She Stuns the World - Chapter 19: Chapter 19
You are reading She Stuns the World, Chapter 19: Chapter 19. Read more chapters of She Stuns the World.
Relieved that she still planned to visit, Wesley hesitated, then cautiously asked, "Athena, where are you staying now? If you're okay with it, we'd love for you to move in with us."
Claire, distressed by the thought of her daughter being kicked out of the Kennedy family and left with nothing, quickly added, "The house might be small, but there are usually only four or five of us here. We can definitely make room for you."
Wesley nodded in agreement. "And if the cramped space makes you uncomfortable, I can rent a nearby room. You can choose the location and size."
Before Athena could respond, Claire, still worried, asked cautiously, "Athena, do you have any money right now? We're not rich, but we can certainly support you."
Athena smiled warmly and replied, "Thank you for worrying about me. I'd be happy to move back in with you.
"But I'll be working over the summer and will need to stay in the company dormitory so I won't be moving back right away.
"And please don't worry about my living expenses. The company provides meals and accommodation, and the salary is good enough for me. I'll let you know if I ever need money for tuition when school starts."
Claire's concern was immediate. "You're so young and already working? What kind of job is it? Is it tough? Does your boss treat you well? And is it safe?"
To Claire, Athena was still just eighteen—delicate and angelic, raised in comfort. The thought of Athena going out to work, especially with so little life experience, made her anxious. She'd much prefer Athena helping out at their food cart in the evenings, even if it meant just sitting there playing on her phone.
Athena's smile stayed gentle as she reassured Claire. "It's nothing to worry about. We're a group of students working with experts on some scientific research. Everyone's deeply involved in academia, and they're all well-respected professionals. There's no danger."
She wasn't lying about the job, but she left out some details on purpose.
Claire sighed in relief but still hesitated before asking, "What kind of scientific research?"
Athena smiled mysteriously. "That's classified. I can't share the details."
Claire was about to press further when Wesley stepped in, calm and reassuring. "Athena, you're a smart girl. If you say it's confidential, we believe you."
Noticing the food left on the table, Wesley smoothly changed the subject. "There's still plenty of food. Want to take some home?"
Wesley gave Claire a meaningful look, silently reminding her not to push too hard.
They had talked about this earlier and agreed that the best way to make Athena feel comfortable was to listen to her, respect her choices, and not interfere too much.
Remembering their agreement, Claire swallowed her remaining worries and decided not to dig any deeper.
"Alright, thank you for the meal!" Athena said, grateful for their efforts. "I can't eat all of this on my own, but I'd love to take some tuna casserole, mac and cheese, roast beef sliders, and Mom's special lemonade!"
"Of course! We'll pack it up right away," Wesley responded, clearly pleased.
A few minutes later, Athena headed downstairs with bags of food in hand. Once outside, she pulled out her phone and made a call.
She began, "Ryan, my family bought an apartment in Bard Garden, but the handover's been delayed for three years.
"My brother just got arrested at a protest after clashing with security. I need you to be his lawyer and handle this.
"Also, I want you to investigate Bard Property immediately. I need detailed information on their operations, finances, and staffing."
"My goal is to get our apartment back as soon as possible," Athena declared firmly. "And keep this quiet. My family can't know I'm involved."
Claire, distressed by the thought of her daughter being kicked out of the Kennedy family and left with nothing, quickly added, "The house might be small, but there are usually only four or five of us here. We can definitely make room for you."
Wesley nodded in agreement. "And if the cramped space makes you uncomfortable, I can rent a nearby room. You can choose the location and size."
Before Athena could respond, Claire, still worried, asked cautiously, "Athena, do you have any money right now? We're not rich, but we can certainly support you."
Athena smiled warmly and replied, "Thank you for worrying about me. I'd be happy to move back in with you.
"But I'll be working over the summer and will need to stay in the company dormitory so I won't be moving back right away.
"And please don't worry about my living expenses. The company provides meals and accommodation, and the salary is good enough for me. I'll let you know if I ever need money for tuition when school starts."
Claire's concern was immediate. "You're so young and already working? What kind of job is it? Is it tough? Does your boss treat you well? And is it safe?"
To Claire, Athena was still just eighteen—delicate and angelic, raised in comfort. The thought of Athena going out to work, especially with so little life experience, made her anxious. She'd much prefer Athena helping out at their food cart in the evenings, even if it meant just sitting there playing on her phone.
Athena's smile stayed gentle as she reassured Claire. "It's nothing to worry about. We're a group of students working with experts on some scientific research. Everyone's deeply involved in academia, and they're all well-respected professionals. There's no danger."
She wasn't lying about the job, but she left out some details on purpose.
Claire sighed in relief but still hesitated before asking, "What kind of scientific research?"
Athena smiled mysteriously. "That's classified. I can't share the details."
Claire was about to press further when Wesley stepped in, calm and reassuring. "Athena, you're a smart girl. If you say it's confidential, we believe you."
Noticing the food left on the table, Wesley smoothly changed the subject. "There's still plenty of food. Want to take some home?"
Wesley gave Claire a meaningful look, silently reminding her not to push too hard.
They had talked about this earlier and agreed that the best way to make Athena feel comfortable was to listen to her, respect her choices, and not interfere too much.
Remembering their agreement, Claire swallowed her remaining worries and decided not to dig any deeper.
"Alright, thank you for the meal!" Athena said, grateful for their efforts. "I can't eat all of this on my own, but I'd love to take some tuna casserole, mac and cheese, roast beef sliders, and Mom's special lemonade!"
"Of course! We'll pack it up right away," Wesley responded, clearly pleased.
A few minutes later, Athena headed downstairs with bags of food in hand. Once outside, she pulled out her phone and made a call.
She began, "Ryan, my family bought an apartment in Bard Garden, but the handover's been delayed for three years.
"My brother just got arrested at a protest after clashing with security. I need you to be his lawyer and handle this.
"Also, I want you to investigate Bard Property immediately. I need detailed information on their operations, finances, and staffing."
"My goal is to get our apartment back as soon as possible," Athena declared firmly. "And keep this quiet. My family can't know I'm involved."
End of She Stuns the World Chapter 19. Continue reading Chapter 20 or return to She Stuns the World book page.