Minerva snorted at the thought of Hera resorting to selling herself for a better life. <i>’What? Is she deliberately unting herself in front of Alexi, that’s why she stalked him here?! Ha! Is this her new way to get his attention? But she’s already damaged goods!’</i>


    Minerva stepped forward and openly gave Hera a once-over before sarcastically remarking, "Seems you found yourself a thick leg to cling on."


    Alexi understood what Minerva was implying and was instantly incensed. <i>’He hasn’t even touched her, and she’s already given herself to someone else?’</i>


    "Hera, we just broke up for a few days, and you’re already going around sleeping with men? Were all these the gifts they have given you?" He sneered self-depreciatingly as if Hera had wronged him. "Was all this worth it?"


    His disappointment was palpable, tinged with a simmering anger he hadn’t anticipated. He never imagined Hera would resort to such depths to retaliate against him. He had hoped she would show some patience, some faith in their bond. Despite not being born into the opulence Minerva enjoyed, he still possessed an acute awareness of luxury, making Hera’s extravagant attire all the more puzzling. How could she exin it, he wondered, <i>’other than by securing herself a wealthy sugar daddy?’</i>


    Hera and Athena exchanged incredulous nces, silently verifying they had both heard the same usation. Hera found it almostical that Alexi and Minerva would throw such an usation, especially considering his own questionable actions involving cheating for money.


    What led Minerva to believe Hera would stoop so low as to trade her dignity for money, especially when she hadn’t even engaged in intimacy with Alexi during their shared affectionate years?


    She fought the urge tough, opting instead for a stoic silence. Yet, a faint smile graced her lips, camouging the inner turmoil beneath a veneer of nonchnce. To im that his words hadn’t affected her would be untrue. After all, they had shared years of bond, and the official end to their rtionship had transpired only a few days ago


    <i>’Is this how he’s always seen me? What gave him the idea I’dpromise my integrity for money?’</i>


    "Hmph! People with dirty minds always see the world through a distorted lens. It’s no surprise that’s all you coulde up with, unable to stand seeing others seed beyond your petty schemes," Athena quipped, her sarcasm aimed at the deceitful pair.


    Athena’s words jolted Hera out of her reverie, their sincerity soothing her inner turmoil instantly. <i>’She truly is my best friend,’</i> she thought, a radiant smile gracing her face as she turned towards the couple, who had been hypocritically pointing fingers despite their own questionable actions and moral shorings.


    "This is thest thing I expected to hear from someone who delights in stealing another’s boyfriend and someone who prioritizes career over love," Hera retorted sharply before turning away, flicking her hair dismissively. Inadvertently, Hera’s hair brushed against Minerva’s eyes, causing her to tear up and blink incessantly.


    Jess, silently observing from the sidelines, felt a headacheing on. It wasn’t umon for him to witness the subtle power struggles within the upper echelons. Over the years, he had learned the importance of not judging a book by its cover and not blindly epting rumors without firsthand evidence. He knew all too well that such missteps could lead to one’s downfall.


    Having learned the lesson the hard way, he had grown increasingly discerning over time. As he watched the fight unfold before him, he knew better than to underestimate any of the individuals involved, particrly considering his own position. Therefore, he made a great effort to minimize his presence, determined not to be drawn into their squabble.


    Yet, despite his efforts to remain aloof, Jess found himself unexpectedly pulled into Minerva’s orbit, forced to make a decision he had hoped to avoid.


    "Jess, you’re aware that my family has been loyal customers of this shop. You should be assisting me instead of allowing this woman to cause trouble here! Kick them out!"


    Jess’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but no sound escaped. He resembled a fish gasping for air, his breathsbored and his head spinning with dizziness. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he found himself engulfed in the tempest raging around him. With the realization that one misstep could spell his doom, he uttered a desperate plea. "Oh God! Please help me!" In a moment of desperation, he reached out to a power he hadn’t called in a long time, believing that only a miracle could save him from this dire predicament.


    "For someone who enjoys meddling, you certainly live up to expectations," Athena remarked mockingly to Minerva, her wordsden with insinuation, hinting at Minerva’s alleged fondness for intervening in the affairs of others, including potentially engaging in morally questionable actions like being a mistress or pilfering from others.


    While it was true that Minerva had indeed pursued Hera’s boyfriend, she detested beingbeled as a mistress or a boyfriend-stealer. Unable to contain her rising anger, she erupted in a shout. "Shut up! Stop calling me that, or I’ll make you regret it!" After her outburst, she managed to rein in her anger slightly, but the fury still simmered beneath the surface. "Just wait and see. Let’s see if you’ll be able to speak again after I’m through with you."


    Hera couldn’t help but stifle a smile; Athena seemed to possess a remarkable talent for provoking intense anger in others. She had a knack for pinpointing exactly when and how to strike to ignite a whirlwind of rage within them, enough to make them cough out blood from anger.