tomorrow. I've arranged for a driver to take you there, and there are gifts prepared for them.

"It's been years since you've seen your family, so make sure to spend time with them, get settled. Don't worry about anything here."

Athena nodded, understanding. "Thank you."

Isaac gestured to the property transfer agreement lying on the coffee table. "This house is a farewell gift from your mother and me. It's not brand new, but it's been kept up well and fully furnished. I hope it'll be suitable for you."

Athena had already glanced over the agreement. The house was her childhood home, a small, worn-down apartment barely fit for living.

The Kennedys had held onto it, hoping for a payout from demolition or as a place for elderly relatives. Now, they were offering it to her as a symbolic gesture since neither of those plans had panned out.

She smiled politely. "Thank you, Dad. But please keep the house for now. I'll let you know if I need it."

A flicker of displeasure crossed Isaac's face, and his tone cooled. "Fine. If you ever change your mind, just call Elias. He'll handle everything right away."

Athena nodded again to show she understood.

After a brief pause, Isaac continued, "Tomorrow's gonna be busy. I've asked Mia to pack your things. Get some rest tonight, and leave early tomorrow so you don't keep your parents waiting."

Athena wasn't sure if her biological parents were as eager as the Kennedys to see her go, but she could tell Isaac and his wife certainly were.

Standing up, she said politely, "Thank you, Dad. I'll go get some rest."

Her gentle demeanor and compliance seemed to please Isaac. He sighed, feigning regret. "Athena, you're a good girl. If my long-lost son didn't already have a girlfriend, I would've loved to see you as my daughter-in-law."

Athena fought back the urge to thank him for sparing her from that fate. Remembering that Isaac hadn't been entirely unkind over the years, she offered a simple goodnight and made her way upstairs.

Isaac watched her go, a mixture of guilt and reluctance in his gaze. He was surprised by how obedient she remained, even as she was about to leave.

He hoped to wrap up this matter quickly so his real children could finally move in. With that thought, he put the papers away, turned off the lights, and headed upstairs.

In the master bedroom, Regina Kennedy paced nervously in her luxurious silk robe. When Isaac walked in, she immediately asked, "So, what did Athena say?"

"She didn't make a fuss," Isaac replied, brushing it off. "She turned down the house, said she'd ask for it if she ever needed it."

Regina was taken aback. "That old house might be a bit rundown, but it's still worth something. I think she just thinks it's beneath her. How greedy!"

Isaac frowned. "I don't think Athena's like that."

Regina shot him a sharp look. "We're living in a villa worth over 60 million dollars. You think she's gonna settle for a house that's barely worth 200 grand?"

She then raised her hand, showing off her diamond ring. "Do you know where I found this Vission diamond ring?"

"No," Isaac said with a sigh of relief. "But thank God you found it. That would've been a hell of a loss."

"Mia found it stuffed in Athena's clothes while packing," Regina said coldly. "We always kept this ring locked up in our room. And guess who took it? Athena. That ungrateful little thief."

"I bet she's just waiting for an excuse to squeeze more out of us in the future," Regina continued with a hard edge in her voice. "We need to protect what's ours—for our own kids. We can't give her another damn thing."

4. Chapter 4

Isaac shook his head, disappointment clear in his eyes. "Was all that obedient, considerate behavior just a damn act?"

"Absolutely," Regina scoffed, her expression twisted with disdain. The affection she once had for the girl she called her daughter had long since vanished.

She added, "When Zoe was here two days ago, she couldn't stop admiring this diamond ring. I was planning to give it to her once she and Andrew got engaged. Who would've guessed Athena would swipe it right from under our noses?"

"Maybe you didn't know, but Zoe and Athena went to school together—from elementary all the way to high school. Zoe told me Athena was popular with the boys, and they used to shower her with expensive gifts. She never hesitated to accept them—"

"Let's not dig into this." Isaac cut her off, unwilling to tarnish the memory of the girl they had once cherished.

"She's leaving soon. We raised her; we should just let it go," Isaac said, trying to push past the bitterness.

"I'm warning you," Regina said sternly. "Don't give her a damn cent. Poor people are like bottomless pits. The moment they get a taste of easy money, they'll keep coming back for more. We can't let that happen."

Isaac nodded. "Don't worry. I'll keep it cordial, but she won't see a dime from me."

As the couple schemed to keep Athena away, she stood in her almost empty room, staring at her packed luggage, nearly laughing.

Five suitcases were stacked by the door—two filled with clothes, one with shoes, another with bags, and the last one with skincare products and jewelry, none of it worth more than five figures. All the really expensive stuff was gone, but she didn't care.

She grabbed a few clothes and her tablet, packing them into a smaller bag. Scribbling a note, she read it aloud to herself, "I'm gone. Don't worry, and don't miss me!" She placed the note on her desk and quietly slipped out of the room.

Athena left behind everything the Kennedy family had ever given her. As she made her way through the dark, empty living room, she placed her keys and house card on the cabinet by the door.

Without a second glance, she stepped outside and headed toward her modest black car—the one she bought with her own money, not a penny from the Kennedys.

Once inside the car, Athena pulled out her phone and dialed a number. When the call connected, she said, "As of now, cancel all contracts with the Kennedy Group."

There was a moment of stunned silence before the phone erupted with excited cheers. "Finally! You're done being their doormat!"

Athena chuckled softly. "I'm sorry for the trouble I caused. But starting today, I'm officially out of that family. They're no longer our problem."

5. Chapter 5

Laughter rang out on the other end of the line. "Everyone's here! Come celebrate with us!"

The sound of laughter and cheers poured through the phone, flooding Athena's ears.

The noise grew louder. "Hell yeah! Congrats on making the right call and cutting ties with the Kennedy Group! First thing tomorrow, I'll contact them and terminate all their partnerships with Vission Group."

"Even if they come begging, we're not backing down," they added, their excitement clear.

Athena grimaced at the noise, rubbing her temples. "I'm driving. Let's talk later," she said, putting the car in gear.

She had no idea that, across the street from the villa, an SUV was parked under the trees, lying in wait like a predator, silently watching her every move. It was Matthew.

Moments after she drove off, Matthew in the SUV issued a curt order. "Follow that car. Keep out of sight."

"Yes, sir," his secretary Louis Connor replied, smoothly tailing Athena's car from a safe distance, confident she wouldn't notice.

After a while, curiosity got the better of Louis. He glanced into the rearview mirror and asked, "Mr. Graham, you came back home and flew all the way to Kitmore City. I remember your goal is to meet Isaac in person and check out how he snagged Vission Group's exclusive West End distribution rights.

"But as soon as that girl showed up, you switched your focus to her. Are you interested in her?"

Inwardly, he mused, 'If Mr. Graham ever showed interest in a woman—hell, whether she's eighteen or thirty-eight—I'd be so damn grateful. I'd probably sing hallelujahs.'

Matthew stayed silent, arms crossed, eyes closed, completely unfazed by the question.

But Louis, persistent as ever, couldn't let it go. "She used to be the Kennedy family's golden girl. Now, she's changed her name to Athena Donovan. Two weeks ago, she took the SAT; last week she found out she wasn't Isaac's biological daughter, and today, she's supposed to meet her real family.

"From what I've heard, she's well-behaved, educated, and pretty low-key. Other than being drop-dead gorgeous and a top student, there's nothing else that stands out. So, why the sudden interest?"

Matthew remained silent, only fueling Louis's curiosity.

He said, "I don't mean to be nosy, but the Kennedy Group's exclusive distribution deal with Vission Group is about to expire.

"If we don't lock it down now, we'll have to wait another three years. And we can't delay Lucy's treatment any longer. We need to find Dr. Annie through the Kennedys."

Finally, Matthew spoke, his voice cold. "You've been with me for years, and you still don't see what makes her different?"

Louis blinked in surprise, taking a moment to realize Matthew was talking about Athena. He replayed her actions in his mind, trying to figure out what might make her stand out. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't pinpoint anything and had to admit defeat.

"Besides her looks, I don't see anything special. Please, enlighten me," Louis said, a hint of curiosity creeping into his voice.

6. Chapter 6

Matthew spoke with quiet authority. "I caught a glimpse inside her car. Everything's top-of-the-line, and she might even have Skywrought—a rare material I've been hunting down for years."

Louis's eyes widened with disbelief. It would be remarkable if Athena genuinely possessed such a valuable resource and used it in an ordinary car.

Matthew continued, "She's also done a serious upgrade to the engine and tires. Her car's performance could easily match that of a luxury sports car."

Louis knew all too well how sharp Matthew was when it came to cars. He was amazed. "Incredible! It's crazy to see someone so young and so damn talented."

Matthew nodded. "The industry's still scratching their heads over how Isaac Kennedy locked down that deal with Vission Group. Athena might be the missing piece to this whole puzzle.

"And then there's this strange connection between the Kennedy family and Dr. Annie. From what I've heard, Isaac's mom is really fond of Athena. That girl could have some valuable intel on how to get to Dr. Annie."

Louis caught on quickly. "I'll arrange to dig into Athena."

Before long, they arrived at an upscale residential complex and watched as Athena drove inside. Although they could've followed her in, Louis chose to stay back, curious about what he was seeing.

Louis said, "Athena's biological parents are dirt poor, and Isaac Kennedy is known to be a tight-fisted bastard. There's no way the Kennedy family gave her much. Yet she's living in a luxury estate where apartments cost 40 grand a square foot and driving a beast of a car. She's definitely not hurting for cash."

Matthew, still cool and detached, instructed, "We'll keep a close watch on her tonight and pick up the trail tomorrow."

Louis was more intrigued by Athena than ever and answered with newfound energy, "Got it, Mr. Graham."

They then settled in for the night in their SUV.

Athena had noticed the unfamiliar car tailing her but chose to ignore it. She had nothing to hide since she was heading to her private apartment, not her secret lab.

Besides, Athena was confident no one could touch her, no matter what they found. After arriving at her place, she freshened up, switched her phone to silent, and fell asleep almost immediately.

The next morning, Athena woke up to find two missed calls and several text messages from the same unknown number. The tone of the messages was polite and respectful.

One read: [Hello, Athena. This is Wesley and Claire Donovan. We tried calling earlier, but your phone seemed to be off. We thought you might still be resting, so we're sending this message instead.]

Another message followed: [We live quite far from you, and our place can be a little tricky to find. Would you like us to pick you up?]

Athena scrolled down to the last message: [Here's our address. But we'd be happy to pick you up if you'd prefer.]

Athena's expression softened as she felt the warmth in their words. She replied: [Thank you. I'll come on my own and should be there around noon.]

7. Chapter 7

A quick reply came through: [Alright. We're making lunch now. Let us know if you have any preferences or dietary restrictions.]

Though not used to such warmth and typically avoiding small talk, Athena couldn't help but picture a sweet elderly couple bustling around the kitchen as she read the messages.

Surprisingly, she responded with a smiley emoji: [I'm not picky. Whatever you make will be great!]

After a brief pause, the reply came back, this time with two smiley emojis: [Perfect! We're excited to have you over.]

Athena chuckled, imagining them taking their time to craft that message. She set down her phone and headed for the shower.

About thirty minutes later, after getting ready, Athena grabbed her phone and bag and left her apartment.

On her way out, she picked up a coffee and a sandwich from a nearby café before starting the long drive to the Donovans' place, far from the new part of town where she lived.

As she followed the GPS's route, her phone buzzed with an important call.

It was Cora Ford on the other end. "I haven't found everything yet, but I've uncovered most of it," Cora said.

"Go ahead, I'm listening," Athena replied, nodding.

Knowing Athena preferred straight talk, Cora dove right in. "Ten days ago, someone anonymously sent a letter to Isaac Kennedy and his wife.

"The letter claimed that the twins they had eighteen years ago are still alive and that you're not their biological daughter. It included photos of the twins and a paternity test. After reading it, the Kennedys secretly took a blood sample from you for another test, which confirmed you're not their daughter."

Athena's mind flashed back to last week when Regina had insisted on trimming her nails. Regina had "accidentally" cut her and then cleaned the wound with a cotton swab before leaving. Athena had found it odd at the time—Regina was never that concerned before.

'So that's how they got my blood,' Athena thought.

When Athena didn't respond, Cora continued, "After confirming the truth, the Kennedys received another letter with information and contact details for the twins.

"They reached out to them and also hired a private investigator to find your biological parents. That's when they told you everything and hurried to set things up for your departure."

Athena kept her composure as she drove, maintaining a steady speed. "So, whoever sent those letters must be someone close to me and the Kennedys."

"Exactly," Cora replied. "But they've been extremely careful. I haven't been able to trace them yet."

"Take your time. If they're that close, they'll slip up eventually," Athena said, her tone casual.

"Got it," Cora said. "I also found out that eighteen years ago, the Donovans were doing well financially. Your birth mother and Isaac's wife both gave birth at St. Mary Hospital. Your mother was expecting twins too."

Athena gasped. "So... I might have a twin brother or sister?"

8. Chapter 8

"That's right," Cora confirmed. "But after all this time, the medical staff I tracked down couldn't remember if the other baby was a boy or a girl. If you want real answers, you'll have to ask your birth parents."

Athena acknowledged this with a thoughtful hum, emotions churning in her chest.

Cora added, "Both the Donovan and Kennedy twins were born on the same day. A fire broke out in the hospital early that morning. The staff only managed to save two babies, saying one belonged to the Donovans and the other to the Kennedys.

"But the truth is, both babies were from the Donovan family, and you were handed over to the Kennedys as their surviving daughter."

Athena frowned, suspicion creeping into her voice. "That sounds shady. There's a good chance there was arson and child theft involved."

"It's possible." Cora agreed over the phone. "The hospital director's wife had suffered a traumatic loss two months before the fire when she gave birth to twins who didn't make it. That loss broke her mentally.

"After the fire, the director paid off both the Donovan and Kennedy families before moving abroad with his wife. Interestingly, while they were overseas, they had twins again, who came back to the country last year. I've confirmed that those twins are actually Isaac and Regina Kennedy's biological children."

Athena's expression cleared as the pieces fell into place. "So, the director and his wife used the fire as cover to steal the Kennedys' twins and then passed me off as the surviving daughter."

Cora added, "I questioned the hospital director and his wife privately. He swore on his faith that he didn't start the fire. He claimed that in the chaos, he impulsively took the Kennedy twins and told his wife their babies hadn't died. Her mental state improved because of it, and she's fully recovered now."

After a pause, Cora asked, "Do you want more details about the Kennedy twins?"

Athena shook her head. "Do they have anything to do with me?"

"No, not directly," Cora answered.

"Then I don't care," Athena said firmly. "My priority is finding out who sent those letters and the real story behind the fire."

"Got it," Cora said. "I'll keep digging until we get to the bottom of this."

"Thanks," Athena said softly. "By the way, any updates on my mentor? Even the slightest clue would help."

Six years ago, Athena's mentor had handed her the reins of Vission Group, guiding her step by step.

In just two years, the mentor transferred control of the medical labs, physics research centers, and an astronomical observatory to her before disappearing from Kitmore City without a trace.

Despite her mentor's brilliance, Athena couldn't shake the worry that gnawed at her.

After a brief silence, Cora replied, "Nothing new yet, but I'm not giving up."

Athena sighed softly, murmured her thanks, and ended the call. She then pressed the brakes, letting her thoughts wander as she sat in her car.

Considering her birth parents had been financially stable back then and received a large payout, Athena couldn't help but wonder how they'd ended up in such poverty.

'Maybe I'll figure it out when I get to the Donovans',' she mused.

Shaking off the thoughts, Athena glanced out the window, realizing she was just five or six minutes from her destination. But the road ahead was blocked, causing a massive traffic jam, with police cars scattered across the scene.

Athena checked her watch—almost noon. At this rate, she might not make it in time.

After a moment's hesitation, Athena got out of the car and walked up to a nearby pedestrian bridge to get a better look at the situation. About 660 feet ahead, she could make out several large banners with bold letters and hear the crowd's loud chanting.

One banner screamed, "Regret buying an apartment in Bard Garden? You'll regret it for the rest of your life!"

Another boldly declared, "Three years overdue! Families left homeless, kids without schools!"

"Blood, sweat, and tears for mortgage payments... and still no home!"

"Please help those who poured their life savings into a house they can't even enter!"

9. Chapter 9

It turned out that homeowners from a nearby development were gathered at the entrance, staging a large protest.

Athena watched them with a quiet sigh, feeling genuine sympathy for their struggle.

Without a word, she returned to her car and navigated into a small alley to avoid the traffic.

The detour would take longer, but it was better than being stuck. After weaving through the back streets, she finally arrived at Vlento Court.

Vlento Court used to be an apartment for employees. It was an old place, but still clean and quiet, with lots of open space.

The area mostly housed older residents now, with few young people around. After all, a young or wealthy person wouldn't want to live in a neighborhood that should've been demolished years ago.

The community had a few residential buildings, none taller than six stories. The exterior walls were worn, paint peeling, and the building numbers had faded.

Athena parked at the entrance and asked the security guard for directions. Soon enough, she found Building No. 6, where a couple in their fifties stood waiting outside.

The man was dressed in a black suit and polished leather shoes, while the woman wore a blue dress and high heels. Their clothes were a bit outdated, but they were spotless and well-kept, radiating a kind of old-world dignity.

The woman kept glancing at her phone, clearly waiting for a message. Meanwhile, the man was on his tiptoes, shading his eyes with his hand as he scanned the area. They were obviously expecting someone.

Athena recognized them immediately—Wesley and Claire Donovan. Just a few days ago, she had met them at the hospital when they all had a paternity test done.

After their blood was drawn, Wesley had taken a phone call, and he and Claire had rushed off, so they hadn't had much of a chance to talk. Although Athena recognized them, she still didn't know much about them.

When the couple spotted her, their faces lit up with a mix of joy and nervousness. They hurried over, stopping a few steps away, their hands trembling as they reached out to take hers but then pulled back.

Wesley stammered, "Athena... is it okay if we call you that?"

Athena smiled warmly, "Of course."

Claire nervously rubbed her hands together. "Athena, we've been so happy ever since we found you! This is the best thing that's happened to us in years.

"It's just that... our family doesn't have much. We're so sorry."

Athena saw the sincerity in their faces and smiled gently. "It's okay. I've had a good life so far, and that won't change. You don't need to give me anything or feel bad about it," she reassured them.

After a brief pause, she added, "If there's something we want but don't have, let's work together to get it."

Her heartfelt words deeply moved Wesley and Claire, and their eyes welled with tears. If they hadn't been worried about overwhelming their daughter at their first real meeting, they might have broken down right then and there.

Wesley quickly composed himself and laughed, "The food's ready. Let's head upstairs and talk over lunch, shall we?"

Athena nodded. "Sure."

Just as they started to walk, a woman's high-pitched voice rang out behind them, "Athena, wait!"

Athena instinctively turned towards the voice, only to be met with the rapid clicks of cameras as a man and a woman frantically snapped photos with their phones.

10. Chapter 10

Athena narrowed her eyes, a cold smirk playing on her lips as she watched the scene unfold in front of her.

The man taking pictures was Lucas Harper, and beside him stood Zoe Murray—her defeated rival. There was another man with them, someone Athena didn't recognize, but he had the same smug look on his face.

Athena stepped calmly to the side, positioning herself protectively in front of Claire. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice steady, without a hint of fear.

Zoe flashed a bright but fake smile. "Athena, we've known each other for years. Now that you've finally found your birth parents, I just had to come to congratulate you in person."

Athena's smile was faint, unreadable. She knew the gossip about her not being the Kennedy family's real daughter had spread like wildfire, and all those who envied her or hated her were eagerly waiting to see her fall.

Zoe, who had always seen her as competition, was no different—ready to strike now that Athena's shield of privilege had fallen.

But Athena kept quiet, letting them make their move first.

Wesley, unaware of their true intentions, greeted them warmly. "So, you're Athena's friends! We've prepared lunch. Why don't you come up and join us?"

"Dad, I'm not close with them," Athena interrupted, her smile unchanged. "They've just been bugging me, so don't feel like you have to entertain them."

Wesley's smile faded, and he turned to Zoe and the others with a cold glare. "If Athena doesn't want to see you, then I'd appreciate it if you left."

Athena added calmly, "Dad, Mom, please head upstairs first. I'll take care of this and join you soon."

Wesley's face grew serious. "No, you and your mother should go home first. I'll handle this."

Before Athena could say anything, Zoe cut in loudly, "Athena, how can you say that about us?

"Until last night, you were the pampered daughter of the Kennedy family, the second richest in Kitmore City. You grew up in a mansion, rode in luxury cars, and had servants at your beck and call.

"Now you've been tossed out and reduced to living here like some stray. We came as your friends, bearing gifts, and you say we're not close?"

Athena didn't flinch as she had seen and heard worse before.

But Wesley and Claire turned pale at Zoe's words. Their eyes filled with guilt and sadness as they looked at Athena, clearly wanting to say something but too afraid to speak.

Zoe, relishing the moment, felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. She grabbed the fruit basket from her boyfriend and ripped off the wrapping paper with a sneer. "Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, I bet you've never seen fruit like this before.

11. Chapter 11

"These are imported blueberries, Athena's favorite. They go for over 60 dollars a pound. We got them just for her. Since she doesn't want us upstairs, you can take the basket. After all, she won't be able to afford luxuries like this anymore."

Zoe's original plan had been to film Athena's new home and post it online, but after seeing the run-down apartment building, she found it so repulsive she didn't even want to step inside.

Wesley and Claire's faces flushed with anger, ready to explode.

Before they could react, Lucas chimed in with a nasty grin. "Athena, we had something special once, didn't we?"

"Last night was unforgettable. Didn't you leave your clothes and underwear in my car?" Lucas sneered. "I even promised to bring you back to the Donovans, but you just vanished on me."

His mind flashed back to the previous night when he'd driven around in his sports car for hours, desperately searching for Athena.

It wasn't until near dawn that he found out from the Kennedy family's maid that she'd come home before midnight. The memory fueled his rage, and he vowed to make her life a living hell until she begged to come back to him.

Lucas's words were far more vicious than Zoe's taunts, and by now, a small crowd of elderly residents and children had gathered, whispering and pointing at Athena.

"Isn't that Wesley's daughter? The one who was kidnapped as a kid? She's so beautiful, but how could someone so young get mixed up with a man like that? It's just not right," one resident muttered.

Another chimed in, "I heard a wealthy family adopted her. She must be used to living in luxury. How's she ever going to adjust to the modest life of the Donovans?"

Their remarks were like needles piercing Wesley and Claire's hearts, filling them with pain.

Claire, trembling with rage, clenched her fists and glared at Lucas with tear-filled eyes. "If you keep slandering my daughter, I... I won't stand for it..." she stammered, her voice shaking with emotion.

Wesley silently rolled up his sleeves, ready to confront Lucas.

But before he could act, Athena calmly stepped in front of him. "Dad, Mom, please trust me. I can handle this. You both should go home first," she said, her tone composed and reassuring.

Wesley wanted to argue, to tell her she couldn't handle them on her own, but the determination in her eyes stopped him.

There was a quiet strength in her gaze, a promise that she wasn't bluffing. He realized he needed to respect Athena's wishes.

Taking Claire's hand, he whispered, "Let's go upstairs and watch from there. If she needs us, we'll help chase them off."

Claire looked at Athena, then at the gathered onlookers, her eyes brimming with tears. After a moment, she nodded. "Okay."

Once they were safely upstairs, Athena stepped forward with grace, her smile serene and unbothered. "Zoe, even if I'm living here now, I'm still smarter, more beautiful, and more elegant than you. No matter how hard you try, you'll never measure up to me."

Her words cut Zoe deep, right where it hurt most.