novelxo Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Newman’s eyes sharpened, and for some reason, he found himself thinking about what her touch would feel like.
After popping two Scorpions that day, in the hotel, he had her breast in his grip, and it was more than a handful.
Snapping back to reality. Newman realized he had changed.
He cursed under his breath.
Athena, unaware of the man’s sudden ferocity hidden behind his shades, cheerily said, “All set!”
She parted Newman’s hair in a decent style, which was trendy yet had a touch of uncool.
Many bodyguards of the Dempsey family sported the same look, but even with this haircut, Newman still managed to look infuriatingly handsome
Unable to knock down Newman’s good looks, Athena pouted a bit in disappointment. Let’s go. She reminded Newman,
“Stick close and be ready to servel”
The man snorted a disdainful scoff through his nostrils.
Newman was the first to get out of the car. Stardale City’s winters were rainy and though it had been clear just moments ago. now a fine drizzle began to fall.
Dressed to the nines, Newman was cool and detached, his face betraying little emotion as he popped open a black umbrella
The car door opened, and Athena stepped out, lifting her dress hem.
Her appearance seemed to brighten the day.
Because of the rain, the hotel guests were hurrying along, but they were drawn to the sudden bright light
Countless gazes shifted toward Athena, curious about the face hidden under the black umbrella
The rain, like a curtain of pearls, fell along the edge of the umbrella, and Athena walked beneath it, swaying gracefully.
Her hair, soft as silk, cascaded over h her shoulders, hanging in front of her chest, enticing the heart with every sway
At the entrance, Newman closed the umbrella, and Athena’s exquisite features were fully revealed, causing many to hold their breath unconsciously.
With his sunglasses on, Newman was cool and detached, like a knight guarding his princess.
He handed over the Bishop family’s invitation to the concierge, who respectfully led the way.
Athena’s entrance made many guests at the banquet stop talking and turn to look her way
“Ms. Dempsey, I heard you sent Anna to the police station?”
A voice came out of nowhere, but Athena couldn’t be bothered to bat an eyelid.
The approaching woman was Nancy Bishop, the adopted daughter of the Bishop family.
She was favored by Belinda and grew up with Anna. When Anna was sent abroad by her parents, Nancy even came to Athena to give her a piece of her mind.
Nancy had been taught a lesson by Athena before. Seems like she didn’t learn her lesson.
Standing up for her BFF, Nancy said, “Anna just got back to the country and you couldn’t wait to send her to the police station. You’re really mean, Athenal”
Athena chuckled inwardly, thinking Anna had a good BFF. The news of Anna being in the station had leaked, and now Nancy
wanted to make a scene out of it.
Athena dropped her thick lashes, looking down her nose at everyone with pride, as if she didn’t care for anyone’s opinion
“Anna offended Newman, it was Newman who had her taken to the police station. What does that have to do with me?”
Walls have ears, and the whole of Stardale City knew about the upcoming alliance between the Bradshaw and Dempsey families Newman, with his bodyguards, had stormed the Dempsey family’s Mystic Ridge Villa, and the news had spread among the elite families, now everyone knew Newman was staying at Mystic Ridge
Nancy took a deep breath and asked her, “Can’t you just ask Newman to go easy on your cousin?”
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Athena let out a sigh, “Anna offended Newman, what can I do? Besides, with our families joining, every time I see Newman, I’m like a cat who’s seen a mouse, legs gone weak, breaking out in cold sweat!”
Standing slightly behind Athena, Newman, with his sunglasses and indifferent face, glanced back.
He really wanted to see the expression Athena had while saying those words.
Nancy frowned, “Anna’s in jail, and you still have the nerve to attend a birthday banquet? You set her up, didn’t you? You made her offend Newman on purposel
Athena’s lips curled into a half smile.
She was about to reply when Belinda approached.
“Athena, my dear, I’m so happy you could make it to my birthday party.”
Belinda stepped protectively in front of Nancy as if Athena was about to devour her.
Belinda was 70 this year, well–preserved with traces of age on her face but still with fair and smooth skin. She didn’t bother to dye her white hair, instead styling her silver–grey locks into a neat bun.
Belinda loved jade, and today she was adorned with imperial–grade jade jewelry.
“Grandma, I pray for our welfare and long life.”
Athena offered a polite phrase and presented her prepared birthday gift.
Belinda didn’t reach out to take it, nor did anyone seem inclined to accept it on her behalf.
Athena’s eyes twinkled with cunning as she opened her own gift box, revealing a stone carving.
Belinda had seen many fine things and instantly recognized that Athena’s carving was by the national treasure–level sculptor Lawrence.
Inside the box that held the carving was a birthday wish written by Lawrence himself.
Belinda had received many of Lawrence’s works over the years, but never one made especially for her.
Belinda’s gaze lingered on the inscription inside the box.
At that moment, Nancy stepped forward to take the birthday gift from Athena’s hands, exclaiming, “Oh my!”
She let out a yelp and the stone carving tumbled out of the box, going “crash!” as it hit the marble floor.
Belinda’s face darkened a bit, but she kept her cool.
The stone carving wasn’t shattered, but it was now marred with a crack.
Nancy quickly squatted down, scooping up the Shoushan stone ornament..
“Granny, my bad, I’ve dropped the stone carving Ms. Dempsey gave you”
Belinda asked in a tone that was neither here nor there, is the sculpture damaged?”
“What a shame, a perfectly good sculpture how flawed. Belinda sounded genuinely bummed out, “You know, the Bishop family never keeps damaged goods. Nancy, you should return the sculpture to Athena”
Nancy, with a smile still on her face, said.
“Ms. Dempsey, don’t hold it against Granny for not taking this cracked stone off your hands, it’s just how the Bishop family rolls. A woman who’s lost her virtue can’t step through the Bishop family’s doors, and the same goes for broken stones
The people around cast mocking, sneering glances at Athena.
The two families had bad blood for ages/and with rumors flying about Athena’s engagement to Zoey, Belinda’s invite to the birthday bash was clearly another jab at her!
Athena didn’t reach out for the stone carving Nancy was passing her, but the latter spoke up again, “Zoey must have a taste for these kind of antique stones, right? If he can accept Ms. Dempsey, I bet he’d be just as fine with this cracked piece of rock.”
Nancy’s sarcasm was surely grandma–approved
Accepting this stone carving ornament would be like Athena acknowledging the Bishop family’s slut–shaming!
“Nancy, if Granny doesn’t fancy this ornament, I’ll take it off your hands.”
Nancy’s breath hitched, she didn’t need to look back to know that the voice belonged to Leonard Bishop, the big–shot heir of the
Chapter 22
Bishop family!