She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

She outshines 86 She outshines 86Chapter 71

As dusk fell. Athena finished her favorite dish-foie gras with gingerbread toast. She quietly rubbed her belly under the table, feeling satisfied. Tm heading back to the labs now. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." Earlier that morning. Athena had told her family that she would be joining a scientific expedition to collect data in the mountains. She mentioned she would be gone for a week, and since the signal in the mountains was poor, they might not be able to reach her. She advised them to call her supervisor if there was an emergency.

"Make sure you take the pickles and carrot sticks I prepared f I for you and don't forget the medicines. There are a lot of mosquitoes in the mountains, and the weather changes quickly. He careful and don't get sick, Claire said with concern. When she heard about Athena's trip, she immediately rushed on to buy ingredients and spent hours making pickled vegetables for her. "Alright." Athena said obediently as she stood I up. I go pack my clothes now."

Til help you pack Maria also got up and followed Athena to her room.

As Maria folded the clothes, she kept sneaking glances at Athena hesitant to speak

After r the parking was done, Maria still hadn't spoken. Athena had no choice but to ask," "Maria, do you have something on your mind! We're sisters; you can tell me anything

Maria rubbed her nose, saying awkwardly, "Athena, didn't you say you wanted to see my jewelry designs? I've quit my job at the coffee shop and I'm planning to apply for an internship at a design studio. I was hoping you could take a look at work, but you're leaving soon..."

Tm

not leaving until tomorrow morning. There's still plenty of time." Athena smiled warmly. "Quick, show me your designs. I can't wait to see them."

Thank you so much!" Maria exclaimed as she dashed to the room across the hall and returned with a thick stack of design sketches, which she nervously placed in front of Athena. "I didn't study design formally. I taught myself in my spare time, so my skills aren't great. Just be honest with me; no need to sugarcoat anything" "Alright." Athena chuckled and sat down, picking up the drawings one by one, slowly reviewing them. The more she looked, the more surprised she became. From time to time, she set aside a particular piece.

Maria, standing behind her like a jittery student waiting for a test grade, tightly clutched the hem of her shirt, eagerly awaiting Athena's critique of her work.

Ten minutes later, Athena looked up, meeting Maria's gaze. "I think your designs are very original and have a unique style. I really like them, and I'm certain you've got what it takes for this field."

Maria froze, clearly caught off guard by such praise. Her expression was a mix of joy and disbelief as she blinked rapidly, too nervous to speak.

Athena could tell what Maria was thinking. Picking up one of the pieces she had set aside, she said. "Your designs are simple and may seem ordinary at first glance, but the attention to detail shows a lot of creativity and depth.

"Take this maple leaf necklace, for example. You've drawn spring maple leaves, capturing their precise form-it's not summer, autumn, or winter leaves, but distinctly spring. While the idea of maple leaves isn't novel, you've added a dewdrop to it, and it's that drop of dew that brings the leaf to life. "And this cherry hairpin, which looks common at first, but then you've included a small worm on it-a real cherry worm, not just something randomly drawn. That little worm makes the cherry look vibrant. It's no longer just an inanimate object." After a thoughtful pause, Athena said seriously, "Your technical skills and professional knowledge still need improvement, but as long as you maintain this level of sincerity and observation. I'm sure you'll create amazing designs."

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"Rereally? Maria's eyes widened, shining with an unprecedented glow. I've shown my designs to my classmates and coworkers. They all thought they were meliore, and some even said they weren't good enough to be called designs." Athena raised an eyebrow. "Well, they don't have good taste. Sl then pulled out her phone and turned on the video recording feature. Holding up a few of the drawings, she said, "Take these to your interview. If they don't hire you, it means they lack vision, and you can just apply somewhere else"

Maria carefully took the pieces selected by Athena as if they were treasures. "Alright, I'll give it a shot"

stood up and patted Maria's shoulder. "You may not believe in yourself, but you should trust me. If you ever need an opinion on your designs, feel free to come to me." She grabbed the handle of her suitcase and smiled. "I have to go now." Maria quickly said, "I'll see you off"

Athena

Athena's car was parked at the entrance of the villa. Her family was already waiting there, making the scene feel a bit grander than she expected.

Arthur spoke eagerly, "Athena, let me drive you to the lab."

Athena shook her head. "No need. The lab's quite far away, and it's rush hour now. It'd take too long to go back and forth. I'll drive myself. Arthur scratched his head in disappointment. "Alright then, just drive carefully and take it slow."

to send us a message before you head out tomorrow morning," Wesley reminded Athena, his eyes filled with

"Remember to

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concern.

Josie hugged Athena, saying sweetly, "Athena, come back soon. Marshmallow and I will miss you!

"Don't worry about us. Just take care of yourself, Claire said warmly.

Athena nodded. "Alright. Take care, everyone. Don't worry about me." She got into the car, closed the door, and waved to them before driving off.

Glancing in the rearview mirror, she saw her family still standing there, waving goodbye. At that moment, she felt at bittersweet pang, wondering why she had become so attached to her family after just over a week back home. Half an hour later, Athena pulled up to a clearing, where a small private jet was waiting. Rufus and Harry were already there..

Rufus, dressed as a pilot, greeted her. Tve checked the plane. Everything's good to go."

"Thank you." Athena nodded and turned to Harry. "Pick two Owl Eyes and have them delivered to my family tomorrow morning. Tell them those are housewarming gifts from the labs and make sure they know how to use them" "No problem," Harry responded with a brisk nod.

Athena said no more and boarded the jet. Rufus followed and began taxiing the aircraft down the runway. Harry watched. the plane take off, then got into Athena's car and drove away.

No one else had witnessed the entire process.

SEND GIFT