novelxo Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Hearing Newman’s words, Athena was clearly thrown for a loop. Once she got her bearings, a mocking sneer crept onto her lips. “Newman, did you save me just so I’d owe you one?”
The man’s tone was resolute and frosty. “What else?”
Even Newman himself didn’t believe he was the kind of guy to protect a woman’s safety without expecting something in return. His protection of Athena was all for the sake of his son.
Payne’s illness couldn’t be put on hold any longer.
Newman had thought that by having Jerry send his protégé to be his family physician, Payne would safely make it through the
winter.
But Anna’s medical skills were lacking and her intentions not pure, so naturally, Newman wouldn’t let her stay by his son’s side. Now, his only hope was the miracle–working Adonis.
Athena’s radiant face was veiled with a thin layer of frost as she laughed at herself for even thinking Newman was risking his neck to protect her out of some sense of justice.
True to form as the big shot of Everglade City, the invincible god of the business world, he had his move calculated and strategic. “Newman, I promised Adonis I wouldn’t spill the beans about his contact or whereabouts to anyone else.”
A hint of scorn seeped into Newman’s indifferent voice.
“So, how do you plan to repay the life debt you owe me for saving your skin?”
His gaze swept over Athena’s face, which turned pale. After taking a deep breath, she said,
“When it comes to relationships, Newman, you’re always playing the angles, weighing the pros and cons. Like this, you’ll never meet someone who’s genuinely good to you.”
A snort of scorn escaped the man’s lips, his handsome face taking on an even colder edge.
In this world, the only person who had been genuinely good to him was that silly girl, and that girl was no longer around!
Moreover, he didn’t need anyone to be genuinely good to him.
Til owe you for today Newman. Someday, fill repay you.”
Athena’s voice returned to normal as she rose from the sofa and walked out.
Newman followed behind her, not in a rush to press Athena for Adonis’s whereabouts, but determined to get what he wanted eventually!
Athena didn’t go back to Belinda’s birthday bash; instead, she entered the hotel lobby waiting for Newman to drive around from the parking lot to take her back to Mystic Ridge Villa.
After Nancy’s ruckus, quite a few guests had left the party, and Athena saw Leonard at the hotel entrance bidding them farewell.
Leonard noticed her and walked over.
“Athena, how’s your bodyguard? Is he okay?”
Mention of Newman nearly made Athena roll her eyes. “Just some flesh wounds, he’ll be fine.”
A black Cayenne pulled up outside the hotel, and a doorman came to invite Athena into the car.
As she settled into the back seat, Leonard stood by the car door, glancing at Newman in the driver’s seat but addressing Athena,
“Have you been to the resort area that the Bishop Group developed last year at Whispering Peak?”
Athena shook her head, and Leonard’s voice was as soothing as a gentle breeze. “If you’re free this weekend, let’s go together. Does your son like camping? We could bring camping gear, pitch tents, and watch the stars.
Athena paused, meeting Leonard’s tender gaze, and remembered the camping trips organized by their school during their junior and senior high years–Leonard had even taken her to see fireflies.
Those carefree days were nostalgic, and Athena responded, “I’ll ask Kevin if he wants to go camping.”
Leonard nodded, “Good” As Athena was about to leave, he couldn’t help but ask:
“I heard Zoey is planning to marry into the Dempsey family, what do you think, Athena?”
15.201
Stardale City!”
Leonard chuckled at her words, the epitome of elegance and gentlemanly charm, more caring and protective than Athena’s three
brothers.
With a serious tone, Leonard continued, “If your engagement to the Bradshaw family isn’t set in stone, then I might just start pursuing you.”
“What?”
Athena was totally flabbergasted
Leonard’s smile was gentle, like a flawless jade radiating a moist luster, as he closed the car door for her.
The man in the driver’s seat, however, looked like he could spit ice, his jaw clenched as he hit the gas.
Athena watched Leonard stand still, the distance between them growing.
Turning back, she said cheerfully to the driver, “If I start dating Leonard, do you think you could tell my grandpa to call off the marriage plans?”
Athena didn’t see the stormy emotion swirling in Newman’s eyes.
“Belinda clearly looks down on you; you and Leonard will never work out.”
Athena pouted, her cheeks puffing slightly. “Leonard and I were practically at the altar once, if it weren’t for=”
She saw the fire in Newman’s eyes as she glared at the back of his head.
Athena raised her voice, “Anyway, hurry up and call off the engagement, don’t keep me from finding a high–quality man to date!”
Newman scoffed coldly, unaware of the turbulent emotions flickering in his eyes.
Back at Mystic Ridge Villa, Athena got out of the car and headed towards the west villa.
Newman sat in the car, not leaving right away. He was deep in thought and after a while, he dialed Zoey’s number.
Two days later, inside Sunrise Building:
Athena had just wrapped up a meeting and was stepping out of the conference room when her secretary scurried up to her.
“President Dempsey, Zoey sent over like a gazillion roses, each bouquet packed with 999 blooms. They’re taking up half the lobby right now.”
Athena frowned, “Let the staff divvy up those roses, will ya?”
The next day, Zoey had a hundred afternoon snack sets delivered.
The whole office was buzzing with how Zoey was hot on Athena’s heels.
After work, Athena left the Sunrise Building and was on her phone asking Newman, “You stuck in traffic?”
The guy on the other end told her, “Zoey’s coming to pick you up.”
That’s when Athena spotted a loud yellow Lambo, its engine farting its way over to her.
She bit her lip in annoyance, “Fine, Newman, you bail on me, whatever!”
Then she saw a sleek silver Bentley parked at the curb, Leonard’s ride.
“I’m hitching a ride with Leonard back to Mystic Ridge Villa, and then I’m taking Kevin camping. I’m giving you a couple days off, so do me a favor and stay out of my hair.”
Without waiting for a reply, Athena hung up.
Zoey, seeing Athena get into the Bentley, frantically called Newman.
“Newman, Ms. Dempsey got scooped up by someone else, and it looks like that car belongs to Leonard.”
Newman, phone in hand, tilted his head slightly and closed his eyes, his handsome features freezing over.
‘Useless!”
After Newman hung up on him, Zoey dared to growl into the phone, “Well, if you’re so great, you do it!”
Athena, sitting in the passenger seat, called Linda to get the camping gear ready.
“Ms. Athena, Kevin’s got a cold”