From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73 Caught in the Spotlight

After putting their things away, the two of them returned to the living room.

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Firustied

Zaden’s expression was calm as he said, “Athena, the villa manager just told me reporters have already found this place. They’re waiting at the gate.”

“What?”

Zaden pulled out his phone and opened a video for Athena to see.

Athena frowned as she took the phone.

The video showed the outer gate of the villa. Security guards stood there, blocking the way. Reporters couldn’t get in, so they squatted by the entrance. Some paced back and forth, sneaking glances at the gate again and again–clearly reporters.

The whole scene was over the top. Anyone passing by would think she was a celebrity.

“Have you thought about this?” Zaden looked at Athena. “They know I’m with you. They might just want a photo of us together so they can use it to threaten you.”

Athena’s face tightened. That did sound like something Nina would do.

Last night, after she left, she got into Zaden’s car. With just a little digging into the cameras, Nina’s people could have found out. Those reporters were probably sent by her.

“Which means… “Zaden’s tone grew serious. “Teri and I might have to stay here for a few days.”

Athena let out a helpless sigh. “Alright then.”

She knew she was the one dragging him into this mess. Zaden had already helped her enough. She couldn’t let him ruin his name for her sake.

Teri, however, clapped her little hands in joy.

“Yay! I get to stay with Athena again!”

Maybe the only one happy about this was Teri.

Meanwhile, at a villa in the suburbs, Nina sat in the living room, speaking on the phone,

“Ms. Green, just as you asked, we bought a bunch of press releases and pushed out the story about Athena getting between you and Mr. Belmont.

“Now the internet is full of people cursing Ms. Hall. I believe the Belmont family will soon cave

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Chapter 73 Caught in the Spotlight

under the pressure.”

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Hearing this, Nina curled her lips in a satisfied smile.

Since Bridget refused to accept her as a daughter–in–law, Nina decided she’d force her hand.

She was Dion’s mother. Who else could they accept but her? Athena would never forgive Lewis

anyway.

But at the thought of Lewis, Nina’s smile faded.

She couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling inside her, like she was sitting next to a ticking bomb, ready to explode at any second.

She clung to saving Lewis as her only leverage over him, and she barely dared to imagine what would happen if Lewis ever learned the truth.

Nina’s face darkened as she asked, “Did the people outside Athena’s villa get any pictures of her with Zaden?”

“No.”

Nina snapped, “Keep watching her!”

After that night, she had bribed some of the Belmonts‘ security staff to check the camera footage. That was how she’d found out Athena had gotten into Zaden’s car.

That discovery burned her the most.

In her eyes, it was unfair. Athena once had Lewis, and even after leaving him, she’d somehow ended up with Zaden, a brilliant and admired bachelor.

She swore she’d ruin Athena completely, leave her with nothing.

As soon as Nina hung up, her phone rang again. It was Lewis.

Ever since the day he had his assistant drive her home, he hadn’t contacted her. He clearly had no intention of marrying her.

This was the first time he’d reached out.

Nina’s heart leapt with joy. She hurried to answer. “Lewis-

”

But before she could say another word, Lewis’s cold voice cut her off. “Who told you to make this public?”

His voice carried sharp anger, cold as ice.

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Chapter 73 Caught in the Spotlight

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Nina’s heart dropped into her stomach. She forced a pitiful tone. “Lewis, what are you talking about? I don’t know anything. I didn’t do anything.”

Of course, she would never admit she was behind it.

She had already cleaned up every loose end. No one could know it was her. As long as she denied it, how could Lewis prove otherwise?

Still, seeing him so furious made jealousy rise in her chest.

She wondered if Lewis’s anger meant he was actually upset because she had gone after Athena, as if he cared about her.

Nina’s face twisted, her hand curling into a fist. Her eyes flashed with envy and hate.

Lewis let out a long, heavy breath.

After a moment, he said coldly, “Don’t go anywhere these next few days. Stay in the house. Don’t cause me trouble.”

And with that, he hung up without waiting for her reply.

The dial tone buzzed in her ear. Her face darkened like storm clouds about to break. She needed to move faster.

At the Belmont Group office, Lewis stood by the tall window. He set down his phone, his brows sharp with anger.

Send Gifts

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