Chapter 174: News Of Death

Words : 1242 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 174: News Of Death Aiden’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline as he pressed his lips into a thin line, mulling over Athena’s question. "Aiden? When did Antonio join the research team? He has a company to run back in Whale’s City, and operations in several other countries." Aiden exhaled slowly, wrestling with the possibility that he may have crossed an unspoken line. But then he shrugged it off; Antonio hadn’t asked him to keep it a secret from Athena. In fact, he had assumed she would be the first person Antonio would want to tell, especially given the depth of his feelings for her. "I don’t know, Athena. I actually thought he had told you. Maybe he left the company in the care of a family member—his brother, perhaps? If he’s decided to stay here, I guess you know the reason." Athena shut her eyes, pressing her fingertips to her temples as if trying to massage away the throbbing in her head. Each pulse felt like a carpenter striking a hammer against her skull. She rubbed her forehead tiredly yet gently, hoping to ease the mounting pressure. "Athena, you aren’t saying anything," Aiden prodded, sensing her silence. "Aiden, you already know my situation. I’ve tried; it just isn’t working." Her voice was heavy with resignation, and a hint of sadness crept in. "My heart isn’t cooperating with my mind. I doubt it will change its mind if I accept his proposal of marriage." "No, it won’t. You’ve already experienced one loveless marriage; I wouldn’t want you to go through that again," Aiden said as he maneuvered the car around the last bend leading to their secure location. "That’s right. I wouldn’t want to do that to Antonio either. He deserves more," She admitted, a wave of uncertainty washing over her. If Antonio was so intent on being in her life, how would he ever see his forever girl, even if the latter stood right in front of him? Five minutes later, as they stepped out of the car and faced a dilapidated, old rusted phone booth that had clearly seen better days, Aiden broke the tension. "So, I’ve got some news for you." "Good or bad?" Athena asked, stepping into the booth first, followed closely by Aiden. She glanced around the empty environment, the crumbling concrete and overgrown weeds stark against the gray sky, before pressing a rusted button on the machine. With a whirring sound, the platform beneath their feet descended like an elevator, but faster, whisking them down to a cool underground level. "Aiden..." She began, turning on the switches that flickered weakly with the effort. "Bad," He finally admitted, his tone grave. "Why did we follow this route again?" He asked, feeling the tension in his gut knot tighter. "I don’t know. I felt watched the last time we were here, so this route seemed safer. But that’s beside the point. What’s this bad news?" Athena got a cobweb caught on her face and brushed it away as she approached an iron steel door that loomed before them. Aiden made no comment, as he walked past her to the door, his focus set on maneuvering the heavy wheel on the door to the right. He strained and grunted, relief washing over him when the metal door finally groaned open. "Master Shen is dead," He said after a few beats, each word landing like a brick in Athena’s heart. She froze for a heartbeat, her body slacking against the dusty wall, struggling to comprehend the weight of his words. She felt a cold rush of air against her skin, as if the world around her was beginning to fade. Aiden sighed and stepped closer, his presence a comfort in the surreal moment. "I got the news this morning. Heart failure, they said..." He continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "Are they sure? Maybe..." She started, grasping at straws, unwilling to accept this grim reality. "Athena, please... he’s been having heart issues recently..." Aiden’s voice trailed off, a pause pregnant with the unsaid. "Not every death is orchestrated by the gang." Athena turned on him, her eyes narrowing into a furious glare. "And why wasn’t I told about this?" "He didn’t want to bother you, seeing as you had a lot of work to do here," Aiden explained, his tone laced with regret. "A lot of work?!" She felt the pain swell within her, hitting Aiden’s chest repeatedly, tears spilling from her eyes. "What do you mean? It would have taken just a flight—two at most. How could...?" Her words fell away as a wave of sorrow crashed over her, and Aiden instinctively held her tightly, offering the support she desperately needed. "I’m sorry, Athena..." He murmured, patting her back gently, an anchor in the storm of her emotions. "I’m so sorry." Tears ran freely now, unbridled and raw. She wept for Master Shen, the man who had picked up the broken pieces of her life, the second person who had taken her in after Antonio, the first stranger who had made her feel safe enough to share her darkest secrets. He had taught her martial arts, imparting wisdom and strength, and had even signed the papers for her CIA recruitment along with Aiden. And now she’d never have the chance to see him one last time before he passed away. He had never seen the twins again, and knowing they would be heartbroken over this news filled her with a bitter rage—mad at Aiden for not telling her and angry at the world for its cruelty. She hit Aiden’s chest with renewed fervor. "You’re going to pay for this, Aiden," She muttered, stilling only after a while to regain some composure before stepping out of his embrace. "I’m sorry, Athena," Aiden repeated, concern etched into his features. "Get ready to explain this to the twins," She said through clenched teeth. "When is the burial?" "Three days from now." "And so I still have to travel out of town, right? What’s the difference?" Aiden had no answer for her, and silence enveloped them as despair settled in. Athena scoffed bitterly, turning her back to him as she walked inside the passageway leading to her private laboratory. She needed space to think, to process this unbearable news. She walked straight to Ewan’s room, her heart racing as she prepared herself to check on him before turning her attention to the drugs that would consume her thoughts for the next couple of days. Hopefully, work would be a welcomed distraction from the reality of death pressing in from all sides. She had to be present at the burial; she needed to perfect the drug before then. Two long days, she reminded herself. Her gaze drifted over Ewan, and for a moment, her heart lifted. His color had returned to normal, though he was thinner than before. "You’re going to eat a mountain when you wake up," She mused as she adjusted the drip. He had been through so much, and it seemed like Sandro’s prayers were finally working, evidenced by the bright color of his fingers and toes. By next week, Ewan Giacometti should be back in action. Finishing her inspection, she turned away, typing a quick message on her phone as she exited the room. "I won’t be back home tonight," She sent off to Gianna. And so she didn’t see the subtle twitch of Ewan’s left fingers.

Chapter 174: News Of Death

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