Chapter 176: Sighting A Criminal

Words : 1080 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 176: Sighting A Criminal A clapping ovation echoed in the hall after Athena’s speech, for most people gathered knew who she was and how dear she was to the martial arts teacher. Athena gave a full bow, from the waist down, knowing how important that gesture was to the Chinese community that had turned up for the gathering. With a respectful nod to the priest, she stepped down from the podium, emotions still swirling inside her. She was on her way to her seat when the immediate family of the deceased stood up to meet her. "Thank you very much, Athena. Although, I was surprised you weren’t around when he died," Master Shen’s wife said, her voice quivering with grief, her eyes red from crying. Athena paused her lips upon hearing those words. "I got the information late," She replied, keeping her tone level, aware of the charged atmosphere. "And why is that?" The woman pressed on, a scowl beginning to form on her face. The questioning felt personal, accusatory, and Athena wouldn’t let Master Shen’s wife disrupt this respectful occasion any further—especially since their conversation was beginning to garner attention. "We can talk after the service," She asserted firmly, giving a curt bow before turning away. Yet the woman’s next words sent ice through her veins and made Athena falter in her steps. "Obviously, you don’t care for him, and yet, he added you in his will." "What was that troublesome woman saying?" Aiden asked immediately after she sat down. But the answer he received was a glare from Athena that spoke volumes. "You are the cause of all this!" Aiden sighed tiredly, looking away, weary of the perpetual cycle of apologies. Yes, he knew he was in the wrong, but he couldn’t break a promise made to Master Shen, could he? "She was asking why I wasn’t at his bedside during his final moments, and why I’m in his will when, according to her, I don’t care," Athena explained, her voice lowering as she drummed a beat on her thighs in agitation. "But why would he do that? Put my name in his will? He should know the trouble it would cause!" She continued, shaking her head in disbelief. Aiden chuckled in disbelief. "The woman is just jealous. We all know who truly cared about the old man and who did not. And I’m sure Master Shen saw that." "You don’t seem surprised about the will, Aiden. You knew about this too?" Aiden had the grace to fall silent, the weight of the situation settling over him like a heavy blanket. Athena shook her head and turned her face toward the pulpit. "And here I am, thinking you were a closer pal." He opened his mouth to speak, but the overall aura emanating from her gave him no chance. Instead, he inhaled in resignation, bracing himself for another round of silent treatment from her. Fifteen minutes later, the service concluded, and everyone gathered on the terrace to eat, drink, and talk—well, everyone except Aiden and Athena, who stood side by side in tense silence. Aiden broke the ice first when he spotted a familiar face in the crowd. "I want to go over to greet someone..." "Sure. Knock yourself out," Athena interrupted, nonchalantly picking up a cocktail from a tray gracefully passing by. Aiden sighed again, hesitating as he wanted to say something to ease the tension but ultimately decided to let it go. Having known Athena for a while, he understood the best course of action was to let her cool off. Watching Aiden saunter off to chat with his friends at the after-party, Athena clucked her tongue, shaking her head dramatically. Aiden was really something else. She was about to venture off for her own meet and greet—seeing that the people were watching her, wondering if it was the best idea to approach her, for Aiden’s presence had cushioned the celebrity effect—when she caught a glimpse of a familiar face in a dash of black. It was so sudden that the drink she was holding fell to the ground, splattering on the shoes of a nearby couple. She muttered an apology to them before hurriedly making her way toward the spot where she had seen the woman. Heronica. Athena was sure of it. The gang had followed her here. She darted a glance behind her to see Aiden still engaged in conversation and laughter with his friend. And that made the decision for her. She hurried after the blur of black into another vast area of a field that was quiet and vacant. Her senses heightened as she scanned her surroundings, her instincts kicking in for signs of danger. Her brows furrowed when she found no one in sight. A fleeting thought crossed her mind—what if she was wrong? But just as she was about to turn back, her eyes caught sight of a narrow grassy passageway leading away from that area. Athena didn’t know where it led, but adrenaline coursed through her as she took the risk. She sprinted down the narrow way, her heart pounding as she glanced around at intervals, her instincts on high alert. Up ahead, she saw the dash of black overalls once more and quickened her pace, bursting into another open field—but the lady had vanished. Athena kicked the air angrily. But when she turned to return to the party, ready to accept defeat, she suddenly found herself face-to-face with a gun in Heronica’s hands. This time, the woman sported a blond wig and wore a Chinese black coat over a red blouse, paired with black leggings and ankle boots. Quite functional, Athena thought to herself, quelling the rising panic within her. "I can just shoot you now, thickhead, for all the troubles you have caused me and my family..." Heronica sneered, the gun pointed directly at her. "You mean the gang?" Athena asked, attempting to make small talk, searching for a way to distract the woman while calculating the angle of the gun’s projection against her. "Of course, I’m talking about the gang. They are the only family I’ve got," Heronica replied, her voice dripping with contempt. Athena managed a soft chuckle that belied her pounding nervous heart. "That’s one hell of a family you’ve got. What are you doing here?" "To follow you," Heronica snapped, tightening her grip on the gun. "I would love to put a bullet in your head, but that’s not the order."

Chapter 176: Sighting A Criminal

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