She came to understand that Hera’s decision was the most prudent. In their world, there was really no one innocent there aside from the original Hera depicted in the novel who was just a cannon fodder meant to elevate someone’s position or life, a stepping stone.
She knew Hera had a kind heart, but she had taught her well about the White Lotus and Green Tea Bitches’ way of life and their tactics. With Hera’s quick wit, she not only grasped these tactics but also used them effectively against their enemies. Athena couldn’t help butugh, thinking to herself, "That’s my girl!"
Athena watched Hera with the three men openly showing interest in her, her eyes glinting with mirth. In a way, she felt more like Hera’s mother than just her best friend. She had nurtured Hera, taught her what a mother should, and protected her like a father would. That’s why she felt so attached to Hera and didn’t hesitate to follow her out to live independently of their family’s protection. They became each other’s sturdy walls, shielding one another from life’s storms and providing shade from the harshness of the world.
She felt as though her childless past life had found fulfillment with Hera by her side, alongside the gift of a second chance at life. Thispanionship was the greatest gift she had ever received, forging a connection with Hera deeper than any other in the world.
Athena silently left the room to give the people inside some space to enjoy themselves and headed straight home. Her eyes narrowed with clear intense fury raging within it. Even though Hera said that she would take care of the drugging incident that was aimed at her, Athena still didn’t feel reconciled with it because Hera was the one who was affected by it. When she got to park her car on the front porch, she didn’t even look at the maids who came out to greet her, they could feel Athena’s anger radiating from her body. Inside the living room, Sasha and her husband savored their afternoon tea, coincidentally, Athena’s uncle was also there. They all turned toward the door upon hearing Athena’s car pull up, anticipating her return after a sessful blind date.
Sasha was particrly delighted this time. Unlike Athena’s usual five-minute interactions with the blind dates she arranged, Athena had spent the entire lunch with the young man Sasha selected. Observing this, Sasha concluded that Athena must have taken a liking to him. She had also conducted a thorough background check on him, uncovering nothing worrisome; in fact, his profile was filled withmendable traits, which prompted Sasha to select him for Athena without hesitation.
Instead of a look of happiness and love, Sasha could only see Athena’s seething anger as she entered the door, as though she were prepared to set the ce aze. Athena’s nostrils red with every heavy step she took inside. When their eyes met, Sasha felt a shiver run down her spine, instantly sensing that something had gone terribly wrong.
The living room fell into an eerie silence, each person hesitant to break it first, fully aware that the one who spoke up would bear the brunt of what was toe.