Chapter 129: Christmas Dinner III

Words : 1106 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

Chapter 129: Christmas Dinner III "What’s going on? Where’s Ewan?" Zane and Sandro questioned in unison the moment Athena stepped into the apartment and closed the door behind her. Silence hung in the air, thick and palpable, as she walked into the living room with her shoulders tensed, a storm brewing just beneath the surface. "He left. I’m not sure where he went," She finally replied, taking a seat on the sofa as worry trailed behind her words. "I think you two should check on him and keep an eye on him until Wednesday." The gravity of her suggestion was not lost on the duo. "What’s the problem?" Sandro pressed, his brow furrowing, having noticed the container she had brought from her room earlier. "Was he having a spasm?" "Something like that..." Athena muttered, her frown deepening. Sandro moved closer to her, taking a seat on the same sofa. Before him, Zane shifted restlessly, agitation radiating from his posture. The irony weighed on her—these were the two men Ewan believed had turned against him, yet they were stepping up when it mattered most. Ewan really was a joke. Sandro’s voice broke through her thoughts. "What’s going on? I’m sure you sensed something was off..." At that moment, Athena looked at her children. The twins, adept at deciphering their mother’s gazes, instinctively took Kendra and Stella’s hands and guided them out of the room. Stella, very perceptive, sensed the weight of the moment and felt no shame in stepping back. "I think he’s being poisoned," Athena stated, after they had left, her voice barely above a whisper, but the shockwave it sent through the room was palpable. Sandro’s mouth fell open in disbelief, while Zane sank heavily into one of the nearby sofas, momentarily speechless as the implications washed over him. "The first time I ran diagnostics on his brain and body systems, I found some anomalies. I attributed them to the drowning incident from his childhood and the poor treatment he received from his doctors," Athena continued. "But when I examined him again a few days ago, I noticed something different reacting in his body systems to the temporary treatments..." "Temporary?" Zane interrupted, his voice edged with a mix of concern and frustration. "Why give him temporary treatments? What about a permanent solution?" "He made an appointment but canceled it, citing workload as his excuse. The last time he was in the hospital, he didn’t even take the prescriptions," Athena explained, uncertainity settling over her. "I suspect the upcoming court case has played a part in halting his need to take care of his health." Old Mr. Thorne hissed in disapproval. "Health is wealth. If he dies, who will run the company? Doesn’t he understand that? That boy needs a good whipping!" Gianna nodded in agreement, disappointed in Ewan’s choices. Sandro, however, buried his head in his hands, guilt gnawing at him. If he had known about the missed appointments, he would have pressured Ewan until the latter complied. How could he not have known that Ewan was lying? "So, the poison—what about it?" He prompted, after some seconds had ticked by, pulling back his focus to the conversation at hand. "I’m not sure..." Athena replied, narrowing her eyes as she considered the implications. "But its effects mirror those of Kartlif poison." "And what does that do?" Zane asked, leaning forward, urgency lacing his every word. Athena pressed her lips together, gathering her thoughts. "It tamper with brain function. If the victim has any preexisting brain disorders, it worsens them. If someone has amnesia, it prevents any chance of remembering. If I had to guess, Fiona and her family are behind this." "Why am I not surprised?" Zane murmured, echoing an understanding shared by all present. "That would explain a lot," Sandro agreed, adding gravity to Athena’s theory. "It’s possible that the girl who saved Ewan from drowning wasn’t Fiona at all," Athena continued, her tone urgent yet restrained. "If she was, she would be in worse condition than Ewan—perhaps even dead." Old Mr. Thorne nodded in solemn agreement, the weight of Athena’s words hanging heavily in the air. "Now that you mention it, I can understand why relations between my family and his deteriorated after his parents’ death. Alfonso broke it off, after taking charge of the boy’s upbringing. I’m quite surprised that Ewan managed to build a life for himself, even distancing himself from that man’s company." Athena almost felt a pang of sympathy for Ewan, realizing he had been a victim in all of this. Yet she knew they could only deal with those truths after the impending court case. "It’s not confirmed yet—the poison, I mean. But I’ll do some research. Until then..." Her gaze sharpened as she focused on Sandro and Zane. "Keep him away from any food and drinks that come from that mansion. If possible, stay with him, act as his live-in aid until the court case is over. I need him present in the elders council." Sandro nodded, determination set in his jaw. "And after the court case?" "I’ll treat him," Athena promised, the resolve in her voice thick and unwavering. "No matter the outcome of the case?..." Zane added, his gaze steady on her. "No matter the outcome of the case," Athena assured them. Her motives weren’t purely altruistic; the goodwill of Ewan’s friends alongside the painful shadows of his past tugged at something deep within her. "Thank you," Zane and Sandro echoed, rising to their feet. "We’ll be going now. Thanks for the food and everything." Athena nodded, waving them off with a mix of gratitude and concern. "You know this case will break him in ways you cannot even imagine, considering everything I’ve pieced together," Old Mr. Thorne started, after the duo had left. "I don’t care, Mr. Thorne. I’m focused on the safety of my children. I’ve done my best by offering to treat him," Athena reaffirmed, her voice steely. "I know. I know," Old Mr. Thorne said, taking a seat beside her. He placed a gentle hand on her palm, the warmth grounding her amidst the tension. "I just..." His voice trailed off, a deep sigh escaping his lips. "I just wish things could be different, you know?" Athena exhaled softly, understanding the weight of his wish. "It seems you know the family well..." "I do, very much," He replied, his gaze distant yet heavy with reminiscence. "As a matter of fact, his mother was my daughter’s best friend." "You have a daughter?" Old Mr. Thorne sighed weakly and shut his eyes, as a thick pain enshrined his heart. "I had one."

Chapter 129: Christmas Dinner III

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