The Villain (4)

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November 29, 2022

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Ezekiel peered into Athena's level, but he couldn't see anything. He remembered that the woman used to have barely passable physical potential and mental strength. "She can't be powerless, so she must hide her true nature all this time!"

Athena's lips curved up slowly. She could feel the man's caution and wariness against her.

The original owner had intended to utilize her child as an heir to the Rofocale family's throne. But Athena had no idea that her son's birth certificate would be taken away by the general. And the child would be born close to everyone in the Rofocale family but not to her.

The general had no plans to disclose their relationship to others and publicly. Others, except for a selected few, are unaware of Mrs. Rofocale's existence. The general also warned Athena that she would get held accountable if she publicly disclosed her relationship with the Rofocale family.

Athena had intended to test the general's bottom line. Still, after witnessing Ezekiel's iron and blood methods, she decided against it since she was still terrified of dying despite being such a publicist.

"Master." Old nanny Jean and the rest of the housebots greeted the patriarch of the Rofocale family. The servants bowed their heads and waited at the side.

Athena gave Ezekiel a stern glare before averting her eyes. She gently patted Theo's head after placing a piece of peeled shrimp in the child's bowl.

Little Theo whispered, "Dad," looking a little scared at his father, squinting his glassy eyes, and moving his body toward Athena. Little Theo wanted to feel the warmth of his mother and shield himself from his father's coldness.

When Athena noticed Theo's emotional fluctuations, she turned to the old nanny Jean and said, "Nanny, let's add a pair of chopsticks and a bowl to the master."

Theo is still her child even though her instincts warn her she shouldn't get close to someone like Ezekiel Rofocale. Athena still decided to divert Ezekiel's coldness from Theo to her. Athena does not want to reveal to the child that she and Ezekiel are incompatible, even if they are.

A child's understanding of a family can become chaotic because of a single shortcoming displayed to him by his parents. And that's the last thing Athena wants to happen.

Old granny Jean tentatively turned to look at Ezekiel after hearing Athena's order, but the general's face remained expressionless. His phoenix-like eyes appeared to be piercing Athena's soul as they fixed themselves on her.

Old nanny Jean hesitated, walked to the kitchen, took an extra pair of chopsticks and a bowl, and put it on the table after observing that the young master didn't respond and Athena was also eating alone.

Little Theo glanced at Athena before turning to see Ezekiel frozen at the door. He rolled his large eyes, got up, and rushed to Ezekiel. Little Theo courageously grabbed his father's cold hand and brought him to the dining table.

"Dad, please sit and eat with us."

Being close to people has never been Ezekiel's thing, and he was also very harsh with his son. On workdays, Theo dared not come close to him. However, he had to drag his father over if his mother wanted to eat with him. He was so coy last night that he requested his mother sing to soothe him to sleep, and she instantly complied!

"I'm not sure if it works for Dad," Theo said.

The general was looking at the little, waist-high child beside him. Theo's hand was small and soft in his palm, and his face was an entirely miniaturized replica of Ezekiel's. Ezekiel unconsciously took Theo's hand, feeling a sense of attachment in his heart.

He never knew how to get along with children, but Theo is his child. Ezekiel's eyes appeared dazzled as he peed at Athena, who was eating peacefully. He will tell her how much it will cost her if she decides to utilize their child for her goals.

When Theo saw his father turn to face the dining table, he assumed Ezekiel had agreed, and happiness flared in the small boy's wide eyes. It was a success! "Dad, eat quickly," Theo greeted Ezekiel as he got led to his seat.

Theo begins to smile naively. He is dining here with his parents right now! The dinner table was silent for a while, while Athena took care of herself, ate herself, and occasionally put food in Theo's bowl.

When dinner ended, Athena ordered old nanny Jean to accompany and bathe little Theo in her room.

"Let's talk somewhere else." Then, she brought Ezekiel to her study room.

Ezekiel stared at Athena with all of his guard up. He doesn't want a second mistake to happen between them. And without much thought, he followed the enchanting figure before him.

Athena sensed the aura of the general surge towards her while they were alone in a room together, as though they were at war. Then she opened the window with her extended hand, and a refreshing breeze freshened the air.

"When can we sign the divorce papers? I want it as early as possible. You wouldn't want to get stuck in this loveless marriage with me. I no longer want to stay here too." Athena sat on the couch and looked coldly at Ezekiel.

The first time she saw Ezekiel, she was sure that the man was hard to calculate. The original owner just added more problems to her life by marrying the man.

Ezekiel reminded Athena of the long-lost miraculous prince of the neighboring kingdom in her previous life who conquered his kingdom by force and won the war against the apocalypse. The man Athena remembered was handsome, wealthy, aggressive in fighting, soulless, and unfathomable.

Athena knew the man would never allow his marriage to be in the hands of others.

Their divorce will eventually happen. It is essential to settle their divorce as soon as possible to avoid further issues in the future. Economic disadvantage is nonexistent for Athena because she can stand on her own. Ezekiel, who has always been adept at estimating the probability of various scenarios, was surprised by Athena's opening statement.