She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

Chapter 173

The rainforest in Asnaoya was known as a forbidden zone for himans.

It spanned a vast area with complex terrain, including forests, ponds, mountains, swamps, caves, canyons, cliffs,

and more, making it easy to get lost.

The climate there was unpredictable, shifting suddenly from sunny and scorching to pitch-black skies with

torrential rain. Daytand nighttfelt like two entirely different worlds.

The rainforest was hto dangerous creatures, such as pythors, venomous snakes, gorillas, leopards,

piranhas, and hippos. Even more frightening were the invisible threats, venomous insects, mosquitoes, ants, and

methane gases. It was a place even the locals feared to tread.

Athena couldn't understand and said, "He's always been so composed and must know how dangerous that

rainforest is. | don't believe he'd take such a huge risk just to hunt down the rebel leader.

He promised

I he'd return soon to take her out for dinner.

She had been waiting.

Louis remained silent.

Athena could

could faintly hear his irregular breathing and asked again, "Are you hiding something from me?"

After a few seconds, Louis sighed. "There is something, but Mr. Graham toldnot to tell you."

Athena

sighed too. "He's been missing for so long and could be in serious danger. What are you still hiding?"

"You have a point," Louis said quietly. "Before Mr. Graham entered the rainforest, he called me. He toldthat

both sides had fought all night, and the entire office area was nearly leveled,

"The vault containing the uncut diamonds was also destroyed, and the rebel leader took one of the safes

"Inside that safe was an uncut diamond freshly unearthed, and he couldn't let it fall into rebel hands."

Athena remained puzzled. "No matter how valuable that diamond is, he won't care about it. He doesn't lack

money. It's unlikely he'd risk his life for just one diamond."

After a brief hesitation, Louis said, "He mentioned that the diamond was a rare green one, as big as a fist, and he

thought it would suit you. He wanted to bring it back to craft into a piece of jewelry for you."

What Athena couldn't see was that Louis had covered his face with his hand as he said this, clearly feeling guilty

toward his

boss.

Athena was speechless.

She was a little touched, but at the stime, she felt Matthew was being foolish.

After waiting a while without hearing a response from her, Louis said sofily, "Miss Donovan, there's no need to

worry too much. Mr. Graham is not someone with bad luck. He will definitely make it out of the rainforest."

Athena replied. "I understand. Let's leave it at that. Informimmediately if there's any news,"

She hung up the phone.

Then, she dialed a secure line.

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

1/4

1/4

Chapter 15

n

At first, there was sstatic from the other side, but after a while, a cold voice responded, "Boss."

Athena said. I'm heading to the rainforest near the Graham Group's diamond mine in Asnaoya to look for

Matthew, and | plan to wipe out the local rebels while I'm at it. | need you to gather elite personnel and

equipment and meetthere as fast as possible. How soon can you get there?"

Hearing that she intended to personally enter one of the most dangerous on the other end remained completely

calm. "Is this a covert operation?"

Athena replied. "Yes"

places to search for someone and fight, the person

After thinking for about ten seconds, the person said, "I'll start gathering the team now. Considering it's a covert

mission and we need to travel in separate groups, the earliest we can arrive is tomorrow night local time."

Athena responded, "Alright, whoever arrives first, make contact!

The person on the other end added, "I must remind you, the conditions in the rainforest are extremely

complicated. Military compasses and satellite phones might not work properly. If you enter the rainforest, finding

the target might not be

easy.

Athena replied. "I gave Matthew a backpack and a 'Guardian' device, both of which have chips installed with

tracking and recording capabilities. Once | arrive, Ill be able to locate the chip's position."

The person said, "You're indeed the boss. I'll start preparing right away."

"Thank you." After hanging up. Athena sent a message in the university faculty group chat. [This is Athena. |

have soine urgent work to handle. so I'll need about a week off. Apologies for the inconvenience.]

A teacher in the group quickly responded: [Go ahead, take care of your work. Cback whenever you're ready.

No rush.]

Athena sent a smiling emoji. [Thank you.]

By then, the bus returning the freshmen from military training had pulled into the campus parking lot.

Athena put away her phone and got off the bus with her classmates.

Students from the other buses quickly gathered around her, greeting her enthusiastically. "Athena, you're

amazing! You ranked first in all subjects and are a sharpshooter. Even the instructor was impressed. We really

admire you!" Athena smiled. "Thank you. | just have good eyesight."

The students all chimed in, "You're so talented, no need to be so modest.

As they were chatting, a bright and lively voice called out loudly, Athena, you're finally back. I've been waiting

for afternoon."

Athena turned and saw a young man running toward her from the basketball court, holding a basketball in one

hand and waving with the other, his smile bright and charming. She smiled and waved back at him.

She

The ladies standing near her lit up when they saw the young man. "Wow, he's so handsome."

Alaric jogged up to Athena and looked her over, concern evident on his face. "You've been training for so long.

Are you. Did you get hurt? Are you feeling unwell?"

tired? ured

Athena shook her head. "No, I'm fine."

Alaric asked. "Are you thirsty?"

211

2/1

2K 82%

Chapter 173

Athena nodded. "A little

Alaric glanced around. "Wait here, I'll go get you sice cream

He ran off to the campus shop, moving quickly.

The ladies asked Athena. "That guy is really handsome. Is he an old classmate or a friend of hers?"

Athena smiled, just about to respond

when a few more basketball players

ran over, surrounding her. Sere

Alaric's friend? You Yehlly do loo

sari G& wasn't lying "No wonder

Alaric set your photo as his phone

wallpaper, always boasting about

how pretty you are "Athena, we re

Alaric's teammates. How about

adding us on iMessage?" The content

is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

"Back off!" Alaric dashed over, pushing his teammates aside. He handed Athena the ice cream, saying, "She's

only mine. contacting her behind my back He had no intention of

of telling anyone that Athena was

actually his younger sister, lest they

start having ideas RL her. Atheha

oll bether to = ain, taking the ice

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

cream from him. Thanks. Alaric

asked. "Where are you headed now?

Want to grab a bite together?" shook

hThe content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

Athena

her head. "I have to go

she needed to pack her bags, choose her gear, and arrange for a flight to Asnaoya as quickly as possible. Alaric

smiled. "Alright, we'll head back together then"

The young men around them started jeering. "Where are you two going together? Your love nest?"

"Move along!" Alaric laric grabbed Athena's hand. "We live in the sneighborhood, so of course we should

head back together Then, with with his head held high, he

Se

he strutted past everyone, one hand holding Athena's and the other spinning a ball on his fingertips, looking

proud. As they walked past, envious glances followed them.

envied | him, while senvied Athena.

"Hey, isn't that guy the heartthrob from the University of Technology? Tons of girls like him, but he never dates

anyone. Is that girl his girlfriend?" They look like a perfect match. His fans are going to be devastated."

"I know the girl. She's our new campus belle, Athena. I didn't know she already had a boyfriend"

"Im taking a picture of this and posting it on the campus forum.

Alaric, caught up in his excitement, only had eyes for Athena. He kept asking her questions, completely oblivious

to everyone around them.

Athena also ignored the stares and whispers.

Neither of them noticed Joy, who had

just finished military training too, step

out from the field. Lepore call)

them, ské froxeSfor moment, her

eyes resting on Alaric for a few

seconds before she quickly turned

around, crouched down, and

pretended to tie her shoes. The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there! 8