She doubled her efforts to make sure the scumbag wouldn’t be able to steal her treasure.


    Now that her dream was within arm’s reach, Athena felt a surge of excitement.


    She immediately began creating dresses for Hera and nning her first fashion show, with her mother coaching her on the process and guiding her through the essentials.


    Despite being new to organizing the show, Athena quickly grasped the nuances—after all, she had been the chief editor of <i>Vogue</i> in her past life, so she was no stranger to fashion shows and had spent plenty of time backstage.


    She listened to her mother’s advice, focusing on the dos and don’ts while meticulously nning the event.


    Though it still took her a long time to finalize everything with her team, she made sure all was in ce before involving Hera.


    She knew her best friend would support her, no matter how much she pretended to feel cornered.


    Athena was confident that, in the end, Hera would dly help her bring this vision to life.


    They both knew each other too well to be offended by the small things, and Athena could see the joy and pride shining in Hera’s eyes.


    It was true—Hera was proud of Athena. After all, Athena had left home to live with Hera for many years, just so Hera wouldn’t feel alone or fall into the trap of love. Athena had made sure she didn’t lose herself in Alexi’s charm.


    In the process of protecting Hera, Athena had done countlessborious jobs by her side, even taking the lowest positions in her mother’spany to keep her true identity hidden.


    She did this to ensure she wouldn’t drag Hera, who was also trying to keep her own identity a secret.


    Walking the runway for Athena wasn’t just a favor—it was something Hera would dly do, even if Athena had never asked.


    Besides, walking the runway would benefit them both, making it a win-win situation.


    This was especially true now that it was Athena’s first fashion show where she wasn’t relying on her mother’s reputation to bring in the audience.


    Athena had been working as a designer for quite some time, pouring countless hours into perfecting her craft.


    Her mother had guided her every step of the way, teaching her the ins and outs of the industry, but it was Athena’s own effort and dedication that had truly shaped her as a designer.


    "Alright, I’ll be there..." Hera said, yfully hugging Athena’s arm. "Will there be celebrities and reporters at your fashion show?"


    "Not exactly," Athena replied with a mischievous smile. "It’s an exclusive event for up-anding young genius designers, and of course, Sasha’s pupil."


    "That’s the angle we’re going for. There will be a few celebrities and select reporters streaming the show, but most of the invites are for the young heiresses in our circle, along with some foreign heiresses my mom invited." She paused, her smile widening. "It’s going to be quite the event."


    "So, you can expect to do someworking after the fashion show," Athena said, her tone confident.


    "There will be a grand banquetter to celebrate my sess, and it’s also my mom’s way of formally introducing me as her daughter to the press."


    For years, Athena had hidden her identity, just like Hera.


    No one had seen her before, and despite whispers of her return circting in their circles, most dismissed it as a hoax or assumed she wasn’t valued by her maternal family.


    Athena’s introduction in such a prestigious setting would change that. It would elevate her status in the industry, and her mother had arranged everything meticulously to ensure Athena wouldn’t face unnecessary hardships in their circle moving forward.


    "I’m so happy for you, Athena..." Hera said, her voice thick with emotion as she pulled Athena into a warm hug.


    Her eyes reddened slightly, touched by the sight of Athena finally returning to her family, living the life she deserved all along.


    In Hera’s eyes, Athena was the best of all best friends. Athena could have easily stayed in thefort of her own life, offering only words of motivation and asionally apanying Hera from afar.


    Yet, she had chosen to sacrifice her ownfort, standing by Hera’s side through it all.


    That was the kind of friend Athena was—always willing to give up everything to support those she cared about.


    "Silly woman, don’t make us both cry," Athena teased, her voice softening. "We should be happy—our hard work is paying off. You won’t have to die as a sacrificialmb for that two-faced female lead and her entourage anymore." She tried to lighten the mood, but there was a hidden meaning in her words.


    "By the way," Athena continued, her tone shifting slightly, "since thest time I saw Minerva, the second female lead, she’s been treating you differently. Is she changing sides now?"


    Hera shook her head, still uncertain. "I don’t know," she admitted. "I’ve noticed her change too, and it doesn’t seem fake. Maybe it’s because her brother’s male lead halo is rubbing off on her, or maybe Alice’s female lead halo is weakening, causing Minerva’s role as the second female lead to waver. What will happen from here, though... I really don’t know." She shrugged, the uncertainty in her voice was obvious.


    "Hmm... maybe," Athena mused, her tone yful. "Since Minerva was Alice’s best friend in the novel, she naturally became the second female lead. But now that Alice’s role is in jeopardy, maybe the second female lead halo has transferred to me, your best friend. After all, isn’t the second female lead was the female lead’s best friend?"