In early spring, it was still chilly in the capital, Krastin. It was raining on the road and the street was barely populated.
"Hiss..." A red sports car from California stopped outside Krastin’s most luxurious hotel. A slim figure emerged from the car with ease, followed by two heavily built, black-suited men.
After pushing the hotel's heavy glass door open, a warm honeydew light that glistened from the crystals of the magnificent European-style chandelier hanging in the lobby fell gently on her face, revealing an exquisite beauty that left people breathless.
With a meaningful smile plastered on her lips, she stepped into the elevator and pressed the button leading to the eighth floor.
"Ding!" As soon as the elevator door opened, joyful music permeated their ears. Accompanying the pleasant sound in the background were the rousing praises and greetings of the hostess.
"Miss, do you have your invitation with you?"
As she was about to step into the party, two guards directly stopped her outside the door.
She scoured through her pocket and blinked innocently, "Invitation? Oh, I didn’t bring it. Do you mind letting me in?
The two sturdy guards immediately softened at the sight of her big, bright eyes. "You may enter, but the two men behind you..."
Before one of the guards could finish talking, the men dressed in black behind her struck both guards with lighting speed and carefully dragged their bodies aside.
With both hands clasped together, she said sheepishly, "I'm sorry."
Despite that, she came into the banquet hall smiling, and the two men dressed in black followed her closely from behind.
She looked around casually. The banquet hall was filled with well-dressed people, making her the only one who wasn't wearing anything formal.
But even so, she captured everyone's attention the moment she walked in. Her presence elicited a lot of surprised gasps, and the crowd's gaze shifted from the host onstage to her.
It was not because of the two burly men behind her, but because of her exceedingly beautiful face and roguish yet sophisticated grace.
"Who is she? My God, she’s beautiful! But... why isn’t she in a dress?"
One male guest asked with excitement.
"Her?" Someone jeered. "She's none other than General Darcy's granddaughter, Athena Darcy. A woman whose beauty could rival that of an angel, but with the heart of the devil. You men shouldn't pounce on every beautiful woman you see. You may end up dead before you know it!"
Disappointment suddenly filled the man's eyes. "Is she the third-generation young miss of the Darcy's that the paper had reported recently? The news item disclosed that she deliberately pushed Marlene Findley down the stairs, leading to her miscarriage last month.”
"Isn't that right? She has a very powerful grandfather, and his father is a provincial governor. I heard she won the first prize in a school competition by seducing her teacher. She's quite bold to be living such an indecent life."
Athena, who was oblivious of everyone gossiping with much exhilaration about her "glorious acts", walked straight to the day's woman of the hour.
Marlene, in an expensive dress, acted sweet and lovely. She approached Athena and greeted her while appearing stunned and happy. "Athena!"
Marlene's mother gritted her teeth and pulled her daughter aside while glaring at the smiling person walking toward them. "Athena Darcy? How audacious she is to show up here!
"Mom, don't be like this. I'm the one who asked Athena to come."
"You called her? Have you not suffered enough because of that woman?"
"Mom, Athena didn't mean to...."
Before Marlene could finish her words, Athena interrupted them as she walked up to the mother-daughter duo and looked around casually with both arms folded across her chest.
"Huh, this is a very nice setup. It's quite a crowd you got here."
"Well, these... were personally arranged by Vincent Bennet,"
Marlene answered with a shy but happy face.
She came forward and wrapped her arms around her intimately. "Athena, I didn’t know you were coming. But I’m so glad you showed up..."
Athena raised her eyebrows and took a step back. She withdrew her arms and brushed off the place where she was held as if there had been dirt stuck to it.
She then smiled and said in an intriguing tone, "How could I not come? I've prepared a big gift for you."
"I'm so happy that you're here. You didn't have to..."
Athena interrupted her with a smile as she stroked her finger. "I heard your last miscarriage almost killed you. I wonder if you can still have a baby after that?"
Marlene appeared stunned. "Yes, but the chances of having a miscarriage again are very high..." Her eyes turned dark and pitiful.
Athena's lips twitched, and her eyes were full of disappointment. "Oh, what a shame. I thought you wouldn't be able to give birth at all. It's a waste of time to be happy!"
Marlene’s mom was furious and shaking with anger, "You! You're such a wicked woman! Not only did you cause my daughter to miscarry, but you even dare to come here and curse her on the day of her engagement with Vincent! You’re such a terrible person, your heart..."
Before she finished speaking, Athena's expression turned frigid, and she slapped Marlene hard in the face when everyone was caught off guard.
Athena sneered, "Marlene, I won't pretend to be pitiful like you to earn others' sympathy. Your despicable tactics may have swayed me, but... someday, you'll see. I'm warning you. If you ever see me in the future, don't you dare show that disgusting face of yours, or I'll hit you again!"
"Athena, what the hell are you talking about..."
Marlene bit her lower lip and covered her red, swollen face. She looked so helpless, and tears welled up in her eyes. Her strong but kind manner was so delicate that people couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
"You! You've already gone too far, Athena!"
At this point, the crowd rushed forward, and everyone stared at Athena with hatred and disgust. Some couldn't help but stand up for Marlene, but the two menacing black-suited men standing behind her stopped them.
On the other hand, Vincent Bennet heard the news and hurried over. When he arrived at the scene, he seemed stunned to see Athena there. "Athena..."
Athena, who grew up in the military district with General Darcy, clenched fists with both hands and swept her long legs, fiercely kicking Vincent's handsome face.
"Since your career is so important, don't you ever call my name. It makes me sick to my stomach!"
Vincent staggered back a few steps. He covered his aching face and hung his eyes with a grim expression.
Athena diverted her gaze. She shot Marlene a menacing look and smiled, "Today is a happy day for you b*tches. Since you're both here, I wish you a happy life... with no kids and grandchildren until you're old and gray!"
After that, she walked away.
Marlene's father turned livid. "Stop! Are you just going to leave after beating him like this?"
Athena ignored him and left the matter to the two black-suited men she called over.
As soon as she stepped out of the crowd's hustle and bustle, her cell phone rang in her pocket.
Seeing the caller ID, she guiltily stuck her tongue out and answered.
Over the line, a cold voice asked, "Athena, what have you made my people do now?"
Athena laughed while waiting for the elevator and snickered, "Let them run amok.."
"Huh?"
"Ahem... Just beat some people up..."