Chapter 202: The President's Order II
Athena inhaled deeply, striving to calm the rage simmering beneath the surface as she observed Valentine, who
was expertly maintaining his stoic facade.
Yes, she needed protection. That was a fact. But she didn’t want—or need—the government's protection. Hadn't
she once worked for them? She was all too familiar with their operations, and now, she wanted nothing to do
with them.
How could she disentangle herself from this entanglement? Was it even possible?
"What else did he ask you to do? Surely, the order isn’t just to look afterlike a nanny?" She finally asked,
stepping back.
Valentine pursed his lips, a fleeting frown passing across his face, but Athena noticed his budding annoyance.
"He also ordered that you hand over the research material..."
"It's not happening, Valentine. Get that message back to him. It is absolutely not happening. My research, my
lab, everything stays with me."
Valentine furrowed his brows, astonished by the audacity of this woman whose nwas on the lips of nearly
everyone he knew. "You would dare disobey the president of the country?"
"Yes, Valentine. | would dare to. After all, I have citizenship in other countries. If he tries to play a chess game
with me, | can simply move to another board. So, what's it going to be, chief security officer?"
Valentine quelled the anger that surged within him, especially in the presence of her entourage.
Aiden Hunt, his senior during their tin the army, regarded him with a bored expression, as expected. And
there were Mr. and Mrs. Thorne, owners of one of the leading companies in the country.
They could likely keep this smart-mouthed doctor safe—he certainly had no interest in babysitting a rude woman
—but this was a direct order from the president, and defying it was not an option.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"| can’t disobey a direct order from the president..."
"You don’t have to..." Athena interjected, glancing at her wristwatch, impatience creeping in. "Just relay my
message back to him. If he wants to talk, let him schedule a meeting to discuss my protection and research—
that’s the most | can agree to. But having you all tailing me? | can’t have it. That would do more harm than good.
As you can see..."
She gestured to the security detail standing behind her. "My friends havecovered. Still, thanks for your
concern, Valentine."
Valentine clenched his jaw so tightly that his lips burned from the friction. "Okay then," He finally said. "I'll take
your report back to the president."
Athena sighed in relief, but that relief was short-lived when Valentine added, "But I'll leave three of my men
here. They will join your security detail. That's the compromise | can offer until I get in touch with the president."
Athena's retort was caught in her throat as Aiden spoke. "Okay, Valentine. Keep the three men with us and go.
We have a meeting to attend to."
Valentine bowed his head slightly to Aiden, a reflexive gesture—stemming of years of following ranks in the
military—catching himself a moment too late.
Athena’s lips thinned in amusement. She knew she shouldn't push her luck. She watched as the frustrated man
bit back a hiss, turned around, and walked out of the compound with his detail, leaving three hefty guards
behind.
She didn’t bother asking for their names; she simply walked toward the car waiting for her. There was no need
for introductions, she thought, settling into her seat, because they wouldn't be there long. She was determined
not to allow any government spies into her research.
"Athena..." Antonio’s voice broke into her thoughts as he joined her in the car.
From the view mirror, Athena caught the amusement lurking in Aiden’s eyes as he sat in the front seat with the
driver.
"You didn’t tellyou were attacked! | didn’t know really! | turned off my phone after calling your number then;
| was just so tired..."
"It’s okay, Antonio," Athena said, trying to smooth the worried lines on her friend's face. But Antowasn't
ready to let it go.
"It’s not okay, Athena! | saw the video—both the accident and when Aiden carried you from the bush. There was
nothing okay about that! We must kill Morgan! Please tellthere's a plan in motion because | already have
one..."
Athena was left speechless. "Uhmm..." What could she say? "We already have plans in place. Don’t worry,
Morgan will pay for what he did. You can be assured of that."
Antosighed heavily and pulled Athena's face towards him, shocking her.
"Don’t scarelike that again, Athena..." He spoke softly, his eyes scanning her face as if searching for the
scars he'd seen in the video, finally resting on her pink, plump lips.
"lI won't, Antonio," Athena muttered, gently pulling away. "You don’t have to worry."
Antosighed and turned away, unaware of Aiden’s internal battle not to say, "Goodnight, Athena. | love you,"
as it seemed Antodidn’t remember his words from the previous night.
Moments later, they arrived at Ewan’s company.
As Athena stepped out of the car, she was immediately taken aback by the cheers echoing around her from
passersby and workers alike who had paused to see who the convoy was bearing.
She pursed her lips and hurried into the company alongside Aiden and Old Mr. Thorne with his wife—they had
dropped Antooff at Herbert's company—knowing that it was only a matter of tbefore the press arrived
there.
Oh Lord, she mused as she walked toward the conference room, with Old Mr. Thorne leading the way.
They met Zane by the door, on a call.
Spotting them, he greeted them with a smile.
Then he hung up and enveloped Athena in a hug.
"You're looking even better than before..." He said when they separated.
Athena continued to smile. "Thank you, Zane. And thank you, too, for saving me."
Zane shrugged his shoulders, nonchalantly. "I think the person deserving of thanks is Ewan. He made it all
possible."
Athena raised an eyebrow. Ewan again? "Will he be around for today’s meeting?"
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