Chapter 100: The Gala IV

Chapter 100: The Gala IV Athena wasn’t sure what angered her the most: the hot slap of humiliation that stung on her cheek, Fiona’s underhanded schemes, or the fickleness of human trust. The latter though was making her jaw tick. This was a gala where her achievements were being celebrated, and yet here she was, standing accused as a thief. How could they believe she was capable of stealing a flimsy piece of jewelry with no monetary value, especially after awarding her? Didn’t anyone possess the common sense to see the absurdity of it all? Her eyes darted over to Ewan and Zane who were watching the scene unfold with a mixture of confusion and concern. Ewan looked particularly distressed, his brow furrowed deeply in confusion. Sandro’s absence was still inconspicuous, and Zane seemed very interested in stepping in to defend her. But she knew he wouldn’t. Not if he valued his family’s company. The leading family of the city wasn’t one to be trifled with. So, yes, she didn’t really fault Zane for not stepping in. She would have to take care of this herself, like she always did. At the same moment, she noted the absence of her friends—Because they weren’t here causing a scene, demanding for justice and sense to knocked into the minds of the audience, they must have been locked out before the search began. Good. She didn’t want her friends involved in this. Athena turned her glare back to the hostess then, ready to iron the situation out. "I said I didn’t do it, Victoria," She repeated, her voice firmer now. Victoria simply scoffed, her eyes blazing with jealousy. Watching Athena’s wide range of connections and favors earlier tonight had left a sour taste in her mouth since the celebration began. It didn’t matter that she herself was the fiancée to the host; it didn’t matter that she had a beautiful life set out for her. No. She coveted what Athena had—Influence based on what a woman had achieved, not because she was dating a hot shot or married to a business tycoon. Victoria knew she wasn’t really an achiever like the doctor. But it didn’t help the feeling of loathing. As a matter of fact, since Athena’s return, she has been seeking for an occasion to put the latter down. And now the opportunity presented itself, how could she ignore it? "You expect us to believe you?" She asked, gazing at Athena with disgust. "A thief in our midst dressed in good intentions? Spare us the theatrics." She raised a hand again, intending to slap Athena once more, but Athena was done being slapped. She was ready this time. With a swift motion, Athena caught Victoria’s wrist, her grip tight and unyielding. "I wouldn’t tolerate being treated unfairly," she said, her voice low and steady. The silence that followed felt charged. However, Athena released Victoria’s hand a second later and turned to the guard, ignoring the look of shock on former’s face. "You need proof, right? If I’m the one with the stolen ring, where’s the evidence?" At that, Victoria’s fiance chuckled in disbelief. He had arrived at the scene mere minutes ago. "Take her away," He commanded, waving his hand dismissively as if Athena were a nuisance. Victoria was overjoyed. "Wait!" A voice called out from the crowd, cutting through the rising tension. Everyone’s attention was drafted to an old man waking toward Athena. "Father..." The host started, but the old man looking regal in a traditional outfit raised his palm, indicating that the younger man should keep quiet. Athena’s heart raced with hope as she recognized the old man. He had been her patient at one time. "Hello, old man! Can you believe them?" She asked, risking a chuckle, trying to keep her tone light despite the gravity of the situation. When he didn’t respond to her words at first, she inhaled softly, bent on killing the hope, until the he suddenly laughed heartily. "Don’t mind them, Doc." He said, still laughing, brushing past the whispers of the crowd. "These accusations are ridiculous." Athena let out a sigh of relief. The old man turned to the tech crew afterwards, his voice commanding. "Get the CCTV footage up now!" Before the footage could be accessed, however, the projector screen on the podium flickered to life. The room fell silent, all eyes glued to the screen as scenes began to play out, one after another. Athena felt her heart in her throat as a video depicted Fiona’s friend handing a waiter the vial of poison that had been slipped into her drink. In the next clip, another of Fiona’s friends stole the ring from the old man’s chambers. The footage even captured the moment she was pushed aside, the ring finding its way into her pocket. Gasps of disbelief rippled through the crowd. Shock and anger intertwined in the air, the sudden turn of events rendering everyone momentarily speechless. Athena couldn’t help but smile, already knowing Aiden was behind this revelation. He had always been good at his job, and she was grateful for his quick thinking in providing the proof she so desperately needed. Fiona, on the other hand, stood, gritting her teeth in anger. How had her meticulously laid plans gone awry? Her friends, once confident in their scheme, were shrinking back, suddenly looking scared as though they might be caught in the crossfire of their own mistakes. "Look at you all," Fiona sneered, her authority dwindling with each passing second. She straightened up, smoothing her dress as she plotted her next move. "You’re just going to hide behind me now? How pathetic!" Fiona suddenly raised her voice, directing the attention of the guards toward her friends. "Guards, look! Those are the two in the video. The plotters!" Horrified, her friends shot back, pointing accusatory fingers at Fiona. "No! You’re lying! You’re the one responsible for all of this! You planned all this!" They cried, their faces flushed with anger as they betrayed the very person who had led them into this mess. Chaos swirled around them immediately as the guards halted, not sure if they should apprehend Fiona too. It was in the middle of it all, that Fiona enacted her most convincing performance. She stepped away from her friends as if their lies would contaminate her, shrieked as if in pain, and hurried over to Ewan, who seemed to be at a loss. She flung her hands around his waist thereafter and started sobbing. "Ewan, you have to believe me! I didn’t do anything!"