Chapter 102: The Gala VI

Chapter 102: The Gala VI "I must say, I wouldn’t have believed you were once married to this man, Ewan Giacometti, if I hadn’t seen it on the news..." Mr. Thorne’s eyes lingered on Ewan as he spoke to Athena. Athena followed his gaze, her lips thinning when she met Ewan’s intense stare and furrowed eyebrows. If she was to take a guess, she would bet that Ewan thought her a gossip, that he suspected they were discussing about him. She didn’t care either way. After all, he was always bent on believing the worst of her, just like he was bent on believing that Fiona was an angel sent from heaven. "You know, Athena, he looks like a man who loves you deeply." Mr. Thorne continued, reverting his eyes to Athena. Athena paused, and piqued her eyebrow at the old man. When she saw that he was serious, she laughed a harsh, incredulous sound. "You must be joking," She said, her eyes rolling in disgust. "Ewan and I were trapped in a loveless marriage, and I’m lucky to be free of him." Mr. Thorne’s expression remained neutral, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise. "I see," he said, his voice neutral once more. "Well, I suppose appearances can be deceiving." Surely they were. Athena thought, refusing to be moved by the old man’s words. She refused to be ensnared into Ewan’s life again, no matter what, unless it had to do with business. How could the foolish man not suspect that Fiona was behind the schemes tonight? Or was he just protecting her blindly? Yet, even a blind man could see that Fiona’s hands weren’t clean tonight! Her two friends followed her everywhere like a puppies; there was no way they would act on their accord. The poison alone was a pointer. It was very expensive in the black market. Only Fiona could afford it, not her friends! Athena was so mad at Ewan’s pretense, or was it stupidity? She decided that she has given up on trying to convince him on the evilness of Fiona. This time around, she would do things her way, whether or not it affected his life or company. After all, Fiona wasn’t joking anymore. The witch wasn’t playing little games any longer. So, she couldn’t afford to do the opposite. She had her children to care about! "Your mind seems to be elsewhere, Athena. I’m sure you haven’t heard what I’ve been saying about my improved health..." Mr. Thorne said, breaking into Athena’s thoughts. Athena sighed tiredly. "I’m sorry." "Is it what I said earlier...?" Athena shook her head. "Not at all. As a matter of fact, I’m starting to think that love is just a myth perpetuated by Hallmark and romantic comedies." Mr. Thorne chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ah, Athena, you’re a cynic, aren’t you?" he said. "But I think there’s still room for romance in this world. Even for someone like Ewan here." Athena raised an eyebrow. "Someone like Ewan?" she repeated. "What do you mean?" Old Man Thorne leaned forward, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "I mean that Ewan may not be the most charming or charismatic man in the world," he said. "But he has a certain... vulnerability about him. A vulnerability that I think makes him more attractive to those who care about him." Athena snorted. "Vulnerability? Ha! That’s just code for ’pathetic’." Mr. Thorne’s expression turned serious once more. "Athena, please," he said gently. "Don’t judge Ewan too harshly. He’s not as bad as you think he is." Athena rolled her eyes, getting irritated. "Mr. Thorne, do you want to talk business, or do you want to talk about Ewan?" As they spoke, Victoria and the younger Mr. Thorne stepped into their circle. Athena could see the apology brimming in the eyes of the latter, and the viciousness in the eyes of Victoria. Oh well... "Athena, meet Cedric, my nephew, and the heir to my industries." Mr Thorne said, once he took notice of the duo. "I’m sure he and his fiancée have something to say to you." Athena turned aside to face the male who had humiliated her earlier. "Doctor Athena, I’m so sorry about how I acted earlier. Please forgive me," Cedric said, his face flushed with embarrassment. Athena nodded, accepting his apology graciously. She looked at Victoria next, with a mixture of disdain and wariness. Victoria’s dislike for her was palpable, and Athena knew that they would never be friends. Not that she was seeking for one... "Doctor Athena, I’m sorry for slapping your earlier. It’s just that the jewelry means a lot to us..." Athena managed to nod at the insincere apology, having noted the subdued anger in Victoria’s eyes. After all, she wouldn’t be here for long. However, just when she wanted to exit the family circle, Victoria launched into a series of questions, her tone suddenly accusatory and condescending. "So, you really are over Ewan?" she asked, her eyes narrowing. "And do you have a new husband or you’re hoping for a reunion?" Athena’s patience wore thin as she listened to these prying questions. She felt like a specimen under a microscope, and her temper began to simmer just below the surface. Just as Victoria was about to continue her interrogation, Mr. Thorne intervened, his voice firm but gentle. "Victoria, dear, mind your own business," he said, then turned to Cedric. "Please escort her away. I have business to talk with Doctor Athena." Victoria’s face fell as she was dismissed from the conversation. Her eyes flashed with anger and she turned to Cedric and whispered something in his ear. Cedric’s expression turned sympathetic immediately. He put a reassuring hand on her arm before turning back to his uncle and Athena. "We’ll leave you two alone now," he said. Athena nodded, feeling relieved, yet wary at the same time. Immediately Victoria and her fiancé were out of earshot,, Athena turned to Mr. Thorne with a serious expression. "I need a favor," she said quietly. Mr. Thorne’s eyes narrowed in curiosity. "What is it?" he asked. "I want to see the women, my attackers, before they’re taken to the police station," Athena said. "I need to know how they gained access to your room. I need to know they gained access to the poison. I believe they aren’t working alone." Athena wanted to record their truth, for future purposes. She already had her phone on record. Mr. Thorne nodded thoughtfully. "I think the same. Follow me." He led her out of the hall. As they walked down the corridor that would lead to the private residences, they met Aiden. "Aiden! What are you doing around here?" Aiden shrugged his shoulders. "Searching for clues." He greeted Mr. Thorne. "I know you." Mr. Thorne started, stepping closer to Aiden who darted a cursory glance at Athena. "You served in the military, didn’t you?" Aiden nodded slowly, eyes narrowing as he scanned Mr. Thorne from head to toe. "So, you can’t remember your superior then? Eh Tiger?" Aiden’s mouth fell open in shock, suddenly realizing who was standing before him. Immediately he stamped his foot on the floor, and stood at attention, his right hand poised on his forehead. "Apologies, General!" Athena was befuddled. "What’s going on?" Aiden chuckled with Mr. Thorne, who had grasped his hand and shaken it firmly. "Meet my boss." Athena shook her head in surprise. She wasn’t the only one too private then. "It’s nice you both know each other then." She turned to Mr. Thorne. "Aiden is my friend. He’ll be following us to the room." As they approached the room where the girls were being held, Aiden fell into step beside Old Mr. Thorne. They exchanged animated words in hushed tones, leaving Athena to grasp at straws. The fiery lady wasn’t happy about it, but there was nothing she could do about it either. She didn’t serve in the military. When they opened the door to the room, the scene inside smelt of death and devastation. Athena felt an evil foreboding as she saw the two friends of Fiona lying on the floor lifelessly. Quickly, she hurried over to them and checked their pulse. "Are they alive?" Mr. Thorne asked, stepping closer with a shocked Aiden. Athena shook her head, feeling as though she’d been punched in the gut. She stumbled up, her legs trembling beneath her as she reached out to hold the wall, the coldness of death still numbing her fingers. "How do you think they died?" The old man asked, not believing that someone had penetrated the defenses of his compound. Could his people have betrayed him? Meanwhile, Athena scanned the room, and then the bodies for any sign of struggle. And then she perceived it—the faint scent of poison on their breaths. "Poison. The same as the previous." A chill spread over Athena as she realized what had happened. She looked up at Aiden with a mixture of anger and determination. "It was Fiona," she whispered urgently. "She must have tampered with the CCTV footage." Aiden’s expression turned grim as he nodded in agreement. "It was meant to frame those two," he said quietly. "It must be why I found it so easily. They had positioned it cleverly." "Yet, we need to get proof," Athena said abruptly. "We need to show that Fiona was behind this. It’s possible she isn’t working alone either." She exchanged a pregnant glance with Aiden. The gang! Old Man Thorne appeared beside them, his expression grave with sorrow and concern. "That’s true. And for that sake, I promise to keep an eye on Fiona," he said quietly, looking at Athena earnestly. "You are my doctor, and you are very useful to our city; I can’t let anything happen to you."