She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

c Chapter 141

Tears streamed down Linda's face as she lamented, "Unfortunately, something happened at my family. My

parents forcibly tookaway on our wedding day and lockedup, forbiddingfrom seeing Jaden." Her

words were extremely moving, punctuated by tears and sobs, as she clutched her chest, her voice hoarse.

Athena didn't know whether anyone else would be touched, but she felt nothing at all.

The more Linda spoke, the more agitated Athena becLinda repeated the stales of how she and Jaden

fell in love during college, making grand promises to each other.

She emphasized, "Back then, the Donovan family was very poor. Jaden was incredibly filial. He would return to

the countryside to care for his grandparents on weekends and holidays, leaving us little tto date, but | never

complained. "Whenever | had free time, | would accompany him to the countryside, helping him care for his

grandparents and do chores.

"We

We that up together that beautiful path in front of the house. That's a testament to our love! You have no idea

how much I sacrificed for him!

Wheug

his grandparents fell ill and were hospitalized, | took leave to care for them, taking the daytshifts while he

stayed with them at night.

"My family isn't well-off either. We have many mouths to feed and expenses are high, but | still saved money to

secretly buy supplements for his grandparents.

almost all a job

"After graduating, I didn't look for a

| my free twas spent on the Donovan family.

Throughout my four years of college but stayed in the countryside with Jaden, helping him grow vegetables and

feed livestock. Everyone in the Donovan family and the whole village knows this."

Linda went on and on, focusing on her sacrifices for Jaden and the Donovan family.

Athena said nothing, leisurely sipping her fruit tea while occasionally glancing up at Linda.

To be honest, she was growing impatient and found Linda quite annoying.

The reason Athena endured the conversation instead of walking away was to better understand Jaden and to

figure out what was going on with Linda so she could strike effectively. Athena was surprised to discover Jaden

had such a past, yet the Donovan family had never mentioned a word about it.

After an hour, Linda finally seemed tired and her voice was hoarse from crying, so she paused to sip her fruit tea

and soothe

her throat.

Athena finally looked up, calmly meeting her gaze, and cut straight to the point. "What's the deal with the 100

thousand dollars loan? Where have you been these last three years?"

A mocking expression crossed her face as Athena continued, "You seem to be doing quite well now, dressed in

designer clothes, enjoying a lavish lifestyle, looking well-fed. | don't see how you're troubled by love or struggling

in life." Linda's face flushed, her gaze evasive, unable to meet Athena's eyes. With a hint of guilt, she

stammered, "I... | was forcibly taken to another city, far away from Valemont City. "My father has uremia and

needs a kidney transplant, along with long-term care. I... | had to borrow 100 thousand dollars from Jaden, but it

wasn't enough."

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Linda lowered her head, covered her face with her hand, and began to sob again. "My family has borrowed a lot

of money from others and can't pay it back, so they forcedto marry someone else. L... | had no choice...

Athena scoffed, "So you're saying you're a married woman now, yet you will want to flirt with other men?

No, it's not like that?" Linda looked up, her eyes filled with tears My my husband passed away two months ago,

so I'm single now.

"Oh, your husband just died, and you're already eager to find another man?" Athena elongated her voice. A

woman like you deserves Jaden?"

"I was forced" Linda defended herself. Tm a victim too. I've missed Jaden every single day for the past three

years. We once shared so much together. He's so kind, and he'll understandAthena scoffed, pulling out her

and | dialing a number on speaker.

On the other end, Jaden's voice cthrough. "Athena, how's everything going?"

phone "Very smoothly! I'm getting ready to go home, Athena replied sweetly, her voice playful "Tonight, | want to

eat your chicken pot pie, casserole, and fennel carrot soup. And I'm so tired. Could you give my shoulders a

massage when | get back Jaden's voice was filled with f ended

"Thanks! See you at home" Andness. Sure, I'll go buy the ingredients."

ded the call, stood up, and said triumphantly, Jaden and | are already a family. We've been living together for a

while now, and our parents fully support us. You don't stand a chance? Before Linda could say something, Athena

made a face at her. "Oh, and I'm quite wealthy. Your loan doesn't affect Jaden at all. Listen, if you dare harass

Jaden, you'll regret it." With that, Athena left. Her steps were light and quick.

Linda watched Athena's retreating figure, her swelling anger, jealousy, and pain contorting her features.

She grabbed her cup of fruit tea and smashed it onto the ground

The cup shattered with a loud "bang" and red liquid splattered everywhere.

She paid to compensate for the store's losses and climbed into her BMW, frantically thinking about how she

could contact Jaden.

Linda thought that given Jaden's personality, as long as she admitted her mistakes, pleaded, and made amends,

reminiscing about the good times they had, he would surely forgive her.

But it was best to meet Jaden in private. She couldn't let anyone from the Donovan family find out about her, or

they might

interfere.

So, Linda couldn't go to the Donovan family or look for people in Mid-Level Mountain Garden.

She was wondering what to do.

Then her gaze landed on a bank by the roadside, and she suddenly had an idea.

Linda thought, Jaden cout of Trustcorp Bank when | saw him the day before yesterday. He was holding a

bank file bag He must have gone to apply for a loan.

He used to say that his dream was to develop the barren hills and lands in the countryside, letting free-range

chickens roam the fields, and covering the hills with fruits and flowers, just like the paradise described in stories.

He also mentioned that if he couldn't raise enough capital, he'd apply for a loan from the bank

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With this thought. Linda smiled smugly and said to herself, "Trustcorp Bank is just a small bank. if | deposit

hundreds of thousands of dollars there, the bank will treatwith respect.

"Then I'll ask them for Jaden's/number, and they wouldn't dare refuse if | asked them not to lend him money.

"Then | can fund Jaden's dream, and he'll surely be touched, just like back then."

|

Linda stepped on the gas, racing toward that bank.

Meanwhile, Athena didn't head back to the villa but went to a restaurant not far from there.

The old house was under renovation,

filled with the sounds of hammering

and chaos, and thehé was So much

@ Co ;

dEsTevbly there. didn't go in but

stood at the entrance, calling for

Arthur to cout. The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

Athena

Arthur, wearing a hard hat, mask, and gloves, jogged out. Upon seeing her, he quickly removed his mask and

exclaimed happily, "Athena? What brings you here?"

Athena looked at him seriously and said, "Arthur, | need to ask you something about Jaden."

"About Jaden?" Arthur touched his hard hat and said, "Go ahead. I'll tell you whatever | know."

: I

Athena continued, "I met a woman

named Linda, around twenty-seven or

twenty-eig ht.g yitq Dek. She claims

pede first love and said she

was forcibly taken away by her family

q 3 " 3

on their wedding day." The content is

on novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

FD

To

I" spn

Bullshit!" The usually gentle and

smiling Arthur was angry, unable to

. . [1 | :

hold back his expletive Shes king!

| A |

She's 9igedy era Sorbie se She's

3 | :

the Worst woman I've ever seen in my

a f 9 f

life! If | see her, | won't hit her, but I'll

T n

definitely curse her out!" Athena was

f . n

taken aback by his reaction. "Arthur,

[1 f

calm down. She..." The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

"I can't calm down!" Arthur was so furious that he was pacing back and forth, continuously pounding his fist

against his hard hat, feeling like he might explode.

Athena asked, "Do you know what she did to Jaden?"

Arthur said, "She stood him up on their wedding day! Then she made off with the 100 thousand dollars and

disappeared without a trace, leaving not a penny behind!"

Arthur's eyes turned red with anger, and he was nearly crying, "That's money our whole family saved for two

years, meant for renovating the new house. She just swindled it away!"

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